A/N: Perhaps the last chapter was a little too crazy, with the pacing and everything happening so quickly. If anyone who disliked the last chapter is still reading, I hope this chapter makes up for it. I mean, I didn't label it a tragedy so you shouldn't worry too much.
I remembered my past, getting rejected by girls all the time did a toll on my self-esteem, and at some point, I wondered if I should stop trying. Working up the courage, doing all the mental preparations and finally asking someone out only to hear that a person you thought was kind, was kind to everyone was shocking.
If I had the ability to travel to the past and live through my experiences again, I still wouldn't change anything, as those situations contributed to my individual growth. Without a question, there was no answer, so in hindsight, and I made the right choice by giving it a shot. And for the first time in high school, during that festival, I finally had a successful confession, even though it didn't appear so at first. One success in the bucket made all the failures in the past worth it.
At least that was what I thought, until a certain day when she left. Before I had someone so dear, only for it to be snatched out of my grasp into the clutches of the enemy, so before I even felt the bliss, my girlfriend slipped away like a bar of soap. She disappeared from my life, and that was all because someone in the past rose up from her grave and came back to haunt me.
It was because of the event that my grades slipped, and I slowly became more distant from other people, but perhaps I was giving myself excuses. My old self, a monster of logic, had lost its original purpose and now I was a pile of emotions let loose out of a cage.
"Well Hikigaya, though it depresses me to see you like this, it is nice in one way," Hiratsuka-sensei said. "After all, you finally have feelings of your own, and although it feels horrible right now, things can change. Everything changes, whether you like it or not, stocks grow and rise, people come and go, and even I will eventually find someone."
"Huh," I barely let out a sound before chuckling slightly at the last sentence.
"Are you making fun of me?" Hiratsuka-sensei was boiling with rage, ready to unleash her fury on whatever unlucky person that was in front of her.
A heavy punch tore through my rib cage and my body flew into the ground with a thumb, causing me to lose consciousness for a mere second. I picked myself up, still limping from the hit, but what she said was a wake-up call for me, and so although my body became felt exhausted, my mind was now rejuvenated.
"Anyway, are you not going to chase after her? She won't wait for you forever you know."
I was at lost for words, as people around her had already contacted her to no avail. Was there really any possibility that I can reach her?
"Her friends have already contacted her and haven't heard back. Additionally, she had already moved and I have no idea where she is."
"Friends, huh. But you are not just her friend, you are her boyfriend. And from your interactions before during the service club, she seems to treasure you. Don't think too little of yourself Hikigaya. Also, isn't that similar to the problems you always had in the service club? I thought you were better Hikigaya. That side of you is what I've always enjoyed about you. Remember, there is a balance. The old you, while not perfect, has some good qualities. But it is true that emotion, especially something as strong as love, can cloud your judgment. It wouldn't hurt to get an outsider's perspective."
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it Hikigaya. Isn't it simpler to solve other people's problems than your own? You have been in the service club for a while and although you made it through most requests without trouble, being involved in the actual issue is an experience that was different side that you haven't experienced before."
"I see, thanks Hiratsuka-sensei," I said.
As I thought about it a bit more, thinking of everything sensei said and all the great memories I had with Yuigahama, I came to the conclusion that the best way forward was to discuss it with a some other people.
Zaimokuza was someone who came to mind, because although he had issues of adolescent delusions, he wrote a lot as a creative outlet. And as of now, my life has begun to look like a story similar to a romantic comedy, though not exactly a great one. He was a writer with ideas and I had the hope that an idea on how to go about my current predicament would come to him.
"Ah, great to see you my long lost comrade, I have a new quest in need of conquering, for I have written a new tale of divine proportions ready to be dived into," Zaimokuza said.
"Sure I can help look at your new novel, but first can you help me find Yuigahama? Recently, she was absent from class for about a week, and people usually don't get sick that long. I have a feeling she might have moved."
"Oh right, the divine blessing of the two goddesses, who were willing to look over my past works, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama. If I am not wrong, is perhaps hen Yukinoshita-sama missing as well?"
"Yes, though I hardly have any hope of getting back with her as I don't have her cell number. I am pretty sure that only Yuigahama had it."
"Oh the tragedy, it is of upmost sadness that they have both disappeared from our world. What exactly could have causing this terrible disturbance?"
"They apparently received threats through some letters. I had no clue about what their letters actually said though. I was the first to receive a similar letter, though my letter was more along the lines of being creepy and weird rather than being a threat." I said.
"Hmm, relocation would be my priority if something fearful like that came up to me. Is there any method, any solution to get in contact with Yuigahama? By your relations, it seems like she might respond to you."
"Oh you're right, though I should talk a bit to my parents before doing anything rash."
After the conversation with Hiratsuka-sensei and Zaimokuza, I came up with newfound determination to try to contact her. Instead of moaning about my luck and waiting, I had to do something, so I first discussed the whole situation with my parents. My parents, hearing me bring up the whole story, thought among themselves before coming to an agreement.
"Although moving someplace to chase a girl is a bit extreme, I do agree that it might be a good idea for you to move there simply due to some other reasons. After all, both of your club mates disappeared recently and there's no telling what would happen if you continue to stay at the school. Sadly, we still haven't received any more info about the perpetrator, so it looks like you are not the target, but people related to you are."
"So you will allow me to move?"
"Yes, though it would likely just be you. We can't exactly sell our house that fast and Komachi needs to continue schooling. We will send you money regularly to help you with your finances, but you will need to find a part-time job to help pay for the increased expenses."
"That's great!"
"Once you find out where Yuigahama has moved, just tell us and we will help you prepare. Good luck."
The next day, I met again with Zaimokuza at his house and tried texting Yuigahama, hoping for the best.
Me: Hey Yuigahama, where did you move?
No response.
Me: Okay, I'll try someone else's phone.
I borrowed Zaimokuza's phone.
Me: Hey Yuigahama, it's me Hikki, I borrowed Zaimokuza's phone. Don't worry I have a plan. Where did you move?
Still, there was no response. Was this the end? The next day, Zaimokuza had asked me to meet up with him, though he didn't explain anything until we arrived at his room, and left our cell phones aside.
We went to a smaller room and left our cell phones aside. Zaimokuza wrote on a piece of paper, mentioning that the person who texted him wanted the situation to be confidential, and that was the reason why Zaimokuza didn't talk until we were in his room. He told me that someone from an unknown number has sent a message that was seemingly meaningless, but appeared to be some clue.
Oops she ate Korean apples.
You'll get it once you come.
"Can you tell what this message means?" Zaimokuza said.
"The first sentence spells out Osaka."
"That was what I thought too, the monster of logic is back!" he said.
"Oh so she likely moved to Osaka. It was probably a different number because she thought if she made it obvious, she might have been found."
"Yes, that was the conclusion I came to as well."
"Thanks Zaimokuza. I'll be sure to show her your newest novel after."
I rushed back home and spilled everything thing out to my parents.
"Oh, that's great, and we can start packing up since there are no classes tomorrow. Give us a call, once you confirmed she is there. We really hope the best for you, Hachi!"
My afternoon was spent packing up items such as clothes, socks, my precious vita-chan as well as numerous small knick-knacks. I almost forget my photo book, but I quickly caught myself because I wanted to be able to make and treasure my new experiences.
When the next morning arrived, I grabbed all my belongings and headed out to the train before waving a goodbye to my parents. The train ride would turn out to be one the longest train rides I experienced, for I never really rode the train outside Chiba and the fact that I was sweating due to nervousness after being away from her for so long.
Relief enveloped my mind once I got off at Osaka, and I felt like I was finally free from my old self, and ready to begin a new chapter of my life. I walked around the streets, slowing taking in the new scenery into my eyes, excited for the new life that awaited me. In the distance, something familiar came up.
Still somewhat fresh in my memory, the temple in Chiba was the place Yuigahama connected to, and there was a similar temple right in front of my eyes. Climbing it out of curiosity, I came up to a donation box and paused and took a deep breath.
If there is a time when I really needed luck, it was now, I thought as I dropped in 2000 yen into the box hearing the clink of coins that I had previously planned to buy lunch with today. Walking behind the temple I see a familiar silhouette, which brought me a sense of nostalgia.
"Is that you, Yuigahama?" I silently said.
"Shh, be quiet," the girl came over to me. She whispered in my ear, "It is great to see you, but I changed my identity. My name is now Haru, and I won't accept you calling me by anything else. Call me by that other name one more time and I'll slap you."
I glanced over to her face, which although looking quite nervous and different from usually, was for sure Yuigahama. Haru, previously Yuigahama, was standing right before me, had a face I could never forget, despite how hard I wanted to when she left. At that moment, I couldn't resist myself and pulled her in to my arms.
"You have no idea how much I missed you!" I said. Clear droplets of water flowed down my face, and now I had the taste of salt lingering in my mouth.
"Yeah, me too," she said. She finally spoke out in a softer voice. "I waited here all afternoon yesterday and today. I don't know why, but I had a feeling that you would come to save me."
We sat on the bench facing the view for a while, and I took the chance to take in the scenery of Osaka architecture before talking to her. The day before she moved, her home was broken into by Orimoto.
It was late at night when everyone was sleeping, the air being silent as usual, before the sound of a door creaking open was heard. Thankfully, Yuigahama was awake at that time and thought something was suspicious, and woke up her mother.
Although she was supposed to finally have evidence to show the police, she didn't get out her cell phone in time, and by the time she was aware of what was happening, Orimoto had seen her and was already rushing towards her with a kitchen knife. Her mom was quick enough to block Orimoto's attack, but her mom received a gash that resulted in a large scar on her arm.
Yuigahama called the police immediately and they came immediately and detained Orimoto. However, it was likely Orimoto's family was on Orimoto's side and her arrest won't go easily with them, so it was likely that they would go after Yuigahama's family.
As a result of that issue and the trauma associated with living there, their family decided to move as well as find a service to change their identities so that they would be harder to find. That also explained why she was so secretive when communicating with me, as she was afraid information might accidentally get leaked out to Orimoto's family.
After moving, Yuigahama had to take weeks of therapy to help deal with the post-traumatic stress of almost dying due to the break in, as well as seeing her mother get injured.
We soon parted our ways as I left to try and look for a new place to live. Come to think of it, did I take my cell phone with me? I gasped as I realized my cell phone was the same one I used in Chiba. There was likely GPS tracking on my cell phone as Orimoto knew where to send that letter even I never invited her to my house.
Though an explanation for that could be her stalking me, that doesn't explain how she found out where Yukinoshita lived. After all, Yukinoshita also got the letters, and not just me. I jotted down my important phone numbers and went to a department store to buy a metal detector.
I searched through my luggage and my clothes to ensure I carried no more suspicious items that could track me before going to an electronics recycling center to throw away my cell phone and other electronics.
As we went to downtown I heard someone talking on the phone.
"Oh who is it, Orimoto? Why are you calling me? And no, I don't know any Hikigaya Hachiman," he said.
It looked like I will have to use a name changing service as well. I borrowed someone else's phone and called my parents and told them everything was okay, and I then I asked Zaimokuza to e-mail me his new novel.
A week later, I found a new cell phone to my liking and contacted Yuigahama again. We both met up and read the novel before we each e-mailed him feedback. If it wasn't for him, I would probably be still in Chiba.
Epilogue
Over a year has passed since that incident, and I know it seems silly, but sometimes I laugh a little about my past. The past me would find it difficult to believe that I got a girlfriend, and even more tough to believe that the girl I previously had a crush on would become my enemy. Some people in life, were unpredictable and don't adhere to logic and I probably won't be able to explain it all to the past me no matter what.
My family, thankfully, due to being well aware, were mostly safe. Although a year later, they moved to Osaka and changed their names. They said it was just to be with me and be safer, but it could have just been an excuse to move as they appeared to be getting a little tired of Chiba after a while. Once they found a new job and the school year ended, they moved to Osaka and I went to live with them.
By the whims of fate, we had managed to bump into Yukinoshita in Osaka. She was cautious at first, but quickly warmed back up to us. Although our group dynamic wasn't the best as she was still the third wheel, we caught up and it was almost like the service club days in Sobu High. Yukinoshita's family took precautions after she moved and they didn't get threats since.
Currently, I was working part-time while studying for the entrance exams for university, despite it now being unnecessary since my parents had come to Osaka to live with me. I was used to working after living by myself for a while and as it was almost like a part of me now, I wasn't planning on stopping anytime soon.
"Good luck on your entrance exams," Yukinoshita said as she sipped some tea.
"Good luck to you as well." We all exchanged our new cell numbers and Yukinoshita had finally become someone I could call a friend. The three of us left our seats in the café and went about our separate ways.
A/N: Phew, I'm done. Yep, I need to work on pacing a more, it might have felt a little unnatural.
Oh yeah, maybe what happened in the middle with the letter was a little unrealistic, though I wasn't sure how else to make it interesting. Anyway, it's great if you enjoyed it, if you didn't then well, I kind of get why. Thanks for sticking along!