Full title is "Have it all lose it all, you ready for more yet?" which is a piece of the lyrics of What'd I Miss, from Hamilton.

Also, the right side of the picture used for the story is Hikki's small-ass pupil, LMAO.

"Fantastic choice." Ichigo-san grinned, his voice distant while the small group of Hikigaya's friends left. The girl with glasses gave Ai one last look before leaving. And that broke the spell in the room before Miyako-san could close the door.

"What was that about?" Niino's voice came in stride, a bit louder than Ichigo-san's but still not as loud as Ai needed. There was a noise that was becoming increasingly annoying, and she didn't know where it was coming from.

"That was super scary…" Another of the girls added with a big sigh. Ai was a bit busy seeing the mess she made to look at them.

"Can I get another marker? I sorta had to sacrifice this one to keep them in line." Ai lifted the thing in the air while Miyako-san approached her, an inquisitive look on the older woman's face.

"You don't have to yell." She replied a bit too quietly for Ai's comfort.

"I'm not yelling though."

"Guys?" Niino insisted, but the other girls were either looking at Ai for answers or doing their utmost best to pretend nothing was happening.

That happened a lot when Ichigo-san and Miyako-san were around.

"You're rising your voice." Miyako-san spoke in a better level for Ai "Like this."

"No, you were speaking quietly." She insisted.

The woman opened her mouth but didn't say anything. Instead, she closed in and covered Ai's ears gently. Like she didn't want to hurt her.

The noise was still there.

"Are you alright?" Miyako-san searched Ai's face, looking for a sign that would never be there. She turned to Ichigo-san for a moment before touching Ai's forehead.

"Oh, I do feel a bit light-headed…" Ai frowned a bit. She hadn't realized it because she sat down and didn't have to hold her own weight. But perhaps that's also why she broke the marker. She put too much strength into it because it felt as though it'd slip her grasp otherwise.

"Just a bit?" Ichigo-san finally closed in, giving a look to Miyako-san before touching Ai's face himself.

"It's fine, I… Keuk!" Ai's muscles tensed when her stomach tried to push itself up her throat. Making her heave and gasp because the contractions had occurred without her breathing.

The girls to her side quickly made space.

"…am fine. Really."

"You're about to throw up, girl." Ichigo-san sounded on edge, but Ai couldn't pay too much attention to it.

"No, really." Her stomach protested again, forcing Ai to shut up for a moment to take in air without heaving again "A doctor once told me my mouth would water when I'm about to do it, but my mouth's dry. I'm not gonna empty my stomach."

"I'm stopping them from coming, check with a paramedic." Miyako-san snapped, turning on her heels without waiting for an answer or confirmation.

"I'm getting Ai-chan some water." Kyun used the opportunity to slip from Ai's side. Her light steps echoed in Ai's head, and it started feeling like someone was hammering it from the inside.

"Ai, what am I going to do with you?" Ichigo-san chuckled nervously, going around the tables and sitting where Kyun had been. He carefully wrapped her hair around his hands, holding it behind so it wouldn't get in the way "Tell me it's just the nervousness catching up to you."

"It's just the nervousness." She did as commanded, gasping for some air.

"Who was that anyways? I've seen Miyako-san floor people that could've made us rich before." Niino didn't sound too pleased, but Ai didn't have the presence of mind to face her.

"Can you not see there's something more pressing going on?" Ichigo-san snapped, his voice making Ai cringe from the venom they held "One thing at a time."

"Oh, sure. Because Ai-chan is…"

"If Ai passes out, I want you to explain to the fans why she's lying on a pool of her own lunch."

"…"

"That's what I thought." Ichigo-san sighed "Later, when we're done. You have my word."

"…Fine." Niino clicked her tongue "Where's Kyun anyway? We have water here."

"She's probably running damage control, like we should." Takamine spoke and patted someone on the shoulder, the small smack still registering in Ai's brain although her mind remained empty "C'mon."

"Thanks, girls."

"This isn't over, Saitou-san. It's been a long time coming, and you have to deliver on your promise."

"I know."

What the hell…? Why? Ai chose to keep things under control. Hikigaya would understand, Miyako-san had told him that secrecy was important. So why…?

"Sorry, guys. We have a tiny, lil' problem. Wait for us a bit, 'kay~?" One of the idols came out to inform the still-waiting fans, soon followed by two other girls who started doing things to entertain the people.

Hachiman's group was about to leave the now emptier hall when this happened, which meant that Ebina and Zaimokuza stopped to look back before they could put all of this behind them.

"I wonder what that is all about…" Ebina murmured. She'd become quiet since they left, and although she sounded normal, her expression didn't hold even a 10% of the interest she'd had in this whole thing for most of the night.

"You think the girls were too upset?" Zaimokuza mused without thinking too much.

"Eh… Famous people. Even Yumi-chan has her ego, and she's nowhere as successful as these girls." Ebina chuckled softly. If Hachiman had been in a better mental state, he'd have come up with something smart to say about the stark contrast between her current attitude and how she was before.

"I… Guess so." Zaimokuza pressed his lips together, restraining himself from saying what he'd thought "They're still my favorites, though."

"That's fine!" Ebina slapped him on the shoulder.

They both turned to look at Hachiman.

"What?"

"Ugh… I hate that sharp tone of yours." Ebina made a face "It went that badly for you, huh."

"No. I'm fine."

"Sure, sure." Ebina chuckled "Sorry the night ended on such a sour note. I was hoping you'd have some fun too."

Hachiman scoffed, looking back at the now-excited crowd react to the three idols doing… Something. They didn't have microphones, so Hachiman couldn't tell what was happening.

"It's not my thing." Hachiman sighed.

"It's always worth trying out something new, right? Komachi-chan?" Ebina bumped her elbow with his sister's shoulder.

"I guess." The younger girl looked in a complex mood. Not angry, not worried. But somewhere in between.

"Tsk, you two really are siblings. Can't do anything about those downer faces." Ebina shook her head "Did you at least enjoy the concert itself?"

The Hikigaya siblings exchanged a look.

"Yeah, it was pretty cool. All things considered." Komachi scratched her left shoulder, looking a bit hesitant to say it out loud.

"It was alright."

"Well, that's what matters." Ebina shrugged "Enjoy the moment or the whole night will be spoiled. Simple as."

"You weren't the one on the receiving end of…" What could Hachiman even call that? Was that Hoshino at all? Had it been a mask? Partially? Completely? Where was young struggling young girl in that moment? "…that."

"Oh, no. I'd have died on the spot." Ebina elbowed Zaimokuza while speaking "It's why we kept our mouth shut. We're not as strong as you."

"Being called out by Ai-chan like that…" Zaimokuza shook his head "While I don't know all the context, I don't think I'd ever be in your place anyway. So I can't comment."

"There's no context to be had." Hachiman replied a bit too quickly.

"It's fine, it doesn't surprise me." Zaimokuza shrugged "Bet it's probably complicated, and I like looking at the girls the way I do now. Save it."

"No, really. I…"

"It's fine, really." Ebina slapped Hachiman's shoulder "It's not like you have to tell us everything. Seeing how that woman was keeping tabs on you, I suspect we're better off not knowing."

Hachiman didn't really know what to say.

"…" Komachi crossed her arms, keeping her expression neutral. They were Hachiman's friends, so she did not intervene.

"It's… Messy."

"There we go." Ebina nodded to herself "Can't imagine how draining it was, then."

"Yeah, no kidding." Hachiman's messy brain relaxed a bit. Saying this much, even if nothing had been cleared out, helped his peace of mind a little. At least, he felt like he'd gotten more comfortable. Like loosening a tie which had been bothering him for a while.

"Then, we should head home ASAP." Ebina turned to face Zaimokuza "Yoshi-dono, we'll meet as planned."

"Eh?" The spectacled guy blinked "What do you mean?"

"Eh? I thought you'd stay to enjoy the idols a bit more." Ebina pointed at the girls with her chin "It's free, after all."

"No, I…"

"It's fine, it's fine. It's something you enjoy." Ebina took the things she'd bought and handed them to Zaimokuza, leaving nothing on her person seemingly without even a bit of hesitation.

The guy looked at her, then at Hachiman. As if he wasn't sure what to do.

"Jeez, you're so helpless." Hachiman sighed "I don't mind."

"Ah! Thank you for your benevolence, Hachiman-sama!" He took Ebina's things and bowed "I'll see you around, then!"

"Sure." Hachiman almost didn't manage to wave goodbye because of how fast the guy turned around and joined the crowd. It surprised Hachiman a bit, but he wasn't going to comment.

"Let's go, then." Ebina nodded to them, taking the initiative in leaving Zaimokuza behind.

"Is that fine? I thought you were super into this." Komachi spoke up, giving the older girl a surprised look.

"I'm not a fan." Ebina repeated herself for the nth time in the night "Yoshi-dono is. I don't mind at all."

"I mean, okay. But that costed money." The younger Hikigaya insisted.

"So? It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, just like coming, just like giving all that up." Ebina chuckled "I enjoyed it when I bought them, when they got signed, and it felt good giving them up. That's all there is to it."

"Really now…"

Hachiman looked at the two things he was carrying under his armpit. Komachi's poster and the tablet-like souvenir he'd bought for himself. Thinking back, he'd thought the purchase as a token action from him to Hoshino. A way of supporting her, in however small way he could. Which was also the reason he'd wanted to buy the tickets instead of getting them for free, he'd wanted to feel like he'd helped when he knew how hard she worked for these things.

Right then and there? He didn't know how he felt about this anymore.

"Hikigaya-sama might not remember it like that, but I wasn't always like this. The future was scary, feeling like things would change made me nervous." Ebina continued to talk while they walked. Hachiman felt a little uncomfortable with the topic, but given the difference between this and what happened in that room, he didn't feel like interrupting "Well, I guess I've always been someone who lives in the moment? Difference is, I want to enjoy the "now" to its fullest. Things aren't always perfect, so you gotta live it up while you can"

The streets felt empty even though the dome was filled with artificial lights, revealing the absence of people who either had better things to do or were asleep already. Hachiman would've gotten nervous if they hadn't planned the whole thing with their parents. They still had some money, so they'd crash one night at a hotel and go back the next day. This whole thing was an event in full form, so maybe that's also why Hachiman's mood had soured so much: They even spent money and time to reserve a room to sleep the night, made adjustments to their schedules… Only for it all to end in a sour note.

"Really, now." Hachiman scoffed at Ebina's words. Somehow, it felt like the girl was trying to look cool in front of his sister. Even though something inside Hachiman wanted to shoot down her words just for the sake of it.

"Ha ha, maybe it doesn't look like that to you. But, y'know, these past couple of years have been awesome to me." Ebina stretched her back, lifting her arms toward the sky and even tiptoeing a bit "It's been a blast hanging out with everyone, fooling around during classes, doing whatever I want."

She faced Hachiman, smiling with a warmth that reminded Hachiman of things he'd rather not remember. Which meant taking a step back and looking away.

"And it'd be even cooler knowing everyone's enjoyed it as much as I do."

"Sure, babysitting a bunch of weirdos is cool and all."

"Now you're just being mean for the sake of it! But, well, I guess it's better than seeing you sulking." Ebina laughed it off, but quickly fell silent. Looking at the stars, or trying to, as the skyscrapers and artificial lights blinded them both to what laid higher up "I'm glad you at least gave it a shot."

"Didn't have much of a choice." Hachiman rolled his eyes "Peer pressure is a bitch after all.

Ebina gave him a side glance.

"I think Ai-chan had a bit of a point though." She spoke smugly "And that's what bothers you so much."

"Now you're just kicking me while I'm down."

"Really? Did you truly wish you'd have a chance not to come?"

"Yeah."

Ebina's smile grew a bit.

"I don't think so, I don't think so at all." So she said. Although Hachiman was more curious about where he'd heard that said before "But that's fine. You're always so tsundere about things. It's kind of endearing."

"I'm throwing you into traffic."

"So scary~." Her voice was still teasing, but when she stopped talking her whole expression became emotionless. Not that many cars had appeared, but that wasn't what was on her mind "If it was that bad, I'll do my best for Yoshi-dono to drop the topic as much as possible. I don't think he wants to bother you either."

That made Hachiman raise an eyebrow.

"Don't be surprised. Getting along with people means compromising too, right?" She smiled at him again "It's better to talk these things out before someone takes offense. Communication is key, after all."

Something in her tone and expression made Hachiman shrug some of the mental load he had. There was something there, something left unsaid. A prompt, a hint. Maybe she had felt something that Hachiman had missed. Or perhaps she knew more than she let on from the beginning. She'd never asked about why Yukino left to study in the United States, or why Yuigahama and Hachiman stopped talking. She hadn't bothered, never showed any contempt toward him or worry about the situation. He'd thought her callous then, but now…?

"I…"

"Yes, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Do you…? Y'know." He gulped, feeling like he'd choke on his own tongue if he continued "Keep in contact with…?"

Ebina blinked, expectant. She didn't say anything, she didn't acknowledge his words. She simply waited.

"…Never mind." He sighed, feeling worse for it. But at least he wasn't having difficulty talking anymore.

"I see… Too bad." Ebina smiled bitterly "You should go rest up, Hikigaya-kun. You look like shit."

He didn't have it in him to be offended.

"Yeah."

Ebina patted his shoulder again.

"I'll go with Yoshi-dono after all, see if I can watch a bit or if they're done already." She didn't sound disappointed now, nor did her expression change when she turned around "Thanks, Hikigaya-kun. I really enjoyed the night."

Hachiman didn't have the energy to smile.

"Sure." He watched her go, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Well, as alone as he could be with… "Komachi…?"

He turned around but didn't immediately see his little sister by his side. He spun on his heel, momentarily panicking as he tried to remember when was the last time he'd seen her.

"Komachi?!"

"I'm here!" The younger girl rushed to his side, making Hachiman exhale the breath he didn't notice he'd held for a moment "Sorry."

"What the hell? Don't do that to me." Hachiman put his hands on his sister's shoulders, screening her to see if something was amiss "Where did you…?"

His eyes were locked to the thing under Komachi's arm. Or rather, the tiny human she was holding.

Small, more a baby than a kid. With almost golden hair and deep blue eyes that stared at him blankly. Like the kid was studying him like a scientist would. Which was kind of strange, given that he was being held around the torso, so his little legs and arms dangled in the air uselessly.

"Hey."

Hachiman had seen this kid before. No. Not only him, but also someone older that looked almost exactly like him.

"What is this thing?" Hachiman asked breathlessly.

"I'm not a thing."

"I found him following us. Little bastard is tenacious." Komachi clicked her tongue.

Hachiman didn't care, though. His mind was racing so much that he almost felt dizzy.

"I'm glad that you made it safely." The kid spoke, his expression still neutral "I wanted to meet you."

This was the kid that had been by his side when he'd been bleeding out in front of Hoshino's home.

Hachiman took a step back, almost leaving the safety of the sidewalk entirely.

"Onii-chan, be careful!" Komachi reached for him, trying to stop him.

Hachiman stopped by himself, but he still smacked his sister's arm away.

"Get rid of him. Right now." No. Not like this, not tonight. Hachiman had had enough.

"Hikiga…"

"Get him back inside."

Komachi looked alarmed by Hachiman's reaction. Yet she was still the best little sister in the entire world.

"Right away, onii-chan." She spun around and ran back inside.

Hachiman let himself fall on the edge of the sidewalk, cradling his face while his heart pummeled in his chest.

"I shouldn't have pried, I shouldn't have pried, I shouldn't have pried…"