Sorry to cut into the beginning, but allow me to remind you all. This is still a DDLC fic, there will be moments. If you're ever feeling suicidal, then look for help.
You have been warned.
"I walked, that's how." Keeping my hand on the door, I look at her from the sliding door's window reflection.
Her expression hadn't changed despite my words, staring at my back with that same look. A look of…
"Funny." I see her roll her eyes. "How very like you, to ignore the obvious, Logical-san."
Removing my hand from the door, I look back at her. Narrowing my eyes at her, I look her over once more.
There weren't any unnatural bulges anywhere on her and her school bag was probably in the clubroom. Her hands were in view, and were empt- "Perv." She remarks, covering herself with her arms, though despite that her words were devoid of any significant emotion other than amusement.
"It's awkward if you just stand there, gawking at me. Pull up a seat would you? I have a request for the Service Club."
The Genuine Route
I didn't know how to respond, my ears were ringing, and more than anything I was…
"Did you not hear me? Sit down, Hachiman-kun." My vision blurred for a moment, only for it to focus on Monika's face, which was closer than before.
…However, the one who had moved closer wasn't her, but me. Sitting in a seat that wasn't previously here, I look back at her with…
" If I told you none of this was real, would you believe me? Honestly, I'm hurt, Hachiman-kun. I can assure you, I am very real." Her words echo in my mind, as my stomach churns from nausea. "Though, I guess if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to say th-"
"Let me go home…please." I crane my head down and bow, begging. My social standing in this world be damned, I was ready to give up everything.
"...I'm sorry, but I can't."
Her words repeat in my head, over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and ove-
"H-Hach-"
"Please! I'm begging you, just let me go back!" I don't care, laugh at me, mock me, do whatever you want, but please…
"You misunderstood me, I can't. I…I'm sorry."
'Oh. Oh…Of course not, what was I thinking? How would a high school girl send me back? Her name isn't even Haruhi…' Chuckling mirthlessly at the thought, the feeling of sickness is soon replaced by an overwhelming amount of disappointment and emptiness.
Feeling a hand run through my hair, I look back up at the one responsible. "...I really am sorry, Hachiman-kun." I don't need your apolo- "You can only get home from your own efforts, I myself can't do it."
"...What do you mean?"
"First, let me say one thing." Removing her hand from the top of my head, Monika sits back down. "This isn't your first time doing this." Before I can repeat what I had just said, Monika reaches over and taps me on the forehead.
???
Waking with a start, I look around in confusion. Stretching my stiff limbs, I get out of the comfort of my bed, and begin my morning routine.
Walking into the restroom, the dead fish eyes stare back at me from the mirror. Washing my face, I opt to not shower until later in the day.
Continuing my routine at a leisurely pace, I notice the lack of anyone in my home. '...I'm not late, am I?' I shudder at the thought and its consequences.
Heading back into my room, I change into my uniform and grab everything I need for the day.
Locking the door behind me, I check the time before I leave into the streets of Chiba. 'Thirty minutes, more than enough time to walk.' Leaving without my trusty steed, I feel a shiver run up my spine. 'It's getting cold…colder.'
Walking out of the neighborhood, I hear someone start to yell from behind me. Ignoring them, I continue walking.
"W-Wait!"
'...Don't they know what time it is?' I knew they weren't addressing me, but I wasn't going to just ignore someone screaming their head off…Well, I normally would, but I was getting a bad feeling. 'As long as I don't get isekai'd.' Turning to the one responsible, I suddenly feel my arm get smacked.
...
Standing in the center of the Service Club, the thick layer of dust left on the table and chairs confirmed the theory I had. I felt cold and empty, but I didn't, no, I wouldn't break down here.
Walking out of the clubroom, I head down to the main entrance of this Sobu. Standing by my shoe locker, is the girl from the morning.
Ignoring her, I open my locker, even as she addresses me. Opening my locker, it is quickly slammed shut again. "Hachiman, listen to me!"
Left with no choice but to respond to this pest, I finally look at her. "What?" I spoke with a great amount of venom, and I couldn't bring myself to care.
"...What's with you? You've been acting like this since the morning…Aren't we friends?"
That last word leaves a disgusting taste in my mouth, and I quickly spat on it. "Leave me alone, I want nothing to do with you." Outdoor shoes be damned, I walk out of Sobu in the worst emotional state I've ever been in.
...
Walking out of my home for the first time in two weeks, I feel the cold winds of winter bare their fangs at me. "Tsk." Slinging my bag onto my shoulder, I look through my keys. Trying one, it doesn't budge, using the other brings more success.
Now on the neighborhood street, I am immediately stopped by one of the neighborhood grandmas. "Hachiman-kun, please wait a moment."
Ignoring her nonchalant use of my first name, I decide to give them the time of day. "What is it?"
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, possibly at my current state, but I didn't bother bringing myself to care. She quickly recomposes herself, giving me a questioning look. "Have you spoken with Sayori-chan recently?"
"...I haven't." The girl from my first day appears in the forefront of my mind, her name and identity revealed to me by my phone's contacts.
The woman's older features soften as she nods. "I assumed as much." Before they harden once more, the glare being sent my way on par with that of my mother's. "I understand that you're both teenagers and might argue, but as the older one you should act more mature. Set aside your differences and talk it out like adults."
'I don't appreciate you lecturing me, hag.' Unfazed by her words, I just nod.
"Especially, considering the fact your family is all Sayori-chan has left."
'…What? Wait…Damn it all.'
"Oi. Obaa-san. Which house is Sayori's?"
"The one on the right, next to yours. …Did you hit your hea-" Ignoring her, I head straight to the house beside my own. "Hey! Don't just ignore me, brat!"
...
Walking up to the door, I raise my hand to knock. '...I've already gotten this far, right?' Knocking twice, I wait in silence for a while.
…
'...How brilliant.' Turning the other key in the lock, the door unlocks smoothly. Opening the door, an empty corridor greets me. Just like my own home, there were stairs leading to a second floor and a few doors leading to other rooms.
"...Pardon the intrusion." Walking in, I close the door behind me and take off my shoes.
'Logically speaking, the bedrooms should be upstairs.' Sighing, I ascend the stairs with a frown etched onto my face.
Now on the second floor, I observe the hall. Before I can even observe the doors for any clues as to which room is Sayori's, my eye is caught by three framed photos hung up on the wall.
The first is a family photo, two parents and their child daughter. The daughter had a striking resemblance to the girl I had met on my first day here.
The second is a photo of a baby girl with cake on her face, a radiant smile on her face.
The last photo is…a photo of two children. They seemed to both have been playing around, as they both smiled at the camera.
They were…Sayori and I.
'...I guess…she was this Hachiman's Komachi. A rock that supported him and vice versa.' My mood had only soured worse than before.
Finding the door that belonged to Ko…Sayori, wasn't difficult whatsoever. Considering the nameplate hanging on the door had the name 'Sayori' written on it.
Taking a deep breath, I take a moment to think this through. '...What the hell am I supposed to say? I'm sorry probably won't cut it…'
Exhaling, I place my hand on the doorknob and turn it. "Oi, if you're changing then I'm so-"
'...It's my fault. It's all my fault. It's all my…' The note had long since dropped from my hands, it was probably on the ground, mixing with my stomach acids. '...I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm sorry…'
Feeling arms wrap around my neck, my entire body stiffens, but my eyes never leave Sayo-
"I'm sorry you had to see this, but please understand."
'I'm sorry…I'm sorry…I'm so-'
"You're the only one who can save them, save us."
'I'm sorry…I'm sorry…
I'm sorry.'
To Be Continued…
Omake - Non-Canon?
Books and Ice don't mix, but Books and Loners do
Hachiman POV
The Service Club was silent. That wasn't unusual. Our usual days would go by at a snail's pace, as I dreaded the fact that someone may come in and request our help with their troublesome issues.
The issue in our current silence, is the glares being exchanged between the two queens. The queens being, my club president, the ice queen. As well as my…acquaintance and former club president, the book queen.
The silence is quickly cut short by my current club president, Yukinoshita Yukino. "...What can the Service Club do for you, Hayashi-san?" Their prior history was unknown to me, seeing as I never bothered paying attention to any rumors flying around.
" Gosh. I'm flattered that you remember me, Yukinoshita-san. However, I'm not here to request anything from you." Monika responds, seemingly unbothered by the cold glare from Yukinoshita.
"Hoh? Then pray tell, what are you here for?" …Why thank you Yukinoshita, you just signed my death warrant.
"I'm sure, he already knows what I'm here for." Monika's emerald green orbs trail towards me, a smile that promised pain if I didn't give her what she wanted.
"Hikigaya-kun?" Yukinoshita's own pair of ice cold orbs glance in my direction, before going back to Monika. "Oh? Are you unaware that Hiki-creepy-kun is a sexual deviant, who wouldn't hesitate to assault you once you are both alone? …Or, perhaps you are into that?" Oi, I don't appreciate being slandered in front of…Nevermind. At least Monika has something desirable you wash board.
"And if I am? It's no business of yours." Turning back to me, Monika finally speaks to me. "Are you going to give me your answer, Hachiman?"
If they were drinking, I'm sure both Yukinoshita and Yuigahama would have spit it out just now. They were both like fish out of water.
"Well?" Reminded of the question asked, I take a moment before answering.
"...Not here."
"Fine, then. Let's go somewhere else." Standing up out of her chair, Monika grabs my wrist and starts to drag me out of my own chair.
"And where exactly do you think you're taking my club member?" …Scary, and is she worried about me?
"What's it to you?" …Yuigahama, do something damn it. No, don't just get on your phone!
"As regrettable as it is, Hikigaya-kun is still a member of the Service Club." Nevermind then, screw you too.
"...Are you his girlfriend?"
"Oi, how could you ever say that?" I whisper to her.
"Wh-What?! H-How does that matter?!"
"This is a personal matter, and seeing as you didn't say yes, I'll assume you're not." Feeling my wrist get tugged on again, I'm dragged out of the clubroom. "Let's go."
School Roof
Pushed onto the wall, Monika initiates a kiss between us. The taste of cherry reaches my mouth after a few seconds of locking lips with her.
Separating, I take in a breath. "...Are you trying to make problems for me?"
"It's not my fault, you're the one surrounded by two beautiful girls." She pouts, leaning her head on my shoulder.
"As if the Literature Club would be any better." I remark.
"Well, at least then I'd be able to keep an eye on you." She presses her index finger on my cheek, a cute but uncharacteristic pout on her face. "And what's that supposed to mean? Don't tell me I should be worried about one of the girls stealing you away from me."
"...I know what you're trying to do."
"Well I want to hear you say it, and I won't stop pestering you if you don't say it."
Not really wanting any more problems to occur in the Service Club, I feel my face heat up as I begin to speak. "...You're the only one for me, Monika." It was a miracle and a half that I didn't stutter once while saying that. "Th-There. Happy?" Nevermind.
"Very, hehehe…" Hearing her giggling, I feel my lips curve into a smile.
"Good, because I'm not saying it again. I nearly died from embarrassment."
"Meanie." Feeling her pinch my side, I notice the setting sun in the distance.
"It's late."
"I know, but just let me have this. It's been so long."
"Okay."
We both stand there, silently taking in one another. Despite the minutes passing by, it all felt like seconds.
"Hachiman?"
"...Yeah?
"...I love you."
I could practically feel my face heat up like the sun, and considering Monika was currently burying her face into neck, I imagine it was the same for her.
"...I…I love you too."
We both continue to stand together, hugging it out in silence. In comfortable silence.
The End.
…I'm sure we all know what he saw. I never wanted to include that scene. Ever. But the only way to push Hachiman towards saving the Dokis is to show him how much help they truly need.
I'm sorry if you came to this story expecting sunshine and rainbows, but this is still DDLC, you know~?
Probably my shortest chapter to date, but I just wanted you all to know that I'm still alive. Though it was difficult to get this chapter going, I soon started to progress forward at a steady pace.
I added the Omake on the day I upload this, so it's rushed work, but I just wanted you guys to have a little extra. Even if it is the complete opposite of the actual chapter.
My next Omake might be about Natsuki/Yuri, so don't worry I haven't forgotten about them.
Please let me know how you like this chapter.
For now, though? Review Time.
MeetraSurik8 - First, Thanks. Every chapter can't be exciting, you know~? If I don't give up on this story, this fic will be around 150k-250k words. Maybe 50-60 chapters? Who knows?
Yeah, Hachiman obviously misses home and his daily routine of doing absolutely nothing in the Service Club. It would have lasted longer if it wasn't for a certain club president.
Too soon? Maybe, but I'm willing to take risks. Even if they might not pay off.
Good, so it is fanon. Chances are, Hachiman will have to confront his own feelings sooner or later.
Writer's Block…is still somewhat here. Even if it is only for TGR. Ugh.
Anyway, thanks again.
GrumpyGrue - Hm? …I guess so. Hachiman has always been a tsundere tho. Just don't expect him to start saying "It's not like I like you or anything, Baka!"
…That would be seriously cursed.
Soulbow109 - Yeah, sharing poems was already pretty bad. Acting out a story in front of a lot of people is…definitely worse in my opinion.
Honestly? If the next chapter comes out really bad and the response to it is bad, I'll just rewrite it. Here's hoping it doesn't come to that.
Bluecookie420 - Yukino is…She is.
Yukino's not really my favorite Oregairu girl, that's reserved for Hiratsuka-sensei, Yumiko, or Saki.
As for who Hachiman ends up with….
The answer is obvious, no?
They have six letters in their name. And their name is…
Pan-san.
Review Time, Done.
Other than that, I am finished for today. Goodbye.