I feel lost. Why? Because I am.
Did I ever mention that I don't know Hachiman's home address? No? Well, now you know. Again, you could at least grace me with a response, God-san.
'Panicking won't do me any good, and the last thing I want is to make a scene. Especially in public.'
Sighing, I take a left, finding myself in front of a small coffee shop. 'No good, huh? I guess I really am lost…'
"Strangely enough, I don't mind it." Taking in my surroundings again, I found it was a big difference from the big cities in America. It was…better taken care of, among other things. Yet, this fact didn't change how lost I was.
"Really? You must really be the king of loners, Hachiman-kun."
"Hm? Not really. Actually, a loner can't really be a king…" Turning to my right, I meet the eyes of a vaguely familiar woman, causing my train of thought to be derailed. Something I expect to happen a lot.
"I mean, don't you feel any regret? Even a teeny tiny amount?" Getting a better look at her, I am reminded of Yukinoshita. 'Ah. There was an older one.'
"Yukinoshita." I frown, not particularly happy with my current luck and turn of events. 'Why couldn't Hachiman have had a quiet life? I hate playing up this character.'
"Oh? Don't act all distant with me, Hachiman. Just because Yukino didn't fight for you, doesn't mean I'm not your Haru-nee anymore." No, I'm pretty sure it does. "So? Don't dodge my questions."
"Regretful? …Why would I be regretful? Things happened, I moved on." Well, I kind of had to, but that's besides the point.
"Wow, so carefree." She replies, unimpressed. "But, how do you truly feel?"
"...Get off my back, woman." I huff, actually annoyed at her pestering. "Don't you have better things to do?"
"My, and just where did you find a spine? I liked the pushover you better." She pulls my cheek, like a mother would a misbehaving child, and that didn't help my currently bubbling annoyance.
"Yeah? Then, go look elsewhere. That Hikigaya Hachiman no longer exists." Smacking her hand away, I make my way out of there.
'Screw you, World. Oh, and screw you too, Hachiman.'
I'm Not
Thankfully, I soon found out that Hikigaya's student ID had his home address on it.
With a sigh of relief, I entered the home. The same sight from this morning greets me. Closing the door behind me, I step into the hall, and I feel a weird sensation in my feet. 'Ah, right.' Slipping off my shoes, I place them back at the entrance.
Walking back to the hall, I'm stuck at a fork. The stairs on my left, or the room on the right I am currently hearing noises from. 'Choices, choices.' Well, not really. I was still in a bitter mood, so I did the rational thing, and started making my way to the bedroom I awoke in.
Suddenly the noises I was hearing get louder, as the door swings open. Meeting the eyes of a girl a foot or so shorter than me, she sighs in frustration. "You could at least announce your arrival, you know?" She frowns.
"...Right, I'll do that." I nod, walking up the stairs.
"...Uh, Onii-chan?" Cringing at the use of the japanese version of older brother, I look back at her with a grimace. 'God, that word has been completely ruined for me.'
"...Yeah?"
"A-Are you…Nevermind." She begins, but shakes her head, her former frown replaced by a beaming smile. "Welcome home."
"Oh, uh…Thanks?" How do I respond to that? "Night." I wave, going up.
"Wait, you're going to bed?" She asks, a disappointed look in her eyes and voice. "What about dinner?"
Even my earlier hunger was gone, with another sigh, I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Can you put my portion in a bento? I'm not feeling hungry right now."
"Ah, okay!"
"Thanks." Taking a final step, I finally find myself on the second floor.
Finding his room is easy as I retrace this morning's steps. Falling into the bed, I feel my mental exhaustion finally catch up.
Feeling a constant vibration on my leg, I open my eyes, only to find myself in a room I was not entirely familiar with, despite recognizing it.
"So, it wasn't a dream." Pulling the object responsible for the vibrations out of my pocket, I stare at the screen of my phone.
2 New Messages From 'Miura'
With a sigh, I open the phone and notification.
Miura
You
Sure
Oct 24, 6:29 AM
Miura
Hikio, blue or red?
You
Do you realize what time it is, woman?
Miura
Just answer
You
Blue or red what?
Miura
Just answer
You
Red
Oct 24, 3:41 PM
Miura
Hikio, where are you?
Ugh. Fine!
View Attachments (2)
Hey. You could at least say something
Hikio?
Hikio
Dick
You
Message was deleted.
Now
Miura
Hey, what was that? This morning.
Do you still want to do this?
Miura is typing…
Blinking once, twice, then thrice, I turn off my phone. I had just seen this girl in a very compromising position in two different pictures, so it's best I just sleep this off.
Ring-Ring, Ring-Ring…
With a glance, I click my teeth. 'Or not.' Somehow, someway, I was forced to confront all of Hikigaya's problems today.
Answering the phone, I continue to just stare at the caller ID. Miura.
"-kio. …Hikio!"
"...Yes?"
"What's with you? You've been acting…not like you."
"..."
"...Hikio?"
"I'm tired, can we do this some other time?"
"Huh? Oh, s-" Not waiting for her response, I hang up.
'I was stupid for ever envying the life of fictional characters.' Rolling onto my side, I check the time before falling back to sleep.
Classroom 2-F, 10:41 AM
"You're late."
"Right, sorry." I bow my head, but don't really show much forgiveness, especially not to some old dude.
"Hmph, don't make it a habit. Take your seat." With a nod, I start making my way to my chair. During my walk, I feel a stare on me, but don't bother looking at my onlooker.
Sitting down, my headache continued to persist. 'Dumbass, of course those extra "five minutes" of sleep is the reason you're three and a half hours late.' Massaging my temples to soothe some of the pain away, I notice the girl in front of me looking my way.
"Hachiman? Are you okay?" She asks in a whisper, concern etched into her features.
"...Y-Yeah, I'm fi-nngh…" As if to spite me, the headache only seemed to get worse.
"Tanaka-sensei?!" She suddenly raises her hand.
"That's wh-Huh? What is it?"
"Hachiman isn't feeling well, can I take him to the nurse?"
"Haah…If it means you won't interrupt my lesson again…Fine. Go." The aged man waves us off, continuing his long winded explanation on some scientific topic.
"You didn't have-" I start as she helps me walk out of the class.
"It's fine. I know you'd do the same for me." She smiles, somehow numbing my pain away. "That's what friends are for, right?"
"Y-Yeah."
'This girl is a saint, sent personally from the big man himself…'
Infirmary, After-School
Waking from a dreamless sleep, I rub my eyes as they come into contact with light. "Ugh…This sucks." I mumble, as I regain my bearings.
"Yeah? Skipping all your classes sucks?" I hear from my right. "We all got lectured by Tanaka-sensei because of you, moron."
Looking over, a silver haired girl meets my gaze, but not the girl who helped me get here. This one, I had met the day prior, on the roof.
"What? What is it?" She asks, noticing my stare.
"Nothing."
"Sure as hell doesn't look like nothing. Why are you even in this sad state?" She frowns, unimpressed by something, probably my nonchalance.
"Would you believe me if I told you that I haven't eaten in almost two days now?" Haven't drank anything either, now that I mention it.
"Dumbass! Why would you do that!" She punches me right on the arm.
"Ow! The hell?!" She's a lot stronger than I thought. "It's not like I wanted to, but life just got in the way, you know…"
"Idiot, you…you are an idiot." Yeesh, sorry I have personal problems! "...Fine." Grabbing her bag, she digs out a bento box and tries to hand it over. "Eat this, or I will punch you again."
"Gee, thanks. Why don't you feed me while you're at it?" Honestly, I'm the frail and hungry guy here, and you threaten me?
"..." Uh oh, I was joking! Please, don't hurt me! "Fine."
"Hu-mnph?" Forced to chew what I have been just fed, the taste of pork reaches my taste buds. 'This is…really good.'
Swallowing the slice of pork, I look back over at her and find an expectant look. "It was a bit cold, but I liked it. Did you make it?"
"...Y-Yeah. Keika wanted katsudon last night, and I brought the leftovers." She blushes in embarrassment, for some reason.
"Huh." Suddenly fed again, I taste rice this time around alongside a few greens. 'Keika? A sister?' Ignoring that passing thought, I turn more towards her. "...I think I can eat without your help now."
"Too bad, you wanted this, so go through with it." She says, stuffing my mouth full of rice.
"Hm. You're a great cook, by the way."
"I made fried pork and rice, this is hardly anything special." She waves off my compliment.
"I'm serious, not everyone can fry food this well. This food tastes great. You have some serious culinary talent." Now was I praising her a lot? Sure, but I wasn't lying.
"...What's up with you? What did you do?" She asks accusingly, moving the chopsticks closer to me.
"Nothing?" Yum. "...I really do believe that you're talented."
"Oh. Well, t-thanks…" She turns away, trying to hide the blush creeping up her face, which I notice. She also notices that I noticed. "G-Geez, what is up with you lately? Y-You're such a weirdo."
I can't help but chuckle at her tsundere-like reaction. 'I guess reality often imitates fiction too.' Briefly meeting her eyes again, I notice the stupor she's now in, and I soon realize my blunder. "Ahem, sorry."
Hikigaya Hachiman was a loner, who hated small talk and fakeness. He kept others at arm's length, and would sooner die than let some girl feed him lunch. (And that's the simplified version, I imagine he'd write an entire essay about it)
I was not acting like him at the moment.
"Tsk, don't apolo…" Meeting her eyes again, she trails off. Despite how out of place they may be in reality, purple eyes were beautiful and reminded me of amethysts.
…But, behind those beautiful jewels lay hesitance. Leaning closer, I find myself captivated by what I desire, and I…
Take it.
"Mmn…You could feed me faster, you know?" I complain, while chewing on the pork cutlet.
"H-Huh?" She finally snaps out of her trance, nearly dropping the bento.
"Hey! Don't drop it." Now, was I completely fucking with her? Yes, yes I was. Her interest in Hikigaya was as plain as day, and just about anyone could see it.
Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't been reduced to a blushing mess like she currently is, especially after what I just pulled. I was never so forward in my previous life.
"F-Feed yourself, d-dumbass! I need to get a drink!" She stands up, tossing me the food, which I nearly miss. 'Phew…safe.'
"Okay, get me one too. Thanks a ton." I've just given up now, since the jig is up. I'd rather not play the cold loner, thank you very much god-san.
All I hear from her is an exasperated sigh as she leaves.
Holding the bento in my hand, I raise it up to my face and scarf it all down like a man who hasn't eaten in two days. 'Ugh…So thirsty, what I wouldn't give for some Nuka-Cola.' Snorting at my stupid reference to the post-apocalyptic game series, I am reminded of something very important.
Reaching over to the side of the bed where my stuff lay, 'my stuff' being my blazer (Which I took off) and bag. Grabbing the bento Komi left me from my bag, I too scarfed it all down in the next few minutes.
'I ate so fast, I can hardly remember what I just ate.' Closing the bento that used to contain a japanese dish I had no clue about, I put it away. 'More importantly, what do I do from here?' Laying back down, I begin to ponder my next step while gazing at the ceiling tiles.
'If this really is a permanent thing… I'm in the second year of highschool, with only my third year left. Should I study a profession in some local college here? Or, go abroad to America? One I have experience in, but it's probably a more pricey option. The former however, is a risk. I know nothing abou-'
"Finally! Honestly, why was she on my ass about such a stupid thing." I hear someone complain as they enter the infirmary.
'Wait, that voice…'
"Hm, Hikio? Hello?" I hear again, as that same someone opens the curtain to one of the other beds.
With a disappointed sigh, I hear their footfalls come closer, and closer. Only for their shadow to appear on the other side of my curtain.
'Oh, fuck. How could I forget…' Staring what felt like death in the face, I feel my nerves run down my entire body as "someone" reaches for my curtain.
To Be Continued?
Well, Howdy-Doo-Dee Fellas. Miss me? I haven't, life is a complete slog for me rn. Hell, to all the fans who like my other work, let me tell you this now,
The Blind, Leading The Blind, Chapter 3? Currently at 378 words.
The Genuine Route, Chapter 11? No longer in production, as I'm currently rewriting Chapter 10.
Zombie Apoc is Wrong, Chapter 8? I'm probably going to rewrite it, the whole thing, I mean. Yeah, sorry, not sorry.
A Rainy Night, Chapter 2? That's coming up next, but I may change a few things.
Other than that. I have something else to talk about, this chapter!
I wonder, who is this silver haired girl who helped out "Hachiman"? Sits in front of him, calls him by his first name, and is supposedly his friend. Described to be saintly in a way…Hmm.
Other than that, "Hachiman" isn't really sure how to react. No emotional outburst, nothing, just thinking. He's almost too calm. But…
A man of logic does not let his emotions rule his choice.
'Panicking won't do me any good…'
However, despite that logic, he clearly dislikes having to pick up the previous Hachiman's social life, and would rather avoid having interactions with them, as seen with Haruno. He doesn't mind "fakeness", but he hates having to be someone he's not.
He'll do it if he absolutely has to, but will avoid an interaction altogether if he doesn't.
He truly is "Hachiman".
Reviews
Guest: We got a funny guy over here.
Bruh Man I'm Schewpid: Indeed.
A crashclown: Your hopes have been fulfilled.
Pyrosnow: I delayed this update three days just for you.
End.