Chapter 1: A Familiar Face

Hachiman…

This voice in my head, where have I heard it before? I'm remembering… Waves of red, a sea of green? My head hurts, what is this? It's like I'm forgetting something important.

Hachiman.

There it goes again, it's in my head alright. It's a girl's voice, she sounds really young. I doubt she'd be my age. She doesn't sound like my mother, nor does she sound like Komachi. Who is this? The only females in my life who would call me by my first name would be my mother or my sister. This voice… This voice is neither my mother's nor my sister's.

"Hikigaya!"

I open my eyes. That voice sure as hell ain't in my head. Where the heck am I? I see bustling street, crowds of people walking to and fro. A series of restaurants, shops, and cafes line the street sides. I check my phone, it is 7 P.M. What would a stay-at-home loner like me be doing in a busy street at 7 in the evening? I must have had plans for today, although I can't remember them at all.

In front of me is a restaurant, Goose Place, it's called. Apparently, it's new in town and its specialties are birthday parties and whatnot. It looks pretty profitable, most of it is made of glass. On that note, why are glass walls a thing? Eating should be a sacred, private thing, strangers and passerby shouldn't be able to gawk at you while you eat! This is a ridiculous fad, just because you guys can afford a ton of glass doesn't mean you should buy them you know!? At least I have the benefit of using Stealth Hikki at places like these.

Suddenly, something gently collides with my right arm. Now, I've been hit by Yuigahama's fists many times so I know what a fist feels like. This is a fist, it's a fist for sure. I turn my head slowly as to not provoke any further beatings. I hear someone make a slight audible gasp and my eyes are met with a pair of brown ones.

I've been looking at my surroundings but how come I had not noticed her? Orimoto Kaori, the girl I used to like back in junior high was standing before me. What's more is that her face was only inches from mine. Her eyes, brown and bright, were staring back at mine. I can smell her cologne, though I can't properly describe it it's a pleasant aroma. I feel my face beginning to burn up, maybe, just maybe, I might have a fever. Orimoto's pupils dilate. She makes a soft squeaking sound before she takes a step back. We continue to lock gazes, then she suddenly stares at the ground. Is it just me or is she blushing? Calm down Hachiman, you might be misunderstanding things right now. Don't do anything stupid. For all we know she could have a fever too.

"What's up with you, Hikigaya? You've been standing there for a while now. I've been calling you! Do you only react to punches to the arm? Were you meditating?" She asks with mild curiosity while awkwardly chuckling and staring at the ground. Ha. Yes, Orimoto. I, Hikigaya Hachiman, am meditating. I have cast aside my "youth" to become Buddhist monk. I bet they would welcome me with open arms. I bet they'd look at me as a person, not as an anti-social, cynical loner. That doesn't sound bad at all, monkhood, eh? There's an idea.

"Not really, I was just thinking of some things." My tone of voice should imply her to leave me alone but since this is Orimoto we're talking about, I doubt she'd get the message.

"Really? You, thinking of things? Hahaha! That's news to me Hikigaya!" She laughs awkwardly, still staring at the ground. After making fun of me she should have gone back to normal yet she's still in this shy girl state. Honestly, woman. Get a hold of yourself, if I was a normal adolescent, hormone-driven boy I would be conflicted right now! Pull yourself together!

Orimoto continued her awkward laughter for another couple of seconds before it died down. "Honestly, Hikigaya. What are you doing here?" Good question, Orimoto, isn't that the question we're all asking? I look around the street, the crowds are still coming and going. This is a pretty busy street isn't it? My gaze lands on the restaurant in front of me. Goose Place. Restaurant. Specializes in birthday parties and whatnot. June 18. Yuigahama's birthday! There we go!

"Ah, I remember now. It's Yuigahama's birthday today. She invited us to eat at the Goose Place restaurant since there's a birthday discount. "

Orimoto laughs out loud "Honestly, Hikigaya! Forgetting your friend's birthday the moment you get to her party? How thick can you get?" Orimoto exclaims and begins to laugh again, this time it seems she's back to normal. Finally, you pulled yourself together.

"Yeah, well… My mind was preoccupied. Anyways, I'll be going in. They're probably already inside." I hope she notices that this is her cue to leave. If she were to join the party she'd be the odd man out. Besides, why would she be invited anyway?

"Yuigahama's the pink-haired one right?" Orimoto asks. Wow, how the heck did you know that, Orimoto? You actually took the time to know her?

"Uh, yeah, why?" I ask, I have a feeling I know what's going to happen next…

"I should greet her a happy birthday! I just got back from shopping so I should also have something here that would do well as a gift!" Orimoto eagerly says as she rummages through her bags. She was holding a bag. Four of them to be exact. After rummaging for a while she pulls out a Pink Pan-san the Panda. "Here we are, a cute toy for a cute girl don't you think?" she asks me while shoving the toy towards me. "Yeah… Cute…" I say.

Wait, Orimoto's going to Yuigahama's party? That's not good. Orimoto might tell people stories about my dark past! Knowing Orimoto, she doesn't have a screen for what she says so it's possible for her to begin talking about our junior high experiences. I mean, I don't care if people find out but it'll be bad for the party. Yuigahama and the others won't be able to enjoy themselves if they find out about my junior high life. I have to make sure Orimoto doesn't go to the party!

I begin to reason with her "It'll be awkward, you barely know anyone there." Not a bad first attack. "I'll be fine Hikigaya. I'm really good with people. "Oh, really? Well, next attack! "You must be busy, we wouldn't want to hinder you from your other priorities." Yes, pretend to care about that person, an underhand tactic, but effective nevertheless! "Oh don't worry I can kill some time with you guys!" Crap, that didn't work. Third attack! "It's really late, your parents might worry." Hah, the concerned parents card! "My family's out of town. I'll be the only one at home. My dad even told to try crashing at friends' places for the time being so it'll be safer for me." Orimoto says with a smile. Damn, what luck…

Before I'm able to say anything else, Orimoto asks "Don't you want me at that party, Hikigaya?" Uh oh, not good. "Relax Hikigaya, I won't do anything." Orimoto says, gives me a pat on the shoulder and a thumbs up. I'm amazed she's able to do all that with four bags on her arms! "Trust me once in a while, Hikigaya." Trust is not so easily given, woman. Sigh, well, it's not like I can do anything now. I'll just have to hope that she doesn't blurt out anything bad. "Fine, I guess there's no harm in you going. " I say, with an exasperated voice. Orimoto smiles again and shows me the pink Pan-san once more. "So, what do you think Hikigaya?" She asks.

"Yeah, Okay. Whatever. Give that to her yourself. I have my own gift to give." Honestly, what was I thinking, I'm actually allowing her to go through with this? Whatever, she can do whatever she wants, I don't care anymore. I put my hands out, signaling to her to give me the bags. She stares at me quizzically. Honestly, woman, take a hint.

"You're going to greet Yuigahama a happy birthday, right? You're also going to give her a gift. The least I can do is carry your bags for you." Ah… Now I'll have a lot to carry. Orimoto was surprised, but she complies. "Alright, Hikigaya! There you go! Don't drop them okay?" She says as she hands me the bags. Yep, not heavy at all.

"Let's go Hikigaya! We wouldn't want to be too late for your friend's birthday party!" She smiles and starts walking towards the glass doors of the restaurant. Great, she's more into this party than I am. This'll be a blast. I sigh and then begin to follow Orimoto into the restaurant.

Hachiman…

There it goes again. These images, waves of red, a sea of green, a smile… That voice in my head, to whom does it belong to?