"I apologize for being a bother." Hachiman bashfully bowed several times. "Turns out something came up. Chief Producer will come here from Tokyo, and we have a few things to take care of. Unfortunately, I'll have to bother everyone even though it is late."
"Don't worry. We were already informed of it. Please join us for Dinner, Hikigaya-san."
"Umm, Hikigaya-san is a bit... well, I'd rather not be mistaken for my father." Hachiman, very much being truthful, requested. "It's fine just to call me Hachiman."
Hachiman didn't miss the sight of Saika suddenly lit up like a brand-new LED lamp. His smile was way too bright!
No, it's not just Saika, but the entire family is way too blinding. Now that Hachiman joined them in a private dinner, he suddenly lost his composure and control.
He was embarrassed. Way too embarrassed.
For the moment, Hikigaya Hachiman was patently worse than the average 16-year-old at becoming a guest.
"Don't be too nervous, Hachi-kun." Totsuka's mother told him.
"Umm, how do I say this." Hachiman gulped. "This is my first time having dinner at a friend's place, actually."
Said friend is, of course, Anastasia.
"For real?" Totsuka's father raised his eyebrows in confusion.
"Truthfully, until recently, I was a reclusive person." Hachiman let his mouth take over, bluntly speaking. "I don't have many friends at all, and the few I have, I'm not particularly close with them. I spend most of my time at home, indulging in my hobbies and studying whenever I want."
"It was not until I started working in 346 Pro that I started to go along with others. So, I feel really nervous now."
Hachiman saw that the Totsuka parents took pity on him. And it hurt him a little. However, he wanted to show Totsuka Saika the real him.
The real, pathetic Hikigaya Hachiman.
"I know I'm being unreasonable, but you can come anytime you feel lonely." The father laughed. "I'm sure Sai-chan will like it. He doesn't have many friends himself."
"Un!" Saika nodded furiously. "I realize we're not that close before, so... I'd like it if Hachiman came to visit often. As a friend, that is."
Well. That was unreasonable, but Hachiman is a little touched by their sincerity. This family is full of good people. If Hachiman was a girl, Hachiman would fall for Saika in a heartbeat.
"I'll see if I have the time."
In Japan, there are two types of families at dinner. The lively type and the silent type.
The silent type tends to quietly enjoy their meal without talking or watching Tv. The lively ones, well... they're very chatty.
At the dinner that day, Hachiman felt so warm that he was drenched in sweat. For Hachiman, whose family could be described as distant and cold, even such a mundane atmosphere felt overwhelming.
After the dinner, they're just waiting for the Chief to come. So Anastasia went to her room to rest while Hachiman and Saika went to talk in private.
Hachiman didn't start smoothly, but Saika isn't really that different. They started talking about stuff that both were aware of happening in the first year and then shared things that happened in the last two weeks.
To recap: The second-year Saika was picked to become the new Tennis Club Captain after the third year starting their preparation for retirement. However, Saika didn't have much confidence in himself and losing the chance to recruit Hachiman gave him a severe blow.
In contrast to the competitive Soccer Club, the Tennis Club of Soubu High could be said to be in a sad state of affairs.
Saika was curious about Hachiman. He also wanted Hachiman to set a standard for what constitutes a great player in the team.
"I'd like to be a good example... but though I like tennis, it's not as if I'm exceptionally good at it."
"Well, the fastest way to improve yourself is to ask for a professional..." Hachiman tells him. "I'd like to help, but the things I gained were from my own experience playing alone. It's a slow and often misleading path. A single mistake could cause months or even years in setbacks."
"In other words, I'm also stupidly lucky in things I don't especially want."
"I see... then... what is it you wanted, Hachiman?"
With a sad smile, Hachiman replies. "I wanted the current batch of Idol successfully debut, Anastasia included. After that, I can have all the time in the world to think about what I really wanted."
"I see." Saika winces. "You really are a hard worker, Hachiman."
"One doesn't become Captain without hard work, no?" Hachiman turned back the question at him. "It doesn't matter if someone is handsome, nice, or talented. If they don't work hard, then they can't become the Club Captain without causing it to collapse."
"But working hard without direction can end up with wasted effort. If you can't afford the time or money to get a trainer, then the next best way is to read and observe."
"Read... and observe?"
"Read and watch the tutorial made by professionals, not some fraudulent McDojos. Watch videos of matches done by them. Then use the information gained from these tutorials to analyze their moves. From there, you can start emulating them little by little."
"Emulating movement without an instructor... isn't that a little hard?"
"The best way to do it is to record your movement and watch it. That way, you can see where you lack and fix where you did wrong." Hachiman explained to him. "This method is actually done in professional Tennis institutes to refine the student's technique."
"It's damn near impossible to be the best. You need professional help to reach that. You can still be the next best thing. Like me, for example." Hachiman cockily pointed himself.
If anyone else heard it, they would think it was gross. But Saika just laughed it off. In the end, they still manage to exchange numbers, at least.
Chief Producer Hikigaya came shortly with the company car, a single glance at Saika... it was almost murderous.
...
Honestly, for the first time, Hachiman finally could see how scary his father could be. Toward girls, that is. His gaze was so intense that anyone would shrink quietly.
Anastasia wasn't an exception.
"So, can anyone tell me the details?"
Good luck, Anastasia.
"Truthfully, this isn't exactly something new at all." Anastasia's voice wavered, yet her face was full of determination. "P-producer, I... I like my cousin, Totsuka Saika."
"Is that so?" The Producer asked with a nearly flat tone.
"I liked him for a long time, perhaps since I was ten or eleven. At first, it wasn't serious. It was minor enough that even I can brush it off as a joke."
"But recently, I didn't feel the same way at all. When he encourages me to be an Idol, I feel like I can put in more effort, and when he feels sad recently, I feel down as well. And whenever it's just two of us, I can feel my heart beat faster." Anastasia bit her lips. "Sorry, I'm really an unreliable Idol, am I?"
Anastasia didn't spare anything and told the Chief Producer the story of her romantic development, the precise moment when it grew. And when it changed. It was so detailed that Hachiman could only feel envious.
He might have been rejected eleven times before, but he never felt that strongly about the girl he confessed to.
"...If anything, I gotta say, that's more normal than I expect." Producer mumbled. "But to think Hachiman can notice that... it's actually amazing."
Really? Hachiman would say anyone could see it in plain sight. Because they didn't pay attention or were unwilling to admit it to themselves.
"I gotta say the timing couldn't possibly be better."
"Huh?"
"This is the turning point of your career, the first real steps into Idolhood, and we had to cement your schedule from this point onward. Your time with your friends, family, and lovers... will take a backseat to your career. So you have to decide, to confess or to give up right here."
Eh? What?
"Confess?" Hachiman asked incredulously. "You didn't even try to dissuade her."
"No." Chief Producer stood up and looked at the balcony outside. Even the busiest street in Chiba was nowhere as crowded as Tokyo, which was quite eerie.
"For many Producers, they would try to stop her, or in some cases, bid their time and assure them it is fine to stay that way. But for me, there's nothing noble about unrequited love."
Smugly, the Chief Producer smiled. "Carrying a torch for someone you can't obtain... that's a loser mindset."
Harsh. Yet, somehow, Hachiman could only agree with his father. Was it why he did not bat an eye to the romantic affection his Idol gave him?
"That's why, Anastasia, I'll give you two choices. Either you confess, or you give up your feelings. Which path will you choose?"
"I... I really want to confess to him, but..."
"You're afraid to get rejected?"
"No." Anya shakes her head. "I'm afraid that regardless of whether it was mutual or not, things will never be the same anymore."
"I see." The elder Hikigaya nodded in understanding. "Even if you get accepted, things wouldn't be the same either way. Two strangers can go back to being strangers, but in your case, once you become lovers, it would be hard to return to being family again."
Ah, so it was like that. Once family members become lovers, then things get really complicated. Regardless of the issue of fans' acceptance or rejection, there are also their family ties.
"Let's say they decided to progress their relationship. What would the company do?" Hachiman asked. Like, seriously, this gets really weird the longer it drags on.
"Then we will have to give up on a single male fanbase." Chief Producer grinned wickedly. "They don't get to bitch when they're not the target audience!"
Hachiman's jaw dropped so hard he almost lost it.
What the fuck is he talking about? Giving up the single male fanbase? That's literally 70% of the female Idol market! Furthermore, Anya's reputation had been established due to her pre-debut works.
"Director Mishiro will not agree." Hachiman frowned.
"She will. Even if that means there will be reduced support for Anastasia's post-debut career." Chief sighed. "But one thing I can say, 346 do not abandon those who put their effort in and bring result."
Anastasia had been frozen for a while, shocked by Chief Producer's brutal yet straightforward words.
"Let me ask you again, Anya. Are you willing to bet everything for the sake of your love? If you do, then the company will support you with all we can afford." Chief put his gentle hand on her shoulder to ease her. "An Idol needs to bring a genuine smile, so their true feelings can reach their fans. I have no need for a pretender and a liar. What I want is the real, smiling Anastasia."
Anastasia could not hold it anymore and hugged him as she cried on his chest. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
So it was like this.
Chief Producer Hikigaya wasn't a person who promised the moon and the stars. Every Idol he recruited. He promised them his earnest support to carve a place in this cruel and unjust world.
A stage where they alone can shine!
Hachiman wanted to tear up, to be honest. If only he was like this to his children, Hachiman could start looking up to him.
"I will confess." Anastasia finally decided as soon as she stopped crying. "But I... I will not ask for the promise of a relationship or anything. I want my feelings to be known."
"I see."
Anastasia seemed to be a little pessimistic about her feelings getting reciprocated. However, she decided to bet everything on this. Naturally, Hachiman could not interfere. He was only here to support her, after all.
"Then let's plan accordingly." Chief Producer procured some tickets from his pocket. "Bring him on a date and confess at the end of the day."
"Chief Producer..." Anastasia almost started crying again, except out of happiness. Her Producer wasn't joking about supporting her, after all.
"Where the hell did you get those damn tickets?" Hachiman twitched.
"When you're as old as me, you literally had to be ready for anything." His father snorts. "Oh, and Hachiman, I need you to be there to ensure the date goes smoothly."
"What, and be the third wheel? Or should I spy on them from behind? Is this an order?"
"It's not an order. It's a request." His father waved his hand, and the three tickets magically became four. "Bring a date on your own."
"That's impossible." Hachiman crankily responded. Seriously, what the hell. "No one would want a date with me."
"Really? The LINE chat argues otherwise." The Chief Producer turned on the office monitor... and the damn LINE group was in plain sight. The original topic isn't even wrong, though. It made Hachiman want to kill his father and then himself.
The question asked was that. "Who has free time to help Hachiman on a double date and help a girl confess?"
The sheer amount of replies was maddening! Hachiman's phone buzzed almost nonstop, asking what's exactly happening.
"I'm going to put you on a goddamn concrete shoe and throw you off Tokyo Bay!" Hachiman roared. He almost punched his father if not for Anya holding him with all her might.
"Hey, don't forget who triggered this mess, you ingrate!" Chief pointed at his son mercilessly. "Or you go by yourself, for your friend's sake."
Hachiman was confident with his stealth abilities, which he acquired from his old loner school life in Soubu. Thanks to his mother's spartan training, Hachiman's skills became rusty.
Hachiman's natural presence became stronger compared to before.
As for the potential date partner...
- Hayami Kanade "I want to spend a day with Hikigaya-kun... and maybe the night, too."
- Jougasaki Mika "I never go on a date, so it's good to experience one. Don't get weird, alright?"
- Shiki Ichinose "I'm going to make him puke his cologne!"
- Sagisawa Fumika "Hikigaya-kun needs help, and I want to repay his kindness."
"Let's go with the double date strategy." Hachiman sighed. After spending so much time pondering, he decided: "Jougasaki."
"Mika-san, huh." Anastasia seemed to be affected by his choice too. "You're closest the most to her at the Dorm, aren't you?"
"More like the least likely to argue with."
Hachiman and Mika had set a boundary early on, knowing the other side wasn't accustomed to the opposite sex. Of the four girls that are closest to him, that is... Kanade, Mika, Shuuko, and Frederica... Hachiman felt that Mika is the most predictable of all.
He feels safe with her, just like how she feels safe with him.
At least when they're alone...
As for relationships... Kanade was the only one who had close ties with Anastasia. Hachiman knows she's not dumb, but... he doesn't want to take a risk.
If it's just him taking the fall, that's fine. But Anya, Saika, and their relationship will be the stake.
"That's why... rest assured that we won't mess around." Hachiman smiled knowingly. "But it's up to you to make Totsuka comfortable."
Anya nodded. She hid the signs of her crying with some makeup, and it worked well, at least superficially. Even Hachiman didn't notice until he looked at her closely.
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 6 - The Plan for Double Date
Hachiman didn't spend much time procrastinating and sent her back to the Totsuka residence as soon as possible. While at it, he didn't even bother to hide his other intent.
"I got four tickets from my father that he wants me and Anastasia to use..." Hachiman told him. "I know I'm being rude about this, but do you have free time tomorrow? We don't exactly have a lot of free time, so..."
Saika nodded happily. aHis eyes were starry as he spoke. "You mean, going out together? Sure."
"Ahem. Well, we're going with another girl. So, I hope you don't mind." Hachiman clarified.
"Of course, I don't. Is it your friend?"
"Yeah..." Hachiman replies, completely honest and truthful. "She's from the same agency."
"I see. It's a double date, then. Where should we meet?" Saika asked enthusiastically.
"Kasai-Rinkai-Koen station at 9 in the morning. How does that sound?"
"Sounds fine to me!" Saika agreed. "So, tomorrow at 9."
"En."
Hachiman almost broke the traffic law because he wanted to go home as quickly as possible. Not even the strong wind can cool down his burning, embarrassed face.
Double date. What the fuck?
Hachiman always failed to ask a girl to go out, and now they're going on a date? He was so embarrassed and pissed that he wanted to scream.
And he ended up screaming at the pillow and the sofa at home. His howl echoed mildly in the living room.
"Who brought a dying horse here? Are you an exiled Prince or something?" His father asked Hachiman as he put a cup of milk tea on the table. For Hachiman's share. "Did you fail to ask him out or..."
"No, it's a blazing success, so smooth I didn't believe it. At all. It's way too unfair."
"What part is unfair?" Chief Producer snorted as he opened up a can of beer for himself.
"Just three months ago, it was damn near impossible for me to get a girl to go out on a casual outing. And now, a simple line call from my father is all it takes." Hachiman grouched. "This is bullshit."
"Hey, hey. Don't start accusing these girls of being Gold Diggers or anything." His father frowned. "Though a few are."
"What's with that lame-ass defense?" Hachiman glared at him. "Not to mention awfully specific."
"And? What about you? Bitching for absolutely no reason." His father asked back.
"Yeah, what's next? You want to tell me how many boys would kill to be in such a position?" Hachiman spat. "They're welcome to try."
"Almost, but not really." His father took a sip of his beer can. "You go to Otomejoshi, did you not? You see these pansy-ass boy Idol band members daily. Was the attractiveness gap between you and them insurmountably wide?"
Hachiman grimaced a bit.
"What, you think you lack Charisma? That your words reached so many Idols was proof that you have one too. I've heard from Komachi that you even manage to hide our relationship for three straight days."
"Well, yeah. Komachi was the one who made it so."
"It proves they're not seeing Hachiman, son of Chief Producer Hikigaya. They're seeing Production Assistant Hikigaya Hachiman." The father pointed rudely at his son. "Even if it's you who asked and not me, the reply would be pretty much the same."
Hachiman admitted he couldn't argue against that. He made an almost miraculous first impression with the Idols he currently closes with. And Hachiman is more than well aware of the importance of first impressions.
"Three months ago, I would be as skeptical. However, you prove to me that I'm wrong in the end. And that's a good thing to see as a Parent."
"Meh."
Hachiman wondered, did his father always have that silver tongue?
"So, why did you pick Mika-chan?"
"Ichinose Shiki is way too hard to calm down. She only pursues her interest and nothing else. I'm creeped out so much that I wouldn't call her girlfriend material. Not even if you pay me."
Considering his low confidence as boyfriend material, that says something.
"Sagisawa-san... she's nice, calm, and understanding. I'm sure it will be easy for her to get along with. But we were too shy to be proactive, even in pretend play. Others would laugh in disbelief if we said that."
Hachiman wouldn't admit that part of his mind thinks inviting Hiratsuka from Soubu High was on the table. But thinking again, it was a stupid idea. Asking a stranger, an adult at that, in a teenage outing... that's inconceivable.
The problem is not Hiratsuka. The problem is him. He doesn't want to build a relationship based on a stupid premise. This is a woman so lonely and desperate. That she hit on a random guy in front of the school gate.
That's too heavy of a responsibility for Hachiman to bear.
"That leaves just Jougasaki and Hayami. Hayami is smart. She could easily play along and set the right mood for a double date. I might get along with the flow. And so will Totsuka. But it's hard to gauge her attitude, and I feel unpredictability is the last thing I want."
"Jougasaki... she's awkward. Sometimes pushes herself too much. And causes a lot of mess as a result. However, it was because she's easily influenced by others and the mood around her."
"Since I'm the biggest mood killer in the company, I'm confident that things won't get weird. And it won't be romantic, but at least we won't be a distraction to the main couple in this event." Hachiman pointed himself.
His father immediately exploded into a laughing fit.
"In short, you're afraid of Kanade-chan because you can't guess or control her actions?"
It pissed off Hachiman so much, but deep down, Hachiman couldn't say he was wrong. Hachiman was and still is wary of Kanade.
"So, what about you? All the older Idols are gunning for your dick. Freaking homewreckers." Hachiman sat beside him and took a sip of the sweet milk tea. "Disgusting."
Chief Producer looked at Hachiman's unusually mature angry face, despite his childish accusation and temper tantrum. Almost as if there was a solid concern behind his accusatory words.
"...Do you know the difference between confidence and conviction?"
"What's with the inane question?"
"Conviction means stubbornly clinging to your belief and principles until the end. However, confidence means you can present that conviction proudly to others."
Ah. The last three months of training that Hachiman got from his mother was to raise his confidence. Hachiman vaguely remembered her lecture on that topic.
One thing that his mother instill the hardest: "No matter how difficult it is to say, don't stutter. It's better to pause and compose yourself if you're too nervous."
"What about it?"
"I'm determined to stay loyal to your mother no matter what." He laughed. His reddened face made it unclear if he was embarrassed or just drunk. "But no matter what I say, if I'm not confident about it, then your mother will never trust me."
Stupid. It was so stupid. Yet, for some reason, Hachiman could believe it.
"Where does that conviction even come from?" Hachiman rested his head on the sofa, finally relaxed.
"Do you remember the scamming incident several years ago?"
His father got scammed by a business partner. That was something Hachiman vividly remembered. It caused so much uproar that Hachiman heard his father get demoted, and their family was on the verge of divorce.
"Both my Idols and coworkers were unwilling to share the blame, even if it was primarily my responsibility. I, the overconfident fool who relishes their love and attention, ended up with loneliness, crushing regret, and heavy debt."
"Truthfully, I almost lost my faith in women altogether, but your mother offered her hand." Chief Producer mellowly opened yet another can of beer. "It was an uphill battle to regain what I lost. My confidence, my career, and even something like financial safety, there's no way I can be what I am now without your mother beside me."
It sounded bitterly romantic to Hachiman's ears. Considering how cold they're to each other, Hachiman would not expect their bonds to be so strong. Then again, it is hard to understand his mother sometimes.
"The power of love is not inexhaustible, but it can be changed and renewed." Chief smiled at Hachiman. "When I see Anastasia going so far for her love, I was thinking, I want to believe in her. I want her to make her debut with a smile."
"So it was like that." For some reason, Hachiman felt a strong sense of warmth and relief.
"Do you enjoy your time at the office and new school?"
"I wish things could be less hectic. It's all so tiresome." Hachiman smirked. "But if nothing else, I never feel bored."
Met new people, experienced new things, and ultimately had his existence acknowledged. Hikigaya Hachiman had never felt so content with his life before.
Making Komachi and Hachiman part of the company... because his father is such a gigantic, awkward fool. He doesn't know any other way to express his fatherly feelings.
Only Komachi and Hachiman can save him from eternal damnation. And to do so, he had to keep Hachiman and Komachi from rotting away here in Chiba.
...
Hachiman rode early to Tokyo to fetch Mika following the new date plan. It would be too weird for his standard to let her come alone, especially using trains.
It surprised Hachiman to find an unfamiliar, light brown-skinned girl in the garage area.
"Wait, Jougasaki?"
"Hai hai~!" Mika grinned in her usual fashion. However, her drastic change in appearance made it unsettling.
The so-called artificial tan or darker skin is part of the gal fashion, except the direct opposite of what Jougasaki usually does. The best part is that it's not out of place at all...
The makeup was well done. Not just Jougasaki's skin, but her hair color and eyes also altered, likely with a wig and contacts. It's almost impossible for even fans to identify her in the crowd.
"So, what do you think?"
Well, fishing for a compliment, much?
"That must take a lot of effort and skill." Hachiman compliment not the result, but his experience as an Idol trainee gives him firsthand knowledge of the art of makeover.
"My bad, I can't be much help. It must be tiring to put on such an elaborate disguise."
It was not a joke in the slightest. Even professional Makeup artists spent tens of minutes taking care of a single Idol before the show began.
And that was just a standard makeover, not a disguise of this scale.
"Right? Everyone is joining hands for this operation. It was a pain but worth it." Mika winked. "I dyed my hair like this, including the eyebrows. Three people were needed to ensure my skin looked naturally brown and even. And Shiki even made custom perfume, so I smelled different than usual."
"You... dyed your hair?!" Hachiman's eyes widened in surprise. Mika went THAT far to obscure her hairstyle? "What about your skin?!"
"Well, no, it's not a tan. Unfortunately, changing skin color is much harder to revert than hair."
Hachiman almost got a heart attack. Right, that's rational.
"We can't go half-baked today." Mika smiled confidently. "Anya-chan is willing to bet everything for this confession. No matter if it was me or someone else that you choose, we won't try to mess it up."
"...Right."
Perhaps Hachiman still takes these Idols lightly. He admitted he felt a bit guilty for having a clear bias on who could be relied on and who could not.
Disregarding their personality quirk, each of these Idols will go all out, no matter who Hachiman chooses as a partner.
Hachiman could depend on them at such a crucial time. He should be aware of it. Even so... he couldn't lie to himself. He couldn't expect someone to suddenly shape up unless their unreliable persona were fake, to begin with.
That's how his mindset worked, even if he ends up wrong sometimes.
Behind Mika, Hachiman could see Kanade, Shuuko, Frederica, and even Shiki standing with encouraging expressions on their face.
When Kanade raised her fingers, she didn't give the usual teasing air kiss. But instead, she made mouth-stretching gestures.
She was telling Hachiman to stop being dumbfounded and smile instead.
Ah...