Shorter chapter this time, just to separate the pre-date scene and the date itself.
(Hachiman)
I wake up. It's Saturday. Today, I am going out to do... something with the other members of the service club I still have no idea what we're gonna do. I should actually check in case we end up having a club session all day. I don't want to go out of my way to meet up with those two just to find out that I'm going to be wasting the entire day sitting around achieving nothing. I already do that five days a week thanks to the modern education system.
I begin my morning routine. I'm taking my time because it's the weekend and I have the freedom to procrastinate, even if that freedom may be compromised later today. I wonder if I should dress well today, or if it's fine to just throw on anything. Wait, am I taking this too seriously? It almost sounds like a date when I think about it like that!
The house is quiet as I walk into the kitchen. It's 8 o'clock. My parents have already left to do what they always do; grow old whilst working jobs they hate to support kids they barely ever talk to. Thank you for your sacrifices, but don't expect me to return the favor.
Komachi is still sleeping. Usually she's up bright and early even if there's nothing to do. Always so full of energy and life. She's not like those little sisters who sparkle in the public eye but are worthless slobs at home [1]. I decide to let her sleep in. She really should simmer down every once in a while. Besides, if she finds out what I'm doing today, I'll never hear the end of it.
I fetch myself some cereal for breakfast. Hmm. I feel like it's nutritious enough, but my tastebuds are unsatisfied. I've become spoiled with Komachi's glorious cooking. She really takes too much care of me these days. Honestly, Komachi. If you weren't so adorable, you'd never be able to get away with that sort of doting behavior. It'd come off as creepy and disgusting [2].
Source: The usual source.
Some time later, I hear a strange jingle resonating through the living room. It's oddly familiar. I can't quite remember where I last heard it, but I think it's supposed to mean something. I try to find the source of the sound, but after almost a minute of searching, it stops abruptly. Weird. I wonder what it was. Before I can ponder it any further, the jingle begins again. It's then that I realize what the sound is; it's my ringtone! Someone is actually calling me?
I find my phone, and it's luckily still ringing. It's Yuigahama. I answer it.
"Moshi Moshi." [3]
["Hikki! Are you excited for today?"] Argh. Is the call set to speakerphone or is it just you?
"Maybe I would be if I had even the slightest idea what we're supposed to be doing." I reply in a lower voice, in the hopes that she would match my volume.
["It's a surprise!"] She didn't match my volume.
"I see. What kind of surprise?" I subtly attempt to investigate. I'm not one for surprises, after all. I'm the kind of person who appreciates routine, as boring as that sounds.
["I'm sure you'll like it, Hikki."] She chuckles.
"Something I like, huh? Does it involve staying home?"
["Ugh. You're the worst, sometimes. Just come to the station at eleven, okay? And dress nice. Bye bye."]
"Ah, wait a mi-"
BOOOOOOOOOP
She hung up on me. How incredibly rude. I thought you were supposed to be good at talking to people.
Well, I guess that's enough information. By 'the station' I think I can figure which one she's referring to. The nearest train station to my house also happens to be the nearest train station to her house. Ah, should I bring some money? Well, it can't hurt to take my wallet with me at least.
"Onii-chan, did you just have a phone conversation?" The sudden sound catches me so off guard, I nearly jump out of my skin. I turn around, Komachi is standing there rubbing her left eye. Seems like she just got up.
"Hmm? Ah, I guess so. Why do you ask?" I try to act natural. The last thing I need is her prodding into my business.
Still with a sleepy demeanor, she mumbles a response. "No, I was just thinking you never get phone calls, Onii-chan. Who was it?"
"Ah, just Sensei being her lonely self as always."
Sorry, Sensei. I didn't mean to use your pathetic failure of a love life as a tool for deflecting my little sister's questions. Maybe you'll find a guy who's into all the same stuff as you, finds you beautiful, and is somehow able to tolerate your abusive and obnoxious personality.
Preferably someone your own age, though. I'd rather not apply for the position unless you're certain nobody else will.
Komachi groans. "Ah, poor Sensei. Do you think anyone will ever marry her?"
Actually, if you overlook some of her major character flaws, she's honestly a pretty good catch. In fact, in a way, they are a blessing in disguise. With her level of beauty, it'd be far too easy to find some scumbag who doesn't truly love her, and only wants her as some sort of human toy, or a trophy wife. One could argue that it's her bad habits that will separate the scum from the great guys who could possibly love her for the amazing woman she is.
Unfortunately, the majority of said guys are already married. Or gay. Or messed up in the head somehow.
"Yeah, she will. She just needs to find someone who deserves her."
Huh, strange. It was a spur-of-the-moment lie meant to misdirect Komachi. Why am I the one who got hung up on the thought?
My suspiciously meaningful answer causes Komachi to perk up, and give me a suspicious glance.
"Okaaay. Gonna pretend that didn't sound really weird, Onii-chan."
Despite the suspicion in her tone, she doesn't follow up so I decide to change the topic.
"Any plans for today?"
She shrugs. "Neh. What about you Onii-chan?"
Before I can answer, she snorts. "Haha, yeah right. You, having plans for the weekend."
As insulted as I am, it raises an important question. How in the hell am I going to leave the house for the entire day without her suspecting anything? Furthermore, I'm supposed to 'dress nice', as Yuigahama immaculately articulated. If she notices I change into some of my best clothes, she's going to suspect something for sure. I need to come up with a cover story. One that will match my behavior and allow me to leave the house for the better part of the day.
Aha! I've got it.
"Actually, Komachi. I've got another request from Zaimokuza. He wants me to uh, go with him to an offline meeting of some of his internet buddies. So I'll be heading out for a while."
At some point, Komachi began fixing herself some cereal. "Oh? That's good. Maybe if he clicks with someone, we might see less of him around."
Oi, Zaimokuza may be gross, but don't say hurtful things so thoughtlessly. You've recently started picking up traits reminiscent of a certain someone you knoooow.
"Yeah. On that note, I'm gonna go and change into some better clothes." I say and try to walk off to my room.
"Wait."
I freeze. Was I caught? Did my lies have a hole somewhere? No, just play it cool. Komachi has no reason to suspect anything.
"What's up?" I ask, making an effort to keep my tone flat. Was it too flat, maybe it was unnatural. Did I just blow it? Unconsciously, I gulp. I feel like I'm gonna start sweating if I don't get it together.
"Let me pick your clothes. Your fashion sense is horrible."
Phew. I think I'm safe. We go to my room, and just like when I went out with Isshiki, Komachi refutes every choice I make, and ultimately decides on some clothes which I personally think are just a tad too stand-outish. I can't even remember when, where, or why I got these clothes. I also can't pinpoint what exactly it is about these clothes that seem flashy, or why I'm only noticing it now. Perhaps it's the combination of the overall outfit.
Maybe Komachi's actually got an amazing sense of fashion?
She sighs. "It's not perfect, but it'll have to do. One of these days, you should let me take you out clothes shopping. Your treat of course."
Um, actually, Kouhai, if I'm the one paying then it's actually me who's taking you out. Wait, did I just call you Kouhai? I meant Komachi! You're nothing like her I swear! I could never confuse you for anyone else in the world, even if you cloned yourself. Well, I mean it's kind of your fault, though. You have been acting like a cuter version of her lately.
Disregarding that chilling thought, I grab the clothes Komachi gave me. "Anyway, turn around."
She tilts her head to the side with an expression of innocent curiosity. "Hm? Why?"
"What? Obviously because I'm gonna get changed."
"Who cares about that?" She makes a smug face. "You suddenly being a shy guy now?"
Huh? No, wait. No matter how I look at it, that response was incorrect. In fact, the normal thing for siblings would be for you to leave the room, wouldn't it? Am I in the wrong too for not suggesting that in the first place?
"Tch. Whatever."
Despite my internal ramblings I get changed in front of her anyway.
"Hey, Onii-chan. Even if you meet any cute girls at this meeting, you can't make any developments today, okay?"
"You have to tell me?"
"I'm just making sure. You already have more candidates than you deserve. Don't push your luck, alright?"
For some reason, the way she phrases that irritates me. Of course, I could never show such irritation to my dear little sister, so I don't say anything in response.
Afterwards, after watching TV with Komachi for a couple of hours, it's around 10:30. If I want to be on time, I should get going.
"Hey, I'm gonna go now." I get off the couch and head towards the door.
"Ah, alright." Probably because it's a commercial break, she gets up and walks with me to the front door.
"Have a good day, Onii-chan. Remember, no flirting with any new girls."
"Yeah yeah." I brush off her snarky comment.
It's as I'm getting my shoes on that Komachi's phone goes off. It's sad that I recognize the sounds of Komachi's phone better than my own. She keeps hers in her pocket most of the time, because she uses it a lot more than I do.
She checks it. "Ah, it's from Yui-chan."
Alarms go off in my head. I came so far, only to be thwarted now by the idiot mastermind herself?
"...What does it say?" I don't stop. My shoes are on, and I open the door.
"It says 'yahallo Komachi-chan, can you make sure Hikki is dressed properly for our date today'."
Ugh. Yuigahama, I will get you back for this. Mark my words.
Komachi drops her phone. She doesn't react to the thud of her expensive smartphone hitting the floor. She just stares at me with her jaw hanging wide open and her eyes bulging out of her skull.
I look at her with an expression of what is probably guilt and panic.
She looks at me.
I look at her.
She looks at me.
I look at her.
She grins with morbid fascination.
I run for my life.
When I fly out the door, I slam it as quickly as I can. I start sprinting and I hear the door open again. She shouts at my back. "I WANT EVERY LAST DETAIL WHEN YOU GET HOME, ONII-CHAN!"
This chapter was originally supposed to cover the entire date, but I had so much fun writing the morning scene at home, that it ended up getting too long. It's about the length of the usual chapters for this, which is between two and three thousand words.
As for what 8man is actually wearing; imagine what you like. I find that when writers describe the clothes in detail, you spend too much effort imagining the outfit and you're less focused on the story.
And now to answer some reviews.
-ralphsiegler, what you are saying makes sense, but only out of context. The relationship between Hachiman and Iroha isn't quite that simple. In the first place, Hachiman is not romantically attracted to Iroha, and only wants to see her happy. If you consider that, it makes a little more sense as to why he wasn't jilted when she went back to Hayama. That being said, Iroha's role in this story is not finished yet.
-weewah, about Tobe... well, you will see. As for the other thing you said; ( _ )
-BentShuriken, as tempting as it is to write that, it would be tossing aside all of the accumulated drama thus far, and undermining the depth of their relationship. As for what's in store for them, well... more things will happen after Tomoko arrives. I don't want to spoil anything.
-Anonymous, thanks again. I can't undo the developments so far (and I don't really want to), but I will take more care in the pacing in the future. I feel like I'm learning, though. BTW you should totally make an account. You have good input and you seem to be into the fandom.
-To all the reviewers who said they liked my story (or stories), thank you so much. It's stuff like that which makes me want to write even more.
[1] Himouto! Umaru-chan reference.
[2] Oreimo reference. Kirino says that a lot.
[3] that's how Japanese people answer their phones.
DELETED SCENE
Warning: ( ತಎತ)
"Onii-chan, did you just have a phone conversation?" The sudden sound catches me so off guard, I nearly jump out of my skin. I turn around, Komachi is standing there rubbing her left eye. Seems like she just got up.
"Hmm? Ah, I guess so. Why do you ask?" I try to act natural. The last thing I need is her prodding into my business.
Seems like I failed, because she suddenly perks up. "Hoh? What did Yui-chan want?" She makes a sly grin, and all the tiredness from her face is suddenly gone.
How in the hell did she nail it on the first guess?
I decide to lie to her face. Remember to maintain eye contact. "No it wasn't her."
"Ehehehe." The way she laughs is belittling, as though I were a child attempting to fool his parents. "You remembered the eyes this time, Onii-chan, but I can still tell you're lying."
What!? How!?
"You're probably wondering how I know, right? It's simple, Onii-chan. I know everything there is to know about Onii-chan. Because I'm always watching Onii-chan. Always."
...Ew.
I mean no! That's so sweet, Komachi. I'm so truly touched that you think of your twisted good-for-nothing brother so dearly. After all, sibling affection is the purest and most beautiful kind of affection there is. There's no way you could have crossed a line because there's no line to cross.
Right?
"..."
Crap. I'd better say something quick. "Ah, likewise, I know everyth-"
"No you don't."
Urk! What the hell? How did she know what I was gonna say?
She steps closer.
"Onii-chan doesn't feel the same way I feel. You don't watch me as closely as I watch you."
Again, she steps closer.
Komachi?
"But it's alright. Because I have enough love for the both of us."
Oi, your eyes are kind of... dark.
Another step. She's only a couple of feet away now.
"Hey, Onii-chan. I've been thinking. You're never gonna get a girlfriend."
Komachi, you're being weird this morning...
"I don't know about that, Komachi. You said yourself, I know some cute girls, right?" I instinctively break eye contact. Wait, am I intimidated right now? By Komachi of all people?
"No, I don't think they're right for you."
She takes one final step, closing all distance between us.
I try to retort. "But you said-"
"As I was saying Onii-chan, you'll never have a girlfriend, so I've decided."
She looks up at me. Her eyes are so unnaturally matte that I instinctively take a step back. Who is this? This can't be my cute little sister.
As soon as I take a step back, she immediately responds with an equivalent step toward me. I try to take another step back, but I trip over. She collapses to her hands and knees, leaning over me.
"I'm going to take care of you. Forever."