I didn't turn. I knew what would happen if I did. So, I sat there, watching the cloudy night sky.

"H-Hachiman? Wh-What are you-"

"Do you remember back when we were in middle school?" I ask, but don't wait for an answer. "I used to ask out any girl who would so much as look at me." I laugh emptily. "I'm pretty sure I asked out around ten different girls, and each time I would get a different rejection of varying levels."

Who are you?

"Y-Yeah…" I hear, but from my right this time. "But, I think it was more than ten, maybe even double." She giggles, taking a seat beside me.

"Yeah, maybe." I nod, not feeling offended in the slightest. "And each time, you were there to comfort me." I confidently say, despite not having any recollection of these moments.

"...Well, I couldn't just let you be down in the dumps."

"Yeah…"

"..."

"...Are you mad at me?" I finally ask.

"Of course! You…You dummy! Jerk! Hachiman! Who just asks that?! Wasn't it obvious?!" Sayori begins to rant as she holds onto my collar, even as the corners of her eyes tear up. "I always asked myself why couldn't you have noticed sooner? But, that is so selfish, and I don't want to lose this." At this point, she was basically crying, and I… "I just didn't want to be a bother…" She sobs, slightly breaking my resolve.

"Sayori. I…I would never think that. You're…" I tell her, caressing her cheek. "I…I'm sorry it took so long for me to notice. I failed as your friend-" I pull my hand away.

Yet- "Don't! Please, don't say that…" She grabs a hold of it, keeping it where it was. "Especially when it's all my fault! If only I was never born, then maybe you wouldn't have to deal with me, and-"

The way she spoke of herself…it was…

The Genuine Route

"You don't get to decide that!" He denies her previous words. "If it weren't for you…I-", pausing, he takes her hand in both of his. "-I wouldn't be here."

"I didn't get it at the time, but after a while…" He pauses again, looking deep into her eyes. "I realized. l'm in love with you,"

"Sayoko."

The main lead finally confesses, but I can't find myself to care as I feel my nerves begin to reappear.

'Where is he?' Turning off the TV, I get off the couch and begin making my way to the hall. 'He said he'd be back soon, but he hasn't…' Exiting the living room, my eyes immediately fall upon my current roommate.

Slumped against the front door, his gaze is down on the entrance floor.

Before I can even call for his attention, his eyes fall upon me. His usually dead eyes were gone, now I truly believed that there didn't exist life behind his orbs. He looked… soulless. "Senpai?"

"Ah. Hara. You're still awake?" He practically mumbles out, but his voice doesn't hold any emotion.

"W-Well…Yeah." I shudder, feeling a chill run down my spine as I meet eyes with him. "You never told me where I could sleep…"

"...Right, I didn't." His eyes trail up the stairs, before he speaks again. "Follow me."

Being led upstairs, I threw him an odd stare. 'What happened? Why does he look like that? Did he talk with Sayori? …Why?'

Lunch Break

'Snow, huh?' Retrieving my drink from the vending machine, I suddenly feel a shiver run down my spine. '...I want my scarf back.'

"Ah." Hearing an intake of breath behind me, I turn and face the one responsible.

At that moment, purple meets black. 'Oh, it's her.' Forcing a neutral look, I give her a nod. "Yo."

"H-Hello, Hikigaya-kun." She presses her fingers against each other as she gives me a smile.

"Hn. Have a good lunch, sen-"

"W-Wait!" With a hand on my blazer, I shudder at the touch.

'That woman just had to tell me about this girl's issues, didn't she?' Sighing, I nervously look back at her. "Y-Yeah?"

"D-Did I do something t-to offend y-you?" She shakily asks.

"Damn it all…" I mutter under my breath, before giving her my best smile, which probably looks creepy as all hell. "No? Why do you think that?" I end it with a chuckle and a rub of my neck.

My act has an unexpected result as her face blows up in a red hue. "Th-Then! Would you like to eat lunch together?!"

'...Why, just, why?' Holding in a very long and exhausted sigh, I just shrug. "Sure."

Library

"So, Hikigaya-kun, what do you usually read? Other than…" I zone out, taking another chocolate from the bag.

'I see this place is the same as ever.' Reminded of my time after the kyoto trip alongside that foxy brat, I feel a small quirk in my lips.

"Hi-Hikigaya-kun? Are the chocolates to your l-liking?" Releasing a breath, I look back to my senior.

"Yep." I nod, taking another piece of chocolate into my mouth. 'Truly, nothing beats free food.' Casting a glance at the book in her hand, I chew my choco. "As for your other question…Other than light novels or manga? Nothing much, unless I have to."

"I…I see." Whatever joy she may have been feeling dampens at that. "So, nothing special…"

'...That's rude. Regardless of my tastes, to completely disregard entire genres of literature simply because they don't meet your standards is incredibly disrespectful.' Unfortunately, I held my tongue this time around.

Savoring the chocolate, I choose not to acknowledge the awkward silence produced by yours truly. 'How I hate having expectations placed on me.'

Having expectations, simply put, is setting yourself up for disappointment. No matter the final result, it will never live up to said expectations, especially when those expectations are placed on another person.

"Hi-Hikigaya-kun, is so-something wrong?" There. I didn't live up to your preconceived notions, and now you're confused as to why I'm not.

"No?" It's you. You're wrong. I'm not who you think I am. Stop looking at me like that. "Why are you asking?"

"Y-Y-You're glaring at me." …So I am.

Service Club

"Why did you call me here?" I ask.

"What? Everyone else gets a turn, but you're sour when it's my turn?" Closing the sliding door, I reach the long table in the middle of the room, where she's seated. "C'mon, take a seat, or what? Do you like looking down on people?"

I take a seat, right across from her. "Don't ignore my question."

"That I won't answer."

Openly scowling, I throw her an unimpressed look. "Then you can forget about this agreement, I'll find my own way home."

"Is that right?" She raises an amused eyebrow, clearly not threatened. "I have a hard time believing that."

"Get to the point."

"Grouchy." She comments. "Anyway, you didn't let me finish. I can't answer you, yet."

"Why's that?" I ask, my patience thinning.

"...You suck at this whole conversation thing. And I say that as someone who was coded into having pre-written dialogue."

I scoff at her words. 'From the looks of it, she enjoys her newfound freedom, since she constantly pesters me.'

"Jerk. If you didn't want my help, then you could have just said so." She crosses her arms, pouting as she fuses to meet my surprised gaze. 'I…I didn't say that out loud…I'm sure of it.'

"Wh-What…What did you just do?"

"Surprised? I thought you were like Natsuki, but I guess not. You're just a grouch." She sighs, a despondent look on her face.

"Stop it. Don't make it seem like it's nothing." I growl. "I might need you around, but I expect my privacy to be respected."

It's her turn to be surprised, though it doesn't last long before realization hits her, and a look of guilt settles. "Oh…I…I'm sorry, Hikigaya-kun. I won't do it again if you're not comfortable with it."

"Tsk. Whatever." I ignored her apology. "Are you going to answer my question?"

Sighing, she finds her fingers more interesting at the moment.

Waiting as patiently as I can, she doesn't take long to answer. "Can't we just talk?" I raise an eyebrow at that. "I want to know more about you. About Hikigaya Hachiman."

"Why?" I ask.

"...Simple curiosity?"

"No. Why should I?" I feel most of my negative emotions drain themselves, as a deep emptiness fills my entire being. "What I say to you shouldn't matter. Once I'm gone, this world will cease to exist, right?"

"Do you really think that? What happens now won't matter, because only you'll remember it?"

"...And if I do?"

"I don't think you do." She shakes her head, smiling sadly. "You really are just like Natsuki, a big ol' softie on the inside."

I feel my face heat up at her frankly, stupid and incorrect observation. Which she somehow catches in this dimly lit room, making her burst into a giggle fit.

"Tsk. Just ask your questions." I rub the bridge of my nose.

"Hehe…Okay. Let me think." She holds her hand out, asking me to wait. Reminding me of Sayori's mannerisms. Snapping her fingers, she starts.

When's your birthday?

…

I missed it? Darn.

Do you have any siblings?

…

Little sister, huh? Is that who you mentioned last time? Komachi, right?

…

I guess not. …Are you in a relationship?

…

No? Okay, that's good.

…

Anywho. What exactly is this room?

…

Service Club?

…

Oh. That's really nice! I never took you for the blatant altruist, Hikigaya-kun.

…

Then, what does this club mean to you? You do keep coming back here.

…

I see. If you're not comfortable with answering that, how about…what are your goals in life?

…

Pfft…Oh, man. You really know how to lighten the mood. Heheh…

…

Y-You're serious? I-I see…

…

Ahem! Are you allergic to anything?

…

Just answer the question.

…

Hm, okay. Cats or dogs?

…

I'm fine with either one. Okay, last question.

…

…Are you…okay? After the first loop? Do you-

To Be Continued…