MY HIGH SCHOOL LIFE IS NOT AS QUITE AS I EXPECTED IT TO BE
[Wednesday, 10th April]
[Sobu High School Entrance]
Experience; one of the most crucial factors in life. Without it mankind could never have reached the peak of civilization. Of course not everything is a good experience.
My experience in life…I would say is about average, I'm leading an average life of an average loner the only thing that's making my life better is Komachi and the only thing that's making my life a bit worse is probably my eyes.
People will reel in shock or disgust after taking a look at me and it is not a very pleasing experience every time but I learned to get used to it. However, regardless of the negative reactions of people towards me, I still adapted and blended into society; Even if I sometimes am in the minority of the majority I am still part of the majority…
The one of many things I hate about being part of the majority though is that it is crowded and noisy…That's why I listen to music through my earphones as I walked towards the school's main building, the only thing that pierced through the music is the murmurs of the other students around me. I didn't bother to pay attention on what the people around me were saying seeing as no one will really call out for me…
I have fully recovered two days ago, apparently Miura-Sensei discovered I have been a patient there twice and chided me for that, he wasn't angry though. He allowed me to stay there in case of after-injuries for the remaining days, which I spent doing some R&R and boy did I have a wonderful time! I think I'm supposed to remember a problem but I can't seem to remember…Something about a video? Bah…Whatever!
My family visited frequently in the remaining hospital days, the food they brought was great compared to the hospital food and my parents even brought some good news: my bike is still in good condition! Are the gods favoring me this year?!
I'll make sure to take care of her more carefully this time! We went through some tough times together you see, we went to and fro everywhere in all three seasons and not only that my stamina is quite good for a lazy guy because of her, I don't know if that's true though seeing as I don't have anyone to compare it to…
"Hm…?" While I was distracted remembering the last few days of my extended Vacay, I felt a lot of stares behind me while changing into the school shoes; I must be blocking something…
Not minding the looks behind me, I went on my way to the faculty office. During my journey there though, I still felt the stares from behind me "Haa…" Not even an hour and I'm already 'bothering' everyone but what's their problem?! I took off the earphones and checked the classroom rosters "…That Yukinoshita girl was right…Scary…" So I really am in class 2-F huh? "Hm…?" The teacher's name sounds familiar…
After that, I entered the faculty office and asked a nearby teacher where the teacher of Class 2-F is. I was redirected to the back of the office where a female teacher can be found "Excuse me, Hiratsuka-Sensei, I'm the student who got involved in an accident…" I explained the situation and took in the sight of my class teacher for this year.
The very first person that came to mind was Yukinoshita when I set eyes on Hiratsuka-Sensei, with just a bigger bust though- My spine just felt chills when I thought of that. What the-?! Can that girl read minds or something? Or maybe I'm just having PTSD? Ah socializing is so hard…
"…Hachiman-Kun?" I snapped out of my dazing when I heard my first name "Um H-Hey there…" She greeted awkwardly with a smile and small wave. Why's she being so familiar with me? But I also can't help but feel nostalgic when looking at her…
My mind went through many memories and only one word- one nickname could be said…Could it be… "…Shizuka-Nee?" I called uncertainly, she sighed in relief and smile at me, yep it's her! "Long time no see" I said unconsciously smiling.
"Yep, long time no see, it's nice to see you again, Hachiman-Kun" She smiled, a smile that reminds me of our old days, you're a sight for sore eyes too, Shizuka-Nee "However!" A tone of sweetness changed into anger "Something tells me that my little Hachiman-Kun here forgot all about his Shizuka-Nee"
"W-What…? A-Ahem, w-what could possibly gave you the idea that I forgot you?" I scoffed nervously in mock-confidence even though it obviously didn't had any effect.
Shizuka Hiratsuka, the very closest person I could call an acquaintance, she was more like the big sister next door than an acquaintance really. We established a more or less friendly relationship when I was 7 years old and when she was 16 years old.
Our paths would always crossed when we went home from our respective schools, we never really did say anything to each other, now that I think about it, before becoming acquaintances.
It was only in the summer did she came to my house to celebrate my birthday, she came a day later though but that's okay since she was the only person other than my family who I celebrated my birthday with.
I don't know why she spent her free time with me but none the less I had a lot of fun with her, for a whole year I was attached to Shizuka-Nee, on holidays I kept waiting in my room and looked out the window to see if she was busy or not and on school days I always waited for her at the playground, man I must have annoyed her…!
Now I'm sitting on the floor with my legs tucked under me…I can't feel my legs…
"Now can you explain to me…How could you forget me? We spent like, what, a year together hanging out and having fun, doesn't that mean anything to you?" She asked the last part quietly with a sad tone even, dang it, you're making me feel even guiltier right now, Shizuka-Nee…But!
"And I was like 8 years old when you moved away, it's not entirely my fault I'll forget you for a moment in the 9 years we haven't met" I was taken aback by how bitter I sounded when I said that. It wasn't what I wanted to say yet it came out naturally… "But even so, I apologize for not remembering you, Shizuka-Nee" I apologized lowering my head down.
Not having a lot of relationships, I cherish what I still have but I'm unsure what she thinks of us…I do not want to put a high label on our relationship so I consider us as just acquaintances even more so when we just met after 9 years…There's not a lot of people I need to remember so forgetting one of the few acquaintances I have is definitely something to apologize for…
She had been tapping the table with an angry look before but now she just stared at me for a few seconds and then stood up from her sit, approached me and crouched down to my height "…Haa…" She sighed as she stroked my head with a faint warm smile, I was enduring the tingling pain on my legs so I couldn't even think of why she's doing this.
She stood back up and extended her hand towards me "Haa, okay first of all; stand up, you're making a scene" She said scratching the back of her head with blushing cheeks, I grabbed her offered hand and stood up with her help, I just realized that I'm almost as tall as her… "Secondly, call me Shizuka-Sensei from now on since we're student and teacher now and thirdly I forgive you" She smiled.
A smile I return "Thank you, Shizuka-Sensei" I bowed.
"Geez, no need for the formalities" She said before pushing her chair into the table "I'm sorry too, Hachiman-Kun. I kinda overreacted too just now, right?" She grinned with a blush "Come on, let's go introduce you to your classmates" She said and went out of the faculty office followed by me.
"When did you came back?" I asked as we started walking.
"Hmm, about a week ago; I tried calling you but you didn't answer" She sulked, I try to explain why but she stopped me "I know, I know; you got into an accident" She then proceeded to pinch my cheek.
"Ow ow!"
"Which is why I'm curious, why the heck were you given only 1 week to recover?" She asked angrily "Oh! I also saw the video, you could've killed yourself, idiot!" I grabbed her hand and pried them off my cheek.
"You know…You're reprimanding me on some stuff that's out of my control" And thank you for reminding me about the video…Now I realize why people were staring at me…So it didn't blow over, huh… "And yeah I agree about the 1 week part, they should've given me a whole month to recover…Hehehe" I laughed quietly.
"Not for your lazy purposes" She said, bonking me on the head "Are you sure you're okay, though? Do you feel anything funny?" She asked worriedly grabbing me by the shoulder with a worried expression.
"I'm fine" I answered straightforwardly, shrugging off her hand.
"Hmmm, alright" She confirmed warily before continuing to walk ahead. A fuzzy memory comes to mind when I look at her back, if memory serves me right…She made a promise once. She promised me…Oh right.
"By the way, thanks for coming back; I'm happy you kept your promise" I smiled lightly, she turned around and returned the smile.
"Hey, you remembered!" She cheered, bumping her fist onto my shoulder "You're welcome, I'm happy to see you're also still here" She grinned before returning to walk ahead but another fuzzy memory comes to mind when she grinned at me…
"…Did we promise something else together?" I asked hesitantly as I followed her, she flinched at the question and stopped.
"N-No!" She exclaimed in a flustered tone, turning around with red cheeks "Ahem…I mean, not that I remember, I just promised to come back didn't I? A-Ahaha…" She ended that with a suspicious laugh…
"...Never mind then…" If you say it that way then it'll make me even more curious…But I don't wanna waste my energy bothering her about that…If I ask too much I bet she'll punch me anyway… "Ignorance is a blessing"
"...I don't know why but you saying that annoys me somehow" She said with a contemplating tone as she furrowed her brows and then we moved forward until we reached the classroom "Alright wait here, let's catch up later alright, Hachiman-Kun?" She smiled, entering the classroom "Settle down guys, I've got someone to introduce to you, he's been absent for a week so help him if he's struggling, okay?"
A chorus of 'Yes, Sensei' happened.
"Come in" She called and I entered, several pair of eyes followed me and whispers could be heard as I walked next to Shizuka-Nee.
"Whoa, it really is him…"
"Is his face naturally like that…?"
"He doesn't look much like a hero…"
"There's a thing called Anti-Heroes dude…"
How the heck did things escalate to me becoming a Anti-Hero?! "Quite down now, this here is Hachiman Hikigaya, help him if he has any problems, you hear?"
"Yes, Sensei~"
"Anything we should know about you, Hachiman-Kun?" She asked to which I shook my head "Okay, well we know that you're a quite one" She commented getting a bit of a giggle from some people.
"Thanks" I quietly thanked her and she nodded slightly. People usually aren't very perceptive of others in high school or anywhere at all for that matter, so the quite ones tend to get annoyed by people who just won't leave them alone or maybe will see them as easy bullying victims, and in this case with the video and all, she knows what's coming for me which will be probably the first scenario.
"You'll be sitting there" She looked towards the third empty sit on the furthest row next to the wall "If you have any problems don't hesitate to ask your classmates or me, that goes for you guys too, make sure you help him if he's in any trouble. Alright see you guys later" She grabbed me before I moved "Meet me after school" She booped me in the nose and quickly left the class.
I was almost paralyzed me by the action but I snapped out of it and rubbed my nose before sitting at my table, I still can feel the stares while preparing for the first lesson of the day…
A couple of seconds later, a rugged looking male teacher came in "Alright, I was informed by Hiratsuka-Sensei the one-week-absentee is finally here, one week isn't that much so let's just do a recap of what we learned" The whole class agreed to the notion with a groan and so took out their history textbooks, me included.
That's funny, usually the so part would've been continued with a 'You can probably learn that by yourself right?'
During the whole lesson while I focused on listening to the teacher and writing down notes, I felt some people staring at me…Don't you people want to learn or something? This could be your chance to remember some of the things you would forget you know? Haa…I ignored them and continued learning…
By the end of the fourth period, the bell rang, signaling the beginning of lunch time. Everyone sighed in relief as well as me. All the teachers so far told me to cover what they haven't recap by myself; I was going to do that of course even if they didn't told me.
Now that lunch time is here I can go to either two places where there will definitely be no one staring at me; the rooftop or that one bench isolated at the back of the building. Unfortunately I couldn't even stand up as a crowd started to form around me, due to being in this unfamiliar situation I was too slow to respond to the number of dumb questions they asked, I managed to keep a poker face though!
The group of students asked many stupid questions like "How did it feel getting hit by a car?" It freaking hurt you idiot, what else would it felt like? "How were you so fast?" What do you mean fast? I was already nearby! And many more idiotic questions were asked however the group dispersed instantly when a blonde girl approached
"Hey there, do you mind if we have a chat?" She took the sit at the table in front of me, much to the chagrin of its owner; before I could even answer she already started the 'chat' "The name's Yumiko Miura" …Oh dear Neptune, please tell me this is not Miura-Sensei's daughter…
"Um sorry but…Is your father a doctor?" I interrupted gaining a look of surprise from her before she smirked.
"Well looks like you met my dad" Damn it! I was hoping for another Miura rather than THE Yumiko Miura…"Yeah, Noida Miura's my father…So that means you know a bit about me"
"Yeah…A bit…" I know you're quite demanding…And that you have some kind of one sided rivalry with Yukinoshita who's definitely out of your league…
"Seeing as you already know a bit about me" You already said that… "Let me introduce you to my friends" She gestured towards a group at the corner of peculiar design that made them stand out than the rest of the class…
"Sup' dude!" A hairband guy exclaimed, they were eyeing us seconds ago but this guy was outright looking and hearing in on us, no subtlety at all…And he was the one who described me as the 'Anti-Hero'
"Do me a favor, don't call me an 'Anti-Hero'" I demanded, feeling a bit pressured with the eyes on me.
"Oh err haha sorry, dude" He laughed it off nervously.
"Ahem, this guy here's Kakeru Tobe" Miura began the introduction, Tobe did a two-fingered salute "That's Ebina Hina" She did a simple wave at me "Those two are…Um…Ooka and Yamato" These two look simple looking…And did you almost forgot their name? "He's Hayama Hayato" The guy thrust his hand to me so I shook it, Miura looked a bit red on the cheeks when she introduced him.
"Nice to meet you" He said politely with a pretty refreshing smile, somehow making everyone paying attention to this exchange glow a bit, what the heck? I know he's famous but I didn't know he had the power of enhancing others skin with just a smile- oh hey is my skin getting smoother?
"And lastly there's Yui Yuigahama" She pointed at a girl who was fidgeting from behind the rest of them. Wait, she seems familiar…Oh I remember, she's the dog owner, didn't know she's in the same class as me.
"You're…." She ran as soon as I said that. Many people started to snicker and murmur about Yuigahama until they were stopped by Miura when she glared at them…Is she being bullied?
"Haa…I already told her that she shouldn't be afraid, well whatever, hey Tobe can you get us some drinks?" Now's my chance!
"I'll go too" I stood up and waited for Tobe to finish taking orders and exited the class along with him.
"Yo dude, are you like okay? That car accident didn't look like it would take a week to recover from" Tobe asked as we searched for a vending machine. Why would I be here if I'm not okay?
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Where the heck is a vending machine when you need one?
"Hm~ maybe you're like really super strong or something!" Where the hell did you get that idea? "Dude! You should join the soccer club with me and Hayama! We'll be unbeatable!" He then decided to headlock me. Damn it, you're annoyance is increasing with every passing second you know that?
"No…" I push him off of me "I'll be joining the go home club. I have no interest to sweat" I said and walked forward. Ah there's a vending machine over there, finally! Now let's ditch this guy…but how? Hmmm ah let's use that excuse.
"Oh come on, dude-" he caught up to me.
"No, give up, 'dude'"
"Haa…Whatever, it's your loss" no it's my win, I rather enjoy reading my novel peacefully than moving around under the hot sun. While Tobe was trying to remember what his clique ordered, I browse around looking for anything that might seem nice. Let's see here hmm…Oh they still have MAX Coffee? Alright! I inserted my money and pushed the button for it. A loud clanging noise was made and I picked it up.
"Hey, I'm going to the faculty; I just remembered a teacher's calling me" Take the lie, you fool.
"Roger that, I'll tell that to the others" What? Do you think I'm part of that clique or something? Hope not…Anyway, let's get out of here and search for my sanctuary. After a couple minutes of walking around I finally found it! I opened the door and a gust of wind flowed passed me.
"Nice…" Was all I said as I looked down at everything from the rooftop, gripping the chained fence, I drank my coffee. From the students playing some sports game to the disciplinary teacher chasing some pranksters; all can be seen…Only smaller.
The temperature's just right too, the only thing that can make this a perfect lunch place is finding some shade to sit in and that can be found at the highest point of the school, I looked at the small building I came out of and looked up, what I saw startled me.
Lacey black…
"What're you looking at…?" A blue pony-tailed girl asked with a glare as she looked down on me, I looked away subtly to make sure she doesn't know I looked at her panties, ain't that design a bit mature though?
"Sorry, didn't know this place was taken" I apologized after taking another sip "I'll get out of your hair now" I excused myself with that.
"You know…" She stopped me "It's not like I have reign over this place" She explained, crossing her arms with a bit of a miffed face.
"Oh uh right, it's just…It looked like you didn't want me here" I explained, rubbing the back of my head nervously.
"…Whatever…" She said and went to the iron ladder, I looked away as she climbed down.
"Sorry for disturbing…" I apologized as she reached the same ground level as me, she looked at me over her shoulder.
"…I already finished anyway…" She replied, raising her own wrapped lunch box "…See ya…" She ended the conversation at that and went down the stairs into the main building.
"...Phew~" Damn…Who was that girl? She seemed so cool, is she like one of those cool Yankee girls? Dang, I thought they were extinct…I guess I better head to that other location, as much as I like the view here, it's already taken…I know I'll just be an annoyance to the blue pony tailed girl who probably plans to hang around here a lot…She doesn't seem to be too keen with other people too and I respect that…
After that slightly awkward encounter, I made my way to the other location; which I deemed as 'The Bench'. After a couple minutes of walking around I finally found it! At the back of the school a wooden bench is placed, shaded by a tree next to it, there's a calm breeze and it's not too hot.
"Perfect" I sat down and drank my coffee. Haa…Finally a moment of silence. After several minutes of fine solitary, I hear someone approaching around the corner. Crap, did someone already took this place too?
"Aha, I knew you'd be at this kind of place" Hayato Hayama said as he had a smile on his face, he's appearance caught me off guard a little but I recovered…But what did he meant when he said 'this kind of place'? "Tobe said you would be there but when I went to the faculty, you weren't" That explains how he saw through my lie but how did he knew I would be here…?
"What do you want?" I asked warily.
"…You're a lot different than what I expected" He pointed out, making me glare at him.
"Well deal with it" I huffed, finishing my drink "Is that all you want to say?" I asked angrily.
"…We're kind of similar, don't you think?" He asked in a rhetoric tone but I for one got confused.
"What the hell are you saying?" I asked incredulously.
"We both know how society works…Expectations, goals, reputation and yet I can't get out of its scope" He elaborated with furrowed brows "And you've gotten yourself into the edge of the spectrum"
…Ah, I see…He's one of those people… "Not like I can do anything for you, you know?"
"I'm not asking you to, it's just…" He smiled wryly "I want you to be careful, lay low; I don't want things with my friends to get out of hand" He explained "If what I saw in the video is like what I expect out of you then…" His eyes narrowed in an elusive threatening way.
"As if I would do troublesome things like that" A chaotic classroom that I'm in the middle of isn't really something I want "And please stop that, I don't know much about you but I know being a villain ain't your forte"
"Hahaha nice one" He laughed, it may sound real to the average Joe but not to me the lowest of the low in the social ranks plus the direction of this conversation is pretty much borderline hostility "How would you know, though? I can get angry if I want to" His tone and expression is unreadable…
"Whatever, so are you finished? Want me to recap? Appearing all of a sudden, tried to pick a fight with me and then telling me to not disturb the status quo of your group"
"…You're very good at reading between the lines, aren't you?" He noted with an almost-impressed look but then it turned into a look of annoyance "However, don't talk about my friends like that, you may think badly of others but once you get to know them, they aren't that bad"
"Does it look like I care?" I replied "And let's say I do care, if they aren't that bad then that means they aren't that good either" My logic is concrete "Man, you're such a nice guy, taking care of the peace in your group, how noble of you" I said in an obviously sarcastic tone to which he just sighed in a mix of irritation and tiredness. Wow so even if I get annoying he still puts up with me, as expected of Hayato Hayama' the number 1 boy.
"Haa…Well, I think I'll go now. I'll tell Miura that you're still at the faculty, she'll probably still have a fit if you don't come back and talk with her though"
"Sure…" He walked away after that- after achieving nothing at all, the heck? Like, I wasn't gonna disturb his Mystery Gang even if he asked me to, I just want the year to past quietly with me passing exams with flying colors without investing too much effort (Excluding Maths and Science) Haa…Calm down, Hachiman…Lunch times must not be spent in such a fruitless way…
I spent the remaining minutes of lunch time relaxing at the bench and when the bell rang I returned to class, however a certain blonde girl sat at my table angrily tapping it… "Can I help you…?" I asked as I activated [Enhanced Peripheral Vision]! Where I saw the class having an intense atmosphere. Ah man how did I not notice this…?
"What were you doing at the Faculty that took you so long?" She asked in a demanding tone as she crossed her arms and looked up at me with an annoyed look.
"I have no obligation to tell you that" I answered carefully. Sheesh, she really is demanding, we barely know each other and she's already mad at me "Why are you mad anyway?" And sitting at my table? You'll make Past!Me misunderstand, you know?
"Did you forgot that I wanted to talk to you?!" She asked vehemently with an aura shaped like a snake- oh wait that's just my fear forming in my perspective.
"N-No" I automatically started to rub the back of my head and avoided eye contact with her "I…I just thought…Our conversation was finished…" Damn it, socializing is so hard…
She was about to say something until the English teacher came in and started 5th period "Um…So can you…Get out of my sit…?" I asked awkwardly, she only growled in frustration and went to her table. Throughout the lesson I can feel her glares stabbing in my back, I, however intense it felt, just ignored her and wrote down the notes.
Shizuka-Nee came in at 6th period "Let's get this over with, guys" Looks like she teaches Modern Japanese Language. I don't know why but every time I look up to copy the chalkboard I notice her looking at me, she flinches and looks away from me every time I look at her directly…Weirdo…
The final bell of the day rang, notifying us that school has come to an end for today. I sighed in both relief and fatigue as I started packing up, I quickly and silently maneuvered to the back door after that and took out my earphones.
My steps were stopped, however, with my elbow sleeve being grabbed, just when I was one foot away from exiting the class…Haa…What is it now? I turned around to find Miura with an angry look.
"Hikigaya-Kun, are you ready to talk now?" She asked in a calm yet demanding tone, which I like because it's easier to talk to her like this rather than being furious.
"...Why are you so set on having a conversation with me anyway?" I asked, putting away my earphones.
"Huh?" She was confused at first but then was delighted to answer, probably thinking that she got me reeled into conversing with her "Because I think you're interesting" She answered simply with a smug smile.
"I see…" I don't really get it though, how can she find the will to talk to a stranger that she thinks is interesting? Like- Wait…Uh oh, she really did reeled me into a conversation! "Well as you heard from Shizuka-Sensei, I'm a quite one so I'm not really that interesting" I replied, trying to get out of this.
"Hoh~?" She made a sound as if not buying it at all "Well your eyes look interesting, did you get hit in the face or something?" She asked eyeing me with a curious look.
"They're…" I didn't know what to answer…Because this is the first time someone said my eyes looked interesting. Now, I'd be lying if I wasn't angry and I really am actually, memories of the past came flying into my brain; bad memories that described me as the creep and lowlife that I am.
Now just because of a video they look interesting? I really honestly do not know what to answer, however before I could even come up with an answer Shizuka-Nee rained on Miura's parade.
"Sorry, Miura" She apologized with a smile as she intertwined her arm with mine "I have an appointment with Hachiman-Kun here so you'll have to chat with him some other day" She explained, it didn't look like Miura liked that but she conceded.
"Haa…Alright, see you tomorrow, Hikigaya-Kun" She waved with a glum expression, as she walked away I gave Shizuka-Nee my thanks.
"Thanks…" I thanked while clearing my mind off of the bad memories.
"You're welcome, it didn't look like you were gonna answer her question so…" She replied as she pulled me forward, dragging me out of the class and then changed her grip to hold my hand, increasing her pace with a bit of a bounce in her steps. "Come on, Hachiman-Kun, I'll have you carry my things" She grinned.
"What got you so excited?" I complained, trying to keep up with her and keeping my balance.
"When was the last time I held your hand, huh?" She gave a rhetorical question as an answer.
"My god, are you going to remind me of every embarrassing thing I've done?" I asked in a fluster as we entered a room.
"Of course!" She answered and then let my hand go to collect her stuff.
"...Wait a minute, what are we doing here?" I asked, looking around the office, two small sofas with a coffee table in between and in front of that, by the windows, a bigger table with a single leather reclining chair. Pretty important looking…
"Hm? Oh, that's right I forgot to tell you" She answered turning back to me with her handbag and a box of papers "Not am I only your class teacher, your Modern Japanese Language teacher but I'm also the guidance counselor of the school!" She huffed proudly.
"What's with the long answer…?" I deadpanned as I took the box of papers from her hands "Could've just said you're the guidance counselor…" I added.
"Tch tch living in such a minimalist way won't get you anywhere, Hachiman-Kun" She advised with a sagely tone, patting my shoulder before walking ahead.
"Sure, sure…" Probably got that from one of her mangas… "Hmm…" Shizuka-Nee became quite as we walked, seeing as there's nothing else to do I asked her a question I've been meaning to ask "By the way, where did you go all this time?" She scratched her head before answering.
"Hmm…Well, I've been to a lot of places actually, I didn't told you before but I regularly transfer places to places because of my parents"
"Your parents…? Now that you said it, I never heard them talking about work with my parents" The Hiratsukas frequently visit us before but I never really did heard a single word about her parents job.
"Oh they're just traveling dojo hunters" She answered simply but I stopped walking hearing that.
"What…?" I asked incredulously.
"Yeah…" She replied, turning around and rubbed the back of her head awkwardly "Apparently, it wasn't a job you could be proud of back in the day"
'Apparently'?
"I was going to go to have a similar but more professional line of career like opening my own dojo or something but" She looked at me with an orange sun radiated smile "Meeting you changed my mind! I fought back the hereditary fate and look at me now!" She raised her arms and twirl around.
"...Pfft how would someone like me make such a significant change in other people's life?" I asked with a raspberry blow as I walk pass her "Let's go, this box is getting heavy" I looked over my shoulder to see her observing me quietly, I raised a brow and asked "What…?"
Few seconds passed until she shook her head and said "Nothing" Before catching up to me and led me to the parking lot.
[School Parking Lot]
When we reached her car, she took out her keys and opened the trunk where I put the box in it "Oh hey! Since it's been such a long time, how about I treat you to a drink?"
"Sure, thanks Shizuka-Sensei" Hard work deserves an equivalent payment after all. She went to the nearby vending machine and came back with two cans of MAX Coffee.
I grabbed the offered drink and consumed it "What's this? You actually like MAX now?" She grinned before opening her can "The first time I gave you MAX you said 'This is disgusting!'" Poking out her tongue, poorly reenacting the young version of me.
"I was young and naive so I wasn't aware that society survives with the help of caffeine" I replied, observing her car.
"That actually…Sounds depressing yet true" She said with a frown, looking at me with a worried expression until she noticed my staring at her car "Like what you see?" She smirked.
"It's definitely the last thing I expect from a teacher" I answered.
"I'll take that as a compliment" She huffed proudly.
"You're welcome…I'll be going home now, see you tomorrow, Shizuka-Sensei" I bowed before turning to leave but was stopped as she held the back of my uniform jacket, I looked over my shoulder to see her hesitating to say something.
"Hey um…Hachiman-Kun, you…You can always call me S-Shizuka-Nee when it's just the two of us…Okay?" She asked with a bit of red on her cheeks as she looked at the ground instead of me.
The Shizuka-Nee I remembered was always a troublesome girl; sporty, brutish, delinquent-like yet always kind, gentle, cheerful and energetic but never shy or quite. So watching her being a bit red and flustered is kinda…Cute…
"Sheesh, you didn't need to ask that" I replied, rubbing the back of my head awkwardly "When it's just the two of us, of course, Shizuka-Nee"
She looked at me and smiled softly "Alright, thanks, Hachiman-Kun, I'll see you tomorrow" I nodded and went out of the parking lot but not before taking a last look at Shizuka-Nee…Who is currently berating herself loudly…
"Stupid! Stupid!" She repeated, hitting her head on the car's door frame "Why did I say that?! What if the other teachers overheard us?!"
…Good thing there were no teachers around…
[School Entrance Gate]
I have switched my shoes and am headed to the bike rack nearby the entrance but as I arrived, while unlocking my bike from the rack, I notice a bluish haired girl approaching at this direction.
She must be the owner of this other bike…Hope she won't notice me, she looks like one of those cool Yankee girls…Heh look at me judging a book from its cover.
I rode my bike and pedaled my way home, everything seemed fine until the bluish haired girl from before is now besides me when I reached a stoplight. I didn't take note of her presence and just waited for the light to go green.
Not too long it did and I continued on with the girl behind me at a not so far distance, I chalked it off as us having the same pathway to our respective homes…However a familiar brunette can be seen at a distance at the front!
Taking instinctive evasive maneuver, I slowed down and pedaled behind a moving object that will probably make her not notice me…As the distance shrunk, I glanced at the corner of my eye to see that she has notice me, mission failed!
"Hiki-" I pretend to not notice her and continued my way, a sigh of relief escaped from my mouth as I managed to escape.
"Oi…Are you stalking me?" The girl in front of me I used as camouflage asked with an almost angry tone.
"Oh uh sorry…No I wasn't, I was…Just trying to hide…" I slowed down my pedaling and made some distance…We were going in the same direction for a while and I didn't want to further annoy her but instead she was the one who asked a similar question of mine in a totally different tone.
"You're still here?" She asked with annoyance; is this how you ask questions all the time?
"I'm almost there…" Just a couple of turns and I'm out of your hair so please do not notice my existence.
"That's what they all say…" I don't know if she attempted to say that under her breathe or not but did she just called me a stalker? People with their assumptions these days, sure I may have the eyes of a stalker but I'm only a stalker of Honoka-Chan from Pre Cure!
After a couple of turns I finally reached my destination, I felt a bead of sweat drop from my forehead as I turned around to see the bluish haired girl at her own house's front gate, her whole body beat red; apparently we live right in front of each other…
"I…I'm sorry…" She apologized maintaining her composure, seeing her being so sincere after being so cold is pretty cute! Who woulda guessed there was also a softy in 'er?
"Uh yeah it's fine…" I said and was about to enter the vicinity of my home until she called again.
"H-Hey…Let me invite you to dinner someday…As an apology" She offered while nervously looking at the ground.
"Err, its fine, okay? It's not like I'm mad or anything" I declined with a wave of my hand. I never visited anyone else' house other than Shizuka-Nee and that was only once…
"I insist" She insisted with a glare, sheesh iron headed much?
"Haa…Well, okay" This made her sigh in relief "Do you mind if my sister comes too?" She shook her head "By the way, my name's Hachiman Hikigaya" She gave me a quirked brow in response but I don't know why; I thought neighbors were supposed to know each others name if they plan to have dinner together.
"Saki Kawasaki…We're classmates…" She said with a deadpanned tone.
"Oh um sorry I didn't remember" Crap, this is embarrassing…
"We met at the rooftop" She said with an even more deadpanned tone.
"I…Forgot…?" Shit! This is getting even more embarrassing! It's not my fault okay?! Your panties were distracting me!
"Haa…" She shook her head and I accepted that as the universal sign of 'Never mind' "Well…See you tomorrow…" She said before turning around, passing by the gates and entered her house in a rush, not even before I replied.
I scratched the back of my head in frustration and sighed it all out, clearing my head. I popped every poppable bone in my body and entered my house
[Hikigaya Residence]
"I'm home" I tiredly called out.
"Welcome home, Onii-Chan~" Komachi welcomed me with open arms and an apron, I would've noted how cute she looked in that apron but I was too tired to do that so I just walked pass her and into the living room, I receive a pout from her in return "Mou~ Onii-Chan! You should hug your little sister if she opens her arms for you ya know?"
"Are you still not going to join a club?" I asked instead, as I collapsed on the sofa.
"Nope! I wanna take care of Onii-Chan in case of after injuries~" She said with a determined fist pump.
"Heh well I'm such a lucky big brother to have such a caring cute little sister" I praised.
"Hehehehe praise me more, praise me more!" She giggled, it's been a long day meeting and talking with people; today must've been the most I have done in socializing in a long time…It feels good to be here after receiving unfamiliar attention.
After chatting some more with Komachi, I took a shower (Courtesy of Komachi nagging me to in case I fell asleep on the couch again) And then ate dinner with her "Your cooking is getting better and better…" I flabbergasted as I tasted the food.
"I'm a fast learner!" Not when it comes to school though (lol) But she does have a good grip on home things, she'll make a good wife someday… "Onii-Chan, why are you crying…?"
After having dinner, I proceeded to study the material that wasn't covered in today's lessons, it was a bit hard to focus on doing that though as I still dreaded tomorrow due to still being in the spotlight "If today was that tiring I don't like what's going to happen if things were to blow up even more…" I murmured to myself.
Looks like I'll be laying low like always and it's not because I listened to Hayama's advice, alright?! This is my own decision and it has always been my way of life, dammit!
After finishing reading the materials I stretched my body and looked at the time; 10 PM it says…I felt thirsty so I went down to get a drink and maybe a snack. Once downstairs, I notice Komachi at the living room table with a dozen books scattered around it, so messy…After getting a drink and snack I approached her and saw her struggling a bit, since it's getting late I decided to help.
"Need some help?" I offered.
"Oh, Onii-Chan! Please! It's the last question!" She begged as she gave me the papers.
"Hmm…Let's see here…Okay I think I know…" I grab one of the many strewn about pencils and started writing "First you do this and this, then this and finally this, good thing it's something I understand" I commented, giving back the papers.
"Wah~ now I understand! Sankyuu~!" She thanked.
"It's pronounced tankyuu" I corrected.
"Are you going to sleep?" She asked, tidying up her work.
"Yep, g'night" I replied before putting the cup in the sink, I heard Komachi picking up her pace but I continued and went to my room and proceeded to prepare to sleep by turning off the lights and closing the shades.
"Onii-Chan…" A shade of light pierced the darkness before I laid myself down on the bed "Can I sleep with you…?" She asked shyly.
Though she's acting coy, she would probably be stubborn about this so without a second thought I just nodded and said "Sure" She smiled and got into the bed, crawled over me and took the spot next to the wall even though I planned to sleep there…So instead I slept where I already was and had my back turned to her.
She embraced me and then hummed "Hmm…Can you sleep on your back?" I laid down on my back as requested and then she leaned her head onto my chest "Hm that's more warm" She pleasantly said.
I didn't bother to say anything due to my tiredness plus sleeping together with Komachi actually puts me at ease…My consciousness started to fade but I felt a soft yet moist contact on my cheek "Good night, Onii-Chan"
"Night…"
[Shizuka Hiratsuka]
[At Some Lonely Apartment]
Experience; one of the most crucial factors in life. Without it mankind could never have reached the peak of civilization. However experience could not have been achieved if not for sheer coincidental luck.
Like that lottery number I bought last time, experience says that I probably shouldn't waste my money on it but I decided to go ahead and test my luck, guess who's a billionaire now? Certainly not me!
So with that in mind; my shitty luck comes first and then experience is achieved! Yay!
"…Can my luck get even worse than this…? Haa…Finished…" I sighed in exhaustion as I finally finished checking the classwork of one of the third year students…Tch, that Takahata bastard…He better make sure this year's third years are going to pass with flying colors or I'll have to beat his ass up for all the hard work I've put in!
"Ngh~" I stretched up after packing my things up and then grabbed my lighter and box of Seven Stars cigarettes, proceeded to the balcony of the apartment to relax and organize my thoughts. I would've read a manga but it's a bit too late for that so smoking a couple of sticks will have to do.
After lighting up a single stick of cigarette I started to inhale and exhale the fumes, the headache I felt gradually disappeared, I took the time to organize my thoughts while automatically smoking.
This apartment's pretty shabby but the rent is low so I'll have to make do, the first floor is probably haunted but as long as I'm careful and respectful I got nothing to worry about.
Although, a more prominent problem than the dead is the living at school…The students are still the same even after all these years but things just got harder in Japan now so…If I don't educate them well they won't be as lucky as some of my generation…
"Haa…" This is going to be difficult…While staring at a distance, one particular student came into mind with the name of Hachiman Hikigaya and he lifted my spirits up. So what if it's hard?! I should clench my asshole and go plus ultra! He'll also might be one of those problem students in the future so come on Shizuka! You can't let him down now!
As far as experience is concerned I got a lot of em! (Except for romance) However, for now I'll need to rest up, it's really late right now…I put the seventh cigarette into the ash tray and prepared to sleep.
After turning off all the lights and drinking a cup of water, I proceeded to get in bed. I found a comfortable sleeping position and went into work to sleep, though that was hard to do when your brain just doesn't seem to calm down…
Whatever! Let's go with the flow…Wish some things wouldn't change here other than the students, like that arcade I used to visit! Man, that old cooper better not be scamming other people in his next business…
Speaking of scamming, I wonder if that business-man-wannabe delinquent is working now. Kicking his ass back in the day would never make him stop chasing that dream of his, hahaha!
…Now that I think about it…Most of my youth is invested on correcting other people…
"You promised, okay?! You'll be back, okay?!"
I smiled diminutively as I reminisced the promise I made…I guess not all of it was wasted…Haa, I really want to catch up with Hachiman-Kun but he seemed a lot more distant now compared to when he was younger…I know he grew up but…
It's not like I don't like the current him it's just…A very drastic change? I mean how did his eyes turned like that?! There must be a reason…Well Shizuka, thinking about it all night isn't going to do anything so you'll just have to wait and ask him directly when you have the chance!
Although…What should I ask him when we catch up? Like…I wonder how he has been doing, was there anything significant that happened in his life? Has he been eating well? Ah wait he's almost as tall as me so he must be!
Should I ask him about his love life? Oh definitely! I can finally see him squirm in embarrassment after all these years, kekekeke...It probably won't be as cute as Child!Hachiman but it's worth a try.
Ah…What if he reflects the question back to me?! I've been single all my life! Sure I went to a couple of dates and got into a relationship once or twice but that's just it! I could never pass the third base…There's no way I can tell him that Shizuka-Nee is still an inexperienced single 27 year old!
"Ah Shizuka-Nee, I promise too! To be-"
…I promptly slapped myself in the cheek to snap myself out of it. What the heck am I thinking?! I shouldn't be thinking about these silly things and just go to sleep…There's no way he will keep that promise after all these years, no way! A-And I'm pretty sure he just looks at me as some big sis from next door or something…And we'll just be separated again eventually so…
"Damn it…" The thought actually made me feel sad…Well nothing I can do about it except to sleep it off…Just like always…
CHAPTER 2
THE DISTANT STUDENT
THE CARING TEACHER
CAMEO LIST:
1. Honoka Yukishiro [Pre Cure]
A character from Pre Cure; Eightmans favourite anime character…Just for comedic purposes of course!
2. Allmight Quotes [Boku No Hero Academia]
"Clench my asshole and go plus ultra!" Not really a cameo but a quote that's worthy of note. My two favorite quotes from Allmight-Sensei himself: "Clench your asshole" and "Go Plus Ultra!" somewhere along those lines I think.
HACHIMANS CONTACT LIST:
1. Dad
2. Mom
3. 3 Komachi 3 (←Komachi made him label her contact like this)
HACHIMANS 108 LONER SKILLS:
1. Hikkikomori Mode (ACTIVE):
The ability to assume the characteristics of a hikikomori without compromising the personality or mindset of ones self.
Hikikomori meaning a person who excludes himself from the world in his /her comfort zone which most of the time is that persons own room due to various personal reasons.There was a period of time in his life that he once was a hikikomori, the reason he went hikikomori is unknown as he suddenly locked himself into his room. Fortunately that was only a short period of time and, with his twisted comical intelligence, found a way to manipulate his energy and determination.
2. Enhanced Peripheral Vision (PASSIVE):
The passive ability of being able to see more without looking directly in laymen terms.
One time, years ago, he was observing a girl he liked and due to his previously oblivious untactful ways, he got into trouble. So, eventually he learned to be tactful or inconspicuous when it came to observing things. He took it too far though and as a result he has a better peripheral vision than the average person.