Chapter 16 Part 2: And So, He Returns From Whence He Came
Foreword: I barely made it! Oh, I didn't see you there, I'm Mayflower Productions, here to introduce the latest installment of Infinite Loner... *sigh* It only took me the entire month to finish this chapter... In other news, we've officially hit 100,000 words! I am grateful for everyone spending the time to read this story, and hope you'll continue putting up with me in the future. As for more story-related updates, we're not done with the current arc. I underestimated how much needed to get done before the Class-League Tournament, and so that will be covered next time. However, don't overlook what happens in chapter 16 part 2, as it lays the groundwork for upcoming plot points. Now with all the house-cleaning out of the way... Here comes Infinite Loner Chapter 16 Part 2: And So, He Returns From Whence He Came.
Infinite Loner- POV shift, line break "It's now or never Ichika."- Dialogue
Disclaimer: I do not own Oregairu, Infinite Stratos, or any other intellectual properties that may appear in this story. Please don't sue me.
"But what am I supposed to do now?" I mulled to myself after separating from nee-san, trying to find an answer to my current dilemma. I'm not usually one to work any harder than necessary (see to work is to lose, a Hikigaya maxim), but my current situation lies as one of the few exceptions. Orimura-sensei is expecting me to reform the child soldier, and I can't exactly refuse her request... If I enjoy living, that is. I know, I know my grave conclusion ("I guess it's showtime for Plan B.") sounded impressive, momentous even, but talk is cheap and only matters when there are actions to back it up. This reality forces me to create an ambitious strategy... *sigh* What happened to the days when all I had to worry about were bullies. I just want to read my light novels in peace.
Infinite Loner
"Wack, bounce, wack!" I know I sound like a broken record at this point, but all my classmates are miles ahead of me, personal pilots or not. Despite my monologues claiming otherwise, it stands that I have a D- compatibility with IS and only won my two fights thus far due to sheer luck. There existed a real possibility that generic classmate-san #23 could effortlessly destroy me in a mock battle. (I really wish I knew her name right now. Maybe I'll remember the next time she tells me since she's the Vice Representative or something... Hopefully, I don't call her an NPC again.). For crying out loud, Casual-san has a B- compatibility! I thought male IS pilots were supposed to be prodigies? Where's my overpowered skill? Objectively speaking, the Undefeated Champion is weaker than either the Rafael Revive or Uchigane, two last-generation mass-production units, mind you. If it wasn't apparent by now, Hikigaya Hachiman is not IS Academy's rising star but an insignificant background character... I lacked the natural talent of my peers and only made it this far by exploiting every advantage I had.
However, plan B will fail if I can not fend for myself in the upcoming tournament and am forced to rely on Bodewig. One, it m-makes me look b-bad... Hah, I can't even say that with a straight face. And two, my weakness would only further inflate her oversized superiority complex (Potential example: "So the pitiful Hikigaya Hachiman needs me to save him? There truly must be no limit to my strength!"), making any fissure all the more disastrous, especially factoring in how Ichika and Dunois's teamwork has grown. The soldier has steep competition to claim victory in the Inter-Class Tournament... I may be upset with nee-san treating me as a tool, but her judgment was razor-sharp. Now that I've thought about it, Bodewig has an unnatural hatred for Ichika and our classmates. It's not their fault for treating ISs like toys, but the society perpetuating those notions... What about me, you ask? Why haven't I fallen for the allure of Infinite Stratos and the potential to enact my long-suppressed dreams of living in a real-life Shounen anime? Two words, "Endless Nightmare.". After my rough introduction with IS, I can't see it as exciting or anything other than a chain shackling me to a decrepit school and an equally rotten social order. I'm sorry, Sachi, but not even your presence erases this notion (Don't think I have forgotten about your compliance with that horror show.). As for my lack of mental deterioration... unlike the soldier, I am perfectly capable of exercising self-control and conducting myself maturely. Just look at my monologues where I keep all my unsavory thoughts to myself or the list of people I hate. Would someone crazy do such things? I think not.
"Wack, bounce, wack!" In any case, you learn a thing or two after being humiliated by peers, one of which is to maintain a low profile. If I genuinely cared about becoming the strongest pilot, I could rival the likes of Dunois or Bodewig with enough effort, but I don't and have put in the bare minimum of focus into training. It all makes sense after witnessing the horrors Ichika goes through. He has a FAN CLUB as a 1st-Year. Basically, at IS Academy, strength corresponds with fame, and I have no interest in deification by rabid teenage girls, so I positioned myself as the weakest, someone unworthy of any attention. However, I had to close the gap separating me from other pilots to pull off the social... I mean, rehabilitate Laura Bodewig.
"Wack, bounce, wack!" And so here I am, practicing tennis swings with Wall-chan at the courts behind the school... Huh, you're not familiar with this technique? You must not be well versed in the loner arts, then. So hear me out here, what is the worst part of any school day... Obviously gym class, right? Especially doubles tennis, since there's all the running, "teamwork," ostracism, subtle laughter behind one's back, and naive teachers trying to force friendly relationships between classmates. I reached the same conclusion in middle school and sought a solution. It took time and significant trial and error, but I found an answer. If you tell the gym teacher that you're not feeling well but still want to contribute, they will let you go off and practice alone with the wall. No longer did I have to suffer through awkward conversations with classmates or be laughed at by my peers, I could simply monologue at my own pace, without care. Sometimes my genius surprises me!.. Ok, ego, go back in the dark box, where you belong.
"Wack, bounce, wack!" Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how I'm feeling that morning, I haven't had a traditional physical education class at the Academy yet, as Orimura-sensei and the other instructors focused more on IS combat than improving athletic ability. Meaning, there's been no opportunity to test my method in high school, let alone one where 99.9% of students are female... Maybe it could be more effective with those (two?) male pilots around... hmm? Ok, the true reason behind my decision to visit Wall-chan was less for revisiting nostalgic memories but to sharpen my reflexes. I believe that IS functions like a strength multiplier (raises the ceiling) instead of creating a new floor of power. In more apt terms, comparing Super Saiyan to base Goku... I know the reference is a bit dated, but you've got to respect the classics...
"Wack, bounce, wack!" Now, where was I... Oh yes, you could always practice while suited up and consequently get a little stronger or on a long enough scale grow so comfortable with your IS that it functions like as an extra limb (Mastered, or Grade 4 Super Saiyan), but I don't have the time for that. That method is also inflexible since the Undefeated Champion would need to be constantly deployed, which isn't as simple as a hair color change. Orimura-sensei would definitely kill me if I tried walking through the dorms looking like that... Hold on, when fully deployed, would I even fit through doorways? Geez, my mind does love to wander. Instead, my strategy is to raise my baseline stats: that is, physical fitness (reaction time, reflexes, grip strength, stamina, etc.) and stack the Undefeated Champion's base power boost on top of it. Or at least that's what I came up with a few minutes ago. Everything I could be planning might be completely wrong, but my options are limited at this stage. The tournament is only a week away, and there is no way I'm asking others for help. That would invalidate everything I have done since middle school. Hikigaya Hachiman can stand on his own!
"Wack, bounce, wack!" I also enjoy listening to the melodious bouncing of the tennis ball after every strike. It puts me at ease like a refreshing can of Max Coffee on a summer day... Maybe I should tell Zaimokuza about this technique the next time I see him. Unlike the uniformed masses, he would appreciate Wall-chan's charms as a fellow loner. She might give him freedom from all those judgmental stares from girls. They just could not stop glaring at us back in middle school...
[Flashback]
"My eternal rival, I have another revolutionary idea!"
"*sigh* What is it, Zaimokuza?"
"A new name for a potential finishing move."
"What?"
"Thanks to my incredible insight, I have come across an interesting fact, pertaining to you, the reincarnation of..."
"Ok, ok, I get it. Just stop before you draw any more attention towards us... So you learned about the Academy, Zaimokuza."
"Of course, it was but a simple task for the Blademaster General!"
"Talking to you might be harder than withstanding all those malicious rumors about me..."
"Do you see those two losers, Kaori? They truly are the scum of society, boys like them."
"Y-yeah, Hikigaya and his friend are hilarious... Hah, hah, hah...*stare*~."
"In any case, Hachiman, when the opportunity arises, and you are gifted a personal steed, heed my words and christen a skill, Meteor Strike."
"Meteor Strike? What chuuni nonsense are you playing at this time?"
"Tsk, tsk, Hachiman. The Meteor Strike would rain down judgment on all who look down on loners and impede our desire for a quiet life. Does it not sound like a tool befitting for someone like you?"
"Raining down judgment on riajuu, huh? For once, you may be on to something, Zaimokuza."
"Exactly, my rival, now if only they would abolish such an archaic practice like "gym class.". Alas, that is but a fool's dream."
"I'm not the biggest fan either, but go outside, once in a while, Zaimokuza. You're making me feel embarrassed to partner with you, and I have no friends..."
"The Blademaster General does not care for measly athleticism. My creativity will lead me to success!"
"And he's incapable of doing a single curl-up... *sigh* My middle school life is so wrong..."
[Flashback End]
Tch, just thinking about those days irritates me. I still don't understand why Orimoto and her posse treated us like wild animals. Loners are people too, you know~?
Speaking of women who bother me, Bodewig was unusually expressive when I last saw her ("Stupid, moronic, heartless, Hachiman!"). Could this be a sign that she's getting sick of me? There is no other reason she could be so angry at seeing me, right? Please, rom-com gods, I know we don't have the best relationship, but can you seal away any IS Academy routes? I am not interested in high school romance and subjecting myself to its ensuing tribulations. I have made it very clear that I want a quiet life, a brief respite before the hell of adulthood... Thinking about being in a relationship with the soldier, let alone Senpai, or the slave-driver, makes me feel visibly sick... *gag*... Now with that out of the way...
"Wack, bounce, wack!" Ah, no Ichika, nee-san, or Academy girls, how satisfying. If only this moment could last forever...
"*stare*~." Huh, who's there. I sensed a longing gaze directed at me. Someone is watching me... *sigh* Why does it have to be now? I thought the rom-com gods had their fill of laughing at me today?
"What?" I turned behind me but found not a single soul... That's not normal. I definitely felt someone looking at my swings moments ago. It cannot simply be my imagination.
"Wack, bounce..." I continued practicing, attempting to ignore the irregular presence. It's nothing Hachiman, probably an illusion, from the recent sleep deprivation. We should just put the foot down and stop bending to Bodewig's will. You're the King of Loners, not a doormat like Ichika. Yeah, I am a loose cannon who doesn't follow the rules. No one can tell me what to do... except nee-san, and sometimes Senpai, or the gorilla that one time...
"What impeccable form..." A faint voice broke my thoughts; its light tone was clearly feminine in character. Now I'm hearing things, what is going on today?.. I'm sorry, Komachi-sama, for thinking my roommate was cute for that split second. Please forgive me!
"Just who is watching me..." I was fed up with this ominous pressure and again turned to check my back... If this is another one of your elaborate pranks, I'm not laughing, Hamilton.
"Quite the devoted athlete are we, Hachi-kun~." And my suspicions were justified as a girl stood behind me, but not the person I was expecting. She had short sky-blue hair, ruby eyes, an... impressive figure, and a mischievous grin. "If you stare any harder at me, I'll blush~." She teased while poking my face with a paper fan... Now that's something you don't see every day, especially with a teenage girl. I wonder if she is a member of the Caligraphy or Tea Ceremony clubs?
"S-sarashiki?" For an inexplicable reason, this woman reminded me of my glasses-wearing clubmate. Are they related?
"Close, but not completely correct." She gave a vague response.
"Then why are you stalking me? The tennis courts aren't exactly popular this late into the day. And more importantly, how do you know about that nickname? Don't tell me you're one of Rin's or Hamilton's friends. I have enough problems as it is." I pelted her with words, uncaring if they came out politely. The day was almost over, and I exhausted all my common courtesy back at Soubu.
"How cruel. I was only curious about IS Academy's famed Weakest Pilot. It seems that you're just as cold as the rumors imply." What did she mean by rumors? My reputation should be nonexistent. Where did I go wrong?
"If you know that much, then there's no point in talking to me. Go bother one of the other male pilots. I'm busy." I tried brushing her off with a brusque answer and a cold stare. Come on, fish-eyes, show me what you're made of!
"Practicing for the Class League Tournament, are we. Where's your partner then, did you two fight?" She continued talking without an ounce of hesitation. How can this be? She overcame my dead-fish eye modifier like it was nothing.
"Let's just say we had... a difference in opinion." Mirroring her earlier words, I also gave a vague response. I had the faintest feeling sharing the inner workings of my relationship with Bodewig would be a bad idea. Rumors bring out the worse of people, after all.
"Hmm..." She scanned my entire form, momentarily lingering at my exhausted eyes, before continuing, "I see. Well then, keep up the good work. Onee-san will be rooting for you, Hachi-kun~." She turned to walk away... Who is this girl? I needed to at least know something about her before she left. My intuition was screaming that she would show up again in the future. And when have I ever been wrong? Hah, hah, hah...
"I'll ask again, who are you?" I spoke up, and she stopped, turning to face me... I have the strangest feeling that a new entry was about to be added to my list.
"Oh, Hachi-kun. All you need to know for now is..." She paused and opened the fan she used to poke me. "Mysterious Lady," it read. Is that her nickname or a title like Brunhilde? She constantly maintained an elusive tone, and now she pulls something like this, a pseudonym? I can't write "Mysterious Lady" on my list. Does she take me for a fool? There's a process for these things: I learn the new entry's name and then give them an appropriate title, not the reverse.
"What..." I trailed, searching for the right words to answer this "Mysterious Lady," but they refused to come out. It looks like my brain temporarily short-circuited from the day's strain. I never needed to interact with others so much before, and now my inexperience caught up with me... Of course, right when my words matter the most.
"..." And the moment I blinked, she vanished, without leaving a trace.
"Wack!" Before I had time to process my surroundings, the tennis ball I was using smacked me in the face. Wait, how is that possible? She interrupted me mid-routine, so the ball should have connected with my face ages ago... Well, when in doubt, blame IS; it probably has something to do with it... Why does this school have to be so weird?
"Fukou da... Ouch!" I sighed to myself while nursing my now bruised cheek. Regardless of her sudden appearance, who is this "Mysterious Lady"?"
Infinite Loner
"You don't look so hot. Are you okay, Hachi-kun?"
"I would feel a lot better if I could dine alone, Rin."
"Hah, hah, hah! You're such a card, Hachi-kun!" She warmly laughed while slapping my back.
"I don't understand how any of this is funny... Ouch!" I grumbled while trying to eat my meal, the ever-reliable curry. Of course, having a quiet dinner at IS Academy, was a futile hope, yet I continued to believe otherwise. I activated Stealth Hikki, blending into the sea of students, and aimed for an inconspicuous seat, yet no matter what, I end up back at that cursed table, whose length perfectly fits all the members of my "friend group," with heavy emphasis on the "friend" part... My classmates bypass my Loner Skills with ease these days. I worked hard creating them, you know~? They deserve more respect than they're shown.
"So, Hachiman, how was your day?" Even the Idiot was here. What a pain... Actually, how have we garnered such a large following? It used to only be the two of us strategizing for the Class Rep Cup, but here we are. Sure, at the time, I was frustrated over having to share a meal with him, yet looking back, those days felt blissful compared to now. I sat with my original classmates, the transfer student(s), clubmates, and one surprise guest. How did things end up this way? Sometimes I keep asking myself that question but never find an answer. From a glance, the table's composition wasn't all too dissimilar to a hurricane. If that was the case, I'm probably in the eye of the storm. Is that what popularity entails? If so, I am not interested.
"Horrible, I was manipulated by not just nee-san but Komachi too. I had to go outside Ichika. OUTSIDE! On a day off no less." I complained to my fellow male pilot, knowing full well that he shared little sympathy for my plight. He spent the entire day catching up with friends, and what was I doing? Nothing except for losing brain cells at Soubu, sleeping my afternoon away, and meeting a "Mysterious Lady," of all people. I'm really hoping Plan B reaches completion, so I am no longer burdened with these "social responsibilities" and "common courtesy". If given the opportunity, I would rather live as a NEET than the C-tier Harem protagonist I currently am. I'm the King of Loners, not Heartthrobs, for crying out loud!
"How naive, Chuunigaya-kun, in believing that the world revolves around you. It seems that those vapid and lewd works you call "literature" have warped your sense of reasoning." Congratulations- The Ice Queen has joined your party, Hooray... A lethal sadist, just what my hectic meal needed. Why is she even here? We're in different homerooms, and our relationship can be described as "tenuous" at best.
"Oi, what do light novels have to do with this? They're innocent, Yukinoshita, innocent!" I argued, trying to level her one of my "lethal" stares. Maybe this can be the time when she backs down for once.
"So you will not deny that they have flimsy plots, uninspired characters, and are marketed to a lonely audience which includes you, Ecchigaya-kun?." She strikes back, her cold gaze overwhelming my dead fish eyes. Is it just me or have they been mostly ineffective as of late? And "Ecchigaya," Yukinoshita really is pulling no punches in berating me today.
"M-maybe the Isekai genre is scraping for ideas these days, b-but light novels still maintain merit as literature. The sense of escapism into another world, one where the protagonist can right the wrongs of their previous life, is highly appealing. You have no right to write them all off as worthless. It's as they say, you can not judge a book by just its cover." I countered, channeling all my accumulated knowledge from spending countless hours reading light novels, and reading... How to Talk to People. I'm still upset about that purchase even after all this time... Hey, that was pretty insightful. Good job, brain. It has been a pleasure, Hachiman. There's no way, Yukinoshita can come back from this, right?
"Trying to use an objective figure such as popularity are we, Hikigaya-kun?" She actually called me by my name and not a demeaning insult. This must be it, Hachiman- 1... Yukinoshita...
"Unfortunately for you, that argument is invalid as the consensus supports my view of your "light novels."."
"What are you implying?"
"Let us reach a conclusion democratically, Hikigaya-kun." I still don't get it. How can we reach a democratic result... Oh, no.
"Uh, Yukinoshita-san? Could we perhaps table this discussion?" I saw the writing on the wall. This argument would only end in my defeat, so I saught to surrender beforehand.
"Are you insinuating that your views are incorrect, Bakagaya-kun?" She knew it as well but continued dancing around the issue... *sigh* So the Ice Queen refuses to take prisoners, huh?
I may as well stand by my values until the bitter end, "Actually, I will not back down, Yukinoshita. I believe that light novels are worth more than the lewd illustrations binding them together."
"At the very least, Hikigaya-kun doesn't run away, unlike him..." Yukinoshita muttered something under her breath. She must be chanting one of her spells to pierce through my defenses. "In any case, let the vote commence. Who here recognizes that "light novels" are immoral and narratively bankrupt media, unworthy of the paper they're printed on?"
In response, multiple hands rose including Rin, the ojou-san, brutish gorilla, Senpai, Hamilton, and surprisingly the blonde gentleman. Where is the solidarity between male pilots? I thought we looked after each other. That hurts my fragile heart, you know~?
"Interesting result..." I mulled before continuing, "In that case, who here recognizes the inherent value of light novels as a form to explore fantastical scenarios by creating an optimal balance between text and immersive images?" In all honesty, I expected little support, but to my surprise, Ichika, Sarashiki, and Holmes agreed with my opinion. Three whole people didn't think my ideas were insane. Maybe there is hope for IS Academy after all... However, I can not get ahead of myself. One ray of hope doesn't dispel the thick darkness surrounding me.
"Regardless of its close nature, the votes are 6 to 3 in my favor. We can now firmly conclude that you have poor taste in literature."
"Deride me all you want, Ice Queen. I'm a man who stands by my views, and will not balk to popular pressure." I confidently replied. How do you like that, Yukinoshita? You may have won the battle, but I can still win the war.
"Hah..." Her face moved slightly upward, almost as if she was not about to harass me. Is she okay? Am I on a prank show? Where's the hidden camera?
"Is the frigid Ice Queen smiling? Maybe I should take a picture to capture such a rare sight? Hah, hah, hah." I teased, exploiting my rare advantage.
"You saw nothing, Hikigaya-kun. Nothing." Yukinoshita noticed my confusion and shot a sub-zero look my way, forcing me into silence.
"I keep trying to tell him that it's unhealthy to poke fun of women, but he never listens." Senpai comments. Oh, are you upset that I'm not bending to fit your ideal Hachiman? I'm quite sorry you feel that way, and as compensation, please accept my sincere apathy... Serves you right, fallen-angel, as the weak-willed Hikigaya Hachiman has disappeared! In that boy's place stands a more cunning man, capable of realizing when to leave.
"Oh, look at that. It appears that I've satiated my appetite." Case in point...
"But Hachiman, half your plate..." Ichika starts.
"Oh, look at that, it appears that I've satiated my appetite. I think I'll be taking my leave now." And I immediately interrupted him. I sought to excuse myself from the meal and retreat to my seaside hiding spot... If I wait long enough there, I should be able to sneak into the dorm while Bodewig is asleep.
"Hikigaya-kun, is that sweat I see?" The ojou-san froze me in my tracks. Does she know about my previous whereabouts? It should be impossible. She was still riding the monorail at the time. Or does the ojou-san has some secret Yandere superpower where she can pick up even the slightest difference about me? If that's true, I am downgrading her rating from worrying to dangerous; normal people are not that observant, Cecilia Alcott. You're scaring me.
"I h-have no idea what you're talking about." When in doubt, deny it out. I tried to effortlessly brush off her concerns, but my words came out more uneven than expected. Please don't catch on, please don't catch on...
"It must be the light then..." Success!
"Yeah, and with that note, I will be taking my leave." I excused myself from the group and started walking towards the door... Just you wait, IS Academy, Hikigaya Hachiman, won't be the Weakest Pilot anymore.
Infinite Loner
Interlude: The Wayward Warrior
"Yawn." I watched the retreating form of one Hikigaya Hachiman with a puzzled expression. His behavior was unusual today, as he appeared exhausted from physical strain on a day off, no less. This comes from the same man who regularly espouses "to work is to lose" when facing any potential effort. I narrowed my gaze at his hunched back and slightly dirty uniform, noticeable signs of practice. Hachiman is up to something, and I just know it!
"Ichika!" I turned to his former roommate and demanded his attention; despite his firm self-image as a loner, Hachiman had some interpersonal ties with the greatest being towards Ichika. The two were former middle school classmates, so my childhood friend should have an inkling of an idea of what he's up to.
"W-what is it, Houki?" He asks, clearly startled at my harsh tone.
"Do you have any ideas of what your "best friend" is hiding?" I continued to pressure him with an aggressive stare.
"What are you talking about? I haven't noticed anything strange, aside from that one thing..." Hold on, Ichika is never that reluctant to speak. Although we were separated for six years, very few facets of his personality stayed the same, excluding his open-mindedness to sharing thoughts. If Ichika had something on his mind, he would talk about it, never keeping anything to himself... Even though it led to some issues, before...
[Flashback]
"Hah, hah, look at the gorilla wearing a ribbon! Does she think it will make people like her? Of course not!" Those stupid boys pestered me after school. Why were they so mean? Was it just because I played kendo and was more athletic than the other girls? I try my hardest to be outgoing, yet everyone runs away from me, chanting those annoying names. It's not fair...
"You don't get it..." I responded, but my words were caught in my throat. Tears were building in my eyes, and I was about to break down. It seems that no matter what, misery will never leave me alone...
"Hey, you idiots! Houki's ribbon looks great on her!" Someone interrupted, a confident voice, stood to my defense.
"I-Ichika?"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of this." He replied with a bright smile. His reassurance calmed me down, and I watched him march over to the idiots and fight them... How manly...
"Three on one, huh? We can crush Orimura without a problem with these odds." They closed in on my best friend. Oh no, Ichika's in trouble. What should I do?.. I need to help him, but how?.. What would onee-chan do in something like this? She wouldn't stand by if Chi-nee was in danger, so I should do the same.
"Mind if I step in, Ichika?" I walked over to him, ready to assist.
"If it's the two of us..."
"These idiots are no threat." Maybe one day, our friendship could be something more... But I'm getting ahead of myself. Right now, all that matters is making that group pay.
[Flashback End]
*sigh* Where did all that potential go? Ichika looks like a shell of himself at IS Academy, only showing flashes of his former strength. I overpowered him while sparring... What a disappointment...
However, following that same logic, I should warrant the same criticism. Those male pilots threw me off to the wayside, the first chance they could. It always felt like I was locked out from their secret world, unable to progress our relationship to anything more than "acquaintances," especially with Hachiman. He refuses to refer to me by name and only uses that annoying nickname ("brutish gorilla"). Even Ichika maintains some distance, mainly due to his title of most popular 1st-Year, and the revolving door of girls vying for his attention. Does this alienation stem from my lack of a personal IS, relegating me to a supporting role in their studies? ("Ichika, I was wondering if we could..." "Sorry, Houki, I have to practice for the tournament with Charles." "And I would only get in the way..." "Exactly, no hard feelings. I'll see you later!").. It's not my fault the competition is so steep to become a National Representative. Only the best of the best are approved, mainly seniors. Or is this retribution for my naivete and misguided nature?
"What is strength?" If asked to a hundred people, everyone would give a different answer. Some say it makes the world a better place, or it's the courage to speak up in intense situations. What do I think of the term? Sadly, I cannot give an adequate response. I once believed strength was used to overcome foes and establish just superiority, but that was wrong. I have a complicated relationship with my family. Thanks to my sister being the world-renown Shinonono Tabane, inventor of Infinite Stratos, we never spent much time together in the past 10 years. Eventually, I stopped seeing my parents and was shuffled around the country in the Witness Protection Program to prevent another "Mondo Grosso" incident. Consequentially, elementary and middle school were challenging for such a distressed and lonely girl, leaving my mental health in a less than ideal state. I grew bitter toward nee-san and attempted to divorce my identity from her, crushing any hopes for friendship with my classmates. Kendo was my only coping mechanism as when I practiced, it reminded me of Ichika and better days. I continued honing my craft until my third year of middle school and my victory in the National competition. I realized that day the destructive nature of my worldview as I humiliated my opponent into tears, overlooking the honorable nature of the sport. Maybe that was why meeting Hachiman was so influential, as he did not criticize my actions ("The newspaper." "Who reads the newspaper?") and only blankly stared at me...
Hold on, the pieces are starting to align. Ichika is unusually quiet, and Hachiman shows secret exhaustion and suddenly desires alone time... more so than the norm. That could only mean one thing, the loner is trying to copy nee-san! I always knew it was suspicious how he acquired the Undefeated Champion ("I don't know how you got her to make you this."), and Orimura-sensei even hinted at this conclusion. This is not a good sign if Hachiman starts pushing everyone away and turns inward. I've seen the result of such an outcome ("Onee-chan, look what I've made!" "Yeah, yeah, Houki-chan, I see." "I m-made a drawing..." "..."). It cascades from detachment to isolation, and ultimately, becoming someone like nee-san, a person incapable of making any interpersonal relationships.
Now the question is, what could be pushing Hachiman down such a disastrous road?.. It has to be his new roommate, Laura Bodewig, who is also his partner in the upcoming tournament. She has been pushing him hard as of late, and knowing Hachiman, he probably came up with some plan to get rid of her... Wait, now that I think about it, Bodewig and I are somewhat similar. We're both outcasts (I mainly because of nee-san and her for that frigid personality) and have a less than stellar relationship with IS. If her presence is what motivates Hachiman to practice and go against his beloved, "to work is to lose" (which I despise, by the way), does he have feelings for her? After all, they say love makes people do crazy things... No, that can't be possible; it would be such a shame if it were true... Hold on, why do I care so much about this? I am a warrior, not a lovestruck maiden... Although Hachiman can act gallantly on occasion...
"Houki, why are you pouting so much? It ruins your cute face." Ichika interrupts my destructive train of thought... D-did he call me cute? H-how immoral!.. Well, I'm glad he sees me that way, but he needs to clean himself up before I can... "And besides, wrinkles can make you look older." Oh, so that comment was just a joke, now was it?
"Heh, heh, heh..." So he's just as dense as ever... It seems that my childhood friend needs to be given a refresher course from his favorite teacher.
"Houki, what's with the dark chuckle? What did I do wrong... you're kind of scaring me."
"How uncouth Ichika-san. You truly are a threat to society."
"Stupid Ichika... and I thought Hachi-kun was bad."
"I'm disappointed, Ichika."
"What do you mean, Charles?"
"Your answer, for starters..."
"I share your frustration Dunois-kun, Orimura-kun approaches a black-hole level of density. How is he even related to Orimura-sensei?"
"I'm sorry I don't meet your glowing expectations, Yukinoshita-san. But can anyone explain Houki's glare? I have the strangest feeling she's about to burst at any moment."
"Ichika!" As I roared at the male pilot, my thoughts were elsewhere... What are you up to, Hachiman? Why does it feel as if you are slipping out of our grasp... my grasp. Sure, we're not the closest friends right now, but the possibilities are endless, yet you are closing that door. Why is it that those closest to us are the furthest? If only I had my own personal IS, I could stand equally beside Ichika and Hachiman, not playing catch up.
"*sigh* How frustrating." Some of my pent-up exasperation leaked.
"Have you calmed down, Houki? If it's about the wrinkles, I'm sorry, I was just trying to lighten the mood."
"Are you serious, Ichika?"
"Of course, I'm not like, Hachiman, and won't call you a brutish gorilla."
"Heh, heh, heh, so you brought it up then... Don't think you can go unpunished, Ichika!"
"Uh, oh." Some day I'll be able to take a seat at the table with everyone else. Just wait, Hachiman, I won't allow you to ignore me forever!
Interlude End
Infinite Loner
"Remember everyone, this tournament is a collaborative effort. If two pilots are not on the same page, it will be immensely difficult to win, no matter how talented the individuals are. Any internal squabbles can and will be exploited on the battlefield by a more synergistic team..."
"Ding, dong!"
"It appears that we've run out of time for today's lesson. If you are to remember anything from what I have said, please take away this, work with your allies not against them. Nothing good comes about from a dysfunctional partnership." Yamada-sensei concludes another one of her trademark lively lectures. Sometimes I wonder why she is only the Assistant Homeroom Teacher when she conducts herself more professionally than her superior... *cough, cough* Nee-san... Regardless of Yamada-sensei's good-natured hopes of fostering cooperation between classmates, Plan B continues. If she only knew what I was up to... Alas, that will never be the case.
"Creak!" I rose from my seat and started walking out of the classroom. The after-class rush was always a nightmare, so I had to move fast...
"Before any of you brats walk away..." Orimura-sensei interrupts, forcing me to stop at the classroom door. Taking any further action at the time was futile with how sharp her reflexes were... With how strong nee-san is, why didn't she become a weightlifter instead of a high-school teacher? "Ahem." She audibly clears her throat... let's table this current tangent until a later date. I enjoy living after all, "Today is the last opportunity to practice for the tournament. Use your time wisely and visit Arena 3, which has been reserved for 1st-years since tomorrow is your respective competition. For anyone curious about 1st round matchups and lottery teams, they will be posted on the bulletin board outside the cafeteria later today. I recommend looking at the list to plan out strategies with your partner, and acquaint yourself with impromptu teammates. As Yamada-sensei earlier stressed, cooperation is vital in the tournament. Do not waste your precious time today..." Why is she looking at me while saying that? Does the honorable Orimura-sensei see me as a slacker? How unjust!.. I'm not that lazy... most of the time. I can be serious too, you know?
"If you have any questions ask them now while the whole class is still here." She opened the floor to student inquiries. Why are we doing this now, and not earlier? Can we get this show on the road? I've got light novels to read, MAX Coffee to drink... is what I want to say.
"Orimura-sensei, how were matchups decided for the tournament? Are all personal IS holders placed into the same pool as those using training units?" Surprisingly the brutish gorilla used this opportunity to seek further clarification about the tournament... She must be concerned about being pit against the ojou-san and slave-driver, whose machines clearly outmatch her options of the standard Rafael Revive or Uchigane... Although there is an argument that pilots make the machine strong and not vice-versa, which partially explains my floundering track record in the Undefeated Champion. I had all the tools for success but lacked the natural talent to make any good of it, hence, my self-proclaimed title as the Weakest 1st-Year. In any case, I would rather shy away from clashing against Shinonono Houki and reopen any residual wounds she inflicted on my pitiful pride. Personally, my ideal scenario has Team Loners (I guess, that's our unofficial name... yes, I understand its oxymoronic nature.) facing Team Ichika in the final round, where Plan B can reach a satisfying conclusion, but things never go the way I expect, so any matchup could be possible.
"Interesting question, Shinonono, but as for an answer... All students were treated equally, and matches were chosen on a completely random basis. It is possible two groups of personal IS pilots may fight in the 1st round, or they could face a group using mass-production units. Does anyone else have something to add?"
"..." The classroom stood silent.
"In that case, homeroom is now dismissed!" Orimura-sensei finally ended class, leaving me free to leave the room. Ok, time to fade into black, and beat the hallway rush...
Infinite Loner
"100, 101, 102..." Oh, what a surprise to see you there. You're probably wondering why I'm doing pushups in a random corner, and I'd be glad to explain... Why do I still practice these conversation starters, it's not like I have any friends... *sigh* How To Make Friends, the worst investment I ever made.
Now, where was I... Arrogance versus humility, which is the superior trait? If I polled the populace at random, there is a high likelihood that the former wins out. Surprised? Let me explain, traditionally humility, or having a low view of one's importance was applauded at large, especially in a collective society like Japan. The crippling phenomenon of corporate slavery depended on such a view, as it shackled employees to their jobs, and blackmailed the few who attempted to break the cycle. "You can't leave the company, where's your humility? Dreams don't pay the bills, you know?" The same arguments were recycled for years and held up the status quo. However, that mentality changed a decade ago with Shinonono Tabane's introduction of Infinite Stratos to the world. The pendulum started to shift in the youth, especially young women, who now had a new sense of importance. IS (seemingly) uprooted the present social order, ushering in an age where the individual mattered more than ever. Obviously, society's vices persisted (insane working conditions, bullying, depression, etc.) but were packaged in bright colors making them hard to identify. How does this long tangent connect to my initial question? Modern society has grown a bit too assertive, spurning those who don't have an exaggerated sense of importance, you could use my interactions with Yukinoshita as a smaller representation of that reality. Long story short, my behavior at IS Academy stands out against the sea of classmates, and my beliefs are not necessarily mainstream... It's not like my entire identity is based around rejecting the notions perpetuated by riajuus, or something...
"106, 107, 108..." Hey, that's my lucky number... Ahem, it appears that my thoughts started trailing again... It must be the natural properties of my location encouraging these more philosophical monologues. Ok, before I continue rambling about the state of contemporary society and my hatred for Infinite Stratos, there are more important issues, mainly the reason behind my pushups. I was currently working on increasing my physical fitness, as dictated by Plan B, in Arena 3, unnoticed. How is such a feat possible? I simply worked around my deck.
Sure, it has been clearly established that the Undefeated Champion lacked the tools for combat: from an anemic bow, troublesome daggers, my suicidal finishing move, and lack of armor. Compared to mass-production models, I was outmatched in a fight. However, my machine has a knack for surveillance with its secondary One-Off Ability, Stealth Mode. Most IS come equipped with a limited cloaking device to mask their location, but they had considerable flaws, including easy identification by nearby units and a limited range. This is where the Undefeated Champion differs from the rest, as it could effectively erase its presence for long periods by consuming shield energy. By sacrificing enough power, I could become undetectable. Radar, sonar, you name it (see: The Class Rep Cup) none would work. In exchange for that overpowered ability, I lacked access to Ignition Boost, a random burst of speed (Ichika really likes exploiting this in fights), or the luxury of Bus-Slots, but those are water under the bridge... I can cry about those tragedies later. Sadly, I was unaware of Stealth Mode's benefits when facing the unmanned violet IS, forcing me to take a few more risks than necessary ("When it comes to losing..."), which still haunts me to this day... I knocked on death's door for nothing. Nothing! It was only in the past six days since affirming my resolve that I found the time to explore the Undefeated Champion's strengths.
"109, 110, 111..." Returning the discussion to where it began, Hikigaya Hachiman, doing pushups in a crowded arena; thanks to Stealth Mode, I could form a weak barrier around myself. From the outside, I was an invisible rock. Mind you, the Undefeated Champion was in standby deployment; that is me wearing the Sachi Shades, one step down from partial deployment (see: my exploits at Soubu Municipal High School), and two before a complete summoning. IS can be complicated sometimes...
After initially creating Plan B, I sought to refine it into something worthy of the Hikigaya Hachiman seal of approval... *shivers* That's the last time I ever bring that up... It entailed adding deception to my workout routine. I turned up my sarcasm and laziness during regular classes and exploited "practicing" as an excuse to skip Demise Club meetings which when combined, led to less attention being thrown my way.
Excluding my own efforts, most students are naturally spreading apart. Everyone is hyper-focused on the tournament, an unsettling competitive air brewing throughout the Academy. Even unlikely suspects like Sarashiki (my glasses-wearing clubmate, not the Mysterious Lady) were spending significant time training. Is there some rumor going around about the tournament? I hate rumors... Lately, my meals were calm and no one bothered me, with there being limited opportunities to use the arenas. Honestly, the tournament has been a silver blessing, despite my initial disappointment at having to put effort training. Now if this quiet trend could persist after the competition, then I would be a happy loner.
Speaking of training, my rendezvouses with Wall-chan have progressed swimmingly (Uh, why does that sound like something the ojou-san would say? Has she grown on me? Oh, no.) and I have struggled less with operating the Undefeated Champion. My moves are tighter, my aim more accurate, and overall, I believe that my skills can occasionally contend against my stronger classmates. Is that a firm answer? No, but we're making some progress, at least. I wasn't this confident a week ago.
"Where did that insufferable man vanish to?" And here we have the catalyst for Plan B, the soldier, as she marches into Arena 3 looking for me. We haven't had many opportunities to speak since her emotional outburst, as I took multiple precautions to avoid her. I practice at Arena 3 regularly before sunset while most students, including her, eat dinner. It is weirdly calming to fly on empty grounds. Maybe that was why humanity has always been fascinated with flight. The idea that the sky's the limit, where no one can stop you, go anywhere, do anything...Bears are great and all, but maybe I would like to be reincarnated as a bird...
"Ara, ara, what an unpleasant surprise."
"It seems Cecilia that we've stumbled upon a neglected soldier. Was she dumped by her partner?" Close behind Bodewig were two other pilots, who I have grievances against, the ojou-san and slave-driver, who were possibly the most dysfunctional in the tournament. Their sudden pairing caught me off guard, as I assumed their relationship, more so rivalry, was incompatible with any cooperation. Despite all those issues, the National Representatives pressed on and worked to improve their teamwork... which never made much progress. Whenever I observed their practices, they were always at each other's throats. What could be the lynchpin tying them together, overriding all the preexisting signs dissuading their partnership? Maybe it could be the right to monopolize Ichika or something? I don't care enough to look into their situation any further than I have already. Besides, teenage girls are like flames for loners like me, get too close, and you will be burned... and I am not making the same mistake twice.
"Oh, a pair of defective pilots, just the distraction I needed... Fight me!" The soldier turned to face the oncoming duo and summoned her IS, the Scharzen Regen. An unintended consequence of my flaky behavior has been the deterioration of my roommate's temper. She showed no qualms at pestering my classmates into fights, especially Ichika. It looks like giving her the cold shoulder was more effective than I thought. In exchange, everyone else has to deal with an irate child soldier. I don't see that much of a tradeoff here.
"If you're so insistent on challenging us."
"We'd be happy to take you down." The ojou-san and slave-driver promptly responded by summoning their own ISs, Blue Tears and Shenlong, respectively. Now there were three National Representatives clashing with their personal machines. I have a bad feeling about this.
IS Academy Practice Match
[Laura Bodewig- Schwarzen Regen: Shield Energy- 100/100%]
Versus
[Cecilia Alcott- Blue Tears: Shield Energy- 90/90% and Fang Rin- Shenlong: Shield Energy- 100/100%]
Match Start
"Zoom!" Bodewig seized the initiative by charging at her opponents... It seems that Blitzkrieg is still alive and well after all these years.
"Woah!" The two pilots barely dove out of the way, clearly shocked at the soldier's aggression. They quickly recovered from their daze and moved to press their numerical advantage by launching their own offensive.
"Cecilia, I'll take point, and you cover me."
"No, Rin-san, with my BT drones, it would be more effective for you to support me."
"I can lead!"
"I am more equipped for front-line combat!" Or at least tried... *sigh* Do they not realize who their enemy is...
"How pitiful. Your machines appeared more impressive on paper." The soldier wore an unimpressed look as she fired her railgun at the feuding pair.
"Boom!" The blast connected, and my classmates were pushed back from its impact.
"This clearly isn't working, Cecilia."
"Perhaps a different approach is in order." They understood the futility of working together and individually approached Bodewig. Rin wielding her double-bladed staff (What was it called again?) while the ojou-san launched her BT drones, attempting to rain down the damage...
"What?" Unfortunately, my middle school classmate forgot about Schwarzen Regen's One-off Ability, AIC, or Active Interia Canceller. Long story short, it can block any frontal attack, so long as the user is focused on the target. In a way, it resembled the ojou-san's BT drones since the pilot requires conscious effort to activate; personally, both moves give me trouble and are difficult to counter.
"Time to dance to the waltz of Blue Tears and Cecilia Alcott!" The blonde National Representative leaped at the opening Rin made and ordered her drones to fire... Oh, come on, are you trying to make this easy for Bodewig. She gave up any advantage her sneak attack had by speaking.
"Emotional and linear progression, the true sign of a fool." Bodewig mused as she disengaged AIC, shoving Rin away, and pivoted towards her new target, charging another blast... That sounds pretty cool; I have to remember that line... I may need it soon.
"What do you imply by that?.. Oh, no... Boom!" The ojou-san understood the soldier's words too late, as her drones were overpowered by the German railgun, and she was consumed by another blast... Ouch, that must hurt.
"And to think that these two are National Representatives... What has the world come to? That miserable boy might be stronger than them."
"Don't underestimate us!" Rin again charged at the soldier, assuming that a second ambush attack would succeed... It didn't, as Bodewig countered her with a heavy punch, sending the Chinese pilot flying into the distance. *sigh* When will she learn, we tried the same strategy against the violet IS, and it failed miserably.
"What a fool..." My roommate appeared unimpressed with her opponent's efforts as she coldly glared at the craters housing them... Scary, I really wouldn't want to become her enemy... Oh wait, I have to... What a pain.
"We will knock that annoying smirk off your face... Boom!" This time the ojou-san fired Blue Tears' main cannon, Starlight Mark III, hoping she could overcome the soldier's defenses... She scored a hit that shocked Bodewig, her composed disposition momentarily shattering into anger.
"You dare wound me? This will not stand!" The German pilot roared and raced towards the ojou-san, deploying her purple wire daggers. That's concerning. Maybe someone should stop Bodewig before people get hurt. Orimura-sensei, where are you?
"Hah, you're wide open!" The third time's the charm, I suppose. Rin, who looked worse for wear, with Shenlong sustaining considerable damage, reappeared armed with her trusted staff... Interesting, now Bodewig is caught in a pincer movement, how will she respond?
"Great, now both fools are here. I can kill two birds with one stone." Apparently, with a smile as she if wanted to fight both Representatives at once. What advantage is there being outnumbered?.. Unless Bodewig plans on using unsavory tactics. No wonder she deployed her wire daggers.
"Cecilia, this is our chance! Bodewig has lost her mind."
"We would be unwise not seize this opening." They're about to fall for her trap... This fight is about to get messy.
"Let's see how all your bravado will handle this!" My roommate sneered as she launched her wires at the ojou-san and slave-driver. The two tried to avoid them, but their earlier injuries had come back to haunt them. They lacked the speed to outrun Bodewig's weapon and were soon snared around their necks.
"Gah, how d-deplorable."
"R-resorting to dirty tricks. Y-you're the worst... Gah!" My peers struggled to talk back as they fought for air.
Ok, someone seriously needs to stop this deranged Magical Girl reject before it's too late. I scanned the arena for any teachers, but no one was nearby. They must probably be on their way here since classes just ended... But why would the school administration potentially leave pilots unattended with high-tech mech suits at their disposal? It all screams, "bad idea," from my perspective. Do teachers trust us, students, that much? I highly doubt it.
"Oi! Tap, tap!" I heard a banging noise from the upper stands of Arena 3. I turned to see who it was and saw an exasperated Orimura Ichika. He must be upset with how cruelly Bodewig was acting.
"Oh, what's this? Is the weakling upset? Hah, hah, hah!" And she was reveling every moment of it, her grin growing wider while looking at him.
"You... Come, Byakushiki!" Ichika disapproved of her brazen disregard for pilot safety and summoned his personal IS. Wait, is he planning on breaking an entrance by piercing through the Arena's barrier? That's bad, and Orimura-sensei won't like to hear that a student unnecessarily damaged school property, especially when she realizes that I sat by and did nothing to stop Bodewig. I have two options, do nothing, and Orimura-sensei kills me, or intervene and get crushed by the soldier. *sigh* Another catch-22.
I directed my gaze towards Ichika and opened a private IS communication channel with him, "I know what you're planning, but don't do it."
"Hachiman, where are you?"
"Don't worry about that detail, just calm down before you do something you'll instantly regret."
"Laura is choking out our classmates, and you expect me to sit and watch?!"
"I know you're upset, but leave everything to me."
"But..."
"Orimura-kun it would be wise to listen to Hikigaya-kun. Despite his numerous flaws, his brain isn't completely rotten and is worthy of some respect. After all, your reckless behavior would only cause more harm than good. The tournament is tomorrow, and the teachers may not be too kind to someone damaging a battlefield."
"Yeah, listen to the Ice Queen, Ichika. Think about how angry Nee-san would be if you destroyed Arena 3's barrier.
"Y-you may be right..."
"Exactly, and Yukinoshita, how did you join this conversation? I thought you lacked a personal IS?"
"Foolish, Bakagaya-kun, have you ever thought about someone sharing their IS with me?"
"Huh?"
"Hello, Hikigaya-san."
"Oh, now, I get it."
"In any case, if you're going to stop Laura, do it now. Rin and Cecilia's shield energies are dropping fast!"
"*sigh* Leave it to me." I ended the communication channel and turned my sights towards Bodewig. Narrowing my vision at the two flailing pilots...
[Fang Rin: Shield Energy- 40% Approaching Danger Levels]
[Cecilia Alcott: Shield Energy- 35% Critical Level]
It was now or never, as their machines would soon shut down if the soldier kept squeezing them... Ok, it's time to test the fruits of my training.
"Solitude is my strength, and logic is my sword!" I stood up and chanted the activation phrase for my IS. My calls were immediately followed by a white light appearing, and I felt extra weight latch onto me. Moments later, the flash dispersed, and the Undefeated Champion was fully deployed. I tentatively flexed my arms and hands, almost mesmerized at the sight of wearing golden gauntlets. Ok, don't get me wrong, Tabane creating these machines was a mistake, but high-tech suits of armor. Sometimes I can't help but slightly smile at such a reality.
"Who dares to stand against me?" Bodewig clearly was not in the most stable mental state, as she failed to recognize me. So power must be clouding her judgment. Woah, it's not like I didn't see this one coming.
"H-Hikigaya-kun."
"H-Hachi-kun, w-what are you doing here?" So they're still conscious. That makes things a lot easier. If given the opportunity, the ojou-san and slave-driver can escape by themselves and not need me to carry them. Glancing at their shield energy readings, they had enough power left to flee, but nothing more... I made the right decision to stop Ichika. By the time he broke through the arena's barrier, their ISs would have sustained too much damage, probably to Level 3, leaving them out of commission for the tournament. Now all I had to was create a distraction.
"H-Hachiman? So that means you were hiding from me yet again." The soldier scanned my form and finally realized that I was here the entire time.
"It looks like I'm late to the party, so what did I miss?.. Zoom!" I copied Bodewig's earlier plan and blitzed her, trying to close the distance between us. What was the strategy behind this move?.. Uh, maybe if I rammed her, the ojou-san and slave-driver could escape? Ok, it's not very complex, but that's the best plan I could come up with.
"Crash!" I successfully collided with the soldier, and she was forced to release her grip on the others. So what should I do now? I didn't expect this plan to work. Uh...
"Took you long enough... Cough, cough!"
"Your assistance would have been appreciated earlier, Hikigaya-kun... Cough, cough!" And the moment they're freed, what do those two do? They immediately proceed to chastise me. I just saved you two, you know~?
"I won't repeat myself. Get out, now." I barked at Rin and the ojou-san, and they readily took heed of my order. Ok, steps 1 and 2 were completed; all that remained was stalling Bodewig until teachers arrived.
"You know, Hachiman, I'm quite surprised to see you, of all people, play the hero. We both know that you're in no position to be helping others when you can barely stand for yourself." My roommate lurched from the crater my collision created and spoke to me with that same unsettling smile. Why is she so happy fighting me? I never defeated her once, and most likely, today wouldn't change anything... However, I can exploit her chipper mood to my advantage.
"What are you talking about? I'm the strongest pilot around." I bluffed.
"You being a threat to me? Don't make me laugh, Hachiman." Yes, fall for my trap.
"I spent the last week training my heart out. Sure, I lost to you before, but things are different now." Only a few more minutes, and this would all be over.
With Bodewig temporarily pacified, I opened another private communication channel, "Ichika, where is Orimura-sensei?"
"Apparently, Chifuyu-nee will be here shortly. Whatever you're doing, Hachiman, keep it up."
"Has our "dynamic duo" safely retreated?"
"I don't appreciate that sass, Hachi-kun!" Rin barged into our conversation, upset with my sarcasm. How could she even do that? Don't they call it a "private channel" for a reason?
"We would have easily defeated Bodewig if it was not for our..."
"Your?"
"Poor cooperation skills." The ojou-san admitted her group's glaring weakness. Wow, she really is capable of exercising self-criticism.
"If you won't make a move, Hachiman, I'll crush you first!" The soldier had enough of my stalling and rushed at me, deploying a violet blade... Why does she get a light-saber? I would love to have something like that... Focus Hachiman, now is not the time to monologue.
"Not if I stop you," I affirmed my resolve and prepared to meet her strike, clutching a dagger. All I have to do is counter her attack, counter her attack...
"Clash!" I heard the sound of clashing strikes. Weird, the dagger is still in my hand, so how...
"I-Instructor?" Bodewig stammered, shocked that her attack was blocked.
"This is why I hate dealing with kids." And to my surprise, someone came to my rescue. A lone woman with flowing black hair clutched an IS sword and seemed to be overpowering my roommate with physical strength. I guess this is why you never underestimate the Brunhilde... If only she could find a boyfriend instead of torturing middle-school boys over the summer. *sigh* A loner can dream.
"What are you doing here, Instructor?"
"I heard reports about a rampaging National Representative. Does that ring a bell?"
"I can explain, Instructor. Those lightweights..." She pointed towards the ojou-san and slave-driver, resting near the IS hangar, "tried to challenge me. I only respectfully responded to their gesture."
"Hmm, I see. So you consider almost beating those pilots to unconsciousness "respectful"?" Orimura-sensei glared at Bodewig, her expression showing no sympathy for her student's plight... Nee-san makes my dead fish eyes look pleasant in comparison. I have a long way to go then.
"T-they knew the risks in fighting me. I am not responsible for their injuries."
"I'm disappointed in you, Bodewig. Leave now before my opinion of you worsens."
"...O-of course." The soldier disengaged her IS and walked out of Arena 3 without looking back... Mission accomplished.
"So nee-san, what took you so long?" I could finally relax with the powder keg that is my roommate gone.
"Brat, how many times do I have to remind you. It's "Orimura-sensei" on campus!" She kicked my shin. There's no way I'll get hurt, right? Nee-san is strong, but her blows shouldn't register while I'm in the Undefeated Champion...
"Ouch! What was that for? I prevented Ichika from breaking through the barrier." I stand corrected as I nursed my left shin in agony; you can never underestimate Brunhilde. She makes the impossible possible... World's most famous pilot and yet never makes it to the second date...
"Ouch! Why did you kick me a second time?" And now the right one is gone. What did I do to deserve such punishment? I helped classmates today and didn't act up in class... too much.
"Women's intuition," Nee-san blankly remarked, showing no remorse for her cruelty. What if I'm forced to retire from the tournament because of these injuries? Have you ever thought about that?
"What does that mean?" I disengaged the Undefeated Champion, hoping it would make the pain subside, but it didn't. Why me, why me...
"You surprised me today, Hikigaya."
"How so?"
"I never thought you would play the hero."
"W-what are you talking about? It's not like I care about the ojou-san and Rin or anything. D-don't get the wrong idea!" My words came out a bit more tsundere than I expected. I must be hitting that social exertion wall... That has to be the case, right? Right?
"Sure, kid, whatever makes you feel better." Stop looking at me like I'm the problem, nee-san.
"Fukou da." I sighed my now-iconic catchphrase... I'm not even the Imagine Breaker.
Infinite Loner
"Nice job, Hachiman. I always knew you could do it."
"I highly doubt that sentiment, Orimura-kun. If I'm not mistaken, were you not initially arguing with Hikigaya-kun?"
"Hah, hah, hah. Yukinoshita-san, it's as they say, the past is all water under the bridge."
"Don't be too hard on Ichika, Yukinoshita-san. Tensions were high at the time, so you can't blame him for being concerned for his classmates."
"You're too soft on him, Dunois-kun."
"We need to work on our teamwork, Cecilia."
"I am of the exact same opinion, Rin. We can't always rely on Hikigaya-kun bailing us out."
"So is it true that you fought Bodewig today, Hickory?"
"To think that the Fishboy of all people would have a spine."
"I always knew that Hachi-kun had it in him."
"That sounds highly unlikely coming from you, Tina-san."
"I h-have no idea what you're talking about, Kanzashi."
"Today is only more proof that Hachiman needs to train more."
"Only you would say something like that, Houki-chan."
"H-Houki-chan?!"
"Why can't I escape the cycle..." I miserably sighed. After walking away from nee-san's teasing, I assumed my troubles would end there, but that clearly wasn't the case. Upon entering the IS hangar, I was surrounded by my "group" and was forced to join them in visiting the bulletin board. Sure, some part of me was curious about tomorrow's matchups, but not enough to overcome my frustration with this involuntary social interaction.
"Look at that; the list was posted," Ichika noted as we all walked past the cafeteria... This is it. Whatever that paper states could make or break Plan B. If Team Loners cannot face Team Ichika in the tournament, all my hard work would be for naught. I know dreams betray many, but please rom-com gods, throw me a bone, for once...
I take a deep breath, "Ok, let's see what we have here." And wade my way through the crowd of students around the bulletin board... Wait, have I done this before?.. It must be my imagination...
[IS Academy Inter-Class Tournament, 1st Years, Round One Matchups]
"1st Match: Fang Rin and Cecilia Alcott versus Takatsuki Shizune and Yukinoshita Yukino." So the Ice Queen and... Takatsuki Shizune faces today's "dynamic duo.". Why does that second person sound familiar... Hmm, I'll look into that lead later. In any case, this fight will be one to watch, especially with how the ojou-san and slave-driver have performed. They might lose in the 1st round if they're not careful... and then I could laugh at them... Please, Yukinoshita, win your match. I don't care how you do it. Your opponents pushed me around for too long!
"2nd Match: Shinonono Houki and Sarashiki Kanzashi versus Tina Hamilton and Mary Holmes." This is interesting; the impromptu duo of the gorilla and Sarashiki against my other club mates. I can easily see the former group breezing to the next round, but the Iron Maiden can change everything. If Hamilton plays it safe, she can become a powerhouse with her defensive IS. However, if her teammate can't keep up, all that potential vanishes. As for the other side, Shinonono is a capable fighter who can exploit even the briefest opening (can attest with personal experience). Sarashiki, though, is a wild card; I haven't seen her practice much outside of working on her passion project, an improved version of the mass-production IS, Uchigane. Her skill might make the difference between victory and defeat... Ok, so who is in the next fight...
"3rd Match: Orimura Ichika and Charles Dunois versus Laura Bodewig and Hikigaya Hachiman."
Well, this isn't what I had in mind...
Infinite Loner
Author's Note: Welcome back, I hope you enjoyed the ride. Now for my thoughts behind today's installment, I wanted to remind everyone about some of the characters I hinted at back in chapter 12, and that Hachiman's future won't be as uneventful as he expects. It only felt right to show Houki some attention, since she was the only one of Ichika's (not) harem to lack an interlude. After all, it's important to explore the thoughts of not just our male protagonists but those around them. I hope the arena fight came out okay since it has been a while since I wrote one. There's also the fact that this is now the third-longest chapter (as of me typing this), which greatly surprised me. I initially thought chapter 16 part 2 would only be a few thousand words, but that clearly wasn't the case. Please write a review if you have any comments or suggestions for my writing, follow, favorite, and give my other story Catastrophe a look if you're interested in more Hikigaya Hachiman. It is less serious and more slice-of-life than this story so give it a chance if you have the time. I've been Mayflower Productions, thank you for reading Infinite Loner, and I'll catch you on the flipside.
Preview:
"Hey, Yukinoshita-san, it appears that we're teammates."
"I see, you must be..."
"Takatsuki Shizune."
"I see."
"So, what do you think about our chances in round 1?"
"If I'm not mistaken, we face Fang-san and Alcott-san?"
"Yeah, and I don't know how well our fight will go since our opponents are both National Representatives."
"We will be fine Takatsuki-san."
"How can you be so sure."
"Our opponents lack cohesion, and we can exploit that fact."
"... oh, I see, you're implying that we can isolate them one by one."
"Exactly, Takatsuki-san. I like how you're quick on the uptake. What class are you in, by the way?"
"Class 1-1."
"So that means you're Hikigaya-kun's classmate."
"Actually, I am his Vice Representative... Hikigaya-kun sadly never remembers my name, though."
"Surely you're joking."
"Hah, I would love to say I wasn't."
"Ok, so let us test that hypothesis... Bakagaya-kun?"
"What is it, Yukinoshita? I'm busy having a mental breakdown... Why does it have to be the third match? Everyone will be watching... What if Komachi..."
"Do you know who the person standing next to me is?" She gestures toward Takatsuki.
"Huh... Oh, so you and the NPC are partners. I'm surprised you could make any friends, Yukinoshita."
"You implying such a relationship is like the pot calling the kettle black, isn't it, Bakagaya-kun?"
"Pot calling... Oi, don't compare me with you, Ice Queen. I became a loner by choice, not chance."
"Whatever makes you happy, Chuunigaya-kun."
"Are you convinced now, Yukinoshita-san?"
"I am honestly amazed, Hikigaya-kun, you underperformed my already abysmal expectations. To think that your ineptitude could reach such levels."
"What are you talking about, Yukinoshita?"
"Next time on Infinite Loner- Chapter 17: The Class-League Tournament."
"Maybe if I do well, Hikigaya-kun will remember me... Now I'm more motivated than ever!"
"*sigh* And to think that the grand prize for winning this tournament was a date with one of these idiots. What insanity has the world come to?"
Chapter End