Chapter 1

Hikigaya Hachiman Moves On

"Hachiman! Hang in there!"

…

Okay. Level me with here. You've been with me ever since the beginning haven't you? And so, you probably know me, my ins and outs, my idiosyncrasies and whatnot, my thought processes, my philosophies, yada yada. Now let me ask you this, given the information you have of me, can you even imagine that I, Hikigaya Hachiman would be cheered upon by a multitude of Sobu High Students?

…

Let me give you a moment for that to sink in. Put this into mind, a crowd of Sobu High Students cheering for one Hikigaya Hachiman. And they're not being paid to do so. They're not doing so because they lost a round of truth or dare. They're doing so of their own volition.

…

I know right? Who would have thought? The one most hated in all of Sobu high being cheered on by the haters themselves? Hilarious!

But hey, let me give you some context. I wouldn't want you to misunderstand. Misunderstandings can cause a lot of trouble afterall. I would know. I've been involved in a lot of them. Starting from the very first day I was introduced into society, even upto until now in my senior year in Sobu. And the thing about misunderstandings is that no matter how hard you try to clear them up, you cannot just completely correct them if they've already blown up. And so the best way to deal with them is to address them as soon as you can, preferably ways before they blow up.

But the problem about misunderstandings is that sometimes, you won't notice that they're there. They'd only enter your radar when they've already become uncorrectable… okay I know that is not a real word, but you get my point right? And so, you'd have to live with the consequences for, well, the rest of your life.

…

What are we talking about again? Ah right. The fact that there's a crowd of people cheering for me. Okay, time for me to clear things up.

While it is true that these kids here are cheering for me, they're really not cheering for me. And before you raise those pitchforks of yours and poke them on me, be mindful that I'm still not done with my clarification. Pipe it down a little, or, as how Tobe would put it, "Chill out Yo! Bro!".

…

Ahem.

Anyways, as I was saying earlier, these kids are not really cheering for me. Well, except for a countable few like a certain silver-haired angel perhaps? Who they're cheering is not the 'Hikigaya Hachiman' but rather, the 'one of Sobu's Tennis Varsity Team'. In hindsight, I should have probably started with that huh? But ah well, what's done is done. We should move on.

And yes, I am now a part of Sobu's Tennis Varsity. And no, I did not do it for Totsuka… ok, that is not completely true. I partly did it for him because the team needed members in order for them to not be disbanded. But, I partly did it too for myself. I mean, I've always found the sport to be interesting. And Totsuka convinced me of my potential. Proof? Well, here I am, pitting against another player from a rival school for this year's championship. Yep, that's right. I made it to the finals. And that explains the plethora of Sobu High Students cheering for me.

You must be wondering 'since when did you enter the Tennis Club?' and 'what about the service club? Didn't Yukinoshita disallow you to enter other clubs?'. While I would like to answer these hypothetical questions of yours, I cannot for the moment. Because, well, I have a match to attend to.

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to win us the championship."

In the end, I wasn't able to net us the championship, as expected of someone who's just relatively new to the game. It should be the perfect excuse for me not to feel guilty right? I mean, if there's anyone who they should be expecting to do such feat, it should be Totsuka. They don't call him the prince of Sobu for no reason.

But, that's the thing. My guilt, it's not about failing to win Sobu the championship. It's not about failing the Sobu populace. It's not about failing those who cheered for me. It's much more selfish than that.

It's because I wasn't able to get the win for Totsuka.

It is a known fact that I admire the person that is Totsuka Saika. I mean, I don't necessarily try to hide it anyway. My admiration for Totsuka is something I proudly share to the world! LOVELY MY ANGEL TOTSUKA-TAN! IF ONLY I COULD OPENLY DECLARE MY LOVE FOR YOU WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES TO YOU!

….

Ahem.

This time however, it is not about my admiration of Totsuka. It is nothing as shallow as that.

"Hm? What are you talking about Hachiman? You don't have anything to be sorry for."

"But Totsuka-"

"Besides, this is your first official tournament. To be able to go that far is already a feat in itself!"

Even then, Totsuka is as angelic as ever. I don't even know if a lowly peon like me deserves to be in such presence!

"Yeah Hikio, you shouldn't undersell yourself. What you did was impressive. I wouldn't know that it was your first tournament if it weren't for the fact that I'm a part of the team too."

Oh. And I should also mention that sometime this term, the Sobu Fire Queen decided to join the Tennis Team. Which shouldn't really be that surprising considering her history with the sport. What is surprising though is the fact that she only joined now, on her senior year, when she could have done so on her first year in Sobu. I mean, there's no denying her capability regarding the sport.

But, I shouldn't stick my nose on where it shouldn't be. Everybody has their own circumstances, just as I have my own. And it's not like everyone's obligated to utilise their talents for the greater good of the many. Anyone who has plentiful of talents can be as selfish as those who only have a few or even none at all. Nobody should be forced to do what s/he doesn't want to do. Anybody should have a choice no matter what the circumstance.

"Ooh I just wish that I could've entered the club sooner so that I could've prep myself even more! I couldn't make it even through the first round! Seriously, why didn't you tell me that you've joined the tennis club?"

"What reason do I have to tell you though?"

It should have also surprised you that my relationship with the fire queen isn't as it was before. I am surprised too you know. We weren't exactly on speaking terms not too long ago. Although, I wasn't exactly against the idea of getting along with her. Wait. That's not exactly right. It's more like, I don't really care whatever it is my relationship with her.

Maybe it's because of necessity? Not on my part though. I've been living a majority of my life in solitude. One or two less of social interactions won't even cause so much a scratch on me.

I'm obviously talking about the fire queen. It's understandable. She's a member of the Sobu's social elites. It is needless to say that they thrive in socializing. Socialization is one of their primary needs. They are called social animals for a reason.

But if that is so, I still don't see the reason as to why she decided to be amiable with me. I get it that amongst her clique, she's only one who's been put in a different class. A class with me in it at that. Imagine the reaction she had when she first learned of that.

Surprisingly, it is not as bad as one would think. She took it pretty well even. Adding to the surprises that the fire queen had in store for me was the fact that she readily approached me without any hostility. On day one. Of the new term. Take into context that aside from the times that she had a request with the service club, we never really had any friendly interaction, much less an interaction.

I was so confused at first that I have called her on it. That she had an ulterior motive with what she was doing. And I made sure that I was as harsh a possible with my delivery, so much so that it will deter any future attempts from her. It made her cry. She stopped approaching me altogether… for a couple of days. Then she once again approached me, relentlessly, and here we are now today.

Honestly, I still question her intention these days, but, even if there is some ulterior motive to her being friendly with me, I won't regret letting her enter into my fucked-up life. I don't care if my relationship with her would only last until high school, as I've theorised most high school relationship do. I genuinely enjoy her company. We may still get heated from time to time, but well, I admit that I had some enjoyable moments with her too. Even if most of them were unsolicited. Like that time she made me lunch.

Unsurprisingly, Miura Yumiko is cute when she's not in 24-hour-hate-mode on you.

"Uhmm. Well… uhmmm… because I'm your friend? And well… you already know how good I am at tennis and how I was once part of the tennis club in my middle school…"

"Then why didn't you just join the club? Surely you don't need my permission or my presence there to join right?"

…

Is it just me or has the air surrounding us become heavier? And why is Miura's face getting redder by the second? Is she mad at me? What did I do or say to warrant such reaction from her though? I was just asking a question. I was just stating the truth! I am innocent! I am not guilty! Innocent I swear!

You agree with me right? It's not like I'm some important figure. And I am certainly not her father. She can join the tennis club whenever she wants. I'm sure that Totsuka will be very happy to have her.

"Uhmm guys, we should get moving. They're probably already looking for us."

Ah. I forgot. There's Totsuka with us too.

OH TOTSUKA-SAMA! PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR I HAVE SINNED GREATLY!

…

"R-right."

"Y-yeah. Sorry about that Totsuka-san."

Totsuka nodded as a response. I suppose that's a sign that he accepts our apology for going off-track? Ah Totsuka-tan! Such an angel you are!

"You know, I'm still thankful that you guys joined the club. I was really in a pinch you know? Ever moreso with what… happened."

…Totsuka.

"But anyways, I'll be sure to be able to play with you guys in the next tournament! I just cannot let myself slack off while Hachiman does his best! Oh, and of course, Miura-san too."

Remember what I said earlier? About how I failed to get the win for Totsuka. You see, there's a reason for my guilt. And depending on how one sees it, it may or not be a selfish reason.

Totsuka wasn't able to play this tournament. It's not like he doesn't want to. It's just that, with what has happened to him, he couldn't. He couldn't even join us on our practices. Can you just imagine what Totsuka, someone who's very passionate about tennis, was going trough? It's just unfortunate, what happened to him.

As a way to cheer him up, I aimed to win us the tourney. As a sort of compensation for him not being able to play, I wanted to win. I wanted to achieve what he could have achieved. I wanted to win in his stead.

But well, we know what happened. I am no Totsuka Saika. If it were him, he would've done it.

…

"Hachiman, you're really amazing. I guess I was not wrong when I said that you had the potential afterall huh?"

I maybe am, but there's no arguing that I am not as amazing as you Totsuka. That strength you possess, I'm not sure if I have even just the half of it.

After the gathering with the Tennis Club and some more, I am now on my way home.

Well, not exactly my way home for I had to take a detour.

"You did really well today Hikki."

As of the moment, I, Hikigaya Hachiman, am accompanying Yuigahama Yui on her way home. It was not a spur of the moment thing. It was not a penalty game. It was my decision to accompany her. I will not deny though if someone says that my decision was influenced by a certain little sister of mine.

"Make sure that she arrives safely at home okay!" she said.

"If you ever like doing something funny, you have my blessing!" she said.

"Oh, don't worry about me. Taishi-kun is on his way to pick me up. He'll walk me home." she said!

…

While it is not a lie that I truly love my little sister Komachi, she can just be too much to handle sometimes. I've been always aware of her bratty nature, but these past few months, it seems that she's became brattier more than ever. Must be because of hormones or whatshit. Or it could be because of her constant exposure to Isshiki, the brattiest brat of all brats.

Ever since they've been introduced, they've been pretty much inseparable. Come to think it, it might be Isshiki that caused Komachi's brattiness to amplify.

…

Yeah, it's definitely Isshiki.

But well, I suppose it's only fair. She's been putting up with me all her life afterall. Really, I have no right to complain when she's already dealing with that. It's not even a contest!

"It was amazing when you did that Swosh! And you did that Swash! And you did that Swish!"

Ah, Yuigahama, are you sure you should be doing those embarrassing actions while you're in public?

As if hearing my thoughts, the peach-haired girl's person went red. Oi. Don't do it if you're gonna be embarrassed anyway! And here I was about to admire you for your bravery for doing whatever you want without fear of social backlash.

…

"Ehe." Yuigahama mumbles, while doing something with her hands in a cute manner.

Acting cutesy won't get you out of this hole though.

…

Yuighama Yui. It is a without a doubt that we've become closer ever since the first time we've me. I've spent most of my junior year with her, and so far, all of my senior year. With the amount of time that we've spending together, and of course, the number of things that we have gone through, it is only expected of us to become close. I even acknowledge her as my friend now. And that's saying something considering that I don't use that word often. Acknowledging someone as my friend is a big deal for me. And she knows that.

To writhe. To struggle. To agonize.

Even with my unreasonable request of the genuine, she decided to stick with me. And so, as to return her favor, I stuck up with her. Even with all that had happened. To the club. To the three of us. To them. To us. To me and her.

…

I know what I've said about most high school relationships being temporal in nature, but to be honest, my relationship with Yuigahama Yui is something that I would want to last even after high school.

"A-anyway, you really were amazing today Hikki. You looked really awesome while playing you know? It makes me want to join the tennis club too!"

"Well, why don't you join? No one's stopping you."

"I… I can't. If I join, there would be no one to accompany Hina-chan."

"Why don't you just let her join too?"

"Hikki, you know that Hina-chan has a weak body. She can't do sports."

Ah right. I forgot about that.

"R-right."

"Really, you're amazing Hikki. Just so… amazing."

Okay. You don't need to say it too much Yuigahama. It's pretty… embarrassing.

I should stop this. I should stop her. I am not very good at taking compliments. Who knows what would happen if she keeps on flinging compliments on my way? I might turn to mush! That is definitely something that I wouldn't want to happen.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere Yuiyui."

Yuigahama pouted at that.

"Mou Hikki. I already told you not call me that! If you want to call me anything other than what you already call me, let it be Yui! Geez!"

And it is my policy to not call anyone by their given names unless they're Komachi, Rumi, or Haruno. Sorry, but it is how it is Yuiyui. No hard feeling 'kay?

"And I was having a moment here."

A moment that I don't want to be in apparently.

"I really mean it you know? I mean, just look at you now Hikki. You've changed. For the better of course."

…

Ah. So we're gonna talk about this now huh?

"You are no longer this society-hating person… well you probably still are but not to the extent that like was before. You already have people that you acknowledge as friends. You've become more acceptable of other people. And you've become even more dependable. Playing at the recent finals is one proof of that."

…I won't deny it. I have indeed changed.

Was it intentional or was it something that just sort of happened? I would like to say that it is both, though I am not sure which have caused which. What matters though is that I have changed. And I haven't resisted any of it. I just let it willingly happen. Sometimes consciously. Sometimes unconsciously.

If the old Hachiman would meet the current Hachiman right now, what would he say? What would he think of it?

"But even with all these changes, what's even more amazing is you're still you Hikki. You're still the Hikigaya Hachiman that I know of."

…

"Yukinon would be proud."

…

She probably would be huh? Hell, she might even wear a devilish smirk at it while declaring her victory over me. For finally being able to 'correct' me. For finally proving that she was right and that I was wrong. Unfortunately though, I have no way of confirming such statement of mine for as of the moment, there is no way we could be in contact with her.

…

But hey, look at the bright side. I no longer have to suffer from her insults anymore right?

"Hey Hikki, do you miss her?"

Do I miss her? I'm not really sure. I probably do?

What I'm sure of though is that I would want to meet her again, even if only for just a moment. I just want us to have closure.

Okay. I've lied about me saying that I'm not sure whether I miss her or not. The truth is, I am entirely sure that I miss her.

…

It's already been four months since Yukinoshita left us. It has been four months since the service club has been disbanded. It has been four months since I've been perpetually left with a sour taste on my mouth. It has been four months since my world has changed.

Sure, four months may not be that a huge amount of time, but if you're uncertain as to whether you'll be able to meet again or not, even a day is enough for one to miss the other. It is not like death where one is certain that they cannot possibly meet again (in this world at least). It is not like separations caused by permanent goodbyes because then, both would know that they won't see each other again. It is not like those times where people say farewell but are sure that they'd see each other again sometime soon.

Being separated without notice as to the reason why is worse than being separated by death, or break-ups, or divorces, or anything else that you can think of. You can't be entirely sure of what to do, how to act, how to react. Should you just move on? Should you find the reason why? Should you hope for closure? What should you do?

…

"I wonder if we'll be able to meet her again."

Yeah, I wonder about that too.

…

"Hey Hikki, it's fine now. I can take it from here."

"Hm? Oh right."

…

"Thanks for walking me home. Have a good night."

…

"Yeah. You too Yuigahama."

Hikigaya Hachiman Moves On – End

Before you say anything, let me just list some of the possible questions that you might have:

a. What happened to Totsuka?

b. What happened to the Service Club (details)?

c. Where is Yukinon? Why did she leave them?

d. What the actual fuck is this diceWW? Don't you have another fic that you still have to finish? A fic about the 8man and a certain OC of yours?

While I know that you want to get your answers right way, the only question that I can answer for now is question d. As you may have already noticed, Of Yellow Ribbons and Brown Eyes is on a hiatus. I have the storyboard but I just cannot find it in me to write it… for now.

As for this fic, I'm not really sure how long this one will be. I'll just go with the flow. Write whenever I can. And yeah, please don't expect fast updates from, though I'm sure that you're not expecting anything from me anyway. Heh.