AN:There's a NON-CANON Omake at the end.

Also, If you choose to drop this story after this chapter, then I understand. Why, you may ask? Well, at some point, Hachiman will act weirdly, incredibly uncharacteristically. This is not because of the story, but because of my own skill as a writer. The reason as to why I wrote him that way will be explained at the end, where I usually write my author's notes.

I am not perfect, as much as I'd like to be. This entire chapter feels like such a step down to the first, and maybe some of you will agree. But please, if you have anything to say about this chapter, please do. Feedback is always appreciated.

Please, Enjoy.


"Okay, see you tomorrow!" It took me a bit too long to realize, but she's an airhead. An awfully pushy and observant airhead, but still an airhead.

Oh, and she's somehow my next door neighbor. I'm seriously starting to question what the hell is happening, but Komachi will probably have an explanation. Right?

Entering my home, I announce my arrival. "I'm home!" No response…odd. "Komachi?!" Still nothing, but since her shoes aren't in the entrance, she's probably not home.

Yet, I can't shake off this weird feeling I've had since I entered. It's incredibly illogical, but I start my search for my little sister.

Opening the door to the living room and kitchen, it is completely empty, not a single person has entered. Not since this morning probably.

Going upstairs, I stand in front of her door. Knocking twice, I let her know of my entering. "Komachi? I'm entering. If you're doing anything embarrassing, your Onii-chan is sorry."

I gently open the door. "Koma…chi?" What I'm seeing in front of me doesn't make a modicum of sense. Komachi's room is barren, only a bed and desk occupy it now. There are no signs of life here, the dust that has accumulated over time is clearly visible on the desk.

She was…gone. Every room was missing my beloved little sister, no matter where I checked, it was as if she had never existed. But, that's impossible, right? Right? RIGHT?!


I'm sorry. The number you have dialed is either out of service or no longer exists. Please try again lat-

First it was Komachi's number. Then, Ishiki. Sensei. Yuigahama. Yukinoshita. Hell, even Haruno. "...Heh…Hehe…Hahahahahahahaha!"

The despair numbed me of any pain to my dry throat. The hysterical laughter bounced off the walls as tears spilled from my eyes…until nothing.

Silence.

"...I'm not stupid, you know?" I whisper quietly, so quietly in fact, that I wouldn't have been able to tell what was said, if I hadn't said it. "It was obvious, it really was."

"The disappearance of everyone I know. Those girls in the Literature Club? They were the same girls from the video game title screen." I don't know who's listening to me, but I couldn't care. Not anymore. "...I-


The Next Day, Literature Club

Sayori Pov

The Clubroom was silent, which wasn't strange or unnatural, but the reason behind it was obvious. Hachiman hadn't shown up today, not just to the club, but to school as well. He wasn't answering his phone either.

"Ugh! I knew it! That guy just wanted some free food, he never planned on joining to begin with!" Natsuki breaks the mutual silence as she slams her hand on her desk.

"There's no need for that, Natsuki. Hikigaya-kun isn't one to lie, I'm sure something came up at the last minute."

Monika knows Hachiman really well…A bit too well.

Putting my feelings aside, I back her up. "Yeah! Despite his looks, Hachiman doesn't usually go against his word! He'll give us an answer soon enough!"

"...Tch." And there she goes…I'm sure if Hachiman were here, he would resolve this. I know he would.

"Psst, Sayori." I hear from my left.

"Hm? Oh, what is it, Monika?" Pulling up a chair beside the teacher's desk Monika likes to sit at, I wait for her to say something.

"He didn't answer your calls either, huh?"

'She called him? That's…surprising.' I grimace at the thought, but I quickly push away those feelings of discontent and jealousy. "No. He didn't."

"Hmm…" Crossing her arms, she lets out a deep sigh. "You don't think he's purposely avoidin-"

"What?! Of course not! Hachiman isn't that kind of person! He promised he'd come back!" I jump out of my chair in anger at thought. 'Monika doesn't know him as well as I do. Hachiman would never break a promise to…Oh.'

My outburst had garnered the attention of the other two club members. Feeling my face heat up in embarrassment, I sit back down. "I…I'm sorry. I s-shouldn't have yelled."

Yet, despite it all, Monika was as calm as ever. Nothing seemed to faze her. "It's fine, don't worry." For the first time ever, her expression changed. Her usual smile widening into a more cheshire grin. "But, I get it now. You like Hikigaya-kun, don't you?" She whispers loud enough for only me to hear.

"…"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about."

Pov Change - Monika

"There's no use denying it, it's written all over your face." Sayori's face only reddens even more at my observation.

'…I missed this.' Feelings of nostalgia envelop me as I'm reminded of the days before… that.

"Monika! Please, keep this a secret, okay? Please?"

"Hehehe, Sure." I giggle at her more childish side showing. 'Unfortunately for you Sayori, I don't plan on letting you win this fight for his heart.'


Hikigaya Household

Pov Change - 3rd Person

'...Club hours are probably over.' The thought suddenly hits him as he stares out at the descending sun. 'I wonder…how did I get here?'

Shaking those thoughts out of his head, Hachiman focuses on what he's planned. 'If this really is a visual novel world, then…in order to return home, I must reach one of the possible endings…I understand how nonsensical and impossible it sounds, but what other choice do I have? I need to do this…even if it doesn't, I won't stop until I'm back home.'

'I say that, but…'

"Ha-a…" He shakily breathed out. 'Damn it all…I can't lose my composure again. Not aga-'

Ring, Ring~

'The doorbell? Oh, it's the childhood friend.' Spotting her from the window, he heads for the bedroom door, stopping just before opening it. "Tch."

'No…not yet. I'll deal with it tomorrow. Just one more day...' Going back to his desk, he sits back down. '...I still need time, so please, just leave me be.'

The doorbell didn't ring again, and his phone has been quiet for a while now. "...Coward. I can't even bring myself to see them. I…I won't get anywhere at thi-"

"Hachiman? What are you doing? Why didn't you come to school?" Hachiman's heart dropped, hearing her enter the bedroom. 'How did she..?'

Putting on a fake smile, anyone would find it rather unconvincing and a poor attempt. "...Hey Sayori, how was school?" And it did no favors for the disheveled looking boy.

"Hachiman? Why are you crying?" Unbeknownst to him, the sight of Sayori in his home only seemed to reinforce the idea of his current situation. He truly had no way of denying it.

"..." Keeping his mouth shut, he opts to just wipe away the tears. "S-Sayori? Can't th-" Enveloped into a hug by the childhood friend, Hachiman is left speechless. Or, rather, he is left unable to control his body.

'Damn it! Stop s-shaking! I need to calm down…so please! Just s-stop…' Despite his…less than stellar internal protests, Hachiman couldn't stop himself from breaking down again.

So, Hachiman cried. He let his emotions control him, not logic or reason. He cried into the shoulder of someone he had just met a day ago.

Someone who couldn't possibly understand what he's going through, and yet…

"I can't claim to understand what you're going through right now, and I can't promise that I can fix it, but, If you can tell me what's wrong, I will help you to the best of my abilities." Hachiman pulls away from her in both shock and confusion. "You told me that during junior high, remember? So, I'll be doing the same."

Not trusting his words, Hachiman hugs her again to hide his tears. 'I'm…not whoever you're talking about. So, don't…Don't give me false hope.'


10 Minutes Later

Hachiman Pov

The crying finally stopped after what felt like hours, but now I can't even bring myself to speak. '...Why did I do that?'

"Do you want to talk about it?" I turn to her as she asks this. 'No, not necessarily.'

"…"

"..."

"Sayori, if I told you none of this is real, would you believe me?"

"Woah, I never thought it would be this bad."

"Just answer the question."

"Well, I…Hm…" She places her hand on the top of my head. "Do you feel this?"

I stare at her for a moment, before sighing. 'Might as well play along.'

"Yeah?"

"Then how about this?" Oi, don't pull on my face!

"Yesh…"

"Oh! How abou-Hey! L-Let go!" I grab her arms before she can do anything else.

"I can feel it, so what?"

"Then it's real! Duh!" This idiot. "N-Now can you let me go?"

'Oh.' I quickly let go once I noticed our close proximity. "Sorry Komachi." I scoot away from the girl.

"Um Hachiman? Who's Komachi?"

'...Ugh, You dumbass.' I stop myself from facepalming at such a slip up. "Ah. My bad Sayori, I was reading a book series yesterday and well, y'know…"

"...Oh! I get it, it happens! Speaking of books, will you come to the club tomorrow?" I'm in a horrible place right now, and you want me to come to the club? What a great idea.

"Sure."

"Great!" She hugs me out of nowhere, causing me to almost fall onto my back. "Oh, and don't worry Hachiman, I'll be here for you all the way." Don't say stupid things like that, idiot.

"..."

"I'm hungry, you hungry?"

'This girl is a true airhead…' Despite that, I can't find it in myself to be annoyed at her. "Yeah."

"Oooh, we should order take-out! Ah, but your treat." Nevermind.


Sayori's Room

Sayori Pov

'Is this my fault?' Hugging the giant sized Pan-san close to me, I can't help but twist and turn in bed. 'Was it because I wasn't around? I mean when I told him about me joining a club, he didn't seem to care about it.'

'But what if he just didn't say anything and decided to bottle it up like…I did? N-No! I won't let Hachiman experience something like that, like I did!'

Looking up at my room's ceiling, I find myself repeating the event in my head.

If I told you none of this is real, would you believe me?

'What could he have meant by that? An existential crisis? No, it didn't sound like that, I think. And, Komachi…Who was he talking about?' No matter how much I tried to reach an answer, I was only left with unanswered questions.


To Be Continued


Don't Go Anywhere, Omake will start in 3…

2…

1!


A Loner's Valentine Should Be Spent Alone, Part 1?

Hachiman Pov

"That's all class! Dismissed!" Immediately after the math teacher left, the bell rang, freeing all of the students from the jail we call school.

'Better get going.' Standing up and out of my chair, I exit the classroom and wait in the usual spot for Yuigahama. Leaning against the wall, I have a perfect view into the daily affairs of my fellow students. Of which were all celebrating from having received chocolates, well, the boys at least.

The girls have to wait until white day, and even then some guys forget who gave them choco in the first place. I know I would, that is, if I ever received chocolates. That however, was impossible, no-one would ever give Hiki-creepy-kun chocolates.

"A-Ano? Hikigaya-senpai?" I recognize that bratty voice.

"Oh. Hara-san." I acknowledge the short pinkette.

She suddenly puts a bag of cookies in my face. "H-Here! I was making some chocolate cookies for the Literature Club and accidentally made extras, so don't think I l-like you or anything!" And, why would I think that? You've made your dislike of me very obvious.

"Sure. Thanks Hara-san." I accept the bag, why? Because food is the best when it's free.

"A-And stop calling me that! Natsuki's my name! Not Hara!" They're actually both your names.

"Right, thank you Natsuki." I feel myself smirk at her pouting.

"Ew. Anyways, I'm out of here!" Just like that, she's gone.

"Was there really a need for the first part?" I mutter to myself, as I put the cookies away for later.

"Senpai!" Not her too, I've had enough interactions with underclassmen for today. "Senpai!" Noticing the student council president fast approaching, I'm able to catch her in time, lest she bumps into someone or falls.

"Oi. Why the hell are you running?" I ask, removing my hands from her shoulders.

"Hehe, whoops."

''Hehe, whoops', isn't a valid argument.'

"You didn't answer my question. Actually, let me guess, you're looking for Hayama, right?"

"...Senpai, I never knew you could be this smart!"

"Any requests you may have from now on, I'm not helping you with."

"Wh-What?! I was kidding, kidding! Please Senpai! You have to take responsibility!" Why are you yelling that out in public!

Luckily, no one was around to hear it, that I know of at least. "So? How does looking for Hayama involve me?"

" Honestly, how ca…" I'm unable to hear the rest of her mutterings, and I don't bother trying to. "Well I made some chocolates for Hayama-senpai, but I had some extras and that's when I thought of you." How nice of you. "I mean, you obviously don't get any chocolates, like ever, so I'm doing this out of obligation." And just like that, I take it back. "Here."

Taking them, I immediately notice the hard work put into making them. Their clear shapes, the little baggie they're in, hell, they're probably good. "Extras, huh? Would I be right in assuming Hayama's is better?"

"What? Jealous? Sorry Senpai, but I refuse. Maybe if you put your money where your mouth is, then I might consider you."

"Yeah, sure. I'll try harder next time." Ending our conversation there, I put them into my bag.

"..." What's with that look?

"...Weren't you looking for Hayama?"

"Ah, right!" She heads off in the other direction.

Another few minutes go by, and still no Yuigahama. 'Where is she? I swear, this girl…'

Stare…

Turning to my left, I notice someone peeking out from the corner. A head of long dark lavender hair staring right at me. 'Is that?' At my notice, the head disappears, only to reappear seconds after.

"...I already saw you, Yukinawa-senpai." I call out to her.

I'm assuming she jolted in surprise, considering she disappeared from view again. This time coming out of cover, a small baggie in one hand, and a thermos in the other. 'Deja vu…'

"I…I-I, he-here!" She yells, pushing the bag and thermos onto me.

"OOMPH!" Oi! Grabbing onto the things she handed me, I look back up at her, but she's already scurrying away. 'Seriously?'

Putting the baggie into the growing pile, I take a drink. 'Superb as always…Three in one day though? Damn you rom-com gods.'

"Is this a joke being played on me?" I muse.

"Is what a joke?" Damn you rom-com gods!

"...Do you need something, Sayori?" I ask the only girl I'd consider a friend, that being due to our shared history.

"Ehehehe…Well, you see…" She's holding a small cookie bag… "I bought one too many cookies, and I don't want it to go to waste."

"Sayori? Not being a glutton? Who are you, and what have you done to my childhood friend?"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" She punches my arm in an angry fashion, not that it hurts.

"Nothing. Thank you Sayori." I accept the store bought cookie, since she's one of two people I know, who can't cook.

"Hmph." She just crosses her arms, but ultimately lets out a sigh. "I need to head to the literature club soon, so I'll leave you to it."

"Okay."

"Ah, Hachiman. You've got something on your face." I do? Touching my face with my only free hand, I'm unable to find it. "Here, let me." She beckons me down to her height.

Chu~

The sudden feeling of something soft and wet on my cheek alarms me, as I turn to face a red faced Sayori. "Bye, Hachi."

'...I... Did she? …Why?' I'm unable to voice my thoughts as she leaves, like all the others.

"What is happening to my quiet loner life?"


Clubroom Hall

It didn't take much longer for Yuigahama to appear. Did she look nervous? Yes, but at least we could get to the club now.

"Hikki?"

"What is it?" I look towards her direc-Damn it.

"H-Here. I made it for the service club…"

'Then why not wait until we're actually there to hand them to me?' I accept them nonetheless, even if I am hesitant to actually eat them. "Hn…"

"Ah. We're here." In Yuigahama-like fashion, she opens the sliding door without any regards to anyone else. "Yahallo! Yukinon! …Eh?"

Following in after her, I understand her confusion. Across from Yukinoshita, is a girl with brown hair styled into a ponytail with a white ribbon. '...'

"Ahem. Everyone, this is Hayashi M-"

"Monika." I interrupt our club president.

A pair of beautiful green eyes look back into mine.

"What a surprise, Hachiman-kun."


Omake End


Phew! With that I'm done.

Now before I address the main chapter. I have to ask, how did you all like the Omake? Was it Good? Bad?

To those wondering, Iroha muttered, "Honestly, How can someone so smart, be so dense?"

I might make a second part. Depending on how it's received.

Also, Sayori taking a W. Like always.

Now. Onto the chapter.

I hate this chapter honestly. Trying to write someone in emotional distress is kinda hard. Trying to write Hachiman in emotional distress? I almost gave up. That's why it took me like 2 months to get this out.

The only reason Hachiman acted the way he did is because this is pre S3 Hachiman. He's also pre-I want something genuine speech. But he's not S1 Hachiman. He's right after Kyoto, where the SC is broken up.

So yeah…

I think the Sayori and Hachiman part was kinda good? Ish? The solo Sayori part at the end was meh, and the beginning was also meh. Imo at least.

Also, my little April fools joke had some truth in it. I am slightly addicted to gacha games, namely Genshin and Fgo. But I only spend around 15$ a month, unless it's a GSSR on Fgo, then I spend like 30$. Not enough to put me in crippling debt. Only close. Kidding.

…I'm not sure if I forgot something. Well if I forgot about it, it's probably not important, right?

How does it go again? Oh, right.

Buh-Bye!