After a while, it was pretty obvious. I had to be blind to not recognize it, I had first hand experience dealing with it, after all.
It didn't add up. Why her? Someone like her…
Nevermind.
Komachi was what saved me, but that was because Komachi was the only genuine connection I had. Sayori didn't...She only had me, someone playing the part of her childhood and best friend. The connection we had was wrong.
I hate it.
The Genuine Route?
Standing from the bench, Sayori faces Hachiman with eyes that resembled the ones she had when she was hanging from the ceiling. "H-" Her words got caught in her throat, unlike her tears which continued to fall like the autumn leaves. Turning away, Sayori tries to leave the unprecedented situation.
Gripping her arm tightly, Hachiman immediately cuts off her escape.
Fwoosh…
Using the strength that went unused by the loner, Hachiman turns her to face him.
"H-Hachima-" Her voice was frail…
Cutting her off again, Hachiman pulls the girl into a hug. Gripping her close to him, almost as if he was afraid of her suddenly disappearing from his grasp. "I'm sorry."
"W-What?" Weak…
"I know that as your childhood friend, I'm a failure." He lied, as he was not her childhood friend, and neither did he know her enough to claim that title. "...but, despite my failure to realize sooner…I want to-"
'Disgusting…'
"Please…" Like that of a near whisper…
"No, I…Sayori-"
'You're disgusting. How can you sleep at night, you piece of shit?'
"-Hachiman, please…" Breaking, or already...
"Let me help you. Help me help you."
'Hypocrite. You're no different from them.'
Removing himself from the hug, Hachiman awkwardly lets go of her and stuffs his hands into his coat's pockets. "So, Sayori…will you let me-"
"You're…You really are the worst." Not giving Hachiman the time to formulate a response, Sayori bolts from the park, leaving a dumbfounded Hachiman behind.
...Broken.
Monday, After School
At his desk, Hikigaya Hachiman stares at the chalkboard at the front of his class. It was clean, but still had traces of prior use from the many years of use.
Heaving a heavy sigh, he gets out of his chair and leaves the room.
Walking a short distance, Hachiman looks into the class next door. 'Nothing.' Moving on to the next one, he stops and peers in, once more. 'No one.' Ignoring the curious stares of the students walking past him, Hachiman looks into the next class. 'Not here either. Just where is sh-'
"Hikigaya-kun?" A shiver goes down his spine as he hears the voice of a devil calling his name. Turning to face her, the loner instinctively glares at the brunette who stood before him. "Mou, there's no need for that look, we're friends, aren't we?" She pouts, to which he scoffs at. "Hm…but, you're not here for me right? I imagine it has to do with your date on saturday? That was quite a bold move, Hachiman."
"Don't call m-"
With a sigh of her own, Monika ignores him. "Come along, we need to talk a little more." Walking out of her class, Hachiman begrudgingly follows.
They walk in silence for a moment, but once Monika finds their environment suitable, she stops and turns to Hachiman. With a hand massaging one of her temples, she sighs once again. "Like I said, what you did on Saturday was bold, maybe a bit too bold, reckless even." Her words struck a bit of worry into Hachiman, obviously making him fear for a repeat of the last loop. "Thankfully, it paid off. Sayori is still stable…to an extent."
"Hold on, to an extent?"
"Hm." Monika nods. "Sayori normally would crumble under the pressure you put her under, and she probably would have…" She stops, but the message is still delivered. "If you hadn't reconnected with her these past few days. However, you need to leave her be now, let her cool off."
"...Let me guess, you want me to meet with the other girls?" He asks, none too pleased with the turn of events.
"Exactly." She confirms, much to Hachiman's continued displeasure.
"Who exactly?" Crossing his arms, Hachiman stares at her expectantly.
"Surprisingly enough, you've already met them both."
This, of course, doesn't surprise him in the slightest. "The pink girl from Saturday, and..?" No other meeting comes to mind, so he just lets Monika answer.
"And Yuri. You "saved" her from that car last week, remember? …Oh, and you probably shouldn't let Natsuki hear you call her that, she'll probably punch you." The girl who ran from him comes to his mind, and he immediately sighs. "Well, let's get to the club!"
"Huh?"
"Introducing them to you as a mutual friend probably won't work, so welcome to the Literature Club, Hikigaya-kun."
Literature Club
Hachiman
Locked in a staring contest, my opponent's pink eyes glare into my own, obviously annoyed. Hara Natsuki, or Hara, was by no means threatening to me. Unlike the two queens of Sobu, or Hara's club president who sent chills down my spine every time she spoke to me.
Not in the mood for a non-verbal argument, I address her issue. "What is it?"
"Why isn't Sayori here? What did you say to her? She isn't answering her phone." My eyes widened at her question. 'Did she see..? No, she would have heard us…then, did Sayori tell her? No, she wouldn't. And, judging by her first question, she probably doesn't know what happened.'
Feeling her glare intensify, I scoff with my own annoyance leaking out. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
"You asshole!" As we were sitting across from each other, only separated by a student desk, she grabbed me by the collar. Her eyes glowed with fury, but even then I was unimpressed.
Glancing to my right, I find the other two present Literature Club members looking our way. With two very contrasting looks being sent my way, sympathy and…anger? Now, what exactly have I done now? Is it my eyes? I'm sorry Yukinawa-senpai, but I can't do anything about them!
"Apologize to her!" Is she serious? Just what exactly does she think she knows? "She's your best friend, damn it!"
"...What exactly do you know?" Her tight grip on my collar slacks, to which I take advantage of, removing her hands from my dress shirt. "Thought so. Don't make assumptions on things you don't know." Getting out of my chair, I turn to face the one who brought me here. "This isn't going to wo-"
""Hikigaya-kun!""
"Bastard!" Red, hot pain was now coursing through my lower jaw, and I was now leaning onto another desk. The pain, while strong, was numbed by the overflowing hate in my heart. "Just because I don't know what happened exactly, doesn't mean I don't know. I mean, it's obvio-"
"Natsuki! How could you?" Surprisingly, I hear Yukinawa-senpai come to my defense.
"You're taking this guy's side?! He hurt Say-"
"Enough, you two."
"Monika, you too..?"
"Natsuki."
Moving my jaw around, while painful, is just that, nothing was broken or dislocated. Standing up straight, I take in a deep breath. 'Fuck…' I don't spare any of them second glances, making my way out.
"That's it? You're just going to run away?!" Does this brat know when to shut up?!
"Natsu-"
"-I mean, you broke her heart, so I guess it's no surprise you're a coward." …That's why..?
"Natsuki, you don't know what hap-"
"Is that what you think happened?" That's why she punched me? I'd laugh if it didn't already hurt to speak.
"What do you me-"
"Nevermind." Sayori wouldn't want me telling them. "Monika. Thanks for the opportunity, but I'm not interested."
Hikigaya Household
I finally finish making my dinner, otherwise known as curry, one of the few dishes I can cook.
Looking back at the pot, I breathe out a long exhale. 'Maybe…five portions? Six if I ration it out? Komachi will probably eat one, and Sayori will…' Looking around the joint kitchen and living room, no one else other than myself is present.
'Alone again? You're really living up to the king of loner's title, Hiki-loser-kun.'
'Ooh! I want some curry, Hikki!'
'Onii-chan, you made curry?! I want a plate too!'
'Me too, Hachiman! …I've been sooo hungry!'
Voices rang out in my head. Yukinoshita. Yuigahama. Komachi. …Sayori. "..." I guess…my mind isn't the same as before.
Ignoring it for now, I opened the cabinet which usually held the tupperware. 'A larger than average plate would be enough, right? I did leave her breakfast today, after all.'
Filling the tupperware, I put the lid on and start making my way over.
Stopping at the door to her home, I stop as I reach my arm up to knock.
"-Let her cool off."
Sighing, I do the same as in the morning. Placing the plate on the ground, I knocked twice, and started to make my way back home.
Creak…
"Thank you…food."
Turning back to the door, it's already closed by the time I turn. And for the first time today, a smile graced my lips. 'Idiot.'
Walking back to my house, I notice something different about my front entrance. A green eyed, school girl with her brown hair styled into a ponytail was waiting at the door.
Turning to face me, instead of the ever present smile she always had on, a grimace and pained eyes met my own.
"Hikigaya-kun, I…" She starts.
As I walk past her, I open the door to my home. Stopping at the entrance, I turn and face her. "Are you coming in, or not?"
"Well, I wouldn't want to intrud-"
"Tomorrow then." Closing the doo-
"Wait!" Swinging it back open, I notice the look in her eyes. "I just wa-"
"I'm not doing this out in the cold. Either come in or don't, I don't care to be honest."
"Itadakimasu~! Mn…Not bad, Hikigaya-kun." I didn't feel particularly flattered by her compliment, since all she was eating was rice. "Maybe I should make you go through my route instead~" She teases, and once more, I find myself unfazed.
"Is that all you came here for? Rice? Do you need some money for food?" Is she giving me her allowance? …I'm not bullying anyone, I swear!
"What? No…It's just…You're…not mad?"
"No." I was, but what the hell did I get out of showing it? I'm certainly not looking for her pity, that's about the last thing I need.
"...Okay." Her gaze lowers to my plate. "You should eat too…before it gets cold. We can talk after."
Her reserved nature comes as a surprise to me, so I just nod.
Reaching for her plate, she stops me as she stands. "Don't worry, I'll clean my plate."
A proper host would have stopped her. "Do what you want." I was not a proper host.
Zoning out for a few moments, I regain my focus as droplets of water hit my face. Glaring across the kitchen counter, I find a glare intercept my own. "Hmph. I was basically talking to myself this whole time, you jerk."
Dropping my glare, I sigh. "...What is it?"
"Hm…I don't know, maybe I should leave you dying from curiosity. Buuut…I'm feeling nice today. So, actually listen to me, or I'll get really mad." Are you going to turn green from the Gamma rays?
"Fine."
"I was saying…That I appreciate you inviting me to some food." She blushes, to my surprise. "You wouldn't believe me, but I've been eating out this past week or so."
"Can't cook?"
"Well, yeah…" She trails off, more embarrassed. "It's not my fault, so stop giving me that look!"
"Heh. Right." I chuckle.
"I'm being serious!" She pouts. "Back then, I never had to eat so I never bothered learning something so pointless, and now it came back to bite me."
"That sounds like it is your fault."
"Is not!"
To Be Continued...
No Omakes? *Thud Sound Effect* Maybe next time.
Man, I hate english. My fingers hurt. I hate essays. Who gives a shit about the history of tattoos?! Especially 2000 words about them?! Stupid American Education System.
Sayori telling Hachiman to fuck off. Except not at all. We all know who exactly she was referring to when she said that. All of us know except…Hachiman. Poor guy.
To Be Hachiman, Is To Suffer.
Natsuki having good intentions, but only fucking everything up more. Ah, to be ignorant.
Hachiman is going crazy. Crazy? Hachiman was crazy once. They locked him in a Club. A Literature Club. A Literature Club with Dokis. And Dokis make Hachiman Crazy. Crazy?
Oh, And before I start with the reviews. It almost feels like someone has just given up…Hachiman? Noooo, he would never…
Review Time
Eisenhower Haloway says: Ah yes, auto-saves and load fucking Hachiman over.
I'm wondering how much loops did he qent through already, or if he actually forcedly forgot how many times he looped.
"CRAZY? I WAS CRAZY ONCENuh-uh, I just finished trying to get over that thing yesterday you're not going to make me—THEY LOCK ME IN A ROOM—GODDAMMIT!
And oh boy, Depression intensified for Sayori, Hachiman still didn't notice it yet huh.
To that I say: Yep. I'm not telling. Crazy? No, not again. Also, yeah. To Be Sayori, Is To Be Depressed.
Deathenglegamers1144 says: Things is about to get intense. Can't wait for more
To That I say: …Yeah, just wait another month. Lol.
Kukuhimanpr says: i guess hach man would have the most difficulty handling yuri's extreme masochist yandere occultist side. maybe he'd really need monika, sayori and natsuki's help to stabilize yuri when her story arc goes fubar because seriously, yuri is like a project libitina creepypasta experiment when she totally lose control of her masochist yandere side. there is no other way... hach man must become a real genuine man soon before he goes insane
To that I say: Yeah, he will. And, uh…One thing I have decided on was to exclude everything about Project Libitina, simply because…Yeah, just… Nah. Yuri's whole arc will be…yeesh. You know? And what I'm planning feels like…Nevermind. Look forward to it. Who's to say he's not insane?
Saif Omar says: Stop joking man. I'm sure everyone will choose to provide for a family of 50 over going through college.
To that I say: Yeah… *Looks over at my 10 different baby mama's.* I'm in college, totally.
Kukuhimanpr says…again: i wonder if its possible for hac man to just go best friends route with all the dokis and save them without being in love with any of them. maybe hac man would only start considering genuinely loving a girl when he's not in this high pressure kind of isekai trapped in looping simulation scenario. but, who knows how hac man and the dokis would react and change when the heavy life problem stuff starts knocking on their doors.
way i see it, the best outcome for every characters here is to have hac man finally able to stop all the dokis from succumbing to their life problems, accept the reality that they're in a flawed weird game simulation, and when hac man finally escaped from the simulation to reality, he still stay in contact with the dokis and try to find helps from zaimokuza and other techies to make the dokis' digital lives be better. and maybe after all this ordeal, he matures quickly and become a genuine real man.
but thats just my muse rambling, have a nice day.
To That I Say: …That's long. Okay first, romance is seeming less and less likely. Romance moments? Sure, but an actual relationship? I just…don't know.
The ending is what matters the most, and I haven't even decided how to end things. Gee, how wonderful.
As for what happens…if Hachiman returns home, well that's for another time.
MeetraSurik8 says: I'm not a fan of the whole loop thing, it just seems like it takes away from your previous chapters, like everything in them is now irrelevant because 8man is just doing things over, all previous character interactions are just gone. I just had to get that off my chest, ignoring that this was a pretty solid chapter. 8man forcing himself to do something he fundamentally hates for Sayori's well being, you're writing that stuff really well. Also, 8man popping the big question at the end, man what a cliff hanger. The omake was really good too, a little peak into the mind of Sayori. I didn't feel the need to write a review of chapter 6.5, I figured I'd just wait for chapter 7 and put my review for it alongside chapter 7's review, reading it at first I had no idea what was happening, I really did need to reread chapter 6. In regards to chapter 6.5, didn't 8man and Monika have a similar conversation before? Seems kind of strange to have that conversation again. The omake is interesting, having Yuri (in typical Yuri fashion) be obsessed with 8man right off the bat is very intriguing, I'm curious to see where that goes. I'll be sure to be on the lookout for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors from now on. On that note, I can't wait to see what's next.
To that I say: I'm sorry to hear that. It's just…it's impossible. Hachiman can not save them all in 4 or even 5 weeks. Without any prior knowledge or drive to do so, that is what me showing the loops after Ch 5 is for. (Technically before Ch 1, but fuck chronology.)
Of course, Hachiman should hate this. I mean, he'd rather speak the cold hard truth than give out beautiful white lies. But…These girls…Sayori especially, doesn't need the truth right now. Especially not the truth about her "Childhood" friend, because…Yeah.
Monika and Hachiman most definitely did have this conversation before. Or rather, in the future, where Hachiman forgot everything. Monika tried to explain it to him, but then decided it was better to just show him his past memories. I can't speak anymore on this for now, because I'll step into spoiler territory.
After not having any LC meetings for a week, Yuri gets more…crazy. It's of no surprise she clings onto the first thing that catches her interest. Hachiman, just so happened to be it.
Done! I'm tired, so bye.
