The first pillar. Why? Timeline. Hikigaya and this character met while he was in his third year of high school.

As Fujimoto Kaori gazes into the mirror, she takes in her reflection with a mixture of acceptance and reservation. With delicate fingers, she adjusts a stray strand of hair, smoothing it into place with practiced ease. Her appearance, though undoubtedly beautiful, is understated - a subtle elegance that belies the quiet confidence within.

"I suppose I look presentable," she muses to herself, her voice soft yet resolute. "But there's no need to draw unnecessary attention."

With a faint smile, she straightens her collar and checks her attire one final time, ensuring everything is neat. For Kaori, blending into the background has always been a preferred choice - an unspoken agreement with herself to navigate the world with grace and humility, rather than seeking the spotlight. As she prepares to leave for another day at the office, she carries herself with quiet dignity, content to let her actions speak louder than her appearance ever could. For Kaori, true beauty lies not in standing out, but in the strength of character and integrity that lies within.

0000

As she overhears the teenagers' conversation, a faint blush colors her cheeks—a rare moment of vulnerability betraying her usual composed demeanor. Though she's accustomed to receiving compliments on her appearance, the sincerity in the teenagers' voices catches her off guard.

Her first instinct is to dismiss their words, brushing off their compliments with a self-deprecating smile. After all, she's always preferred to blend into the background, avoiding unnecessary attention whenever possible. But deep down, there's a part of her that can't help but feel a twinge of pride at their words—a small spark of validation that ignites within her. With a subtle nod of gratitude towards the teenagers, I returned my attention to the book in my hands, allowing myself to bask in the warmth of their praise, if only for a fleeting moment. Though I may never seek out the spotlight, their words serve as a gentle reminder that sometimes, it's okay to embrace the beauty that lies within.

Entering my office building. My mood changes. This place fills me with cynicism— the power harassment from the higher-ups as they push their work onto me, the borderline sexual harassment.

Returning to my lonely apartment only serves to remind me that I'm alone in this city.

0000

As the evening sun began to dip below the horizon, I found myself heading to the local convenience store after a long day at work. The neon lights of the store beckoned to me, promising a quick and easy solution to my hunger pangs.

Stepping inside, I was greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of the bustling store. I made my way down the aisles, scanning the shelves for something quick and satisfying for dinner. However, as I reached for a box of instant noodles on the top shelf, I found myself struggling to reach it. Standing on tiptoe, I stretched as far as I could, but the box remained just out of my grasp.

Just then, a voice spoke up behind me. "Having trouble reaching that?"

I turned to see a man standing beside me, a friendly smile on his face. His eyes seemed tired, perhaps from working in an office setting. He appeared to be a sempai.

"Yes, it seems I'm a bit too short to reach it," I replied with a sheepish smile.

Without hesitation, the man stepped forward and reached up, effortlessly plucking the box of noodles from the shelf. He handed it to me with a grin.

"There you go. Is there anything else you need help with?" he asked.

I couldn't help but feel grateful for his assistance. "Actually, yes. Could you help me grab a few more items from the top shelf?"

Over the next few minutes, the man helped me gather the rest of my dinner items, chatting amiably as we went. By the time we were finished, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and camaraderie between us.

"Thank you so much for your help," I said, offering him a grateful smile.

He waved off my thanks with a casual shrug. "No problem at all. It was my pleasure."

As I made my way to the checkout counter, I couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of appreciation for the kindness of strangers.

0000

As I stepped out of the convenience store with my meal in hand, I was greeted by the cool evening air. However, my peaceful moment was soon interrupted by the approach of a group of men, their intentions clear from their leering gazes and suggestive comments.

Feeling uneasy, I quickened my pace, hoping to avoid any confrontation. But the men persisted, their voices growing louder as they continued to make unwelcome advances.

Just as I began to feel overwhelmed, a familiar voice cut through the din. "Is everything alright here?"

Turning around, my eyes widened in surprise as I saw the man from before standing nearby, his expression stern and determined.

Before the men could respond, the man stepped forward, his presence commanding and intimidating. With a few choice words and a steely glare, he effectively scared the group away, leaving me feeling both relieved and grateful.

"Thank you," I said, my voice filled with appreciation as I looked up at Sempai.

He simply nodded, his expression softening as he offered me a reassuring smile. "No problem. I'm just glad I could help."

Together, we walked in silence down the dimly lit streets, the tension of the earlier encounter slowly dissipating. As we reached the intersection, the man paused, turning to face me with a thoughtful expression.

"Are you alright to go home from here?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

I nodded, a small smile gracing my lips. "Yes, I'll be fine. Thank you again,"

"I'm Hikigaya Hachiman, by the way," he introduced himself.

"Fujimoto Kaori, nice to meet you Hikigaya-san," I replied.

With a final nod of acknowledgment, Hikigaya watched as I continued on my way, my thoughts lingering on the encounter and the unexpected bond that had formed between us in its wake.

0000

On my rare day off, I found myself feeling under the weather. Despite my best efforts to rest and recuperate at home, my condition seemed to worsen as the day went on. Nausea and dizziness plagued me, leaving me feeling weak and unsteady on my feet.

Determined to push through the discomfort, I ventured outside for some fresh air, hoping it would help alleviate my symptoms. But as I reached the intersection near my apartment, the world began to spin around me, and I felt my strength draining away.

With a gasp, I collapsed to the ground, my vision blurring as darkness threatened to engulf me. In my dazed state, I felt a pair of strong arms catch me before I hit the pavement, their reassuring presence a lifeline in my moment of need.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying in my own bed, the events of the intersection a hazy blur in my mind. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I looked up to see Hikigaya-san standing at my bedside, a look of concern etched upon his features.

"Fujimoto, are you alright?" he asked, his voice gentle yet filled with worry.

I nodded weakly, my throat dry and my head throbbing with pain. "I...I think so. What happened?"

Hikigaya-san explained how he had found me collapsed at the intersection and had carried me back to my apartment. He had contacted a doctor and fetched some medication to help ease my symptoms.

As he handed me the medication, I felt a surge of gratitude towards Hikigaya-san for his kindness and concern. "Thank you, Hikigaya-san," I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He simply smiled in response, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "Rest up and get well soon, Fujimoto. I'll be here if you need anything."

With a nod of acknowledgment, I settled back into bed, feeling a sense of comfort wash over me as Sempai left the room. Despite my illness, I knew that with Hikigaya-san by my side, I would be able to weather any storm that came my way.