At this point, I'm not even surprised this happened. "But, Senpai…" The first year girl bemoans, loudly enough for us to gather stares from other students in the hall. "You promised!"
"I did?"
"Yes! So, take responsibility, you big jerk!" Now, I'm even more confused and slightly scared at the implications behind her words.
"Okay, okay…" I try placating her, which thankfully stops her from saying anymore. "I'll help you, but first, you have to tell me what exactly it is I have to do."
I'm Not
"We're throwing a party for Meguri-senpai!" She announces pretty loudly, but none of the other StuCo members seem to even react.
"Here?" I raise an eyebrow at that, this room was already pretty small, I can't imagine a party occurring here unless it's a small scale one.
Bzzt…
"Yep! Well, more specifically, in the gym!" Now, I'm having less of a hard time believing that, but how is she going to do that?
Even if she is part of the StuCo, I doubt the teachers and staff just let this happen. "And the school is just going to let you do it?"
"Yep! They even gave us a good amount of funding!" Okay, now I don't believe her at all.
"All for one person?"
"Don't be an idiot, Senpai." I'm being an idiot? How? "This is like…prom! Like in those western movies, you know?"
Bzzt…
"Prom, huh?" I mutter. "And, that's nice and all, but what exactly am I going to do? Don't we need to outsource most of the work? Actually, now that I think about it, how did you even get the funding for something like this?" Isn't she a first year?
"Well…I-" She's cut off by the door suddenly sliding open.
"She didn't, or rather, the school wasn't the one who provided the funding." And, in came the most gorgeous woman I have had the pleasure of meeting, that being my homeroom teacher. No one could compare, and it isn't up for debate…unless, no, nevermind, I doubt it would even exist in this world.
Oh, and there were two others alongside her, I guess, Yuigahama and Yukinoshita, or whatevs. "Hiratsuka-sensei, why wasn't I made aware of his being here?" Yukinoshita whispers, but I hear her just fine, on account of the room's size.
Bzzt.
"What-What does she mean by that?" I asked my junior, while trying to hide the dopey grin on my face.
"Well, you see…Yukino-senpai offered to ask her parents for funding in exch-"
"-isn't that right, Hikigaya?" Suddenly inserted into another conversation by the woman of my dreams, I immediately gave a response.
"Yes, that's right." I nod, much to the apparent surprise of everyone.
Bzzt.
"...Hikigaya, your phone is ringing." My teacher points out.
"You're ringing."
"What?" Snapped out of my trance, I feel my face redden in embarrassment.
"Uh, I mean…" Pulling out my phone, I immediately answer my persistent caller. "Hello?"
"Hey moron, where are you? Lunch break started fifteen minutes ago." I immediately recognize Silver's voice over the phone.
"I have a name, you know? It wouldn't hurt to use it."
"Who is he..?"
"Does it matter?" I hear from both of Hachiman's previous love interests, but don't acknowledge them.
Focusing back on the call, I am suddenly treated to a really complicated statement. "...Only if you use mine. None of that 'you', or that stupid nickname I know you still use."
"Nickname?" I take the chance to get away from them, finding a nice wall to lean on.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." I don't. "Ahem! Anyway, are you coming to the roof or not? No, wait, let me guess. You forgot to make a bento and now you're avoiding me."
"No, I made one, just like you asked. Only issue is, I'm stuck in the student council room helping with something." I explain, as I look out the window to the tennis courts.
"Seriously? You're helping out Isshiki again? Whatever happened to 'Ungrateful foxy brat'?"
"Did I say that? Then, I guess I had a change of heart."
"...Is that so? You seem to have had a lot of those." With a sigh from her, I hear movement on her end. "I'm coming over there, we can skip the next period and use it as our lunch."
"You're being a bad influence."
"Heh, as if you're any better." At that, she hangs up.
Staring at my phone, I check the caller ID. Black Lace Saki. 'What type of nickname is black lace? But I'm guessing her name is Saki? Easy to remember, at least.'
Looking back at the gathered students and teacher, I am met with odd looks and narrowed eyes. "Uh? Is everyone okay?"
"Isshiki, what did you do to him?" Hiratsuka-sensei asked the president, as she was obviously concerned for me. 'What a wonderful woman, I'm blessed just being in her presence.'
"I…don't really know. Senpai has been like this since monday." At the mention of myself, I am popped out of my bubble.
"I'm still here, you know."
"...Monday?" I hear a collective mutter from my former club.
"Anyway, you never answered my question. What am I supposed to do in all of this? If you haven't forgotten, I am but one person." Honestly, it was getting harder and harder to stand this awkward atmosphere between everyone, so an answer would be nice.
All eyes seemed to be on my junior now, and she knew it, as a sheepish look appeared on her face. "Well, you know…do what you do best?"
That was definitely not the right answer, as the already awkward atmosphere became tense.
Surprisingly, the first to speak up was Yukinoshita. "...It has already been proven that Hikigaya's methods are fruitless, and only lead to a repeating cycle, has it not, Isshiki-san?"
"Yeah, but-"
"I don't think it's right for us to ask this of Hikki, Iroha-chan." Yuigahama interrupts, putting her two cents in.
'Hikigaya's methods, huh? Fruitless, a cycle, and it's not right… I guess so, I never really understood his insistence on having to do everything himself without the help of others…but…' Directing my gaze over to the only other person who held their tongue, I found an expectant stare from my teacher. 'Is she…waiting for my answer?'
Breaking my stare, I look back at the three other students, who were now waiting for me, as well. "I don't think I should be involved." The reception to my answer was a mixed bag, but the most vocal was…
"Eh?! Senpai, you promised!" Unsurprisingly, my junior.
"I guess, but by the look of things…" I directed my gaze to the others, who all seemed to be surprised in varying degrees at my refusal. "You all have it handled."
Isshiki looked ready to argue my reasoning, but it was not meant to be, thankfully.
Slam.
The door hitting its frame again wasn't as loud, but I didn't care as I eyed my new favorite person, well, second favorite, my favorite was the teacher at my side. "Oi, Hikigaya. You in here…" Her voice trails off, as she observes the situation.
Taking the opportunity, I grab and sling my bag over my shoulder. I then begin to make my way towards my savior. "Ah, Saki, you're here." My words only seem to make things worse, as I feel a few piercing stares through my back. Turning around to face them, I focus on my junior, who isn't the happiest camper.
"Isshiki, I'll make it up to you somehow, promise." I tried to give her a smile, but the best I could give her was an unsure grimace.
With that, I close the door shut.
Was I running away from a possibly very important event? Yes, yes I was.
But the importance of this event held no significance to me, as I wasn't Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Wha-Wha-Wha…" Ah, I think I broke my new friend.
Sobu High Rooftop
Despite the ringing of the bell that announces the end of lunch, we both stayed in our respective spots. "So, I gotta ask." I start, getting her attention as she begins to eat the food I made. "Why do you dislike Miura?"
Finishing her bite, she throws a look at me, one that clearly said, 'are you an idiot?'. "...Why wouldn't I? The better question is, why do you like her? Isn't she everything you hate in one person?"
Taking a moment, I sigh as I find an answer that doesn't sound unlike me or Hachiman, the one I knew, at least. "I don't like her, but I don't dislike her either."
"Hmph, is that so? What ever happened to that hate of riajuus you had?" Oh god, the cringe…
"I don't have it anymore." I scoff, as I remember how childish Hachiman could be. "It's all just a glass house situation anyway."
"Glass house?" She tilts her head, the confusion obvious in her eyes.
"I'd be a hypocrite." I sigh, not touching my food. "Who am I to judge them? Like them, I'm stumbling through life…"
"Whatever happened to being a househusband?"
"Pfft, yeah right." I chuckle at thought.
"Honey, I'm home!" My beautiful wife enters the kitchen and dining room, fatigue clear in her eyes from a long day at work, dealing with highschool kids.
"Hey, you." I approach her, giving her a peck on the lips. "Long day?" I ask her, as I help her out of her lab coat.
"Unfortunately, those brats are a handfu-"
"-You were saying, Ha-Hachiman?" Broken out of my thoughts, I find an interested gaze coming my way.
"Ahem." What am I thinking… "Anyway, no self-respecting woman would want me around. So the life of a househusband is a pipedream."
"Y-Yeah…"
"Either way, my point is, I have no right to judge." I begin to eat, ending it there.
A short silence envelops us, not that I mind it. 'I have no patience for the intricate social situations in this world, not right now.'
"Isn't it a bit too late to say that? Especially after breaking up blondie's clique?"
"..." I bite my lip, before I let out a curse. 'Of course you did, fucking Hikigaya "King of Loners" Hachiman. This isn't being a loner! Why couldn't you just mind your own business! What could they have done to you!?'
"That was…I…It isn't the sa-"
"Was it, Hikitani-kun?" Appearing from my right, was a bespectacled girl. Her green eyes reaching mine as she crouches next to me.
"Hina? Why are you-" Saki starts, but the now named Hina, ignores her.
"You seem different now, but nothing's changed. Everyone still remembers who you were, and what you did." She forces a smile, which I know holds zero happiness, not for me. "Anyway, Hiratsuka-sensei sent me to fetch you two lovebirds." She dryly remarks after a moment of a staring contest.
"H-Hina! What are you saying?!" Saki practically shrieks, much to my left ear's displeasure.
"That I need you both to come with me, Kawasaki-san." Her smile drops as she regards Saki.
'Oh, damn. This girl is stone cold.'
Class 2-F
'Damn it, I didn't get to finish my lunch.' Noticing the scrutinizing glare coming my way, I duck my head in shame.
"Mind explaining why you were both skipping class?" Murmurs and whispers began to emerge from our left as the students began to gossip.
'Great, just what I needed.' Throwing a glance their way, I notice a peach haired girl and a girl with drills looking intently my way.
Looking back, I notice Hiratsuka-sensei glaring at all the gossiping idiots. Clearing my throat, I decided to lighten the mood. "We were on our way back when a black cat crossed our path, and you know what they say abou-"
"Funny, try again, Hikigaya." Ah, and here I thought she'd let off the hook with a naruto reference.
I do as she asked, and try again. "An old woman needed help crossing the street?"
"We're still in school, Hikigaya. What street are you even crossing?" She sighs, unimpressed.
'The one to your heart, please.' I meet her gaze.
"Just…take your seats, but I'll be seeing you both after school."
Doing as we're told, we both go to take our respective seats. Taking mine, I notice an amused look from the silver haired girl in front of me. "What was that about?"
"An attempt at humor, albeit, a failed one." I sigh, getting a giggle out of her that sends my heart soaring. 'Damn it, get your head in the game! She's younger than you by a good amount, and even if she wasn't, she's out of your league!'
"Mind sharing with the class, Hikigaya?" Ah, fuck.
"...Sorry." I sigh for the nth time today as class resumes into a lesson I can't make heads or tails of. 'I hate high school.'
To Be Continued…
That last part may seem a bit weird to you all, a 26 year old not understanding a hs lesson? But, you got to think about it.
Nameless is a 26 year old AMERICAN in a Japanese highschool, taking a Modern Japanese class, of course bro is lost.
Other than that, "Hachiman's" change is obviously noticed by everyone with eyes and ears, so expect things to get livelier for our nameless boy.