Chapter One

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Change.

Sometimes it's not easily detectable, sometimes it's obvious. Change can seep its way into the smallest cracks and break or make. It's not always big, one sentence that could ruin a relationship for the rest of your life, or it could be the greatest thing that has ever happened to you. One way or another, your relationship prior to that sentence…has changed. It's a s scary word for most, people often go out of their way for things not to change. Such as the effort put in by Hayama Hayato to prevent Ebina Hina rejecting Kakeru Tobe, therefore ruining whatever self-proclaimed peace that their little clique had. Peace is just another word for ignore. If you are at peace with yourself, then you are ignoring everything that might be bothering you.

One example that comes to mind is a simple sentence. "You have cancer."

Three words. That's all it takes to change the lives of one entire family. The change happening in that person's body, let's say it's a wife, wasn't noticed or present in their everyday life until their doctor told them. The adjustment from then on out would be a struggle, three kids learning slowly how to live without a mother, and a husband trying desperately to ignore the fact that in the near future he won't wake up in bed with anyone anymore. It changes, develops, and modifies the relationship between a husband and wife, and mother and children. Change tends to be slow, torturous, and agonizing. The husband spends his days desperately ignoring that his wife is now frail and far too lean, but honestly, how a father just ignore that his family of five will soon become four? The mother looks as if she's given up, pale, thinking to everyone and herself that there isn't anything left to do but breathe.

A change like that is on the end of the spectrum, wrecking lives all around it. Not every change can be so brutal. Some are subtle, not enough of an adjustment to affect everyday life. Humans like change, yet they don't… scientists and developers desperately try to create something new, that will be for better or worse. One new product at a time, one new step. It's inevitable, change that is. Humans revolve around it. But to say that humans accept change when it affects a life that they would consider happy…that's just plain conceited. Two faced.

It's all society's fault. Society is rotten, more so than I am.

Well I, Hikigaya Hachiman, can precariously tell you that I don't welcome change in the slightest. I don't do well when something changes, whether it's my pant size or it's the fact that my little sister, Komachi, seems to need me less and less. I detest change. It means I have to accept the reality around me, which I already do, and it affects my everyday lifestyle. There's just too much work involved with that. To work is to lose. A great line that I came up with, at some point in my life.

Something that I have noticed recently, is indeed, a change in my life. Now I'm not arrogant enough to argue that I can resist change and I can go back to my normal life. I'm not that kind of narcissist. However, this change that is happening right now…I'm not sure I could have stopped it even if I wanted too. Short or suicide, or ending my life that is, but that's an over the top measure that I wouldn't take into consideration. I value my life after all, It's the only thing that my existence was made for. Life, while seemingly pointless for some, is the only thing anyone has to do. You don't get a second chance; you can't have a redo. One and done. An alarming thought. An average of 80ish years to live per person, yet some people spend most of it working, day in and day out. Repeating a process that will never change, just so they can pay for a place that they can come home too and sleep, and then leave the next day. Corporate slaves, that's what I call them. Enemies of a free mind.

Society is to blame for this.

Where was I though? Oh right. Change. So it seems that I, myself, have encountered change recently in my life. And I'm staring at it with my own two eyes. Eyes that many have considered 'dead' or 'rotten'. Several of my associates have called them 'dead fish eyes'. I have feelings too; you know…

Well to be specific, I've always known that my eyes are detestable, but they haven't always been like this. Little Hachi was cute as hell, my eyes were bright grey! I honestly don't recall ever looking in the mirror and seeing my eyes anew, this change happened slowly, over many years because youth has torn me down, but I have built myself back up. That's how great I am. The current change that I happen to be staring at right now.

A hummingbird.

It's rare to see one of these around this area, and especially right now. It's getting dark out, on a Saturday. Komachi coerced me into going to the mall. She wanted a pack mule. There are tons of bags that I was holding, but strangely they didn't feel heavy. In fact, they were light as a feather, I didn't think anything of it. But now staring at this hummingbird, I questioned that. I stared at the hummingbird, which seemed to be in slow motion almost, focused on the tiny creature. I could see its wings flap side to side. Such an intricate way they fly. It made me nervous that I could see each individual flap as if it were in slow motion. I narrowed my eyes at the creature, and looked up, noticing….well….everything. The wall that I was leaning against was outside, near a bathroom where Komachi said she had to go. I observed everything around me. The few people who were walking around, noticing each individual crease of their clothing, and could see in plain detail almost every single one of the hairs on their head. I could see, a block down the street, the color of a woman's nail polish as she talked on the phone.

What was happening?

I tried to keep my face as passive as I could, this new change actually was scaring me. I looked up towards the sky and could see a bugs flying around. Tch, pesky insects. My eyes drifted towards the concrete, seeing almost each individual spec of dirt on it. My eyes narrowed. What the hell is happening… I looked down the street and looked into a café, seeing their menu in someone's hands and I could read each line of text, each price. I could see the simplest facial twitches; I could see the shift in someone's breathing. I could see….everything.

I heard the toilet flushed in the bathroom, and could hear the sink turn on. I could hear paper towel being ripped, and I could hear Komachi walking towards the door. I didn't know how I knew it was Komachi's but I could recognize her footsteps somehow. I looked towards a few passerby's listening to their quiet, hushed conversations, but I could understand them perfectly clear. I heard the flick of a lighter and looked to my right. Seeing two men, wearing burly coats and hats. They were a half a block down the road, and walking this way. Once again, I thought to myself…

What was happening?

The door creaked open, and shut, and I could hear Komachi's footsteps pause for a second and then proceed further, gentle and attempting to be quiet. She was trying to sneak up on me huh? I smirked slightly, hearing her get closer. Even though she got closer, it didn't seem like it got louder…it's just that ever thing was clear. The noises, and this new 'super vision' weren't giving me a headache, but it just kind of was too clear. I wasn't sure how to react to this, or if I hit my head and maybe I was dreaming? Komachi got right behind me now, and I could hear her take a breath, even as quiet as she did it.

"Sneaking up on me?"

I turned around and looked at my little sister fondly. She should know better to sneak up on me, I'm amazing, her big brother, I always knew what she was doing! Komachi's face turned into surprise and shock. "How did you hear me?! I was so quiet, I made sure of it!"

I smiled at her and turned around, "Let's just go home already, I'm tired." I wasn't tired, but I did want to go home.

Komachi huffed and crossed her arms, "I was sure that would get me some good Komachi points." She said under her breath, like everything else though, I heard it perfectly. Interesting development here. I turned around and started to walk towards the direction of our home. I could hear my own footsteps, and could hear the gentle breeze ruffling my hair. Odd. Komachi caught up next to me and started to talk about nonsensical things, such as how she was such a good sister, and how I earned tons of Onii-chan points for helping her shop and carrying the bags. Which once again, I noticed weren't heavy at all, despite the contents inside of the bags.

We started to walk home, and I just listening to my little sister. She was really cute sometimes. I could hear footsteps behind us still. It sounded like two people, grown men to be exact. I shot a glance over my shoulder, very subtly. The two men, one who was smoking, from earlier were walking the same direction as I was. I narrowed my eyes slightly. Are they following us?

We kept walking towards our humble abode, arriving at streets that were deserted, Komachi still talking about something and I absentmindedly would agree with whatever she said. The two men behind us had closed the distance somewhat and was about fifty feet away. I tried to make it seem like I didn't notice their presence. I had a dark look on my face, I knew it.

"Onii-chan are you okay?" Komachi looked at me worried, this time I noticed what she said because her tone of voice changed. We turned a corner, and I heard the men's footsteps break out into a run. I gulped.

"Uh, Yeah. Just distracted." I peered over my shoulder again, seeing them turn the corner just as we did. They were 20 feet away now. I narrowed my eyes, they both were smirking. Komachi looked behind us and noticed them as well, suddenly she looked scared. She stopped walking and stood behind me. I stopped as well and glared at the two shady men.

"Onii-chan…I'm scared." She whispered to me. Clinging to my sleeve as I put down all of the bags. I didn't take my eyes off of the men. The smell of cigarette smoke was repulsive. I turned to face them. As they stopped in front of us, only a few feet away. I protectively put my hand behind me, near Komachi. I wasn't going to let anything happen to her. My family is my top priority.

"What do you want?" I asked straightforward to them, glaring. I thought maybe I looked intimidating, but I was a little nervous myself. I wasn't going to show them that though. I eyed them up and down, both had their hands in their pockets, smirking. One was a shorter man, still taller than I am though, who had a beanie on his head, scruff on his face, brown hair, green eyes, cigarette in his mouth. I was trying to memorize their faces. Neither were slouched. The other guy was taller, clean shaven, glaring at me, and had dark brown eyes. They both wore large coats, with jeans, and beanies on their heads. I frowned, really wishing that they didn't have hats on.

The shorter one chuckled darkly, "We don't want trouble, just give us your wallet and leave the gifts behind." He eyed the bags. He was probably going to sell them along, to make a little extra cash. I narrowed my eyes dangerously, bending my knees slightly. I really didn't care so much about my own money, compared to my ID that was in my wallet, which held our address, my school name, and a credit card for emergency situations. The taller one was eye balling Komachi with a disgusting look. I really didn't like that. Most people who say they don't want trouble, will always result in violence. From my little experience with shady folks, and from movies, video games, etc. I kept my resolve steely, glaring at the two of them. This is bad. I'm outnumbered, and I'm at the disadvantage of both of them having size, weight, and probably experience before. In fact I've never even thrown a punch before, but I had to do my best to protect Komachi, because I really didn't like the way the taller guy was looking at her.

I tried to bluff, "Leave and you won't regret this encounter." I glared harder, face blank. I balled up my fist and I felt Komachi's grip on my sleeve tighten and she whispered my name. She was scared, I could feel that. Anyone who scared my little sister would be on my 'People to Kill' list that I have precariously kept for a few years now. The shorter guy, chuckled.

"Oh? Looks like it'll have to be the hard way then." Curses, they called my bluff. Both of the men, pulled their hands out of their pockets, and I noticed a small flash of steel and the sound of a two clicks. Both of them had pulled out knives, about seven inches long, and were ready to jump me. I noticed the blades were dull, but that wouldn't matter would it?

The next part happened in a span of a minute. But it seemed much longer to me. The two men jumped at me, blades first. I felt myself instinctively push Komachi to the side, and observed. I looked at their forms, both going for a piercing approach, at the same time. I don't know why, but they seemed to move slow, allowing me to move my body to dodge the first one, and I did my best to deflect the blade coming at me with my wrist. I miscalculated my wrist deflect and felt the knife slice through my sleeve and skin. The pain that associated with that didn't seem as high as it should be, but considering that I probably have adrenaline pumping through me, I hardly noticed it. My heart was beating rapidly. This is a new experience.

I tried to throw a punch at taller of the two, the one who cut me, but due to the height difference, and my own inexperience, I was only able to punch his chin. It seemed to work however, as his head was flung to the side quickly, and he stumbled away. I could hear footsteps behind me again and I looked. The shorter of the two was running at Komachi. I immediately felt a rage, one I wasn't even aware that I could feel, and I turned to rush him. With a speed unknown to even I, I got to him before he got to Komachi, and I put my head down and grabbed him around the waist. I heard the man get the breath knocked out of him as I tackled him to the ground. I heard the clanging of a knife fly from his hands. I sat up and readied my fist, aiming for his face.

I through the first punch and it landed right on his nose, knocking his head back into the concrete and dazing him. I was going to punch him again before my own head whipped to the side. A flash and pain flew through my head and I was dazed, unsure of what just hit me. I felt my body get pushed down to the ground and kicked again, sending my rolling across the ground. Damn that hurt. I looked up and saw the taller one rushing me, knife still pulled out. I cursed under my breath and stood up quickly dodging to the side of the knife.

Slash left, dodge.

Slash at my stomach, jump back in time.

I saw the shorter guy get up and run for Komachi again. I growled, no way in hell was I going to let anything happen to my sister. The taller man slashed again, but this time I grabbed his wrist, and I saw that he was in a compromised position. Arm over extended, and body far away from me, I made my decision. I brought my knee up with as much force as I could muster and rammed it into the taller man's elbow. A sickening pop resounded through the street as his arm bent in a way that I knew it definitely wasn't supposed to. He screamed and dropped the knife and I let go of his hand, bee lining towards Komachi again. This time as I reached the shorter man, he turned and faced me. I threw a fist at his face and it connected, sending him stumbling into the light post that illuminated the area eerily. He happened to knock over a trash can while he was over there and I turned to punch him again. My fist connected with his face again, whipping his head to the side sharply. I threw a kick into his stomach and he keeled over. I saw the trash can and picked it up above my head, spilling trash onto the side walk.

With as much force and effort as I possibly could, I slammed the trash can down to the back of his head, throwing his body onto the concrete ground, and he stopped moving. I heard footsteps approaching me again from behind and before I could turn around, the other man kicked the middle of my back painfully. I flew headfirst into the light post, with a resounding 'clang'. I felt my head split open just above my eyebrow and a liquid dripped into my eye. Ugh did my head hurt…

I turned around to face the taller guy again and his one good hand around my neck, choking me. I couldn't even gasp as I flung my own hands up to his, trying to break free from his grasp. I struggled to breath as he kept choking me. My own vision was wavering, darkness fading my vision, from outward to inward. I needed to do something quickly. I looked around for anything that I may have been able to use against him. If I let go… I couldn't find anything, so my eyes landed on his face, and his nose to be precise. That would be the best option.

Letting go of his hand, feeling my windpipe almost get crushed from the sudden pressure, I grabbed his jacket and pulled him towards me with all of my remaining might, and lowered my head. I felt the top of my head smack into his face and another crack resounded from his nose connecting with my forehead. His grip loosened and I felt a splash on my face, most likely from his blood. He backed away again, groaning about his nose. I used the light post behind me for support as I coughed and gasped for air. I had to finish this fast.

Without my full recovery, I sprinted at him, shoulder and head down and rammed my smaller body into his. I almost fell to the ground as well, but my balance saved me. I watched as the taller man was thrown to the ground from the force of my attack. Splotches were still swimming in my vision from being choked, but a drew a foot back and aimed a kick to his head. My shoe connected right on his temple somehow, and his whole head flung to the side. His body relaxed and the man fell unconscious. I gasped again trying to recover my breath and I overlooked the scene.

Trash was flung everywhere and the two men were both unconscious on the ground. I heard Komachi's footsteps rush towards me and it knocked me to the ground. I winched slightly in pain. I could see her blue hair buried into my chest crying, "Onii-chan are you okay! I was so scared! Onii-chan!"

I chuckled softly, determining that we were both safe now. I patted her head with my hand, noticing the pain all over my body now, and the blood that soaked my hand. I looked at the wound on it carefully. It was bleeding pretty bad, and looked to be pretty deep, but I didn't want to go to the hospital tonight. Komachi looked at me with tear soaked eyes. I patted her head again, ignoring the pain in my hand.

"It's alright, you're safe now." I said, "And I bet that earned tons of Onii-chan points." I added with an afterthought. Komachi didn't laugh but stood up and picked up the bags, I had to keep my one eye closed because I could feel the blood dripped down into it, and down my cheek, and dripping off into my jacket.

"We have to get you to the hospital Onii-chan! You're bleeding a lot from your head and hand!" I winced in pain as we both stood.

I shook my head, "No hospitals. I hate hospitals. You'll just have to take care of me when we get home." I eyed the two unconscious men, "Now let's go before they wake up."

Komachi hesitated but nodded, I picked up a bunch of bangs in my good hand and grabbed Komachi's with the other, wincing slightly and we quickly hurried away. After about five minutes of almost jogging, we entered our home. We were both out of breath. I dropped the bags on the ground and took my shoes off, immediately going to our kitchen sink to wash the blood off my hand and face. Komachi rushed to our closet where we kept medical equipment. I washed the blood from my wound and noticed the gash was rather scary looking. And painful.

Speaking of painful, I groaned as my head was pounding, and my laceration above my eye kept bleeding. I found a towel, which just so happened to be white, and put it on my wound, applying pressure. My back hurt where the guy had kicked me, I could feel bruises on my neck from when I was choked and my whole face was sore. Komachi came back with the equipment. She opened it up and grabbed a few things from it, and pointed to the table where I took a seat. She sat next to me, and grabbed my hand first.

She shot me a curious look, eyes red and puffy from the tears, "Where did you ever learn to fight like that Onii-chan?"

I shrugged, eyes closed. "First fight I've been in, to be honest." I winced as Komachi placed the antiseptic on the wound, a very painful burning sent pain up my hand into my arm. She didn't say anything as she sprayed the wound a few times and covered it with a gauze. Several gauzes actually. She wrapped up my hand tenderly.

She held my hand gently, and I heard the small splash of water hitting the table. I opened my one eye and looked at her. She was crying. "Onii-chan…" She started, voice filled with emotion. "Thank you Onii-chan…. You got hurt because of me."

I loudly scoffed, drawing her attention. "Please. Komachi those guys were coming for us both." I hesitated saying the next part, but I felt generous. "Besides, I'd do anything to protect you."

Komachi smiled and wiped away some tears, more replacing them. "Onii-chan that's really gross." I scowled. Really? Is that necessary? After I saved our lives! She giggled softly as she removed the towel covering my head and did the same to that wound as she did my hand. "Thank you though…" she paused, focusing on her work. "I was really scared; I didn't know what to do. But you saved me!"

Tears rolling down her face, but a bright grin in place. How could I not save a face like that? It's too cute Komachi, too cute! I smiled but looked away, slightly embarrassed. "Y-yeah, don't mention it."

For a while the two of them sat in silence, Komachi tending to my wounds, and I enjoyed being pampered. I was almost falling asleep though by the time all was said and done. Komachi left to go bath and I decided not to shower tonight, not wanting to ruin the bandages that Komachi so graciously placed on my head, and possibly restart the bleeding. I washed my face and brushed my teeth however, and tenderly changed clothes into my night time clothes. I looked in the mirror at my reflection while shirtless. My neck was covered in bruises, like I predicted. My eye and head was swollen, and I had a black eye. I looked at my hand and noticed the bruising around my bandage for that as well. Then I looked at my back and a big foot sized bruise was in the middle. I looked kind of cool with all of these wounds, but I was so sore.

I froze though and frowned, inspecting my image again. I looked at my body and flexed. It looks like I gained muscle…and actually had a lean look to me…I frowned, I don't remember working out at all that would warrant these kind of changes. I frowned again thinking about the word 'change'. I climbed into bed with several winces, my sore body protesting the movement. I doubt I could ride my bike to school tomorrow…

I felt my eyelids get heavy, exhausted from the day's events. I absentmindedly thought about what this could mean for my future now. What was happening to my body? And why… I closed my eyes all the way and decided that right now wasn't the time to think about it. I would think about it later. Tomorrow.

Before I knew it, I was fast asleep.