The piece of lyrics is from Satisfied, from Hamilton.
The company wouldn't just place chairs and folding tables and a couple of guards between their idols and the rabid mob of fans just after the event. That'd be suicidal, even though when things calmed down people returned to being thinking, functioning humans… Mostly.
"Are you okay?" Komachi asked as Hachiman cradled the side of his head. He'd tuned out the other two as they described from beginning to end what they'd gone through. Not because they annoyed him, but because keeping up with them made his head sting even more.
"I think I have a migraine." The noise, lights, and everything else were really punishing. Hachiman couldn't get into it wholly, so he'd had to endure the overload of sensations without getting entangled in the mob mentality that these events rely on to work. He couldn't imagine how people could put themselves through this more than once, and honestly, he'd kind of regrated his choices halfway through.
Fortunately, the meet & greet happened in a different hall, where the mob was less dense and guards allowed small groups to pass through to meet the B-Komachi team in relative peace.
Hachiman lingered on the back. They couldn't be the last ones, some guys had the same idea, but he could make time between coming out of the boom burst of the concert and having to meet Hoshino in person once more.
She hadn't really told him what he should do, Saitou-san did. They don't know her last name, so he should call her the same as everyone else. No indication that they knew each other, no physical contact beyond the allowed handshake and maybe a hug for a photo. Hoshino, on the other hand, told him to just "ride the wave"; so Hachiman had no choice but to list off what Saitou-san had told him.
"Really? You're not passing out on me, right?" Komachi's frown deepened, which made Hachiman feel even worse. Even after the encounter with the weird guy and Haruno, he wanted to have a moment to stop thinking. To do something nice for his little sister, disconnect. Maybe mixing that up with his feelings about Hoshino's work were counterintuitive. But it still stung that his plans weren't working.
"Don't worry, Komachi-chan. We're here with you." Ebina put a hand on Hachiman's sister while Zaimokuza nodded "No matter what, we came together and we're leaving together."
"Somehow, I don't feel at all assured." Hachiman complained, still cradling the side of his head.
"Hachiman, Hachiman." Zaimokuza shook his head "Have some faith. We're having as much fun as we can because everything's fine. The moment something happens? Serious mode. One hundred percent."
"Right, right. You kinda owe us for hiding important things, but we're not gonna leave you to die on a corner." Ebina gave him a thumbs up "You can relax."
"It sounds to me like you shouldn't bring that up anymore." Hachiman replied, perhaps sounding a bit saltier than he intended.
"Hmmm, right. Still, the sentiment remains." Ebina patted him on the shoulder "If you don't feel well, tell us. Okay?"
He couldn't help sighing. Perhaps half of their attention while Komachi actually took care of him was good enough. And it's not like he felt so bad that he'd pass out, he was sturdy. His injuries were proof of that. And, although he wouldn't admit it out loud, he did feel a small thrill with each small group dwindling.
That was spoiled when the one of the groups took a little too long. And the annoyance in the people started sticking to him.
"Sorry people, a couple of guys in the last group had a… Problem." Saitou-san emerged from the closed door, scanning the people still waiting until she locked eyes with Hachiman. Damn it. Wasn't she the one that told him not to do something weird "We're completing the group. You two…"
The people parted ways as Saitou-san approached, and Hachiman stuck closer to the people he'd come with.
"…You win, come with me."
"I came with them too." Hachiman pointed at Ebina and Zaimokuza, a little annoyed "Isn't it a bit unfair?"
That didn't sit well with Saitou-san, who simply looked back at one of the guards. Who Hachiman was pretty sure remained completely still and gave no indication of conveying anything in silence to her "Exactly the number we need. Come with."
What happened to the plan?! It was supposed to be a perfectly normal meeting. They'd get in, get autographs, maybe a photo for Komachi, and leave. Hachiman managed to gather his courage exactly because of that! He even thought about the way he'd word his praise so Hoshino knew he meant to praise the way she lived her private life! Maybe if…
"We're going! We're so going!" Zaimokuza took Hachiman by the shoulder. It startled him, and he couldn't stop Ebina from doing the same on the other. Only managing to put some of his weight as they used their combined weight to get Hachiman to move.
Betrayal! Liars! Where was the promise of help and understanding?!
"Glad to see you have my back." Hachiman hissed as they crossed the first door, revealing a corridor which split into two, one to each side.
"Sorry, kid. Ichigo's become a pushover." The woman replied, which he'd have let go of. But Hachiman wasn't feeling so merciful at the moment.
"Oh, don't get me started on you." He groaned "So much for rules of engagement."
"Eh? Do you know each other?" Ebina turned to face the woman, giving Hachiman enough leeway to start walking under his own power.
"Are you deaf? I'm just following orders." The woman clicked her tongue. This whole event had probably chipped away at her sanity as well, which was honestly hilarious.
"That's a pretty convenient excuse that will certainly not be used against me later on."
"Onii-chan." Komachi's voice came more as a warning than just a random word. The implicit command of "keep it down" came loud and clear, and for a moment Hachiman tried to listen to her. Arguing would do nothing.
"That's the prerogative of a company, do try not to take it too personally." Saitou-san chuckled while looking away.
Why, you…!
"Ummm, this feels familiar." Zaimokuza had reverted to his shier self, looking between Hachiman and Saitou-san as they bared their teeth at the other. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
"Well, your company sucks. Who'd give a bad service and blame it on the customer?"
"Oh, you're not pulling that card on me. Do you know how many kids like you I deal with on a daily basis? Too many to count." Saitou-san lifted a finger and almost put it on Hachiman's face, looking pretty annoyed herself as they took a left turn "It's not going to work, I can tell you that much."
"I thought you were someone important. So maybe I should bring my discomfort to someone above." Hachiman shot back.
"Boy, I'm the CEO's wife. There's no one "above", get real."
"H-Hikigaya?! Maybe don't do this with someone like that?!" Ebina grabbed him by the shirt, but Hachiman shook her off.
He wasn't that mad anymore, Komachi had helped dispel that notion. No. This was more personal than that.
"Really? Because you made it sound like you're just the person that does all the busywork." Hachiman shrugged "Sorry, I misunderstood. What are you? Person in charge of things no one wants to do?"
"Oh, please. This company doesn't move a finger without my say-so. You can keep trying, though." Saitou-san let out a single laugh as she moved her hand to the guard in front of them.
"Sounds to me like the most expensive babysitter in existence."
"Onii-chan."
"Well, this babysitter can get you kicked out with a snap of my fingers. So maybe show some respect to your elders."
"Oh, please. I'm begging you to do that. Go on." Hachiman moved a bit ahead and planted his feet squarely on the ground. Turning around so that Saitou-san would be face him "Go on, tell someone to move me. I won't resist. Let's see what happens."
"You really don't know how these events work, do you? You're just making a fool out of yourself."
"Says the woman being ordered around by someone my sister's age."
"Hey!" Komachi complained, stopping herself from touching Hachiman for whatever reason "Take that back!"
"Yes, "onii-chan". Don't get your sister involved and defend yourself like a man." Saitou-san crossed her arms with smugness.
"You're the one threatening physical violence of me, so I don't know how your face remains where it is after saying that."
"Again, keep trying kid. I have to deal with people way more unpleasant than you every day, all day." Saitou-san scoffed "You're not impressing anyone."
"Ummm, is… Is everything…?"
"Not now, Ari." Saitou-san tilted to the right and pointed a finger at someone behind Hachiman. Only to stand straight again and going back to crossing her arms "Come on. Do your worst. We can be here all night."
"Woah, that sounds really wrong coming from someone insisting on calling me a "boy" and a "kid"."
"Allegations, how inventive." Saitou-san scoffed "That's low even for you."
"I thought we were getting along better."
"Yes, but your little masochistic tendencies really ruin your image." Saitou-san's words confused him a little. Which made it so that he couldn't reply when he wanted to "Oh, please. Don't pretend like I didn't see that little friend of yours walk all over you that day. I'm pretty sure you enjoyed it too."
What other…?
Oh. Oh!
"You don't know shit about her." Hachiman spat with the confidence that knowing Yukinoshita Haruno for as long as he did give him "She'd chew you and spit you back without effort."
"Ooohhh. Scary."
"What friend?" Someone asked.
"Considering that "I just stepped on shit" face, it's probably Haruno-san." Komachi replied.
"Hey, I'm just trying to warn you." Hachiman lifted his hands as if he was surrendering "It makes me a little sad that my honesty isn't getting through."
"Again, I have to deal with scarier people every day. You're not going to impress me, Hikigaya." Saitou-san chuckled again.
Hachiman would've answered with something smart, but the very idea just made him grin.
"Heh…"
"Don't believe me?" Saitou-san looked unimpressed.
"Didn't I tell you? She's the devil." Hachiman was coming down from the high the banter gave him. Sure, it wasn't the same. But it at least didn't feel like what Haruno put him through. It was… Freeing, in a way. He'd missed crossing words with someone ready to defend and attack at once "But you do you, I guess. Now, let's…"
Hachiman turned around. They weren't in the corridor anymore.
Seven girls dressed in colorful dressed and standing around behind a few tables put together horizontally were staring at him like they'd seen someone enter the room with a gun.
Komachi looked thoroughly disappointed.
"This is why I told you we should leave if you didn't feel like coming." And she sounded very disappointed too "Look, they're scared now."
Hachiman didn't look at the idols. But instead, at the guy and girl that had come with him. Sort of standing behind Komachi, trying to appear invisible while Hachiman had been busy. He felt heat quickly go to his face. So much so that he turned around without thinking, giving Hoshino his back wherever she was.
Saitou-san was red in the face too. Covering it with a hand and holding the other beneath her chest.
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