491AN: Yahallo~! Good to see you again readers!
Well, I didn't think so many of you would like my first chapter so much. I was honestly surprised how much track this story got. I mean, 940 hits on the first day and 35 reviews on the first chapter! That's probably my highest achievement since I wrote Naruto stories several years back.
A lot of your reviews were great! Most were short and concise while others were long and insightful. There's some reviews I'd like to reply to but they were guest accounts so too bad I guess. Thank you all for your input and I hope you criticize and review this chapter thoroughly as well.
I did some research and I might have made an error on Kawasaki Saki's eyes. In the first season it was a green/aquamarine colour while in season two it was a violet almost blueish colour. It turns out that she actually has blue eyes in the light novel so I kind of fumbled on that one. Either way I still stick to my opinion that green looks better on her then blue I guess. A little bit of contrast never hurt anybody. XD
Anyway, regarding this chapter. This will focus on Hikigaya's time in middle school and I was actually hoping it would have been done in one chapter. Turns out I underestimated how long the arc would be so I was forced to split in two. This chapter will show off a sort of... different but no to so different Hachiman. So I hope you'll enjoy it!
*December 2016 Edit: Orimoto's stalker is seen interrupting Hikki's and Orimoto's date plans in the hallway.
Chapter 2: Middle School isn't so Bad, I guess
I stared out the window, bored out of my mind. I didn't care about the lesson being taught, and the teacher didn't care about me not listening. Such was the relationship between a teacher and student who didn't have an ounce of respect for each other.
Or maybe it's just because its Math class.
Middle school was nothing special. Being a third year now, I can conclude that being a teenager was no different than being an elementary school kid. The only big change was that now boys were horny little brats while girls were pretty little brats.
I blame it on the hormones.
What was that? You want to know what's been happening with me for the past few years?
Nothing much really.
Well… nothing too much.
It's not like my life suddenly changed into a romcom just because I started going to the gym. I was still twelve when I started, you know.
Anyway, my training with Tora-san (or Shishou as I'd like to call him) was tough, as you could imagine. That blue-haired, muscle-maniac was a demon slave-driver hired by Lucifer himself. I lost count the amount of times I felt like dying or passing out from the regime from hell he put me through. I was even forced to eat a special diet to help my body grow and give me more energy. No more stuffing myself on gaming snacks and candy, which, for a kid, really sucked.
The suffering did bring me benefits though. I was much more physically fit then most of my schoolmates; save for the really determined jocks on the school sports teams. My nutritious diet helped me grow taller and fill out my skinnier build.
While that was great and all, it didn't really help my image much. In fact, it might have even hurt it a little. Because of my taller and muscular frame, combined with my unappealing eyes; it gave birth to the most ridiculous rumor known to misjudged teenagers.
Somehow, most of the student body believes I'm some sort of delinquent.
… I know right?!
The whole idea is bloody ridiculous! I have not once, in the past three years got into a fight. I wasn't even stupid either. I mean just look at my grades! I was in the top five in my year for all subjects that have nothing to do with Math!
Seriously, these hormone induced kids need a crash course in common sense.
It's no wonder I don't bother making friends.
… Well, I do have friends.
Sort of.
One was an extremely friendly person who can't seem to take a hint and leave me alone. The other is a ruffian with a sibling complex so large it could fill a black hole.
Their names are Orimoto Kaori and Kawasaki Saki.
Yeah, they're both girls.
Go figure.
"Hikigaya, wait up!"
I slowed my pace to a stop and let out a tired sigh as the one who called out to me appeared by my side with her signature megawatt smile.
"What's up with that big sigh, Hikigaya? You're going to run out of youth if you keep that up."
How does one even run out of youth by sighing? Besides, I'm not really enjoying my youth in the first place so there's no harm done even if I waste it.
"Don't worry, there's a near infinite amount of precious youth right here beside me. I'll just take some when I'm running low."
Her large brown eyes blinked at me before her smile turned to a more amused one, "So you're gonna take my youth away from me? Are you some kind of vampire now, Hikigaya?"
"Why do you think I like to keep away from the light?"
"Maybe you're scared you'll start to shine like a disco ball?"
"Please, I'm Dracuman, lord of the loners and king of the cynics. Don't compare me with some sissy, third-rate, glitter covered fag." [1]
"Pfff! Dracuman! That's hilarious!"
I join in on her laughter and let a few chuckles escape. Seriously, how many pink pokeblocks did she have to eat to make her cuteness rank so high? [2]
Orimoto Kaori was not so much different than any normal girl. The thing that made her special was her ability to get along with just about anyone. Her energetic, always welcoming and gung-ho attitude made her popular among students and teachers alike. Combined with her natural cute looks and you have a very charming and pretty teenage girl.
If I was a more hopeful and less cynical individual, I might have misinterpreted her close attitude towards me as a sign of affection. But rigorous training had both helped my body and my mind. I was calmer then my peers, and because of that I could observe things more clearly. Orimoto treated me no different than she treated everyone else. It was just in her nature to be fun loving and friendly.
After all, Orimoto Kaori was a nice girl.
"So, what's up?"
Orimoto looked confused at my question.
"You obviously called out to me for a reason. So, what's up?"
Her lips formed a cute pout that made my heart skip a beat. Damn it, woman. Don't show your womanly charms so unnecessarily!
"Do I really need a reason to hang out with you, Hikigaya?" Ok, are you trying to make me misunderstand?
"W-Well no… but hanging out with me isn't going to help your reputation." Really, it wasn't. You're a popular girl, Orimoto. Being seen hanging out with a so called delinquent will cause some bad rumors to take flight.
"Well I can hang out with whomever I want, whenever I want. You shouldn't be bothered by what people say, Hikigaya."
Orimoto… you really underestimate how badly these things can be.
"I don't give two shits about what other people think about me, but if it's you I-" I quickly snapped my mouth shut with a click.
What are you doing Brain?! You're supposed to filter what I say before I say it! Don't you remember what happened last time you let Mouth do its job without you?!
My embarrassment must be contagious because Orimoto's cheeks were red as well. Were the kids in elementary school right? Was Hikigerma a real thing?
"… If it's me you'll… what?"
Oi, oi, don't make this situation more awkward then it is. My heart's not as used to excitement as yours, woman.
"I-It's… It's nothing. My brain wasn't connected to my mouth for a second. Don't mind it."
"O-Oh… I see…"
An awkward silence settled between the two of us. We just stood in the middle of the corridor, not knowing what else to say. In the end, it was Orimoto who broke the silence first.
"S-Say, Hikigaya… a-are you doing anything after school today?"
Hold up a second. Is she… No. No-No-No-No! Don't fall into that trap, Hikigaya Hachiman! You're stronger than that! Whatever she's insinuating, it could never be that! Think logical, you idiot!
"Uh… I have to… go to my gym today…"
Why am I talking as slow as a drug-induced high koala? Is my brain buffering? Maybe it's lag?
Orimoto looked briefly dejected by my answer but she quickly shook it off, "W-Well! How about this Thursday?"
"Um… yeah… I-I'm free on Thursday."
A megawatt-no, GIGAWATT smile lit up her face, "Great! Meet me at the front gate after school. We're going to hang out at this café I found a week ago, got it?"
Keep your cool, dude. Keep your cool!
"Um-Uh… Why?"
DUDE?!
"J-Just because!"
Romcom gods, why have you sent this emissary of righteousness to me? Did I do something to offend you guys, or are all of you just screwing with me for the heck of it?
Oh, well. It's bad manners to keep a lady waiting, or at least that's what Komachi's been telling me. But what does she know? She just turned thirteen!
"O-Ok… I guess I'll hang out with you."
I swore I saw her eyes light up like a Christmas tree at my answer. Really, if you're this excited, I'm going to assume wrongly. This isn't even a-
"It's a date!"
Say what now?
"Orimoto-san, there you are! We're supposed to head to the library now! Everyone's waiting!" said a guy not too far down the corridor. The moment he noticed me his eyes narrowed into an unfriendly glare.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot! I have to go now! Don't forget, this Thursday, ok?! See ya, Hikigaya!"
"Oh-uh-Orimoto, wait-"
Before I could say anything further she was already running off. And just like that, Hurricane Orimoto just passed through Town Hikigaya, leaving all its habitants in panic and disarray.
A date.
With Orimoto.
A date with Orimoto.
A DATE WITH ORIMOTO?!
Being distracted is a common thing.
The human mind is very fickle when it wants to be. You could be in the exams writing out a five hundred word essay, and the next thing you know you're staring at the invigilators ass the second she bends down because she dropped a pen.
What was I talking about again?
Oh yeah, being distracted.
So there are a lot of times when your brain just decides it's had enough of this shit and just shuts down without even telling you. Sometimes it happens in very crucial, dangerous moments.
Like during a sparring match.
I winced as alcohol rub was dabbed onto the bruise on my cheek.
"Couldn't you do that a bit more gently?"
"It's not my fault. It's supposed to sting, that's how you know it works. Besides, who was it that was so distracted that he took a full round-house kick to the face?"
"Sss… Ouch… this is why they call you Sub-zero Kawasaki. You still burn even when you're cold." The alcohol rub was pressed much harder onto my bruise, while a pair of green eyes glared murder on me.
"What was that?!"
"OW! OW! OW! OK! OK! I TAKE IT BACK!"
The demon alcohol rub was pulled back by its silver haired master, but the looming threat that it would be let loose again still hung in the air, so I decided to keep my smart mouth shut.
Probably the best decision I had today.
"So, what were you thinking about that got you so distracted?"
There goes the idea of keeping my mouth shut.
"Who says I was thinking about anything?"
"You're always thinking."
Has she finally found out about my secret? No, she can't possibly know I've been monologuing all this time.
"You're monologuing again right now."
Damn it, the gig is up! No, wait! I can still salvage this!
"For your information, men have the wonderful ability to turn off our brains whenever we want to. It's how we survive this stress inducing world… and women."
"That's just pure bullshit, you misogynist. Even if it were true, why did you decide to turn your brain off during our spar?"
"Uh… my switch is faulty?"
Damn it, she got me!
I skewed my mouth as she smugly grinned at me in victory. She turned away and proceeded to keep the cotton balls and alcohol back into the medical kit beside her. I took this time to observe my 'Sparing Partner'.
Kawasaki Saki, a ruffian girl whom I met three years ago when I first came to this MMA gym. The niece to my master, she was my designated sparring partner whenever I came by to train. It was just the two of us kids in this gym full of sweaty old men so it was a given that we got… close?
Right now she was attending a different school from mine that had a karate club. According to her, she was the ace of the club and has been winning tournament after tournament wherever she went. The first time I came to watch one of her matches with Shishou, she floored her opponent who was a year older then her.
She was always stronger than me, beating me during every spar. But as I grew older and fitter, I noticed the gap in strength between us was steadily getting smaller over time.
My eyes involuntarily dropped lower to her, 'torso'.
Speaking of growing…
"So?"
I quickly looked back up to her face and wiped whatever perverseness from my own, less she put another bruise on me. Hoping she didn't notice my blunder, I gave the most appropriate response to any situation when I don't know what the hell is going on.
"Huh?"
She rolled her eyes at me. Yes, it worked!
"So are you going to tell me what you were thinking about?"
Your mochis… oh, wait, you were talking about the other thing.
"Uh… yeah, sure I guess. But I'm not sure you'll believe me even if I told you.
"Just tell me."
Well, if you say so.
"Uh… I got asked out by a girl to a date."
Dead silence suddenly fell onto us.
Wait a minute, we're in a gym. With about half a dozen guys in here either lifting weights or sparing, how could it ever get silent?
I looked around and oddly enough the whole gym was empty except for us.
Huh, everyone must be taking a break.
I turned back to Saki and blinked in surprise. She looked like she was blanking out or something. Her face had zero emotion and her eyes look dull.
"Uh… hello? Anybody home? This is Air-Tower-Hachiman calling in Boeing-Saki-2610, do you copy?" [3]
No luck, her eyes still look blank-Oh, I see something!
Ok, now she's glaring at me.
Good. Good.
No-Wait, how is that good?!
"Uh… did I do something wrong?"
She continued to glare at me until she turned her head away, "If you don't want to tell me, fine. But you don't have to lie."
"Lie about what now?"
"Oh please, now you're gonna have me say it?"
What is she going on about? Unless…
"Are you talking about the date?"
She seemed to have soured even more when I said it.
"What else am I talking about?! You didn't have to lie to avoid answering!"
So she thought I was making a joke. Great, misunderstandings, my most hated nemesis. Well, better rip this off before it takes root.
"You know how much of a cynic I am. Do you think I'd lie about being asked out on a date?"
Her eyes widened at my words before she looked away. She mumbled something under her breath before slowly turning to me with a searching look.
"So… it's true?"
"Yeah, hardly believe it myself."
Another pause. Then she shot another question.
"What are you guys going to do?"
I raised a brow at her. Are we playing 20 questions now?
"Well… she said she wanted to bring me to this café she found. Not sure what happens after."
"… I-Is she… pretty?"
I imagined Orimoto's face in my head and I felt my cheeks redden a little.
"W-Well… she's cute I guess… why is that even important?"
Saki didn't answer me. Instead, she seemed a little troubled at my answer.
"When are you… going on your date?"
"…This Thursday."
The second I said that, she froze again. Oh, come on! You were fine just a second ago!
Oh, now she's glaring again, but it seems worse than before. Scratch that, it was definitely worse than before! You're gonna burn a hole in my face with just your eyes, woman!
"W-Why are you so angry?"
"You forgot, didn't you?"
Forgot what? I'm sure there was nothing important happening the day after tomorrow so there shouldn't be a-
Oh.
Oh wait.
There was something important.
"Next week on Thursday my final tournament match is coming up. I-It's the last one before I have to quit the club and focus on entrance exams. So… uh… p-promise me y-you'll come… ok?"
My face must have shown that I just remembered because Saki looked more depressed then angry.
"So now you remember…"
Damn it. I fucked up, didn't I?
Now, I wasn't an expert on girls. In fact I'm the last guy you should ever go to for advice when it comes to girls. But even a dumbass like me knows you should apologize when you upset someone.
"I'm sorry."
She stayed quiet and absent mindedly fiddled with the hem of her training gi. I tried to think of a way to fix this, but only one thought came to mind. It wasn't the best plan, and one of these girls will still end up upset… but it was the most logical and truthful one. I scratched the back of my head and sighed.
A man's got to do what a man's got to do.
"Alright… I'll cancel the date."
The second I said that her eyes widened like two large pokeballs.
"…Why?"
"I promised to you first, didn't I? Plus, this is important to you. It's your last tournament, so I can't really miss it, right?"
"B-But your date! It's-"
"-Just the first. I'll have plenty more chances. With my good looks, girls will be all over me once I make my high school debut." I smirked at her while she continued to open and close her mouth like a fish out of water. In the end, she opted to just look away from me.
"T-Thank you…" even though she wasn't facing me, I could still see her ears turning red. Oi, oi, if you're going to get flustered, the least you could do is not pass it over to me.
"N-No problem."
An awkward atmosphere brewed between us. We stewed in it for a while before Saki broke the silence.
"Say, Hachi… when the tourna-when I win the tournament… will you listen to what I have to say?"
This was new. Saki's never the type to be demanding of others. In fact, she despises feeling indebted to people. So it was unusual for her to be piling so many favors all at once.
"Uh… I'm listening right now… there's really no point to waiting-"
"Please."
Ok, are you sure you're not coming down with something? You're not usually this… subdued.
"Alright."
And then the most unexpected thing happened that day. Saki lifted her head and showed me the most beautiful smile I had ever seen her make. This wasn't the 'oh, what a pretty smile'. No, this was a 'damn, was she always this beautiful?' kind of smile. It rated a perfect ten on the Komachi cuteness scale.
I was left speechless and a little dazed. The mood between us was what you would call… perfect.
If only someone hadn't decided to sneeze suddenly.
"Achew!"
"Oi! Why'd you got to ruin the moment?!"
"I-I can't help it. I-It was getting too fluffy."
"Shut up you idiots or they'll notice us!"
A little too late for that.
Both Saki and I slowly turned our heads to the side and found, to our despair, the usual group of regulars plus Master Tora, hiding behind a corner.
"Uh oh, looks like they found us."
"Well, it was fun while it lasted."
"I knew you were the only one who could thaw out the little miss, bozu! Good job!"
"Good for you, Hikki-chan! Make sure to name the first kid after me!"
"Hachi-chan is going to be real man! I-I… I'm so proud!"
Gym-bros, you either hate them or love them. I love you all, you stupid troop of baboons. And why are you crying, Shishou?!
The room temperature suddenly went down to near absolute zero. I looked beside me in fear as a demon took its form as my sparring partner. Saki slowly got up and faced the now cowering group of men.
"You're all going to die."
Truer words have never been spoken. The resounding cries of pain and suffering were proof of that. I'll go get the body bags.
Have I ever mentioned how hard it is to turn a pretty girl down?
No?
Well, it's really hard. The worst part is not the actual act though. It's the consequence of such an act that makes it even more of a hassle to deal with.
I mean, the chances of her being upset with you were highly likely. Not to mention her opinion of you would take a huge hit, if she didn't hate you already.
What I'm trying to say, is that I'm really not looking forward to turning Orimoto down.
But again, a man's got to do what a man's got to do.
"So… I'm sorry, but I can't go on that date on Thursday." I watched as Orimoto's face drooped into a sad frown. A bad taste suddenly appeared at the back of my throat. Must be the bile I'm trying hard to swallow down.
"Well… it can't be help, right? A good friend needs your support for her important match. It would have been cruel if you didn't go." Don't try to sugarcoat it, Orimoto. We both know I chose her agenda over yours.
"Sorry…"
"You don't have to apologize so many times, Hikigaya. Honestly, if I had found out about all this during our date I would have been really mad." She tried to put more emphasis on her words by attempting to make a scary face. It only made her look cuter in my eyes.
"You really are too nice, Orimoto. Most girls would be have been pissed off for being pushed aside."
"Well, I'm not most girls. Besides, it's not like we can't have our date on another day."
"...Huh?"
"I mean, we could always go the next day, or even meet up during the weekends. It isn't that hard to reschedule, you know?"
And just like that, Orimoto Kaori decided to throw me another fast ball. Seriously, she just threw all my anxiety out the window! What was all that worrying for?!
I couldn't stop the chuckles that escaped me. It wasn't long before it became full, blown out laughter.
"W-What's so funny, Hikigaya?"
"Ahaha! It's… it's just… you're a really nice girl, Orimoto! Bahaha!"
If I wasn't so distracted in trying to control my laughter I would have noticed the large blush on Orimoto's face. It seems my mirth was contagious though because soon enough she was laughing with me.
"Pfff! W-What's with that?! O-Of course I'm a nice girl!"
It was a short while later that we finally calmed down. The both of us were in some sort of daze from just taking in the cheery atmosphere. Again, just like yesterday, Orimoto broke the silence first.
"You know, I really think the rumors about you being a delinquent is hilarious."
"Well, it started for a stupid reason. I guess to the only person who actually talks to me, you would find it funny."
"But it is! You're no delinquent, you're just misunderstood."
"Tell that to the whole student body."
"Oh come on, Hikigaya! Not everyone thinks you're trouble. The teachers actually think very highly of you."
I raised a brow at that, "What makes you think that?"
"Our homeroom teacher, Mrs. Sakamoto thinks you're very hard working. I also know that Mr. Harada, our Japanese Literature teacher, likes you a lot… but that's a given since your top of the school for that subject."
"Huh, I never knew that."
"You see? Not everyone thinks you're bad. You just need more people to understand you."
"Hmm… Like how you tried to understand me when we first met?" the effect was instant. Orimoto's face became flustered from remembering about our embarrassing past.
Let me clear this up.
You see, Orimoto was only in my class for my first year and my third year of middle school. In our first year, she wasn't as cheerful as she is now. She was, instead, really shy and awkward. Due to this, she didn't make a lot of progress in making friends, so she was alone just like me most of the time. But unlike her, my loneliness was my own doing since I wasn't interested in making friends with brain dead, pubescent teens.
So seeing that I was by myself just like her, she tried to do the impossible-at-the-time-challenge.
Trying to befriend a really unfriendly Hikigaya Hachiman.
Long story short, it didn't end very well. Her second attempt went much better, in our third year of course.
"Hey! You were really mean to me back then! I didn't have as much courage back then as I do now, you know?!"
"Eheheh… yeah, you really stepped up your game this year."
"I tried really hard! I cried a lot after you threw my attempt of friendship out the window!"
"Oh yeah, I remember I said something really mean to you. I think it was, Get out of my face you sniveling little-"
"Stop right there! I am not going to remember that! I almost had to go through therapy, you know?!" it looks like I went a little too far with my teasing because I could see her eyes shimmering a little.
"Uh… sorry… looks like I went a little too far. Unlike you, I haven't really change that much, huh?"
Orimoto made a show of wiping at her eyes and sniffling a little. Oh, come on. Now you're just making me feel bad.
"Well… I wouldn't say that. You're… much more approachable now. At least you didn't insult me this year."
"Hmm…"
I contemplated on that fact. I was… much calmer now than when I was before. I thought it was just me maturing… but maybe Orimoto was right. Maybe I am becoming more approachable. Who knows, maybe I'll become a riajuu someday and have a ton of friends?
… Now that's a scary thought.
The sound of the school bell called for the end of lunch break.
"Looks like we'll have to head back to class."
"Yeah…"
Orimoto turned to leave but after taking a few steps she looked back at me, "Aren't you coming, Hikigaya?"
"You go on ahead. I'll take another route."
My answer made her frown, "No one's going to care if we walked back together."
"You underestimate the imagination of the average teenager. Trust me when I say, people are gonna talk."
"Well… let them talk. I don't care."
I sigh at her stubbornness, "Orimoto, its-"
"I'm going to get angry."
I narrowed my eyes at her and tried to look intimidating but she was having none of it and glared back in defiance. This went on for about a minute before I sighed and broke the stare down.
"Fine. Don't blame me when you regret this."
"Eheheh, I won't." she said this with such a cheeky smile that it made me hot under the collar. As we walked back to our classroom I couldn't help but be a little hopeful about our current relationship.
Maybe…
Maybe being optimistic just this once wouldn't hurt.
Oh how wrong I was…
AN: And that wraps up part 1 of the middle school arc. While it wasn't as interesting to write as chapter 1 it was still entertaining. I hope you guys like the interactions between the characters so far.
For those who are wondering why Hachiman is having an easy time talking to Orimoto, or girls in general, it's because he isn't as hopeful as he is in cannon then he is now. Training with Saki and his master, plus wise words from his father, have taught him more about self-control. He also understands that he will, most of the time, never have normal interactions with his peers. So he isn't actively searching for friendship or wanting to fit in with the crowd. You could say he has matured faster into a logical person like his high school counterpart while he is still in middle school.
Not much action this chapter but I promise you shit kicks into gear in the next. You'll just have to wait while my editor and I process the shit load of words in the following chapter. I swear it might be double the amount of this one.
Anyway, that about wraps things up. Review and Critic my lovely readers. As always, see you next time! KitsuneLovers, out!
Reference:
[1] Dracula + Hachiman = Dracuman! Lord of the loners and King of the cynics!
[2] Original Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire reference. Pokeblocks are used to increase a pokemon's contest stats. Pink pokeblocks increase cuteness attribute.
[3] The numbers 2610 is actually Saki's birthday, 26 October.