Infinite Loner Side Stories

Foreword: It's been a while hasn't it? I'm Mayflower Productions, here today with a special installment of Infinite Loner. Chapter 17 is taking a bit longer than I expected, thanks to life issues (read: chronic procrastination), so that's not done. I didn't want to have a month without anything Infinite Loner-related, so I decided to dust off a side project, which is this omake (side story) you're reading today. We're approaching the six-month anniversary of this story, and I'm grateful that people are still reading after all this time, words cannot adequately express my gratitude, but thank you, everyone. Let's hope I'll still be writing after another six months. You know, IS Academy is fun and all, but I wonder what our protagonist is up to after the bell? Well, on with the show, welcome to Infinite Loner Side Stories!

Infinite Loner- POV shift, line break "This isn't going how I expected."- Dialogue

Disclaimer: I do not own Infinite Stratos, Oregairu, or any other intellectual properties that may appear in this story. Please don't sue me.

Part 1: My summer vacation is wrong!

Summer truly is the best season. You can't beat an entire month without school, and I'm enjoying every moment of it. Unlike at IS Academy, I can do what I want, whenever I want, without worrying about the opinions of my classmates. After the nightmare that was the first semester, I ran out of that school at the earliest moment I could. I even pre-packed all my belongings to expedite my progress. My extensive preparations were meant to minimize any chances of having accidental encounters, and so far they've worked. None of my classmates have stopped by, or probably realized where I lived (Rin must have forgotten, and Ichika didn't sell me out for once) sparing me the headache of dealing with any surprise appearances. Now nothing could interrupt my lazing around... Did I mention how much I loved this season?

"Ding, dong!"

"Onii-chan, someone's at the door!" I heard Komachi exclaim from downstairs. If she's closer, why does she have to tell me? My little sister can't be so lazy as to burden her kind onii-chan with unnecessary exertion.

"Komachi, you do know who you're talking to, right?" I responded.

"Tch, why do you have to be so lazy, gomi-chan." Did she call me lazy? What a cheeky brat.

"Ding, dong!"

"Ok, ok, I'm coming... Hikigaya residence... HUH?!" Komachi seemingly opened the door unenthused, but she soon gasped in shock. What could be troubling her so much?

Against my better judgment, I decided to rise from my peaceful abode, and walk downstairs. This better not be another one of those advertisements, I'm still not interested in becoming a Corporate Representative. Why can't these multinational companies just leave me alone? Is that too much to ask?.. Besides, I already have some prior agreements for servicing the Undefeated Champion.

Reaching the bottom step, I sighed, "I know your friends like to come over, but it doesn't excuse..." Whatever I wanted to say died in my throat, the moment I saw who stood outside my door.

"I-I'm sorry for intruding, Hikigaya-kun," a soft voice explained. It was a beautiful girl with long, cerulean hair, and ruby eyes wearing a large white hat and matching sundress. Uh, what's going on, I don't know this woman? Why is she here? Is she after my wallet? No, it can't be, not the Honey Trap!.. It looks like Dad was right after all.

"I'm not interested in emptying my already paltry funds. Leave me alone!" I slammed the door, hoping the mysterious woman would go away and exploit some other fool. I've learned my lesson, looks can be deceiving... It didn't hurt that my father wouldn't shut up about this whenever he talked to me. I wonder what he's up to right now? Probably some corporate slave function, but who knows?

"Onii-chan, what was that for? A beautiful girl comes to visit you and you lock her out." Komachi complained, apparently disappointed with me. Tsk, tsk, what a naive child. I guess it's up to her wonderful onii-chan to explain everything. She should be grateful for what I'm doing, you know~?

"If you didn't already know, Komachi, it's not good to talk to strangers, especially pretty women," I lectured.

"It doesn't excuse your rudeness, onii-chan!" Komachi exclaimed, and she proceeded to open the door again.

"S-so it seems that Hikigaya-kun doesn't recognize me, even after all the effort I spent this morning." The girl concluded, wearing a pained smile and her face clouding over. I don't like where this is going. I should retreat while I still have the chance.

"Where do you think you're going, gomi-chan?" Komachi stops me before I could even move. Come on, little sister, let your onii-chan, go. I don't want to be roped into some convoluted Rom-com plot... However, she wasn't going to allow things to go my way, leaving only one option...

"*sigh* If that's the case... Why are you here?" I ask the mysterious girl.

"Tina-chan, Mio-chan, and Mary-chan t-told me this would be the best way to talk to you." Her bubbly persona slightly wavered as she spoke... Oh, now I know what's going on.

"If you wanted my help, why does it warrant you showing up at my door?"

"I tried sending multiple texts, but you didn't answer me." She pouted.

"Gomi-chan what's going on, why is this beautiful onee-san upset with you?" And now Komachi is curious. Just what I could hope for. What happened to all my peace and quiet? Don't tell me I ran out of Max Repel?

"Tch, so not answering my phone came back to haunt me... In any case, why do you look so, so... riajuu, for lack of a better term, Sarashiki?"

"You're Kanzashi-san, I couldn't recognize you!" Komachi remarked, clearly shocked at my conclusion.

"I w-want to go on a date with you, Hikigaya-kun."

"Liar."

"Onii-chan how could you reject her so quickly? This could be your only chance at ever going out with a girl? Seeing how you're, "you" and all."

"As much as it pains me to admit it, you're right, Komachi. What sane woman would want anything to do with me?" I threw her question back at her. Hopefully, she understands my suspicions of Sarashiki's intentions.

"So... Oh." She finally gets it.

"Explain yourself Sarashiki. I don't believe you're here with purely innocent motives, are you?"

"Tch, so you figured it out. I thought that my impeccable acting would have fooled you." Sarashiki sighed.

"I'm waiting."

"I need you to accompany me today, Hikigaya-kun," Sarashiki explained losing all of her earlier confidence... Yet she still uses "Hikigaya-kun," and not the usual "Hikigaya". Isn't that a bit more intimate than normal? My paranoia is probably unwarranted though. I haven't raised any flags with Sarashiki... Hopefully.

"Why does it have to be me?"

"I want to buy something."

"So?"

"It's a special episode for my favorite anime, but it's only sold at Comiket."

"Comiket? Then why are you visiting me all the way in Chiba? It will take forever to get there from here."

"No, you misunderstand, Hikigaya-kun, it's not at that Comiket, but a smaller one in Chiba."

"You're not explaining the necessity of my involvement, though?"

"The special episode can only be purchased by couples, so..."

"So you need a boy to accompany you. Why couldn't you have asked Ichika, he would be happy to assist, being a nice guy, and all."

"..." Sarashiki shakes her head... Oh, so she's not comfortable asking for help from the person who delayed her IS's completion. And since Sarashiki isn't the most outgoing, and attends IS Academy, she doesn't have any other options. I know all of that, but, but... *sigh* There's no use in crying over spilled milk.

"Ok, I see where you're coming from, but it doesn't explain your... different appearance." I shied away from looking at her, afraid that I would confess and get immediately rejected. Heh, it looks like some habits die hard... What a shame it has to be that one, though.

"I didn't know how to approach you, so I asked our clubmates for help... Their answer led to this outcome." She explained, motioning to her current dress.

"Wait, now that I think about it... can you even see without your glasses?" I commented realizing that she lacked her trademark glasses. Without them Sarashiki looked like a completely different person... she reminded me of the "Mysterious Lady," from before the last tournament. Are they related? Their resemblance was uncanny.

"Oh, now that you brought it up, I guess I can tell you the truth. My vision is fine, I only wear those glasses for working with IS." She noted without an ounce of emotion... Wait, what? And she didn't care to tell me earlier?.. Calm down, Hachiman, it's not worth it... The Rom-com Gods must be enjoying today, aren't they?

"Well, you heard her, onii-chan, so get up and go with Kanzashi-san." Komachi shooed me out of the house... Oi, why are you so forceful? Just because people call my eyes rotten, doesn't mean you can treat me like litter. I have rights too, you know~?

"Why are you not coming, Komachi? Wouldn't it be better if you could catch up with Sarashiki?" I asked, looking for a reason behind my sister's insistence on leaving me alone with a girl. Does she not know how poor my social skills are? I thought siblings were supposed to be the closest strangers?

"I don't know anything about limited edition anime, so I would only slow you two down," my sister hastily explained, while continuing to push me out the door. Does she not see my current clothes? I'm wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants, which is not an ideal combination for this time of year. At least let me respec my equipment, little sister? The debuffs outside are crazy.

"Going by that argument, I..." I tried speaking up to stop Komachi's relentless assault.

"Do we need to talk about the Mirakurun..." And she immediately shot back... That's not fair, how am I supposed to fight against that weapon?

"I get it, you don't need to finish your sentence, Komachi." I interrupted her with my reply, keen on preserving my battered pride. If someone found out about that day... Uh, let's not think about it.

"Teehee~." Sarashiki smiled lightly at my sister's insistence on not attending. Does she hate Komachi? How could anyone not love the Imouto Goddess Komachi-tan? She brings a smile to everyone's (read: her great onii-chan's) day... If my patron saint were to be sullied by roaches, though... I would have to break out the insecticide.

"Have a safe trip, onii-chan!" Komachi called as I started walking away from the house... Why does my little sister have to be so cute? I can't even get angry at her manipulating me.

"*sigh* Fine let's go, Sarashiki. I want to get this over with quickly... I'll see you later, Komachi." I resigned myself to being blackmailed into going outside. It's the only way I get anything done these days.

"Ok, Hikigaya-kun." She answered.

"Hold on, why does the ground feel warmer than usual?" I commented. What could be causing this? I looked down at my feet and saw my lack of footwear... Oh, come on, Komachi, how could you be such a scatterbrain...

"You forgot something, onii-chan!" My sister exclaimed while waving my shoes.

"I didn't think you were so absent-minded, Hikigaya-kun," Sarashiki noted, still wearing her small grin. Is it that enjoyable to see me suffer? I didn't know you were taking lessons from the Ice Queen... Speaking of her, I wonder how she is coping with this summer?.. But it's not like I have any feelings for her or anything. It's just morbid curiosity.

"Fukou da," I grumbled. What happened to my quiet summer vacation.

Infinite Loner

"Ugh," Summer truly is the worst season. The incessant heat blaring down on my back, slowly sapping away my strength, the immense crowds of high school girls who are giving me disgusted looks, and all the envious daggers glared into me, only served to further my conclusion. Times like these make me realize how much I take winter for granted: no gym class or even unnecessary social interaction, and an excuse to lounge away under the warm kotatsu reading light novels. Well, I guess it's as they say, you don't know how good something is until it's gone... Just like that limited edition MAX coffee can...

In any case, whoever enjoys this time of year is crazy. There exist no clear benefits to preferring summer over the cooler months... Wait, that would make me...

"So Hikigaya-kun how have you been?" Thankfully someone drew me away from that destructive monologue. It was my associate, the finely dressed, blue-haired genius, Sarashiki Kanzashi.

"What?"

"*sigh* Your reply is all I needed to hear," she replied, seemingly displeased with my confusion. Well, I'm sorry that my thoughts are not exciting. Small talk was never one of my specialties. In that sense, the two of us are very similar.

"It's not like you did much either, aside from binge your... Mmm," I started to complain but was stopped by Sarashiki as she placed a hand over my mouth.

"Shh," she quieted me.

"If I'm not mistaken he lived around here?"

"Are you sure? My househusband could have lied to you?" I heard voices around the corner... very familiar voices. Ok, maybe Sarashiki's hasty actions make sense now.

'Did you know they were coming?' I asked through winking. As I said before loners are not the best conversationalists, but when it came to non-verbal communication, we had no equals.

'No, I thought, there was no one behind me. This is all completely unexpected.' Sarashiki replied... So this situation is just due to my putrid luck then. Curse you Rom-com Gods!

"Geez, this approach isn't working!"

"How about we find a reference location and reassess the situation?"

"What a great idea! I guess his nickname for you wasn't too far off. We can go to Soubu High since I was just there the other day."

"N-nickname?! I never thought about it that way, but... Yes, we're burning daylight, so let's move out!" The voices grew softer, making it seem that they retreated in the opposite direction.

"Phew, that was unusually intense." I sighed in relief, knowing that there wasn't another fated encounter in my immediate future. Especially if it was with those two, they would tear me to shreds... Especially when I was accompanying a beautiful girl like Sarashiki, the misunderstandings... They alone would kill me.

"Hah, hah, hah," my associate lightly laughed in response.

"What's so funny?"

"Wasn't that just like a horror, with the protagonists barely avoiding colliding with the killer?" She asked.

"I guess," shrugging, I gave a vague reply. Today was shaping up to be a weird day. I shouldn't have gotten out of bed...

Infinite Loner

We continued walking along, side by side, without talking much. Even though the climate was less conducive to my preferences, I found solace in my classmate's reluctance for having small talk. If I had to come up with conversation topics, on top of suffering through this heat... I can only imagine the stress.

This is supposed to be summer vacation, the short period where students separate and reinforce their personal identities. That's why people make those comments of "Wow, you've changed," or "I never thought you had this side to you," among others. Sure, those words were never directed at me, as my classmates never realized I existed or cared about my whereabouts... Except when they needed lunch money, then I was the most popular guy in the room... My past was a catastrophe.

"Um... I take it that you're close to your sister, Hikigaya-kun?" Sarashiki meekly spoke up, breaking the silence. Now, this is the shy girl I remember. Where have you been?.. But it's not like I care or anything, though... Maybe binging all those visual novels, wasn't the smartest idea.

"News flash, no one loves my sister more than me... Except for my dad, and I guess mom, too," I explained with a smug expression, before trailing into a quiet mumble.

"I see."

"Since you brought it up, do you have any siblings, Sarashiki?" Since we're stuck as clubmates, I may as well learn some things about her. You know find some blackmail material, if I'm ever in a sticky situation... Which will probably be soon, knowing my luck.

"Actually, I... Hikigaya-kun!" She started speaking, while carefully scanning our surroundings before her gaze stopped at an intersection behind us.

"Wh... Mmm," Sarashiki then proceeded to drag me by the hand into a bush and cover my mouth again. Why does this keep happening? It's like we're in a Rom-com, and her confession is conveniently interrupted by...

"Did you hear something, Charlotte-san?"

"I did, Cecilia, and it sounded like." OH, COME ON! It was a joke, not something to be taken seriously.

Again, two very familiar voices conversed nearby, almost as if they were looking for someone... It can't be me, right? Just because I've gone radio silent for the past week, it doesn't necessitate an intervention. I swear can stop drinking at any time. It isn't an addiction, just a lifestyle!

"I knew Japanese cities were complicated, but never to this extent. Navigating these streets feels more like a labyrinth than anything. How frustrating~."

"*sigh* It doesn't help that your stubborn pride won't allow you or even me to ask for help. We're going to be searching for his house all day at this rate. Why couldn't we have asked Ichika for help?"

"Do you hear yourself, Charlotte-san? How could we resort to contacting Ichika-san for such a trivial matter? Do you have no pride as a woman?"

"Well, if you put it that way... maybe we should regroup somewhere, and reassess our situation from there?"

"What an excellent plan, Charlotte-san. And I know the perfect location to use as a lookout for our grand Entente Alliance. Oh, ho, ho!"

"Can you please tone down the haughtiness, Cecilia? Also, stop calling us by that name... It's embarrassing," from my secluded position I saw the blushing and overconfident faces of my French and British classmates, respectively. So they're in Chiba, too, huh? Everyone must be concerned about me, then. I'm so touched, I might cry... If something like that would ever happen to me though.

All these IS Academy students are probably looking for Ichika and not me. Even Sarashiki only needed a male classmate, and not Hikigaya Hachiman, the person. In that regard, my title as the Infinite Loner still stands. A forever-aloner braving the rough seas of adolescence with nothing more than his sharp gaze and quick wits to guide him. I wish my life were that exciting. Sadly, reality betrays the lofty ideals of dreams.

Once the second pair of my Academy classmates marched off in the opposite direction, I relaxed. "This can't be a coincidence, right?"

"I don't know, since the odds of this happening were above zero, after all."

"There's no point in us mulling over hypotheticals out of our control, let's go, already," I explained, and grabbed Sarashiki's hand to continue walking. We're burning so much daylight, and I still wanted to get this thing over with quickly. Vita-chan might grow lonely without me.

"We have finally reunited, Hikigaya Hachiman!" A boisterous voice rang from behind me. Who could it be this time?

"Has anyone not heard of..." I grumbled and started turning around to meet the voice. And I was met with an unfamiliar sight, a group of LARPers (Translator's Note: Live Action Role Play; people going around dressing as characters, you probably know what this is) dressed up as characters from the hit magical girl franchise, Mirakurun... Hmm, the costumes look impressive, and one of the girls almost looks like a perfect body double of the main character... Interesting... I mean, how childish of a hobby, it's not like I have any interest in stuff like Mirakurun (Don't worry Pretty Cure, I'll never betray you).

If I wasn't mistaken they looked like some of Komachi's friends, but my memory could be failing me. I didn't pay much attention to that aspect of her life, since you know, the whole middle school fiasco. Whenever people came over to visit Komachi, I opened the door, and then retreated to my room, leaving sparse opportunities for conversation.

[Flashback]

"Ding, dong!"

"Onii-chan, can you answer the door?"

"But I have to study for the Entrance Exam."

"What is more important to you, me or that stupid test?"

"You, of course, there's no argument, but nee-san might..."

"Ding, dong!"

"Then take care of it."

"Fine... Hikigaya residence..."

"Good afternoon, Hachi-san! Isn't it a wonderful day for an adventure?"

"... Komachi, I think someone's looking for you; there's a weird girl outside."

"Geh, I- I was ignored... Me, with the electric personality, award-winning smile, and soon-to-be main character of Yuru..."

"And now she's muttering something under her breath. Is that normal?"

"Yeah, yeah, send her in, onii-chan."

"Well, it was your order, not mine..."

"I knew you said your brother was mature, but... he barely acknowledged my existence?"

"That's just how he is these days... Don't read too much into it."

[Flashback End]

After all, small talk was never one of my specialties... I wonder how many times I'll use that line today?

"Do you know these people, Hikigaya-kun?" Sarashiki asked, peeking from behind my back. Hold on, how did you get there?.. I turned my gaze downward and saw that we were still holding hands.

"Woah, that was a close one. Everyone almost got the wrong idea," I released my grip on my classmate and stepped away from her. The last thing I needed was more rumors about me since the current round was so annoying. Why do high school girls have to be so obsessed with gossip? Don't they know it's unhealthy to have such an attachment? What about my MAX coffee consumption? I have no idea what you're talking about.

"Tch," Sarashiki slightly scowled at my behavior. Why are you upset? I saved us, mainly me, from a world of headaches. Besides, we're both loners, so body contact is not something we strive for.

"Ahem," the head of the LARPers, a girl with blonde hair, cleared her throat to gain my attention.

"What do you want?.. I'm not interested in taking any photos." I explained with an exasperated sigh. It's so weird being a minor celebrity. Even after all the precautions, I took to prevent my popularity, people occasionally came up to me asking for my autograph... Why they want such a thing is beyond me.

"Do you not recognize us, Hikigaya-san?" Another voice asked, but I couldn't pinpoint who was speaking. Am I hearing things again?

"Did someone say something?"

"Wah, he didn't recognize Akari at all~! How could he be so cruel?" The invisible person cried... Am I not getting enough sleep or something? These hallucinations feel so lifelike.

"So, who are you role-players, and what do you want from me?" I turned back to the blonde-haired girl in a witch outfit, which is actually Mirakurun's lead antagonist, Rivalrun, who... Ok, I'll stop myself there. Actually, if I squint my eyes enough, this girl's group reminds me of...

"If you're that forgetful, Hachi-senpai, I'll have to remind you then. We're the Amusement Club, and I'm its President, Toshino Kyouko!" She confidently declared... Uh, her bravado is too vexing... can't resist the urge to groan.

Wait, Amusement Club and Toshino Kyouko, why does that sound familiar?.. Oh, no. This can't be happening.

First Sarashiki's surprise makeover and now I'm being harassed by Komachi's weird group of friends... Why is my summer vacation so wrong?

Author's Note: We end with a cliffhanger. What lies in store for our lonely protagonist, find out next time in Infinite... Ok, I'll stop playing around. In other news, the Amusement Club has returned, and (hopefully?) they're here to stay. For anyone wondering why this extra chapter exists, I wanted a change of pace from the current high-octane arc, and to explore Hachiman's life outside of IS Academy. Being a male pilot has its many faults, mind you. As for the omake's place in the canon timeline, let's just say, it's questionable. I still don't know how expansive Infinite Loner's cast should be, with equal parts of me for expanding and limiting the scope to just mainly IS characters. However that's a later problem, so all you need to do is hope that chapter 17 comes out soon. If you want to see more of me, check out my other story Catastrophe which also stars Hachiman as he adjusts to chaotic high school life, but instead of mech-suits, it's catgirls. Write a review if you have any comments or suggestions for me, favorite, follow, and share, you know the drill. I've been Mayflower Productions, thank you for spending time reading Infinite Loner, and I'll catch you on the flipside.

Preview (I don't know what to exactly call this, but...):

"What a beautiful day, you can really feel that warm summer sunshine. It's also the perfect opportunity to clean the house since Chifuyu-nee is still asleep."

"Ding, dong!"

"That's weird, I wonder who could be visiting so early?"

"Ding, dong!"

"ICHIKA, GET THE DOOR!"

"Ok, Chifuyu-nee, you don't need to get so cranky about it."

"It's Orimura... to you."

"Yes, just go back to sleep, nee-san, I'll answer the door."

"Thank you...Zzz..."

"How come Chifuyu-nee is so groggy at home? You wouldn't believe that she's the stoic Brunhilde, and the Academy's strictest instructor on days like this..."

"Ding, dong!"

"Ok, ok, I'll get it... Orimura residence... Huh, what are you guys doing here: Rin, Cecilia, Houki, Laura, and Charlotte?"

"I-I was just in the area."

"Exactly... it's not like I wanted to visit you or anything."

"I wanted to scout out my ally's and Instructor's dwelling."

"I see."

"So can we enter inside, Ichika-san?"

"Huh, do I hear something, Ichika?"

"Who is so angry, Ichika? Don't tell me it's..."

"Rin, it's exactly who you think it is. Chifuyu-nee came back late yesterday and has been moody ever since. I would love to invite you all in, but that's not the smartest idea, especially when I have to clean the house today."

"Oh, we can help, Ichika."

"Thanks for the offer, Charl, but maybe later, when you know who wakes up."

"Why are you talking to a girl, Ichika!... When you already have me..."

"So, it's that serious, huh?"

"Yeah."

"What should we do until then?"

"I guess you five could go visit Hachiman instead. Knowing him, he's probably awake at this hour."

"Hikigaya-kun lives in this neighborhood?"

"Huh, you didn't know, Cecilia? Hachiman and I were former middle school classmates, so I've visited his house before... Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, it's..."

"Next time on Infinite Loner Side Stories- Part 2: Murphy's Law."

"Wow, they're already gone, I didn't even have the time to tell them where Hachiman lived. Maybe I should stop by too? I haven't seen Komachi, recently."

"Ichika!"

"*sigh* No rest for the weary, I suppose."

Omake End