The piece of lyrics this time comes from I Need to Know, from Jekyll & Hyde.
Also, the comparison in Haruno's monologue isn't a 1:1 with Yukino and everyone she knows, just because it's safer to confuse a potentially dangerous person. But that's the gist. And if you want yapping, I've done that a lot on the SpaceBattles thread of this story.
"Last time you sent a message, and it was kind of a problem. Now you call me, that makes me nervous."
"Sorry, Saitou-san. It's not about a problem this time around though. Hoshino insisted that she wants me to go to her concert, and I've been convinced to oblige."
"You sound like it's not something you want to do. Even in my position, or perhaps because of it, I'd strongly suggest to not let Ai strongarm you into anything."
"It's okay, I have my reasons too."
"Not something I have to worry, I hope."
"I like making my little sister happy."
"Oh. I see, sorry for…"
"It's alright, I'm used to it."
"That still doesn't explain why you're calling though."
"I'd like to secure four tickets."
"Four? Can I ask…"
"They'll be paid for; I don't intend to mooch off of Hoshino's friendliness."
"Oh. Then…?"
"Not all of us can get the money right when the tickets become available, I have the feeling they'll sell like hot bread."
"Well yes. Hmm... Yeah… I can certainly do that for you."
"What's with that tone?"
"Just pleasantly surprised you're such an honest kid. Perhaps I misjudged you, Hikigaya."
"Story of my life. Then, can I tell everyone they're secured?"
"Hmmm… I'll call you back in a couple of days, see that I don't unintentionally pull them out from a contest or something."
"Got it. Thanks, Saitou-san."
"Stay safe, kid. Don't make Ai too angry."
"No promises."
"Well, there we go." Hachiman wasn't in the best of moods. So many people so tightly packed made him both nervous and annoyed. It might not be as bad as concerts he'd seen on the internet from overseas, where people literally got squeezed together like canned sardines, but it still felt a little too overwhelming for someone used to the safety of his comfort zone only being breached by his sister and meddlesome people from time to time "As promised, good spots."
"…" The girl to his right had her glasses fogged up while shivering. She didn't seem to mind that some people would push her from time to time in an effort to get to somewhere else; but instead, a bubbling emotion that Hachiman knew all too well was beginning to surface.
Oh no. Not again.
"As expected of my partner of life and death. Your ability to perform miracles is unmatched." Zaimokuza sounded like his usual self, perhaps regressing a little too much into his chuuni era, but the way he seemed to be holding his breath and shaking as much as their companion told him exactly how he felt.
He took a step away from the two and closer to Komachi, who was silently judging the two that Hachiman had brought along.
"Hikigaya-san… No! HIKIGAYA-SAMA!" Ebina clung to his shirt like a mother desperate for someone to help her child from somewhere dangerous, tears running down her cheeks and everything, but the sheer joy in her eyes dispelled the initial thought as she began ugly crying "MY CROPS ARE WATERED, MY SKIN IS CLEAR, MY TAXES ARE PAID! I'M SO HAPPY WE COULD LIVE UP TO TODAY!"
"I-I didn't know you were such a huge fan." Hachiman cringed as he lifted his arms a bit, trying to make a physical obstacle between his sweet little sister and this creep he'd unwittingly arrived with.
"No! Yoshi-dono is, though." Once again, Ebina became a normal human being. She fixed her glasses and stared around, still visibly very excited "But he put me through non-stop B-Komachi appreciation time, and I really dig 'em. The girls are cute, the songs could be themes for many of my projects! I feel power coursing through my veins! When Ai-chan does her final pose, I feel like I fight a thousand battles and win!"
"Maybe we should've come our separate ways..." Komachi murmured behind him. Hachiman couldn't agree out loud even if he wanted to.
"Leave the hype for when the good stuff starts, woman. Your energy is for showing our girls our support!" Zaimokuza could've released a menacing aura from how much he was holding back there, crossed arms and feet firmly on the floor. He'd mentioned this would be the first live concert he could attend, and the sheer amount of merch he carried made him more of a walking advertisement than an attendant.
Not like he hadn't seen guys literally clad in B-Komachi from feet to head, but at that point were they truly human? It felt more like an extension of the event itself, assimilated like drones of a hive mind that knew nothing more than to say "Ai-chan wa kyou mo kawaii~!" over and over again.
At least the lights weren't as blinding as he thought they'd be. He had no idea how anyone could dance and sing with those things pointed directly at their eyes. If it was Hachiman, he'd probably go straight from having dead fish eyes to that of an olm.
"Ummm, onii-chan?" Komachi grabbed his sleeve, looking a bit bothered. Which made Hachiman startle into focus, forgetting his previous hangups to attend to his sister.
"What? Something wrong?"
"No. Well, I mean… It might be a little to late to ask, but are you okay coming? You don't look too comfortable." Ah… She's just worried about him! Hachiman must've done something right in his previous life to have a little sister so pure and dedicated! "I won't tell mom and dad if you wanna leave, before fans go wild. I can go back by myself if need be."
Hachiman scoffed and bonked her shoulder with the soft side of his closed hand.
"I'm fine, kiddo. I made my decision knowing that it'd be uncomfortable."
"I'm twenty." Komachi complained.
"But you'll always be my small, cute, and spoiled little sister."
"Grrr… I can't even get mad at the last part. You've become a really smooth talker, onii-chan." She sighed in defeat, her idiot hair deflating as she looked straight ahead "Just tell me if you get uncomfortable or tired, okay?"
Hachiman chuckled while the other two were still messing around.
"Promise." Honestly, the fact that he'd accepted at all was proof that he was invested. Sure, Hoshino's shining career did not interest him beyond a clinical curiosity. A desire to see the other side of the coin, the result of days upon days of practice and exercise. The reason why Hoshino had little to no time for herself.
He understood, even without seeing the large amounts of fans waiting for the concert to start, just how much she dedicated herself to this. It'd be a disservice to simply chalk it to luck and talent, as not many people were able to bounce back from a tough spot as cleanly as her. It'd also be a lie to say that the things she sells are bad. From the videos he'd seen, to the merch and appearances on TV; the fact that Hoshino Ai thrived in this savage industry was nothing short of praise-worthy. Her private hangups aside, someone who doesn't want to be where she is cannot succeed like she does.
And because he now knew, he should pay his respects to the unflinching will that Hoshino Ai has. If she wanted to be seen like this, he'd oblige. At least this time.
"By the way, Hikigaya-sama." Ebina closed in a bit so that her voice wouldn't be drowned out by the chatter around "You didn't want to tell us before, but how did you get the tickets?"
Hachiman just shrugged.
"I met someone involved in events like this one at the hospital." Not technically a lie. He invited them, to begin with, because of how mad they'd gotten when he told them about the accident. And trying to come up with a better story felt like he was just making the same mistake "Small graces, I guess."
"Guess no matter where you come from, your health can decline at a moment's notice." Ebina was too preoccupied looking at the darkening of the stage to question it. So she just nodded and fetched her phone "Oh~! I have to show Yumi-chan this~ I'll make her regret not coming!"
"That's the spirit!" A girl fully clad in B-Komachi merch chimed in. She had those huge glasses that looked like they had a spiral, a tunic-like piece with each of the girls' faces and animal motifs printed all over it, a band on her head with fans with the girls… Hell, she was carrying a bag filled with goodies and gave both Ebina and Zaimokuza a couple of things before turning to the siblings "You got your light sticks ready? Who's your oshi?"
"Not to worry, kind lady!" Zaimokuza crossed his arms over his chest, revealing two light sticks of each color "This Zaimokuza Yoshiteru has come prepared to cheer on everyone!"
"Oh! Can I have an Ari-chan and Ai-chan stick?!" Ebina pushed Hachiman aside as she looked inside the bag of the super-fan girl.
"Sure, sure! Everyone should be allowed to cheer for their favorites!" The girl released a bit of a creepy laugh, which was mirrored by Ebina as they shook hands.
The girl turned to the Hikigaya siblings.
"I want a Takamine one." Komachi replied after letting another fan get closer to take a couple of goodies.
"Ah, Takamine?! Okay!"
"She feels like the cool type!" Komachi cheered when she took the light stick.
The girl offered Hachiman a red light stick.
"No, thanks."
"C'mon! Ai-chan will be sad if you don't cheer her on, y'know?!" Ugh, that expression. Scratch what he was thinking, this girl could sure be foxy in spite of the fanaticism! But Hachiman knew exactly how to deal with girls like here.
"Fine." He got the offered object and put it under his arm, covering it with his armpit while turning around "Thanks."
"No! You gotta show it off! Like…! Eh?" The girl snatched it and put it back on Hachiman's hands…
Gloves? They both stopped as Hachiman saw the plastic cloth covering her hands while she saw the bandages on his.
"What happened?"
"Ah, never mind." Hachiman pulled his hands free, now uncomfortable at the sudden confusion and worry coming from her voice "That's why I don't wanna hold it."
"That's… Huh…" The girl was tapped on the shoulder, with a couple of guys having arrived to take more goodies. She switched gears, getting the bag off her shoulder as the light sticks started being the only source of light "Pass it on! Everyone has to have one! Let our love reach our girls!"
"Thanks, funny lady!" Komachi waved as the girl disappeared, moving along to make sure her instructions were heard.
What a weirdo.
"Is this normal?"
"Some people really want their idols to feel appreciated." Ebina explained with some smugness "I honestly don't know if a person pays for a ton of merch and gives it out like this all the time, but it's not that surprising."
"Huh." Fanaticism is scary after all. To think someone would throw away their money like that just for something like this…
It didn't take long for the lights to turn back on once the stage became completely dark. Cheers erupted as one by one, the members of B-Komachi came out from each side. Bouncing around and cheering along.
"Onii-chan." Komachi tapped Hachiman's shoulder with a light stick. It'd seem like the girl had left the red one with Komachi after all. Sigh… What a pain.
He could ignore some random fan easily enough, but if Komachi requested it herself…
Hachiman took the thing and waved it lazily as the tempo of the song signaled the moment the main focus of the night would appear.
The girls stopped, the music continued.
Hoshino did not appear.
…Eh?
The volume of the music went all the way to zero in a couple of seconds, and was replaced by murmurs and people moving their sticks around. Even the girls on the stage looked confused as to what was happening. And as seconds trickled down, Hachiman felt a hole in his stomach begin to form.
Why hadn't they turned the lights on and…?
"Oh, no!" A melodious voice came from behind him. And it got reflected by a microphone into the speakers all around "Where could Ai-chan have gone?!"
A gloved hand pushed Hachiman to the side while the other pushed Ebina. One carrying some thick glasses, and the other a robe with every face and mascot printed all over it. The light shone directly beneath them an instant later, and Hoshino grinned as the band on her head only held her own fan, and she quickly moved the arm on Ebina to put the microphone close to her face.
"Someone call the…?!" She took a confident step forward, only to trip against the giant bag that she hadn't kicked away from her, entangling her right foot with the strap.
Hachiman didn't think about it, just like Ebina didn't think when she pulled back and threw her hand toward Hoshino. He managed to catch her by the shoulder, hissing when the pecks that stupid bird gave him stung against the plastic of Hoshino's costume. While Ebina managed to sort of hold onto her other arm.
The contact made Hachiman flinch from the pain, but he felt with absolute clearness a powerful shiver come from Hoshino's body. She looked stunned for a moment that might've as well been an eternity, and Hachiman only realized she didn't actually stay put forever when she managed to untangle her foot a continue walking.
"I'm fine! I'm fine!" She yelled into the microphone and started singing. The music continued a moment later, and that created a chain effect that made people start screeching.
So powerful was the noise, that Hachiman felt blinded by it. Not deafened, but instead so overcharged that his brain couldn't process the images coming through his eyes.
He only noticed the crowd parting ways as Hoshino bounced around waving her left arm, never once turning to face them, because Ebina shook him so much that his brain was forced to reboot.
"HIKIGAYA-SAMA, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I'LL GIVE MY FIRSTBORN YOUR NAME! I'LL PRAY FOR YOUR HEALTH AND LONG LIFE EACH NEW YEAR!"
IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME!" Zaimokuza fell to his knees, and Hachiman noticed some others follow suit while hitting the ground in utter defeat "WHY?! IT'S ONLY A FRACTION OF A METER! WHY?!"
What the absolute fuck?
"That was incredibly dangerous." Komachi had to reach out and separate Ebina from Hachiman by pushing herself between them. She didn't look amused "What if they didn't make way? We'd get crushed by the hardcore fans."
Hoshino reached the stage, and the two girls on the front crouched to reach out and help Hoshino climb to the stage with a jump. The crowd's cheering became even worse, but Komachi had already placed her hands on Hachiman's ears when he reached toward them.
Insanity. That's what this was.
"Don't be such a party-pooper, little Hikigaya-dono." Zaimokuza finally got over himself and got back to his feet "Ai-chan knows her fans well! The people that truly care wouldn't try to harm her even if she was centimeters away from them!"
Komachi looked like she wanted to retort, but she knew better than to reveal too much. So instead, she crossed her arms and turned to her brother.
"What do you think?" She sounded like an analyst asking for another professional's opinion, and Hachiman couldn't blame her. She was, after all, his little sister. And she also had some skill in reading between the lines in situations where she'd feel in danger.
"Slyness hidden in boldness, and boldness hidden in slyness." By pulling this stunt, it was akin to telling the world that she was not scared. It had to be planned, of course. As much a fabrication as the smiles and cheerful tone. But in doing this, her fans were reassured somewhat.
Their oshi was the same. It was alright to forget that she'd almost died. If she didn't fear being outside the protection of the stage, no matter how there were some paid people to help make way when she walked toward it, the public would accept it as something unworthy of its attention.
Like sheep following their blind leader.
Hachiman felt something extremely bitter in his mouth.
"I don't like it." Komachi insisted.
"Then the meet & greet is gonna suck." Hachiman nodded sagely.
His little sister, for a moment, had the same cynical gaze as he'd had when he was in high school.
He couldn't help feeling bad for her. However, he still didn't want to drop the event. Everyone now knew their beloved Ai-chan was fine and ready to keep shining. But what about Hoshino? Who cared about the girl beneath the costume when they only had to see her in person for a few hours? Who cared if she only needed to appear brave once and keep cowering in silence ever after?
Hachiman. Hachiman did. And so, he'd do as she wanted. With the utmost respect for her effort and dedication, Hikigaya Hachiman would pay his respects no matter what.