VROOOOOOOOOOM!
Though the sound volume of a quarter-liter engine wasn't all that impressive, the distinct note of a low revving, high torque engine was something considerably alien sounding to this neighborhood.
Indeed, in this wealthy neighborhood full of rich households, the appearance of a modest-sized, low-ride cruiser bike might be a bit unusual.
"Yaaaaaaaay!" Fujiwara Chika happily yelled as the motorbike she rode on approached her home. "That was fun! I could get used to this."
"Well, I'm not doing it again. Here we are." Hachiman slowly pushed the brake pedal and loosen the throttle until the bike stopped and then turned the key off.
"Welcome home, Ojou-sama." The guard greeted her, eyeing Hachiman suspiciously.
"Domo." Hachiman scoffed, knowing that his presence was not appreciated. He turned the key again and was about to start it, but someone else called out.
"Chika-chan, are you bringing over a friend?"
Hachiman could feel Chika stiffen, if only a bit, though she quickly relaxed. It must be some kind of habit of her's.
The man was none other than Fujiwara Daichi, Japan's Minister of the Left. The man's appearance was unassuming, which only made his differences even more obvious.
With thin black hair combed to the side and glasses so thick his eyes were barely visible, he looked just like any other middle-aged man. But, there was a cautious and dignified aura around him.
It was all simply came from the way he stood and talked; even the way he dressed. Everything about the man screamed, "I'm a politician to the bone!"
"Good evening, I'm General Affairs Manager Hikigaya Hachiman." Hachiman bowed politely, his voice cold and firm. "I gave Secretary Fujiwara Chika-san a ride home because we were working late, hopefully, I didn't cause any problems."
Impersonal introduction!
Using the full name to address someone implies strong distance and formality, almost rudely so. By making such a strong impression, Hikigaya Hachiman made sure that there was nothing beyond a professional relationship between them!
Indeed! Hikigaya Hachiman was more than well aware just how strict and protective Fujiwara Daichi was when it came to his second daughter. Hachiman wasn't entirely clear on the details, but it seemed that it was related to Chika's elder sister.
By making sure to keep their relationship status as formal as possible Hachiman was trying to secure a safe place in Daichi's hawk-like eyes, as a trustworthy boy with no hidden, unsavory agenda towards the precious second daughter!
"Ah no, not at all." Daichi smiled knowingly, seemingly satisfied with Hachiman's way to introduce himself.
Success!
"Then I'll excuse myself," Hachiman said and bowed again.
"No, wait." Daichi raised his hand to stop him, "Would you at least come inside for dinner? Although it's a bit late."
Hachiman screamed internally.
"Well, unless it would be a bother to your parents of course."
"No, not at all," Hachiman said.
My parents might not even know or care anyway. Still, if possible I want to leave!
"Then there shouldn't be a problem." Daichi smiled and clapped his hands, "Guards, please take his bike inside."
Well shoot, now there's no room to escape.
Hachiman looked beggingly at Chika, but all he saw was a pale, deathly afraid expression on her face, as if she were screaming at him there was nothing she could do!
Hachiman would be sure to slap her stupid face with a slipper later.
"Chika-chan, please change your clothes before dinner."
"Yes."
Chika looked apologetically at Hachiman before she went ahead and entered the house. Hachiman gave up and decided to quietly follow.
やはり, 彼らが望む告白は間違っている.
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
Written by: ZeroXSEED, Co-Writer/Editor: GoukaRyuu
Chapter 8 - Hachiman wants to leave...
"This might be the first time we've meet, but I've heard a lot about you from Chika." Daichi told him, "She said you're a bit difficult to deal with but you've always been really helpful."
"I see."
"What do you think of my daughter?"
"I think she can be a bit persistent and needy when it comes to what she wants, but she's not a bad girl." Hachiman said, "She understands people around her and would gladly help us all."
That was unexpectedly honest.
Hachiman didn't think he was being too rude about it. If anything, coming off as too nice would be suspicious and look like he was trying to butter up the Minister.
"I see. She must have asked you to bring her home."
"Yes."
Completely shameless answer!
Hikigaya Hachiman had absolutely no intention to cover for Fujiwara Chika in this case at all. Any beef the father had with the issue, let it spill on the rebellious daughter for all he cared!
"I see, I should apologize on her behalf."
"Please don't. I'm accustomed to doing this after all." Hachiman said.
"Hmm? Not the first time?"
"Well, not with Fujiwara Chika-san at least." Hachiman said, "Some students and some teachers too. It would be weirder if I refused her request."
"I see."
Is this guy some sort of super courier? Or is he just being bullied? The Minister looked at him weirdly. Then again, Chika always described Hachiman as some sort of errand boy. The description fit, especially since he was an impure student. He must've been under a lot of pressure.
Still, the fact that Hachiman looked at him in the eye...
He wasn't intimidated in the slightest. He came inside brazenly with nothing to fear. Rather than innocent, it was more like he was fully convinced he had done nothing wrong!
Hachiman looked seriously nervous, but it was less something that was a fault of his own and more the fact that he had been thrown into the lion's den. Well, without at least that much conviction, an impure student would not survive Shuchiin. Especially as a member of the famed student council!
But the father was still extremely worried, so there was no way he'd let it slide!
"Lately, Chika-chan had been growing more beautiful and mature. As a father, I am understandably worried. What if she gets too popular or something like that."
The father said that expecting him to be nervous, but when he looked at the boy, he saw absolutely nothing.
Hachiman's poker face actually felt rather insulting for whatever reason. As if he was incapable of giving even a shred of care of the topic.
Until he opened his mouth at least.
"I can understand."
"Eh?"
"I have a little sister and my father is very protective of her." Hachiman said, "He said he would kill any boy who dared to get close to his dearest little angel."
Well, Minister Fujiwara certainly would not go as far as to kill...
"I see. How old is she?"
"She's turning fourteen this month, and will be a third year in junior high starting this April."
"I see, she's older than Moeha-chan. Is she going to Shuchiin Junior High?"
"No, she attends the local public school in Chiba."
"Chiba?"
Wait a minute.
"Sorry, you had to wait."
It wasn't often Hachiman got to see Fujiwara Chika in casual dress. Indeed, switching from the simple modesty of the Shuchiin High girls' uniform to a luxurious set of branded clothes was quite an experience.
Fujiwara Chika really was beautiful, if Hachiman had a daughter like that he would be worried to death too!
"Please sit."
Hachiman let Chika sit ahead of him and then followed before her father.
The dish served was expected, quite high quality, but served at a small quantity. Rich people indeed...
The father was examining his behavior, and Hachiman fully knew in that moment why an offer for dinner was given.
It was nothing more than a test of character. The father was trying to measure Hachiman's character and worth through his behavior at the dinner table.
If that was the case, then Hachiman had to bring his A-game.
As soon as the Minister placed a napkin on his own lap, Chika and Hachiman both followed suit.
The Napkin!
A piece of cloth seemingly plain and simple, it exists to determine the value and dignity of dinner participants! Their only role is to ensure your lips and fingers remain clean as you eat!
Placing the napkin on your lap, you do it after your host does theirs if it's a private dinner. If it's a formal business meeting, then you may place your napkin as soon as you're seated.
Hachiman remembered his 'lessons' well.
Hachiman wasn't the only one who got taught something like this. Shirogane Miyuki, the President, had also undergone this lesson. The principal was the one who taught them because they came from an ordinary family, and as such might be unfamiliar in both Western and Japanese style formal dining etiquette.
Hachiman would have to thank him later.
As Hachiman scanned the table, he identified the set-up as a five-course French dinner. He inwardly scoffed, this was an amateur game. If they had thrown a 17-course dinner at him instead, then he might as well have committed seppuku* to preserve his honor!
Even with this being a French dinner, they were still Japanese to the core, so everyone clapped their hands and said "Itadakimasu", though it was a fairly quiet one.
Minister Fujiwara was confident Hachiman was about to slip, but he ate his soup correctly. Scoop at 12 o'clock outward, don't let any drip under the spoon. It was hardly elegant, but it was certainly proper.
Hachiman definitely knew how to eat a western style, multi-course dinner. Which was strange, since Chika described Hachiman as the son of perfectly ordinary 'wage slaves'.
"Hikigaya-kun, isn't it?" The Minister resumed the conversation, "You said your sister is in Chiba?"
"My entire family is in Chiba, Sir."
"I see. Does that mean you commute here every day? Or are you living with a family member?"
"I live in my own apartment."
That was enough to give the older man a pause at least.
"I see." He mumbled, "And your parents have no problem with it?"
"They work in Tokyo and will visit from time to time," Hachiman said.
The Minister had nothing to say, while he had heard something like this was not entirely uncommon with a middle and upper-middle-class citizen, it was still baffling to see an example with his own eyes.
Especially one so close to his daughter.
"Living alone and riding a motorcycle every day, if I was one of your parents I would be more worried."
Well, that was just rude! True they are neglectful, but does he really have to say it out loud?
Hachiman noticed Chika stopped eating her soup awkwardly but did not make any sound as she lightly tapped her lips with her napkins.
"They would be more worried if I had to take a train or pedal a bike every day." Hachiman lightly fired back, "After all, it isn't like they have the time or money to buy a limo and pay for driver salaries just to get me to school every day."
Minister Fujiwara twitched his eyebrow slightly in the face of the obvious jab to his treatment of his daughter. Especially the way she commuted to school every day.
Chika looked like she was about to die choking and glared at Hachiman for fanning the fire.
But really, in front of her father, Chika was a really obedient, little girl.
"As for living alone, there's no problem. Fujiwara Chika-san also stays at home alone most of the time, does she not?"
Well, it would be incredibly hypocritical to criticize them, considering that Daichi rarely came home on time, and Chika's mother wasn't even in Japan most of the time due to her status as a diplomat.
Daichi realized that Hachiman definitely knew of the Fujiwara household's situation, as such, any slight given to his family, Hachiman would easily counter it.
"That's certainly true." Daichi nodded, "Can you tell me about your parents?"
"My father is the Chief Idol Producer of 346-Pro, and my mother is General Manager of NTT Docomo Tokyo."
Both Chika and her father blinked, but it was Chika who yelled. "Ehhh?! I thought you said your father and mother were wage slaves?!"
"But they are?" Hachiman asked her in confusion, as he put his spoon on the empty soup plate.
Daichi looked at him to see whether he was bluffing or not, but he saw absolutely no lie or shame on the boy's face. That look of twisted humility was an exceptionally rare sight!
Indeed!
Gross yearly household income: over twenty-four million yen**. The Hikigaya Family sat comfortably in what was essentially the top 2% of the country!
The Hikigaya family sat on the very thin line between the rich and the middle class, which made his position very awkward. And this also colored his already skewed perception of wealth and income.
For Hikigaya Hachiman, having a marriage partner with less annual income than ten million yen was unacceptable!
Of course, such a level of wealth was nothing compared to 99% of Shuchiin's students.
Miura Atsushi (2014) once wrote a book titled "The new Rich", which defined a wealthy Japanese person as someone with an annual income of thirty million yen and assets of around a hundred million yen. Most of Shuchiin's student came from such a background, which comprised the top 1% of the country.
As a result, Hikigaya Hachiman preferred to identify himself with the bottom 1% of the school, which included the incredibly destitute Shirogane Miyuki. All of them had entered the school through a rigorous yet generous scholarship program.
When comparing his parents with these people, including the very Minister of the Left that sat before him, it was just sensible to consider his parents as commoners in comparison.
Combined with how hard the job was, how much time invested, and the fact that both his parents always faced pressure from the company Directors and Presidents, the term wage slave was objectively correct!
"I see, they must be really busy then." Daichi said contemplatively, "What about your sister? Surely it would be difficult for her since you left your home?"
"Well..." Hachiman dug his fork into the appetizer, "Father has always watched over her, so she should be fine."
"I'd love to meet your sister, she must be cute." Chika dreamily said.
"Yeah, the cutest little sister in the world, bar none." Hachiman scoffed.
"Ehh, you haven't even met my sister Moeha-chan yet! Don't just make such grandiose claim!" Chika countered.
"My little sister is the opposite of me in every way. Ergo, her cuteness is unmatched." Hachiman bragged.
At first, it seemed to be a fairly childish argument between two sixteen year olds boasting about which one of their little sisters was cuter. However, Minister Fujiwara Daichi felt a really, really uncomfortable subtext beneath it.
They were practically flirting right before his eyes! This was unforgivable!
"I really am thankful that you came here to deliver my daughter safely, Hikigaya-kun." Daichi's glasses shone ominously, "But I still don't like that you brought her with a motorcycle, so I hope this doesn't happen again."
"I'll be sure to remember that," Hachiman answered.
"Eeeeeeeh?" Chika whined in complete, absolute disappointment.
"Chika-san, a motorcycle is dangerous to ride and they cause a lot more traffic accidents than a car. Furthermore, there's also the issue of safety features."
To put it simply, the safety equipment of a motorcycle...was nonexistent. All the safety equipment must be worn by the riders themselves.
"But Momo-chan rides with him every day?" Chika complained.
"It's not really every day." Hachiman denied.
"Who is this 'Momo-chan' you speak of?"
"Momo of the Ryuju group?" Chika innocently said.
The Minister choked on his entree and quickly took a sip of wine to relieve his throat. Ryuju Momo was one of the so-called Shuchiin Academy VIP students, and as such regarded with high position, equal to even his own daughter!
"...Hikigaya-kun, what is your relationship with her?"
"We're classmates and it could be said that I'm a part-time chauffeur." Hachiman flatly answered, much to the horror of the Minister. "Well, her parents don't really mind, so it's not the same. I'm sorry, secretary, your father has made his decision."
This kid was related to a national organized crime group! Was it any wonder why he could be so calm, almost to the point of zen? Indeed, Hikigaya Hachiman had also learned his table manners. Which would not be normal.
He, a child from a seemingly normal family, was already deep-seated in the hierarchy of Shuchiin elites. Indeed, deep enough that his own prized second daughter looked like she was showing a mild interest beyond friendship!
He might become a threat.
But, Daichi would not be too hard. Overall, he was just a kid who didn't know his place.
"Booo." Chika pouted, but otherwise, put the issue to rest. After all, how could she dare to defy her father? She was not going to push her limits. Not worth the risk. "Fine then."
As the dinner participants finished their entrees and switched to the dessert, the atmosphere considerably lightened and the conversation was borderline friendly, though a small amount of tension still lingered.
Hachiman was very cautious and Daichi also kept him at a certain distance, something that Chika noticed.
"Chika-chan, please escort him to the gate." Daichi smiled ambiguously, "Father still has some things to attend to."
Chika felt a little odd that her father would just let him go like that. But otherwise obliged. After all, what were the chances she could experience a moment like this again? Very slim.
"Let's go, Hikki-san."
Hachiman bowed politely as he left.
Both Hachiman and Chika were quiet until they passed the front door where there were no servants.
"I'm going to kill myself," Hachiman said, "Please don't deport my family in response."
"Oh shut it, you've done amazingly well." Chika slapped his back silly, "I'm very sure father has a higher opinion of you after this."
"I hope so." Hachiman sighed, "Never again."
WRONG!
As both children left, the Minister made a call to his most trusted intelligence agency. "Investigate Hikigaya Hachiman and his family. Don't be rash and don't take any risks."
As the Minister stood on the balcony, he saw Hachiman ride his bike out of the compound and speed off quickly.
He might become a threat. Fujiwara Chika's purity must be protected at all costs!
The result of Today's test: Gone horribly right.
* Seppuku is the act of cutting one's stomach, considered honorable act of suicide by Japanese of the past.
** Roughly $200,000 US dollars