Hyouka – The AfterStory

Project Collaboration by Commander Cody & Maria

Homecoming Story Arc

SUMMARY:

This epic work is a continuation of the Hyouka series. Centering primarily around the lives of Oreki Houtarou and Chitanda Eru, this epic saga continues years later after the events of "Hyouka". Houtarou, Eru, Satoshi, and Mayaka have all graduated from University, and are beginning new chapters in their young lives. But when a devastating event threatens to overtake Eru's family, it is up to Houtarou to find out who is behind the attempted ruin. In his endeavors to set things right, Houtarou will find himself questioning his priorities in life, and let himself become drawn more and more to Eru. Houtarou will never be the same again; under Eru's constant encouragement, he begins to embrace more and more a rose-colored life.

This work, as an ambitious project for a Hyouka fanfic, spanning 15 episodes each, has taken me a year and a half to develop and complete. Each episode is quite long. Imagine that this work is part of an anime series. Take it slow and read with comprehension.

This work is dedicated to my younger sister, Maria, who was of great assistance to me in developing the romance of Hyouka's four principle characters, and just about everything else.

Originally Published on Archive of our Own on June 1, 2016. Completed on June 6, 2016.

EPISODE 01

Oreki Houtarou sat on his bed, deep in thought as he rested in his apartment in downtown Kobe City; the tenth story of a fifteen-story apartment complex. His personal belongings lay askew as he put his mind to rest. He could still hear the sounds of city traffic, the sounds of working trucks and car horns, faint from where he stood.

He took his degree in hand, a piece of glossy paper framed in luxuriant wood, distinguishing him as a young man who had mastered the undergraduate level of the humanities; a path he took on account of his preference for Japanese history. That diploma came from his alma mater, the University of Kobe, where he had just recently graduated.

In the past, Houtarou had initially considered attending the University of Tokyo, but when he heard about its competitive rate of admission, he decided this endeavor was too much trouble. Damping his family's ambition to study in Tokyo were the exorbitant living expenses that could double the prices his family paid in his hometown. Nevertheless, his mother, father, and sister, wanted him to study at university. So Houtarou decided that applying for Tokyo was too much trouble, so he chose a university that was at least one prefecture away, and a university that would allow him to visit Kamiyama on occasion.

The University of Kobe was, in retrospect, a suitable choice for him. Kobe was situated in the Kansai region, where many people spoke a different dialect of the language than that which Houtarou was used to speaking. For much of his childhood, Houtarou had grown up in a region where people spoke the Kanto dialect. In the midst of studying, he would have to become acquainted with a region that spoke in ways different than what he was used to speaking or understanding.

For the average student, college was considered the "spring break" from high school; for in high school, one had to work hard. But in college, Houtarou's aspirations for mastering the humanities became dampened by the fact that some of his college classes were boring; some professors would be adept with teaching, and others would not give so much as a damn; a depressing feature that, to him, was responsible for what he thought contributed to a low quality of class lectures. And it hardly helped that he had to work extra hard to comprehend some of the instructors who spoke in the Kansai dialect. If that was the case, then Houtarou would have more incentive to sleep through class with little work and still get a marginally higher grade on his works.

For people concerned about his well-being, such behavior hardly bode well for Houtarou; as he would get into the habit of spending less energy on school activities, he did not feel that he had come to the point of physical and mental exhaustion from schoolwork.

What served as a rude awaking from his stupor involved the first of a series of letters written by a childhood friend, Chitanda Eru, who began making inquiries about how he was doing in Kobe. Even Oreki Tomoe, his sister, began sending letters to him inquiring how he had been, and what he had done in his life, to which Houtarou answered in a variety of ways that he was bored. When Eru and her family got wind of the young man's plight, they began suggesting places where he could find part-time jobs, just so that he could remain occupied with something that kept him engaged in life. Even Houtarou received some things from his family, too; his father and sister sent him a list of places where the young man could find even some part-time work. But such letters were hardly the only ones Houtarou received. When his other friends, Satoshi and Mayaka, got wind of Houtarou's plight, they sent suggestions of places where Houtarou could find entertainment, but he had only some marginal interest in that.

But the part-time work needed much attention. Houtarou's interest in the humanities prompted him to find a job at a library, so he wrote back to Eru. Eru's father sent to Houtarou one address, which the young man decided to act on. For when most students would take days off from classes to do little during the day, Houtarou took a part-time job as a librarian in one of Kobe's city libraries. The library stood only two miles from the university grounds. Owing to the munificence of his father and sister, and particularly to Eru and her family, who seemed more invested with the young man, Houtarou wrote back emails of gratitude; the least he could do, considering the letters that he received.

Houtarou also took courses related to the art of library archiving. This study he also did at Tomoe's recommendation, who was aware of her brother's penchant for doing little else in his life. But he also took up the library work for another reason: a request of Chitanda Eru. Whether Houtarou wanted to admit it or not, Eru was, in her own way, in intruding into the young man's life, was preparing him for the work life. Houtarou, in addition to not minding the intrusion at all, realized how much he was in need of it.

Houtarou packed his belongings. Springtime was the renewal of life; and for Houtarou, spring was the opportunity of a new start in his life after university. If he was fortunate, he would find a library occupation conducive to a less hectic work life, unlike the city life he had so experienced. After spending the rest of his university years in the inner city, mostly localizing himself, he determined that his final destination would be Kamiyama City; the place of his childhood friendships.

But there was another reason for going back to the place. Before leaving for Kobe, Chitanda Eru had made him promise that he would come back to the Kamiyama City when he was finished with his degree.

And he had another reason for returning to Kamiyama City. Houtarou opened an envelope that he had opened before. The letter mentioned a vacant position at the library in Kamiyama City. Before, he had been surprised; it was the same library he had visited before; the same library where he had investigated the reasons for a teacher's fascination for helicopters, which turned out to be a relief for seeing one due to the teacher's perilous hike in the Kamiyama mountains.

In preparing for that opportunity, Houtarou drafted a resume beforehand, which his sister and Eru had a hand in exhorting him to start drafting. The young man could boast of very little accomplishments in his youth that could make him stand out from among perhaps many young men and women intent on seeking a name for themselves, other than his general mention of his involvement in Kamiyama High's Classics Literature Club. At the very least, he was able to attain his decorated piece of paper, framed in luxuriant wood, which spoke of his accomplishment of graduating from Kobe. Houtarou, after all, was a minimalist; a fact which concerned his sister, and Eru, especially, who was keen to suggest, at the very least, that he at least elaborate in detail his activities in the Classics Club.

He would send his copy of his resume to Eru by email, and Eru would make suggestions on what to put in and what to keep out, for Houtarou's presentation would affect the way he presented himself if an employer reviewed the resume. As was standard for all resumes, Houtarou posted a decent picture of himself on the right top side. Eru had an eye for beauty, which influenced the way Houtarou looked more presentable in the photograph. Now he had sent it to Kamiyama Library.

As an added measure, he sent another copy to another library in Kaburaya, the place where he attended middle school. For Houtarou, if there was an easier way to commute to work while living locally, he would do it. Houtarou had already contacted Kamiyama Library. If he found himself at the end of his luck, he could stay in the apartment that Tomoe inhabited, and where he lived during his high school years. Tomoe even advised Houtarou to establish a savings fund if he landed an occupation. She advised him to start with a small amount, based on knowing how much he received for the month; and what he put in was two-thirds of his monthly income. Houtarou started with two-thousand yen, squirreling this money away into a savings fund at modest interest.

Houtarou turned in his apartment key to the manager, in a final ritual of leaving the place that sheltered him during his university years. He then left for a bus station.

When the bus came, he specified his destination, which was the train station. As he sat on the bus, he let his focus go blurry, as his eyes passed by the things of the city he was used to seeing.

When the bus arrived at the station, he de-boarded the bus, making his way into the station. He purchased a one-way ticket; another final ritual of leaving the city of Kobe for the rural surroundings of his hometown. Then he waited for the train as he silently watched people come and go during their busy schedules.

An announcement from the public address said something about the train going eastbound. The announcement perked Houtarou's ears, for it meant that the train was bound for Kamiyama city. A few minutes later, he boarded the train.

He rode in silence as the train slid gently on its tracks for a town near Kamiyama City.

At her family home, Chitanda Eru was involved as consultant in her family on matters related to the growth of feasible and profitable crops on the family farm, though its staple crop was white rice. A recent graduate of Gifu University's School of Agriculture, and a fairly ambitious student, she knew her advanced agricultural knowledge would be much needed in her family, particularly if she was to take some responsibility, side by side with her father, to keep the Chitanda family farm in business. As Gifu University was, of course, in the prefecture where she lived, Eru only had to travel perhaps an hour's worth of distance from where she lived. A year passed since her graduation.

Such management always took place in Tetsugo's office, where he usually sat in his chocolate-brown leather armchair, behind his antique wooden desk, which had survived two generations in his family. The family maintained large holdings on the farm owners, and Eru and her father were, for the most part, the primary figures in maintaining the family business.

Even as a young woman, she never lost her youthful beauty. Her pale face and sparkling eyes, radiating good cheer, manifested such kindness but also a sense of the naïve. But even her youthful beauty was complemented with her intelligence, which she often put to good use in her family. Her father would often ask what would be a most recommended crop for the season for growth and profitability.

And such times had come. Her father had reached a point where he had to rotate crops. And Eru was keen to suggest different crops of which she was familiar.

"I propose using just the three west squares to plant white rice," Eru proposed.

Her father considered the matter. "Maybe that could be a good idea," he said, but uncertainty seemed to cloud his judgment. "I just don't know, Eru," he murmured. He consulted his financial statements, which one of his accountants already prepared for him this day. His statements seemed to indicate a steady income from the growth of the white rice.

But Chitanda Tetsugo was shaking his head, and Eru could tell he was worried. "Otousan…what's wrong?" asked Eru.

"The three squares – they would only comprise about half the acreage of our farm," he said. "We have to think about how using these squares would affect the profits. You know, white rice is on demand by our customers."

Eru hung her head, feeling glum. She and her father were hoping that they could generate more profit from the white rice. But she had to be honest with her father; the fate of the Chitanda family business revolved around his decisions, along with the advice of his daughter.

"Otousan, if we keep overusing the soil on the west squares for the white rice…we may end up wearing out the soil too soon. That would be bad in the long run."

Eru and her father were silent, until a thought entered Eru's head. "You know, otousan, in my biology class, a sensei talked about how certain crops can replenish necessary nutrients in the soil so that you don't have to waste time just waiting. She shifted to a nearby computer, typing a certain name in an elementary search engine, which pulled up some images of a certain kind of vegetable.

"We can grow these daikon," Eru suggested. "Then we could give the soil a break from rice, while still making use of this vegetable."

Chitanda Tetsugo pulled up his financial records pertaining to those particular vegetables. His statements revealed some promise, seeing that there was some marginal increase in earnings.

"It's all about effective use of the resources we have," she said, trying to be cheerful for her father's sake. "And I think it could work."

Chitanda Tetsugo, after some reservation, said, "All right." But before he got up from his seat, a thought entered his head. "Ah. Eru…do you think there's some room to grow more daikon?"

Eru nodded her head. "If we use the last eastern square," she said.

"All right," said her father. "We'll need more supplies of white rice seed…and daikon seed," he mentioned. "Can you draft the order to Nakahama Industries?"

"Hai. Leave it to me." She went into her bedroom, which had a desk and chair at the opposite end of her bed. She prepared the order template, but a thought crossed her mind.

She pulled out old letters that Houtarou wrote to her. Before Houtarou left for Kobe, Eru asked him to make a promise: that they would stay in touch every month; the minimum being once-a-month communication by letter.

Chitanda Hiromi looks through the doorway, curious over what Eru is up to.

"It's about Oreki-san…isn't it?" She said, looking affectionately at her daughter.

Eru nodded, as she felt initially nervous over the thought of speaking about him.

"Eru-chan…" her mother said, opening her mouth, but then closed it, as if she changed her mind about speaking. Her mother always called her daughter with an endearing honorific that signified cute. But her father was always straightforward in calling her by name.

"I…I never really had the courage…to tell him," she said, as she stared at the long-held letters he received from Houtarou. "I don't think he even…"

"Eru," said Chitanda Tetsugo, coming into the room "How's the drafting?"

"Oh…not yet," said Eru, distractedly, looking up from the letters and tucking them quickly into a drawer. "Otousan, I can tell you're worried. You'll have to give me longer than a few minutes."

Chitanda Tetsugo made a face to himself. Leaving her alone, she may not make sure those supplies arrive by the next day, he thought.

"Tetsugo-kun, don't be so anxious," his wife tried to assure him.

"Okaasan, okaasan, daijoubu!" Eru hurriedly assured her mother. "Otousan has always been like this when it comes to serious matters." A good man, she thought, for her father's actions manifested his reliability and his dedication to the family business. Her thoughts traveled back to Houtarou; how he had had forgotten a couple of times to write back, or at least gave the least effort as possible. He probably never loved me the way I felt about him, she thought, pulling out a pen and starting the draft.

Eru set herself to drafting the orders. "Do we need twenty bags of the white rice?" asked Eru. "I think we have eight left."

"Add an additional ten," said Chitanda Tetsugo, feeling exhausted. "That might overstock our inventory a little…but I think we'll eventually go through these supplies soon enough."

A bus took Houtarou to Kamiyama City. By the time he reached his home town, the sunset came.

Kamiyama: Divine Mountain. The place had the serenity of a Shinto shrine situated in the middle of forest that retained its virgin habitat. If serenity was a characteristic of the divine, Kamiyama was the place, Houtarou figured. In the evenings the place became sleepy, as many people came and made their way home from work; many by foot, and few by car, as the buildings and paved streets gleamed under the sunset.

He then arrived to his apartment in a taxi; the same apartment he had stayed in when he attended Kamiyama High. Oreki Tomoe remained at home.

"How was your journey?" Tomoe inquired.

"Fine," said Houtarou simply. A trip that was uneventful Houtarou would consider fine.

"I'm visiting Kamiyama Library tomorrow," he said.

"But have you heard back from them?" Tomoe pressed further.

"No…not really…" Houtarou replied with a lack of enthusiasm.

Houtarou was tired, and desired to go to bed.

Houtarou's alarm clock rang with a fury. Feeling compelled to press the snooze button, he expended enough energy to press it. Then he checked his watch. The time was now seven in the morning.

He went downstairs to get a glass of water, as he was thirsty. Tomoe was already awake, preparing breakfast.

"Ah, Houtarou, Ohayo," she greeted him. "I didn't see you there."

"Ohayo," Houtarou said sleepily.

"What do you plan to do during the day?" asked Tomoe.

"I don't know," said Houtarou. He was still getting used to the fact that he had no schedule in his life. What to do, what to do…

Then the phone rang. Tomoe picked up the phone.

"Oreki desu," Tomoe answered.

There was some silence, before Tomoe jumped.

"Nande?" asked Tomoe. She listened further. "Ah…" She placed the phone away from her. "Houtarou?" she called.

"What is it?" Houtarou asked.

"Chitanda Eru," said Tomoe, anticipating that the name would get Houtarou's attention.

Houtarou took the receiver from his sister's hands.

"Oreki desu," said Houtarou.

"Oreki-san?" Eru asked over the phone. "Goodness, it's been a long time."

"It has," Houtarou agreed, seeing that it had been a long time since he made contact with Eru. Houtarou took the phone outside and sat against the wall of the house.

"Did you manage to get accepted into Kamiyama Library?" asked Eru.

Houtarou scratched his head, feeling hesitant. "I'm not sure; I haven't heard back from the library," he answered.

"Please don't give up," she pleaded him. Like you gave up on so many other things that took too much effort, he could almost imagine Eru saying to him.

"Chitanda-san…" Houtarou was about to interject.

"Ano…you can call me Eru," the young woman over the phone said a little timidly.

"Ano…Gomen ne," Houtarou stammered. "It's been a while…"

It had been a long time since Houtarou ever wrote back, much less made a phone call, to Eru.

"Sou desu ne," said Eru.

Houtarou was hesitant to let Eru call him by his given name.

"Houtarou…" Eru continued.

Houtarou became startled over the way she addressed him. To address a man, woman, or child by a given name bespoke a level of relation close to the intimate. "Are you being familiar with me?" he asked.

"Ano…" Eru murmured, but she could find no words.

Houtarou checked his watch. He was expecting a phone call.

"Ano…Chitanda-san," he said, forgetting what Eru told him. "I'm expecting a phone call."

"Does it have to do with the job at Kamiyama Library?" Eru inquired.

"Hai," Houtarou said simply.

"But you said you haven't heard back from them," said Eru.

"I guess it's worth a try," said Houtarou. Desperately he wanted an excuse to get off the phone.

"All right," said Eru. "And…you can call me Eru."

"I'll…it will take time getting used to," said Houtarou.

Engrossed at the thought, he remained oblivious to the fact that he held onto the phone for a long time. He heard a click before Houtarou put down the phone.

"So…what did Chitanda Eru-san say?" asked Tomoe.

"Oh," said Houtarou. "We were just getting…well, acquainted with each other. And she told me never to give up on the library job." He was hardly in the mood to divulge more details.

A minute later, the phone rang again. Because Houtarou was near the phone, he was the first to pick it up.

"Oreki Houtarou desu," he answered again.

"Oreki Houtarou-san? Yes, this is Sunohara Kanae from Kamiyama Library."

Speaking over the phone was a staff member from Kamiyama Library.

"You were applying for the position of…mid-level researcher?"

"Hai," Houtarou said right away.

"That position was now vacant since the last person left three days ago. We were trying to find someone who could exercise dedication in this position for at least five years…if not ten."

"Hmm…" Houtarou murmured.

"I can set you up with an appointment with Yamada-sensei, Kamiyama's Head Librarian for tomorrow afternoon, twelve."

Houtarou jumped in attention. "Tomorrow?" he wanted to confirm.

"Hai. This would be an opportune moment, since other candidates were trying to obtain this position. Of course…not many people in that department stayed for more than five years."

"I can be there tomorrow at twelve hundred hours," said Houtarou, eager to take on the job.

"Dozo," said the staff member. "Yamada-sensei will see you then."

Houtarou hung up the phone.

"What happened?" asked Tomoe.

"I'm heading to Kamiyama Library tomorrow afternoon…for an interview."

END OF EPISODE

NOTES:

A Very Important Note on Japanese Names:
Japanese names, like many names in many Asian countries, are ordered differently from Western names. In the Western convention, the given name is listed before the surname. In Japan, however, the order is reversed. For example, a name such as Johnny Jones would be listed as Johnny Jones.

I have noticed that in many fanfic works on Hyouka that many writers get the order of names confused. So in the context of this story, I shall list examples of Japanese naming conventions, and reverse them according to Western customs:

Japanese Naming Convention:

Surname: Given Name:
Oreki Houtarou
Chitanda Eru
Fukube Satoshi
Ibara Mayaka

Western Naming Convention:

Given Name: Surname:
Houtarou Oreki
Eru Chitanda
Satoshi Fukube
Mayaka Ibara

Vocabulary Translations from the Japanese Language:

Hai - Yes

Iie - No

Ano... - Umm... (Filler Word)

Kaasan – Mother

Tousan – Father

Okaasan – Mother (slightly formal, used to indicate more respect)

Otousan – Father (slightly formal, used to indicate more respect)

Daikon – A type of vegetable; part of Japanese cuisine)

Ohayo – An informal form of "Good morning". Formal: Ohayo gozaimasu.

Nande? – A short form for "Nande desu ka", meaning, "What?" or "What is it?".

Sou desu ne – I understand. (This I understand.)