The Unlikely Duet
Foreword: I said one week, and I kept that promise. Hello everyone, Mayflower Productions here, back with Unlikely Duet 2, now with less duet... hah, hah, hah... It's been a while since I've published two chapters in a month (December 2023), let alone from the same story (January 2022)... Has it really been that long?... Where was I?... I'm grateful for the positive support everyone's shown thus far... we may overtake Endless Memory soon. I don't know if I should be happy or sad about that... some people might not even know what Endless Memory is... It's fine, I'm not upset... y-yeah, I'm not upset... Thanks to the momentum, I felt more motivated than usual and put my best self forward. Today's chapter centers around the Hitori experience, so brace yourself, you've been warned. I am working on Unlikely Duet 3, which may hopefully not be delayed, and is shaping up to be as compelling as ever. Ahem, where are my manners? Introducing the guest of honor Unlikely Duet Chapter 2: Second Impact.
Unlikely Duet- line break, "Things can't end any other way."- Dialogue
Disclaimer: I do not own Bocchi the Rock, Oregairu, or any other intellectual properties that may appear in this story. Please don't sue me.
Chapter 2: Second Impact
[Hitori POV]
"This is the start of something special," I walked to school, grinning and chuckling. What brought on the good mood? Did a Guitarhero video perform well?... I wish... My chipper spirits were due to my latest plan for popularity. Openly sharing my interests may have slightly backfired... I ran from the classroom defeated, only to be exposed by...
However, that wouldn't happen this time! If a direct approach didn't work, go for the opposite: subtlety. Over the last few days, I've developed a detailed strategy to raise my social stock without making big waves. The road was long, but I had time: the school year was nearly one-third over. If I don't mess things up, middle school might not end like how it started... friendless and lonely...
"..." My Happy End depended on the extensive notes I stored in my trusty notebook. That's why I held it tightly in my grasp. There was no place safer for it... My bag? What if a bird suddenly tore a hole through it? Inside my desk at school? You were asking for an unintentional custodial mixup. A digital version? The Internet's scary: with all those crashes, viruses, and clickbait content... Why was something so valuable capable of corrupting others? I just wanted people to go crazy for me, not buy an extensive Masterclass.
Don't misunderstand, I'm not gullible or a "whale," someone who mindlessly absorbs the smallest crumb of information no matter the cost. I just wanted to be safe and use every accessible resource to help me... I'm not a whale... especially since I haven't had any surprise encounters lately. Life has been predictably quiet, a reluctant lull for me. It was nice having the time to think about the channel at school, being ignored, but... I almost wished he had done more after our incident. Sure expecting more is just wishful thinking from me. I'm not the protagonist from a romance novel, but a side character whose face is always off-screen.
Long story short, everything will go well if I don't lose my notebook. It's not like some unexpected event could ruin that, right?
Crash!
While lost in my thoughts, I ran into someone. Our belongings then scattered everywhere... Okay Hitori, this isn't the end of the world. We have to apologize... calmly apologize and then leave...
"Are you okay?" The unlucky victim of my incompetence asked, reaching out their hand to help me up. They are so kind showing concern for me, while I had my head in the clouds... Now, to repay their gesture...
"ItwasallmyaultthatIdidn'tseeyou... Thankyouforbeingsounderstandingandhaveaniceday!" I replied before quickly running away, my voice not louder than an incoherent whisper... It wasn't my best work, but I didn't pass out this time... Let's go, Hitori!
"Wait, isn't that?..." I heard them mutter while I rounded a corner. It was easy to finish their thought... isn't that the girl lower than a water flea?
[Hitori-vision]
"Negativity doesn't suit you, Hitori-chan!" My hero, Guitar Man, exclaimed, his voice somewhat moving me.
"But I can barely visit the convenience store without passing out."
"No buts, Hitori-chan! Guitarhero is a rising star, and you're them, so that means..."
"My real personality will take down my only positive aspect?!... Tch, I should have known better..."
"You can be a rising star too, Hitori-chan!"
"...Really? You're not lying to me, Guitar Man?"
"Of course, you just need to believe in yourself!"
"Believe, huh?..."
[Hitori-vision]
Just this once, I won't assume the worst. This can be the first step of a new me. A Gotoh Hitori who can talk to others, make plans, and rule the night!... not a Guitarhero, but...
A Guitar Heroine!
Unlikely Duet
[Hours Later]
"Ding, dong!" The school day was over and I had never felt better. The sheer enthusiasm about acting on my plans had powered me through classes. I was so energized that I almost contributed during a lecture... I ultimately didn't, but the thought still counts. Just give it a few more days and I'll get there!
Now to open my bag and review my amazing strategy: the Guitar Heroine's magnum opus!
"..." Open my bag, and review...
"..." Open my bag, and review...
"?" My amazing strategy... that isn't there.
"..." My gaze immediately froze solid, unable to believe what I was seeing. My bag was notably lacking one notebook. They all looked the same, but that was a security measure. I didn't want Guitarhero's secrets to be leaked after all... However, I could immediately tell... my magnum opus was... gone!
"It's over... Guitarhero has fallen... Hitori must perish..." I droned, all color draining from my face, being swept up in a lifeless spirit... I had one job, but... I couldn't even do that much. Everything's ruined and damaged beyond repair. Maybe I was wrong for even putting in any effort. If a cat can't change its stripes, then a Hitori can't reach out to others... Cyberspace is the only place for me... Lonely and impersonal...
"Buzz!" An unusual noise interrupted my eulogy... Gotoh Hitori doesn't deserve a touching farewell, huh? I truly am lower than... Wait, I know that sound, it's...
"..." I snapped out of my self-induced trance, recognizing the noise. It was from my phone, someone was calling me... Am I dreaming? Does someone need Gotoh Hitori? I never thought this day would come... Break out the streamers, Guitar Man! It's time to celebrate! Woohoo~!
"Incoming Call: Hikigaya Hachiman." Quickly taking out the device, I read the current notification. It was my seatmate, Hikigaya-san. We have quite the history: being seatmates for three years (due to alphabetical seating) and talking often (once each year). That practically made us acquaintances, one tier below friends. But why was he calling me? And why did I have his phone number?... There's no way he would ever want something so worthless...
[Flashback]
[One Year Earlier]
"Okay, everyone, it's time to make your class friend. Exchange phone numbers with a neighbor so everyone's connected." The teacher explained to end the day's homeroom session.
"Uh, could you..." I glanced at a few people, trying to share my phone, but...
"..." They all seemed busy or were talking with other neighbors... This isn't good, I need to do something... Who do I turn to?
"If you want, we could exchange..." Black hair and sharp eyes met my own: Hikigaya Hachiman, my neighbor from last year. He didn't speak much but had social skills far outpacing my own, interacting with others. He wasn't necessarily fully engaged in our conversation but looked in my general direction.
"Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity..." I bowed multiple times before accepting. I tried doing the same last year but lacked the courage, failing miserably. I was too busy thinking about the basics of guitar playing to commit. This year though, would be different!
"Sure... Here's my phone, you can make the contact." He explained, handing me his device.
"Shouldn't you care more..." I started, confused by his willingness. It was your Oh!Tube account leaking, broadcasting your alter ego's identity worldwide... Bleh, thinking about that makes me feel sick...
"It's fine... One day I'll get there... one day..." He insisted, his gaze still elsewhere... Isn't that the popular girl? I forgot her name since Guitarhero was my entire life. I have never spoken to most of my classmates... scratch that, all but one, because of it...
[Flashback End]
"..." I forgot all about that... Good times... even though they weren't really...
"Incoming Call..." Okay, Hitori, it's time to act! My phone continued ringing, daring me to answer. Most days it would win, but I'm not the average Gotoh Hitori anymore. I've evolved into the Guitar Heroine, Super Hitori!
"new year, new me... New year, new me... NEW YEAR, NEW ME!" I chanted, amping myself up, channeling my inner hype beast, before-
"Uh... T-this is Gotoh s-speaking... t-to whom do I owe this g-gracious a-audio m-message," Finally accepting the call, but the big wave I was riding crested early, leaving a whimper behind.
"... This is the correct phone number, right?"
"... You have contacted the unremarkable Gotoh Hitori, yes."
"Maybe I misdialed or something?"
"...This is hopeless, perhaps even over for me..."
"I wouldn't think that way, Gotoh-san. Defeatism isn't always the answer."
"Hikigaya-san... you realized... I am so sorry for my pitiful answer to your call."
"Don't worry about it, no one's perfect... I completely forgot how I originally got this number. In any case, you dropped your notebook this morning. I was in a rush this morning so I didn't notice immediately."
"..."
"Were you thinking about passing out again from shock, Gotoh-san?"
"... No."
"Likely story... Do you want your notebook back today? I'm waiting- where we met last."
"I will make haste in accepting your offer."
"Please don't do that, and walk here normally. The last thing anyone needs is another meltdown."
"..."
"Gotoh-san? You didn't just..."
"No, I'll be there, Hikigaya-san... T-thank you f-for telling m-me... I'llseeyousoon!..." I whispered over the phone while ending the call... We did it, Guitar Man! Project Guitar Heroine is back on! Now to surf this wave to the finish line! Hooray~!
Unlikely Duet
"Oh, you made it." He waved once I reached the meeting place.
"Y-yeah, I d-didn't want to k-keep you waiting, Hikigaya-san."
"That's surprisingly considerate of you, Gotoh-san, but just to confirm..." He held out the notebook in front of me.
"..." I quickly lunged for it.
"..." He pulled the book away, before bringing it closer.
"..." I reached for it again.
"Gotoh-san, this notebook must mean a lot to you," Hikigaya-san commented, his expression unreadable.
"You could say that, Hikigaya-san. I h-have a c-considerable interest in my s-studies." I lied, not wanting to admit the truth... All of my embarrassing plans were in that notebook!
"Let's tie some loose ends before I hand this over."
"?"
"You dropped your notebook this morning after we ran into each other. I spent most of the day figuring out who owned it. I only learned it was yours by reading the inside cover," he flipped open the book, highlighting the page... Thank you so much past Hitori! You're a lifesaver! He then fell silent, seemingly conflicted about how to continue.
"W-what's wrong, Hikigaya-san?"
"Uh... I'm sorry, Gotoh-san... I never knew it was so rough for you." He explained while finally handing over the notebook, his voice softer than usual.
"Huh?" I took back my notebook without thinking much about his words... Mission accomplished, Guitar Man! Our secrets are safe...
"I'm rooting for you, Gotoh-san... from one loner to another," Once the handover was completed, Hikigaya-san walked away, occasionally glancing back at me. He soon disappeared into the school without saying another word.
"What was he talking about? Are my plans that strong?" I mulled, reconsidering my magnum opus. If he approves it, I may have something special on my hands... A silver bullet to turn my social life around!
Unlikely Duet
"Hey, Onee-chan?"
"Huh?"
"This coloring book's weird. It has tons of hard words."
"Oh, that sounds fun."
"What's a "personality shift" and "changing the narrative"? I don't get those."
"That must be a tricky coloring book."
"Yeah, it's almost like your social life. You work so hard every day, but don't have any friends."
"Guh... That's not very kind, little sister. Onee-chan has feelings too, you know~?"
"Then why do you spend all day inside? Are you a vampire or something? Oh, there's something else in the coloring book... not repeat the radio disaster."
"..."
"You were on the radio? That's so cool, Onee-chan! That makes you famous, right?"
"Radio... famous... weird coloring book... NO!" I gasped, the pieces falling into place.
"I was using that, Onee-chan!" My sister complained as I took the book she scribbled in. It was a nondescript pink notebook, like the others in my bag. However, after leafing through a few pages... It had detailed steps for a popularity explosion and the turnaround of all turnarounds. The Guitar Heroine's magnum opus was at home, far from prying eyes at school.
[Flashback]
"I'm sorry Gotoh-san... I never knew how rough it was for you..."
[Flashback End]
"My bad, but this is important," I weakly apologized to my sister, being too interested in figuring out the truth. Opening my bag, I took out the notebook Hikigaya-san handed me. True to his word, my contact information was on the inside cover. However, a few pages after was...
Name: Gotoh Hitori
Subject: Modern Japanese
Assignment: Analyze the character's thoughts...
Score: 10/100 % [FAILURE]
"..." Various assignments which revealed an uncomfortable truth... my floundering scores.
[Hitori-vision]
"Guitar Man, this might truly be the end for me. I can't recover from this."
"..."
"Guitar Man? This is usually when you say something positive to cheer me up."
"Hitori-chan, I'm a talking guitar your brain made up as a coping mechanism... I am not a miracle worker."
"Guitar Man?"
"We didn't even make it to Bocchi the Rock... Oh well, maybe we can do Nijika the Rock instead..."
"Bocchi the Rock, what's that?... Wait, Guitar Man, don't fly away!"
"Goodbye, Hitori-chan. Our time together was fun while it lasted."
"Guitar Man!"
[Hitori-vision]
"I just wanted people to go crazy for me, but... The only one I've made crazy is me!... heh, heh, heh..."
"Mom, Dad! I think Onee-chan's broken!"
"Hitori-chan's failure... Hitori the Fail!"
Unlikely Duet
Author's Note: No, don't give up, Hitori-chan! The author's rooting for you too!... Uh... How was the chapter? Please leave your thoughts in a review, so I can refine my writing or get some new ideas... I wouldn't mind some suggestions about a certain band... even though I have some ideas about them... whether they're good ones is yet to be determined... Favorite and follow the story if you liked it, or my profile to see more from me. Especially if you enjoy various Oregairu crossovers since they're the only thing I write. I had fun writing this chapter despite it lacking a certain cynical perspective... and releasing it on August 8th (probably)... Fate can be a cruel mistress sometimes... Oh. I finally did it, publishing something around Hikigaya Hachiman's birthday. It took three years, but we're finally here. I can finally pay tribute to someone highly influential in both my online and offline lives... Hooray~! Regardless, I'll cut the festivities short this time, we've got a preview to get through... It is a preview, right? Why does the subtitle say credits? Hey, Mayflower Productions what's happening? Didn't you say something about bad news last week?... I can't wait for Chapter 3 to be released in a timely fashion! I've been Mayflower Productions, thank you for reading Unlikely Duet, and until next time... I'll catch you on the flipside.
Credits (?):
Hitori:
Hitori the Fail (The Unlikely Duet)
Starring
Hikigaya Hachiman as Hikigaya-san
Girl lower than a water flea as Gotoh Hitori
Gotoh Futari as Little Sister
Guitar Man as Guitar Man
Student Council member as Radio Person
Teacher as Flashback Teacher
Thanks for reading!...
Hopefully, you won't fail like me...
Hachiman: "Hold on, hold on, stop the credits! This story doesn't end here, Gotoh-san!"
Hitori:" ... It should... I made a complete fool of myself."
Hachiman: "I seriously shouldn't be the one doing this, but... What about your dreams, Gotoh-san? Are you that willing to give up so soon?"
Hitori: "My dreams, huh?... Heh, maybe it was for the best. I wasn't cut out for it."
Hachiman: "Is that all your hard work was worth: a halfhearted smile? The long hours you spent to get here, a mere formality?"
Hitori: "Hikigaya-san, I n-never knew you cared so m-much about someone so insignificant."
Hachiman: "..."
Hitori: "Hikigaya-san?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, whatever you said."
Hitori: "Are you h-hiding something from me? Is that why you suddenly showed up?"
Hachiman:"..."
Preview:
Hitori: "Hikigaya-san, w-why did the subtitle c-change?"
Hachiman: "N-next time on..."
Hitori: "Hikigaya-san, why do you look so conflicted? Are things getting worse from here? Some of my most embarrassing secrets were just exposed! How can it get worse than that?!"
Hachiman: "U-unlikely Duet... So she can speak clearly when necessary. Perhaps there's more to Gotoh Hitori than meets the eye?"
Hitori: "Hikigaya-san, stop deflecting the question! I already started the credits, there can't be more to Hitori the Fail!"
Hachiman: "The story's called Unlikely Duet, Gotoh-san."
Hitori: "Hikigaya-san?!"
Hachiman: "Next time on Unlikely Duet- Chapter 3: Three times is a pattern."
Hitori: "I don't like that foreboding name, Hikigaya-san. What does it mean? Will a certain someone's hobbies be leaked? Does a certain someone have to give a speech? Wait. Summer vacation is coming. Are you implying a certain someone is given an impossible assignment?"
Hachiman: "No, no, and... no comment. Besides, who are you even talking about? I have nothing to hide!... aside from her... on second thought, perhaps some matters are better left unsaid."
Hitori: "This is bad... like really, really, bad... I wish I had my guitar to calm down, but then Hikigaya-san might learn the truth. He's clever... too clever... Besides, our paths keep colliding, forcing me to do something. I'd rather not, but... nothing changes until you take that first step... and I m-might be ready to... think about contemplating that point."
Hachiman: "Being a side character is nice. No expectations or responsibilities and my monologues stay private. I'd like that to last, but knowing my luck?... Nothing will go as expected."
Chapter End