Hachiman woke up relatively earlier than usual. He was never exactly a light sleeper. But before he came to Tokyo, his sleep schedule was far messier.
Living in a dorm means there weren't many chores to do. After sorting laundry, there's still a lot of time before breakfast.
Komachi will have another training session with other trainees, which means Hachiman isn't involved. Hachiman will officially undergo orientation in the main office, instead.
Hachiman decided to spend his little free time in the library. His favorite books haven't been delivered from Chiba, and he's on a shortage of reading material. He wanted to know if the library actually provides anything interesting.
Not that Hachiman is a picky reader in the first place. He's the type to read school textbooks at peak boredom.
He carefully treaded the dorms corridor, not wanting a needless encounter. Other than getting a few weird stares, Hachiman managed to reach the library without hassle.
He gently opened the door and found himself surprised at the library size. It's not big by any means, but he was expecting a much smaller collection. The smell of books kept neat and dry couldn't have been better in the morning.
Absolute perfection.
Hachiman wasn't a bibliophile by most metrics, but he does like reading. Hachiman looked at the librarian desk to notice Fumika was there, nodding off.
She blinked and rubbed her eyes. It is kind of cute. When she realized Hachiman was there, she grimaced slightly. "G-g-good morning, Hikigaya-kun."
"A... ah, good morning, Sagisawa-san." Hachiman awkwardly responds. "Are you the librarian?"
"Uh, well, no..." She blushed.
"Um. I'm sorry then. I just kinda guessed..."
"Uh, oh. I used to work at my uncle's bookstore, and it became a hobby of mine to arrange books here in my spare time." She waved her hand in panic, not wanting to drag the misunderstanding.
"...So you ARE the librarian."
She widened her eyes in realization. "I... I guess, technically?"
Twice shy interaction isn't that cute in reality, huh? And yet, compared to Fumika, Hachiman felt like a basket full of confidence in comparison. How could this woman even make her debut with this rock bottom self-esteem?
"I just came here to read before breakfast, so I hope I didn't cause any problem."
"No, of course not!" Fumika approached him. "D-do you have something in mind? I can help."
Suddenly, it seemed that she got a little more self-assurance. Perhaps her love for books was what drove her forward?
"Foreign literature, preferably untranslated."
"Un... untranslated? We don't have much, but please follow me."
There was only a single rack of foreign language books here. Which again, still more than what Hachiman expect. The expected classics like Le Petite Prince or Gulliver's Travel can be seen.
"Thank you, Sagisawa-san." Hachiman smiled at her... or at least attempted to. His lips end up squirming like a worm instead.
She bashfully nodded. "Do you like foreign language books?"
"Well, it's something of an acquired taste."
It was something Hachiman did out of boredom and having too much spare time due to social isolation. And unlike other social recluses, Hachiman didn't spend much time on the internet either.
"I'm not that good at reading foreign books." Fumika rolled her eyes aside. "Chinatsu-san does love her French literature, though."
"I heard my name being called, bold of you to bring your boyfriend here, Fumika-san."
"Awawawa!" Fumika flailed when accused of such affairs and practically steaming.
"Um, hello."
Hachiman faced a mature woman with short brown hair and thick-framed glasses. She stared at him full of suspicion.
"My name is Hachiman. I'm the newly hired support staff."
"I've heard another staff will come... didn't expect you to be this young, however." The woman sternly eyes Hachiman. "I'm Aikawa Chinatsu."
"Please take care of me."
"Though now that I get a good look, you do resemble someone..."
Shit.
"Umm, he's Chief Producer's son." Fumika blurted out.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
"Oya? No wonder they resemble each other, but hmm..." She looked at the book in Hachiman's hand. "T'as de beaux yeux, tu sais."
"Je Vous en prie!" Hachiman replied almost reflexively... then corrected himself. "Pardon me, but are you being sarcastic?"
Fumika tilted her head in confusion.
"Haha, funny lad. I told him he had beautiful eyes." Chinatsu lighten up. "And you know some French, I'm surprised."
Haha, right, Hachiman and beautiful eyes don't belong together. If anything, people always said he had rotten eyes.
"I see." Fumika winced.
"I know this might sound cheap, but remember to wear your staff card so people will stop looking at you weirdly." Chinatsu patted Hachiman's shoulder. "We have high hopes for you, Hikigaya-kun."
"Umm, right."
"À tout à l'heure." Chinatsu waves and leave. "Oh, and Fumika-san, I put the borrowed books on your table."
"Yes."
Scary woman.
"Is it okay to borrow a book from here?" Hachiman asked.
"Yes, just put your name on the registry."
Hachiman began to think the dorm just let Fumika took the librarian duty on her own accord. That was very irresponsible of them. Still, Fumika seemed to love that duty she put on herself.
"I'm borrowing these books then!" Hachiman told her.
"Yes. Umm, I mean, let me put these... uh..."
Now that the feeling of rush wore out, she returned to her meek self. Hachiman wondered if this is how she presented herself on the stage as well.
...
It's time for breakfast, and Hachiman now felt a little anxious. Komachi seemed to be sharing a table with other young trainees, who looks around her age.
Now Hachiman feels conflicted. It feels as if he was put between a rock and a hard place. Should he join them or find an empty table elsewhere?
"Why are you standing there, Onii-chan?" Komachi asks him. "Come here and join us!"
"Uh."
Hachiman could feel the curious gazes of these younger girls. It's really uncomfortable. But if he sits alone, he might attract attention, again.
With hesitation, Hachiman relented and joined the ranks. Hachiman thought of finding a table for himself, but chances that he will get swarmed somehow.
It's safer with Komachi around. It would get a lot less suspicious for him to be here if they're together.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" He asked the other girls.
They shook their head collectively, though they're clearly wary of him.
"Onii-san, is that true you'll be working here?"
"Well, yes, technically..." Hachiman says.
"I see."
Now that Hachiman looked at it.
...Aren't all of Komachi's new friends are weirdos? Like, seriously. Where did Chief Producer even find these girls?
"Asuka, Ninomiya Asuka. 14." The girl with buckles all over her jacket said coldly. Hachiman thought she won't be out of place in Square Enix games, to be honest. "...Onii-san, you have an unpleasant stare."
"Oh, finally, someone being honest." Hachiman laughed. Being insulted a little bit felt more friendly than being stared at and ignored. "Don't worry, my eyes just like this naturally."
"Suspicious. Very suspicious!" The girl with an eyepatch and scarlet jacket glared at him. "You're not here to flirt, right? Maybe you do! If you hit on me, I'll claw you!"
"I'm sorry, I don't hit on underage girls." Hachiman proudly huffed, for some reason. Though really, that might be the reason why he's far, far more comfortable talking with younger girls.
He's a natural-born big brother, that's why!
"Eh, I don't believe it." She defiantly pouted. "Hayasaka Mirei, 14."
"I can feel it, ah! Ufufufufu!" The girl with the gothic lolita dress suddenly laughed. "What a strong, dark presence!"
"Here we go again." Asuka jibed.
"You have his eyes, indeed. I think you can see the power in me, as well, but be careful!" The strange goth loli girl suddenly declared. "It may just burn you in entirely!"
Oh god, actual chuunibyou. From which dumpster fire does Father found these fucking weirdos?
Hachiman sort of remembering the boy from another class, the one he regularly interacted with, though they're not exactly friends. Zaimokuza Yoshiteru was his name. And other than the fact that he's an annoyingly loud chuunibyou, he was an alright guy.
"So... Hayasaka-san, do you have evil eye sealed there too?" Hachiman snarked.
"What?! No, this is just my style! Style!" Mirei barked at him.
"So you do realize it too, Onii-san!" The goth loli girl cackled. "It seems like I underestimated you! My name is Kanzaki Ranko. May your path remains devoid of light."
How about no?
Komachi could only enjoy the hilarity. She had always been like that, with practically everyone she knew. Komachi is the type that gets along even with the most batshit people, as long as they possess no actual harm.
"Bothersome."
Instead, Asuka seems to be the one who suffers the most. Hachiman felt that he could identify with her position, being the only one in the group to get her head screwed in securely.
This edgy little girl might have a point.
"I feel your pain, Ninomiya-san." Hachiman sighed.
"See, you're flirting with Asuka-chan now!" Mirei rudely pointed at him.
"If that constitutes as flirting, then I'm an absolute chad playboy." Hachiman raises his voice.
"Are you?" Asuka shifts away slightly.
"That was sarcasm."
Though tiring, Hachiman found himself a relatable company. These little girls seemed to represent at least one part of Hachiman and his history.
The current him might identify with the prickly Asuka the most. But there was a time where he was jumpy and rash, like Mirei. And further, in the past, he was very much as deluded as Ranko.
Komachi probably befriends them because she feels the same. She found herself facing a bunch of familiar characters and approached them.
Despite their contrasting outward attitude, Hikigaya Komachi had always been every bit as introverted and sharp as Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Tell me, Onii-san, who are you, really?" Ranko asked him curiously as he is about to leave.
The other two girls also looked rather curious about Hachiman's real identity.
Hachiman smiled slightly, or at least try, and reply with a simple sentence.
Or not!
He thought he will reply with a mundane... maybe even a cold response to that question. But Komachi's expectant smile and expressions told him something is on.
She wanted him to get in the joke.
"Who am I, you ask?" Hachiman's usually low and grave voice became unusually smooth and loud. "Who are you, dare to question my identity? But since you're a chosen one, then let me tell you something..."
In all honesty, Hachiman felt really uncomfortable. It's one thing to acts in front of his family, but in a crowd of strangers like this? Hell. It was hell. Of all sudden, Hachiman felt like darkness began to consume his surrounding. These curious and seemingly innocent young girls seemed to look much more menacing.
Almost sinister.
Hachiman was reminded of his past when his classmates gave him cold and hateful stares.
Hikigaya Hachiman had always been the type that people squeeze in the corner of their minds. He was an existence that was so vague that people would consider him an afterthought.
And whenever Hachiman was put under attention, it's never a positive one.
Those years of bad experiences left a long-lasting trauma in Hachiman and became an endless loop of negative feedback. Attention is a bad thing, and he became an unreasonable person under scrutiny, even toward his own family members...
That has to change.
But...
Even so...
It is hard to overcome his fear. It was the reason why Hachiman scoff at the idea of him making a debut on his own. He thought he was content standing behind the curtain.
Hachiman took a deep breath.
Hachiman dramatically turned and faced them as his coat fluttered. "I'm the Dark Flame Wizard, Sage of the Purgatory!"
"As I expected!" Ranko is ecstatic. "You're not an ordinary one!"
"How could the great I stand here before you if I was ordinary?" Hachiman asked, not a shred of shame or doubt in his tone. "Aren't you all special?"
Asuka widened her eyes in response.
"Whether you're a sheep dressed with the pelt of a wolf or a stranded youth surrounded by teeming darkness with no path of escape." Hachiman looked at Mirei, who was agape, and Asuka, who was speechless. "And even little devil pretending to be an angel, no one here is ordinary."
Komachi snickered.
"That's why I'm here to watch over my beloved sister." Hachiman pointed himself with his thumb. "And I'll be here to support you all."
"Wha, what was that?! I'll shut your mouth!" Mirei rushed on him and tried to claw him with her costume prop, but he gently caught her wrist. "HUH?"
Hachiman made sure to put just enough strength to stop her, but without leaving any marks.
"Such strength... Hayasaka, don't you think it's a waste to use it on me?"
"Waste?!"
"Unlike my sinful hand, this claw of yours isn't filled with the power of destruction. This is not a claw meant to slaughter, but to protect those who you held dear."
Hachiman's face became much more friendly. "It's a power born of your gentle and affectionate heart."
Mirei blushed hard and began steaming. "Wh-what?"
Hachiman let her go and patted his coats to remove all the wrinkles.
"Great acting, Onii-chan." Komachi laughed hard and clapped her hands. "I'm giving that 108 Onii-chan points!"
Was that worth the embarrassment Hachiman hold tightly deep inside? Hachiman wasn't sure about it. Komachi wasn't really the type to be overly generous when praising him.
But to be honest, if not for Komachi's sake, Hachiman would soon throw himself off a roof rather than doing improvised acting like that. He's confident with his seductive voice, but he's not good enough to pull the visual act.
Hachiman had no doubt that he will be put into an even more embarrassing situation in the future. Might as well ready himself mentally for it.
What he had to lose? He was bullied and shamed thorough his junior high school.
Hachiman looked at the still steaming Mirei, smitten and excited Ranko, and Asuka, who looks at him with a hint of disbelief.
Slowly, his face became dark and dispassionate as before. "At any rate, please get along with my little sister."
"Ah, right." Asuka didn't have much to say, but other than the ridiculous premise, Hachiman really pull that off. "...That was just an act, right?"
"Of course!" Hachiman smirked.
"Let's meet again for lunch!" Komachi waved her hand.
Hachiman left without saying anything.
But when he managed to come out of the cafeteria, he slammed his forehead to the wall, trying to forget what just happened. Looks like Hachiman still had a long way to overcome his trauma.
青春 の輝かしいステージ ひどく明るい感じ
The Shining Stage of Youth feels awfully bright
(Oregairu/Idolmaster - Cinderella Girls)
Original Story by: Watari Wataru/Bandai-Namco
Written by: ZeroXSEED
Chapter 02 - Social Anxiety
Hachiman, just like yesterday, goes to the office in a formal outfit. There's multiple reasoning for this. The two primary reasons were that he looks at the proper age to actually work here, and it also gave him some sense of confidence.
It might be a little silly, but he felt like an adult in these clothes. Hachiman had always been confident in his casual sense of style, but he thinks he can pull this formal wear just fine.
"Good morning, Hikigaya-kun!" Chihiro greeted him cheerfully. "Ready for your work orientation?"
"Yes, please take care of me." Hachiman politely bowed.
"Umm, what happens with your forehead?" Chihiro asked in concern.
"I slipped... on my way from the cafeteria."
Technically, not a lie. Hachiman just did it on purpose...
Chihiro handed him a card and a hanging tag. "Starting today, you'll work as a Production Assistant."
The production assistant (PA) is an entry-level job for a Production firm, including idol production. The position may be based in an office or on the set. The PA does just about anything and everything, from getting coffee to making script copies to shuttling crew or equipment around town as necessary.
"Was this the reason why my Father told me to get a driving license?" Hachiman asks.
"Correct." Chihiro nods. "It might be a low-level job, but someone has to do it."
Due to expanding its Idol rosters quickly, 346 pro faced itself with a shortage of entry-level workers in its rank. The only reason Hachiman managed to gets by was because of this recruitment spree.
Otherwise, how could he enroll as a contract employee despite still in high school? Every single one of his peers is a college graduate. Family connection alone isn't enough to justify his presence.
"Now, let's go to my office and review your contract again."
Though Hachiman is technically underage, he was treated with some degree of independence. If he were to sign the contract, then his father, who acts as his legal guardian, would finalize it with his signature.
This much procedure isn't needed for a part-time worker, usually speaking. However, most production companies do not employ part-time workers in the first place.
Hachiman would be treated as a full-time underaged employee with a 3-months contract. In other words, almost similar to the Idols themselves. Hachiman finds no flaw with the fine print at all. They complied with the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare guidelines.
346 Production is a clean and reliable company.
Hachiman worked in the past, but he half-assed them and quit after one or two months. This time, however, he had no avenue to retreat or lenience. Once he signs this contract, then he can't quit without a good reason.
It's a test of resolve on his part. It's both for his and Komachi's sake.
So he signed it. What would be left would be his father's signature and family stamp to make the contract legally binding.
"Now, I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew."
Hachiman was introduced to the rest of the staff, which really looked as normal as they can be. Not all of them are excited about their work, of course.
Beyond the office and storage for equipment, there was also a radio broadcasting room, dance room, mock stages, and individual training rooms. While the dorm was huge, it was not huge enough to contain the necessary amenities and the idol training facilities at the same time.
So most of the idol training facilities are located in the main building like this. When Hachiman went past the dance room, he saw Komachi and the others in their dance lessons.
This dance training was incredibly consuming, but Komachi didn't seem perturbed at all, in contrast to the rest of her 14 years old group.
"Looks tiring, isn't it? Komachi-chan needs all the support she can get."
Hachiman scoffed. "My mother put Komachi and me through the Korean Idol curriculum. Komachi will pass this on a breeze."
Hearing that, Chihiro could only grimace. It's not a secret that compared to J-Idols, K-Idols followed a different method of training. K-Idol training involves multiple years of honing before their debut to show off a perfect image on arrival.
This training method included mandatory and brutal four hours a day of lessons, for example. A lot of K-Idols debuted as young adults rather than teenagers for this reason. They spent much of their youth at school while also preparing themselves.
The J-Idol scene was a bit different. Other than the initial training, Idols were expected to make their debut in a few months. They were fully expected to show up with roughness and imperfection, so their fans can see their growth and development throughout their career.
As far as Chihiro heard, the Hikigaya siblings undergo this training program for at least three months. Hachiman's seemingly arrogant dismissal isn't without basis.
Hikigaya Komachi isn't going to debut on talent alone. Otherwise, how could the higher-ups have full confidence in her? Even Director Mishiro didn't say anything negative about her arrival.
"Umm, it might just be me overthinking..." Chihiro mumbled. "Hikigaya-kun, do you know why your father decided to debut Komachi-chan now? Komachi-chan didn't lack talent, so she could make a debut a long time ago."
Hachiman had multiple guesses. But he wasn't sure enough to say it aloud.
"I don't know. At least, Father probably isn't lying about wanting to spend more time with Komachi, but that can't be all."
There must be a reason why 346 Pro is pouring their support behind Komachi, and nepotism or raw talent alone isn't enough to explain that.
"I'm planning to find it out, myself..." Hachiman told her.
"Oh? Is this the rumored son of the Chief Producer?" A voluptuous woman approached them. She was the one training the idols just now. "I was expecting someone younger."
"...He's still 16, Shinohara-san." Chihiro winces.
"Is that so? My apologies."
Hachiman notes that he will probably have to switch his clothes depending on the circumstances next time.
"My name is Shinohara Rei. I was formerly a ballroom dance instructor, but well, I met your father, and here I am, tutoring the younger girls both the classics and contemporaries."
"Hikigaya Hachiman." Hachiman curtly introduces himself, smelling a homewrecker closeby.
Like, is every woman here gunning for his father's d-
"I've heard you've been trained as Idol as well, so I'd like to see it myself. Are you up to the challenge?"
"Pardon?"
"These innocent girls probably don't know how men danced, so I want you to show them, alone, and then pair with them."
Hachiman did experience some dance training before, but it wasn't really his focus. The vocal technique was his focus at the time, similar to Komachi.
"Senkawa-san?"
He looks at Chihiro, who looks away hopelessly. Seriously, did this Secretary have no authority whatsoever? Irresponsible!
This woman, Shinohara-san... probably does it to test if Hachiman is a spontaneous or the calculating type. No matter what answer he gives out, it will leave a strong impression.
"Sure."
"...Did I offend you somehow?" Shinohara asked nonchalantly.
"No." Hachiman avert his eyes away.
Hachiman decided to go and change. Fortunately, he's on guard, expecting romantic comedy shenanigans to happen. He waited in front of the changing room and stayed there until the first person come out.
"Excuse me."
"Umm, hello?" A pale girl comes out with a mild surprise on her face. But she noticed the hanging tag on Hachiman. "Oh, a staff? Do you need anything?"
The girl was so pale that Hachiman wondered if she's sick, but her clear and lively eyes don't seem to show that.
"I need to change my clothes, is there anyone else in the room?" Hachiman asked bluntly.
"Hmmm, hmm." She rubbed her chin. "Frederica should be here anytime soon."
"Thank you."
Hachiman decided to look away. Because he felt that from an outside perspective, he might appear to be a giant creep. Hachiman could just use the male bathroom outside the training area, but he can't really be arsed to do that.
Hachiman no longer felt that he should introduce himself now that he had company ID visible all the time. Being too close to the idols will cause its own problem. For the younger ones, at least he can make some exceptions.
"I'm done! Let's go!"
A blond-haired girl slightly older than Hachiman walked out of the changing room. She wasn't surprised by the appearance of the boy and smiles. "Bonjour, you're the new staff in the company, right? The name is Miyamoto Frederica. Enchante!"
Hmm, a french girl? Father really found his Idols everywhere. But using such an informal way of greeting, Hachiman doesn't like that.
"Ravie de Vous rencontrer." He replied with a far more formal response instead.
Frederica blinked in response. "What did he say?"
"Are you serious?" The pale girl broke out into laughter. "Just how bad is your French?"
Fuck, another weirdo. Is she a fake foreigner or a real one?
"Shuuko, Shiomi Shuuko." The other girl introduced herself. "Ah, I might look a little pale, but I'm not an albino, you see!"
"Right..."
Hachiman was too confused and decided to bail out, excusing himself and go to the changing room.
He was thankful that his father always reminded Hachiman that he will need to bring multiple clothes with him at all times. Some works are more physically demanding and wearing a suit... no, even if it's only trousers and a shirt, it can be detrimental.
Hachiman walked out wearing a sleeveless T-shirt and tracks pants. Highlighting his fit body. Hachiman didn't really have a complex about his body or his face, so he always wondered why girls seemed to get grossed out by his presence.
He spent the next five minutes stretching and warming up. He couldn't really spend half the first workday with injury, can he?
"Komachi." He calls his sister out.
"Komachi here!" Komachi excitedly raises her hand.
"Let's practice the routine mother taught us." Hachiman grinned wickedly.
Hachiman and Komachi played an identical choreography, to the point that anyone not experienced or well versed in the art would not notice any difference at all.
The three Idol trainees especially so, since they only started recently. More than anything, they felt their heart drop as they became aware of something.
Komachi was already several steps ahead of them.
What Komachi and Hachiman do together isn't anything complex but covered all the basics. Shinohara nodded in approval, while Komachi is unlikely to know anything advanced... Komachi already has the basic hammered on her.
More than that, her expression... such naturally cheerful yet measured smile... that can't be anything but talent.
So this is the superweapon that the company prepared to change the equilibrium among the roster. Compared to that, Komachi's brother doesn't seem to be anything special, but...
It's not as if he was lacking in potential either. With more training, he could make a debut on his own. Shame that this office only deals with female Idols.
When Hachiman and Komachi finished, they realize that virtually everyone in the training room stops whatever they're doing to watch.
"So, did you notice anything?" Shinohara asks the other three 14 years od girls.
"Umm... it feels different, but I'm not sure how to put it..." Asuka mumbled. "What a pain..."
"Looks the same to me." Mirei huffed.
"Ufufufu, the keywords to this ritual of enchantment, its triangle!" Ranko pointed. "Am I right?"
"How about it, Production Assistant?" Shinohara asked Hachiman.
"That is correct." Hachiman nodded. "It's not as if male and female can't have identical dance routines, but their form will be different depending on their anatomy."
"Most males as they grow older will have broad shoulders, so you can say they have an inverted triangle. Whether its shoulders, chest, or back, they will be far more prominent." Instructor Shinohara points out as she pats Hachiman's and Komachi's shoulders.
"Most females, as they grow older, will have broader hips instead. Not only visual prominence, but the center of gravity in your body will be different."
"They can have identical choreography when paired together, but when it comes to all-male or all-female group, then they would have a different emphasis."
Hachiman wants to joke that male dancers would be gorillas and female dancers would be baboons, but he has the feeling that they will kick his ass if he says it out loud.
"Thank you for the assistance, and sorry for bothering you in the middle of work." Shinohara smiled at Hachiman with approval. "We'll be in your care.
"This is work." Hachiman shook his head.
Still, that doesn't mean he's alright. His stomach churned from the stress and nervousness that he desperately hid. If being looked at by his co-worker him distressed this much, Hachiman doesn't want to imagine being on the public stage.
No way.
Hachiman changed back into his suit after wiping down his sweat with paper towels. If possible, he'd take another shower, but he has no such luxury.
His face was slightly pale and shaking.
"Umm, Hikigaya-kun, are you alright?" Chihiro finally asked.
Not a good impression on the first day...
"I'm just a bit..." Hachiman spoke and then stopped and corrected himself. "I'm too nervous, that's all."
"Ahahaha, don't worry, we adults were like that too, on our first day of work." Chihiro cheered him up. "I'd like to say you should work at your pace, but I'll be dishonest to say that. Hang in there."
"No, you misunderstood..." Hachiman wrily smiled. "I'm not nervous because this is my first day. I'm a nervous wreck under all that unnecessary attention."
Hachiman could still feel the hair in his neck standing up, all the stares... it was really uncomfortable.
The stress keeps piling higher and higher because not only he's underage, but also the fact that he's the only male teen in this entire complex. All the other men were far older than him, and all the people of his age were all girls.
It came to him like a delayed shock.
Not really a healthy environment for a teenage boy to live in.
It was so bad that Hachiman would consider that loudmouth delusional Zaimokuza as savior. Come to think of it, Hachiman probably didn't appreciate his company enough.
During the one year he spent in Soubu high, Zaimokuza was the only person he had somewhat healthy human contact with. You don't learn the value of something... or someone until you lose them.
"...I suppose if I say I understand, I would be lying." Chihiro turned somber as she looks away, though Hachiman catches a glimpse of it. "Your age, your gender, and your family relations... all made you one of a kind."
"Everyone can't help but feel curious, perhaps even wary of your appearance."
When everyone is unordinary, the ordinary one will stick out like a sore thumb. Hachiman began to understand the position of the fictional harem protagonist. Yet Hachiman could not understand people's thoughts about how it would be an enviable position.
The crushing amount of attention and expectation, seemingly unwarranted, could not be anything but hell.
It's not even one day, and he already sick of the whole ordeal. Perhaps choosing to stay in this damned dorm was a mistake, after all. He already wanted to leave.
But...
It was crucial for Komachi's development. She needed to experience what it means to be an Idol from scratch.
Because if anything, more than even Hachiman's, Komachi's view of the business was even grimmer. If Hachiman also left her here alone, she might legit started to hate him.
"If its too hard, then perhaps-"
"I signed for it." Hachiman cut her off coldly. "I should see it to the end."
"I see." Chihiro smiled. "You really resemble each other, I mean, you and your father."
Please, who are you to judge? You only met me a couple of times.
Hachiman was angry, though he holds his emotion in check.
Hachiman scoffed. "I took after my mother for the most part, and very grateful for that."
Chihiro looked like she just steps on a landmine. Chihiro might have thought that Hachiman came here because he wants his father's acknowledgment. Kids like that weren't uncommon.
But the way Hachiman spoke of him, that's far from the truth. There's even a hint of toxicity in his words.
Was that the reason why Hachiman and Komachi live in the dorm? Is there a dark side to the universally beloved Producer Hikigaya that only his family members know?
Chihiro would not know because Hachiman won't tell anything more than that.
Chihiro doesn't know that while Hachiman DOES plan to mend this family eventually, it's not something he can do alone. He also doesn't hate his father. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here.
"...Alright then, should we take a little rest?"
"I just need some water, thank you."
For the antacids, that is.
...
"I did say we should have lunch together, but Onii-chan, shouldn't you join the rest of the staff instead?"
Hmm? Komachi is the one who wants to cancel it?
"Oniichan works hard as expected, but if you're being reclusive, people will start talking behind your back." She shrugged.
"I'm certain people already talk behind my back." Hachiman strangely had no fear of hatred or resentment aimed at him because it was not his fault.
Back in the past, Hachiman always wondered if people's lack of eagerness to socialize with him was caused by his shortcoming. Which makes him highly insecure. Here, it's different. His relationship with his father more or less an open secret among the staff and older Idols. All the blame can securely be poured on his father instead!
"Oniichan, don't be so childish." Komachi chastised him. "But Komachi understands that you feel overwhelmed, so if you want to go elsewhere, don't mind me."
Well, she's not wrong. Hachiman still had leftover stress from the morning Dance demonstration. He felt that a peaceful lunch would be the thing he needed the most.
"Sorry. I think I'll eat alone today." Hachiman said to Komachi, without a shred of guilt on his face. If not for Komachi's words, Hachiman might force himself to join others.
At that point, he might as well forced himself into a path of conformity, and he felt he will lose himself if he didn't socialize with others at his own pace.
Hachiman doesn't like that. If he had to change, then he gets to decide the terms.
"Then I'll cover for you." Komachi winked. "Where are you going to eat?"
"Where else? Of course, it would be Saizeriya!" Hachiman raised his voice. "...Or maybe I should go to Ootoya?"
Saizeriya is the quintessential family restaurant, at least according to Hachiman's biased opinion. In reality, he liked Saize because of its low price and variety of menu. For someone who can be described as miserly, Hachiman and many students with similar mindsets have Saize as their choice of haunts.
Well, if Hachiman wanted a proper lunch, then he should go to Ootoya. Ootoya might be a chain restaurant. However, unlike the kitchen factory-made Saizeriya food, everything sold there was cooked on site. Ootoya offers an authentic Japanese cuisine experience at an affordable price.
Eh, might as well check them all first.
As Hachiman wandered off the office building -which is appropriately shaped like a small castle- he immediately arrives in the busy street filled with shops and restaurants.
"Eh? Hachiman?"
Hachiman looked to his right side and saw his Father and Kanade walking side by side. Hachiman almost wanted to ignore them, but that would be exceedingly rude even for his standard.
"Fa-" Hachiman almost blurts out before stopped and corrected himself. "Good afternoon, Chief Producer. And... Hayami-san."
"Fancy to see you here." Kanade waved. "On a lunch break?"
"Yes." Hachiman firmly answered.
"Alone?" His father squeezed his eyes in concern. He wondered if Hachiman tries to avoid socializing.
Again.
"Want to join us instead? We're just about to have lunch with others." Kanade asked him. "The more, the merrier. Right, Producer?"
Hachiman thought Kanade would seize this opportunity to flirt with his father, but eh, maybe she's smarter than he guessed before.
"I'd like to try the restaurant around the area." Hachiman truthfully answered without directly refusing her.
"I see. Be careful not to come back late, then." The father sighed. "Let's go, Hayami-san."
Hachiman spared nothing more than an obligatory nod as he left them behind.
When he peeked behind, he noticed that Kanade also looked back and then pursed her lips.
Hachiman could only feel terrified and run away.