Someone asked me before about Anastasia's shortened nickname not being Russian-sounding, well, it was canon nickname, probably given to her by her Japanese friends who think White people are Westerners. Regardless, she will be referred as Anya in this story, the same way she was called in Idolmaster series.

"Game set, 6-5 Won by Hikigaya!"

Hachiman almost dropped to his knees from the sheer physical and mental exhaustion he experienced. It was to the point that Zaimokuza actually has to catch his falling body when he walked out of the field.

It was at that point when Hachiman realized that Zaimokuza is far more muscular than he appear. It seems like that it's not just fat that was hidden in his body before, now that he lost most of his fat, all that's left were muscles originally supporting twice the weight.

"My loyal retainer, you truly have outdone yourself!" Zaimokuza shouted, as usual he simply cannot help himself, "Truly worthy of the name Hachiman!"

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Hachiman raised one eyebrow, but too tired to parse out his thought properly.

Saika cheerily grabbed his hand and shook it, "You did it, you went to Semifinal, Hachiman!"

Hachiman smiled weakly. At least Saika still as sweet as he can remember.

"Can I punch Miura yet? Scrub my ass." Hachiman looked at his scoreboard, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, 6-5. "The last set against a seeded player. I can hardly believe I won at all. We're lucky they use the first to reach 6 rule instead of enforcing difference of two games.*"

"Winning by the skin of your teeth huh, that's tough." Saika smiled, "I'm the first seed so that means you're the only unseeded player in the semifinal."

"Is that so? How quaint." Hachiman picked up the protein/creatine shakes he prepared beforehand and drink it to replenish his energy and repair his muscle damage.

"Tomorrow's match against Motemitsu-san from Sainan High." Saika checked, "I think you would easily win, Hachiman. You won against third seed after all."

"What's with that confidence? Is he unskilled or what?"

"Motemitsu-san is really good, but his plays were too centered on flashy and stylish defense. That's why he's the fourth seed." Saika explained, "If you keep press forward he will crumble eventually."

"I see, and how you fought him in the previous tournament?"

Zaimokuza was about to say something but Hachiman told him to shut up.

"I just use my usual topspin attack." Saika smiled sweetly, much to Hachiman's embarrassment of being charmed. "Motemitsu-san is bad at dealing with overwhelming offensive play."

"Eh? I suppose I can do that too." Hachiman said, "Speaking of which, how many points you have at the moment?"

"Well, I won Chiba Peanuts, that means 36 points, I won Aeon Top Gun which gives me 52 points, so at the moment I have 88 Points." Saika explained, "If I lose in the semifinal, that means I get 15 points, and the finalist get 30 points while the winner of Silverwind Cup gets 54 Points."

At first, Hachiman seriously questions the massive discrepancy of points between the two tournaments even though both are grade 4.

Generally, tournament directly sponsored by JTPA (Japanese Tennis Player Association) tend to have higher tournament points like that. For example, Chiba Junior Circuit that Yumiko won last August granted her 60 points. Likewise, Chiba Peanut Bowl might have been grade 5, but it grants the winner whopping 36 points.

Even so, the fact that Hachiman reached this place isn't entirely out of the field. According to Hachi, Yumiko only started getting serious again in tennis for about 6 months, and 6 months ago, Hachiman and Yumiko would be on almost even terms.

Back when he and Yukino fought and defeat Yumiko and Hayato, people in the class actually started talking to him until they get bored, mostly because their interest in him was onesided.

Taking this into account, Hachiman was more surprised by his own warped standard than anything else. Maybe he underestimated himself? Consequently, he looked down to the opponent he defeated.

It's not that his opponents are scrubs, rather, it was Hachiman himself who was good. Yumiko, Hachi, and his trainer at S-Re might have realized this from the get-go.

Hachiman honestly doesn't care much about the points themselves, or his actual value in competition. He had very little ambition of actually going pro. He only came here because he had nothing better to do.

Hachi, on the other hand, actually was rather hopeful.

And now she was left behind far too much, only have the Peanut Bowl to her name. She absolutely has to win Silverwind and place high in the March's Chiba Junior Tennis Tournament if she wanted any chance to go into Nationals.

"Everyone is working hard to go to All Japan Junior. I could hardly imagine it." Hachiman snorted, "What about you, Saika?"

"It's completely impossible for me, even if I tried." Saika laughed, "By the time Kanto Junior begin, I will be eighteen years old and not qualified under junior tennis category."

Hachiman always forgot that Saika was the oldest boy in the class 2-F, he will turn eighteen in May 9th next year, and no longer eligible to join in Junior tournaments anymore.

Basically, anyone who got their eighteenth birthday before July, where Kanto Junior Tennis tournament is held, might as well give up.

As for Hachi, well, her birthday is in 8th of August, so she could barely scrape by. Her birthday would be right before All Japan Junior itself, meaning she would still eligible in the qualifier.

"Sorry to hear that." Hachiman sighed, he seriously felt bad for Saika.

If only Saika could meet someone like Hachi earlier, surely...

"It's alright, Hachiman. I tried hard because I don't want to have any regrets. My current target now is winning Grade 3 Chiba Junior Tennis Tournament coming in March."

"Ahhh right, it's the last tournament before we become third years huh. What a timing."

Perhaps, instead of aiming to join National tournaments, Saika wanted his junior tennis career end up with him being the strongest junior player in the prefecture. That much, it would not be impossible.

"Well, I will be happier if Hachiman can be there too!" Saika smiled at him innocently.

Ah, Saika, even though he grew so manlier compared to how he remembered him, Hachiman still could feel the sheer cuteness irradiating from him!

"Well, I don't see why not," Hachiman replied nonchalantly, not like he had some ambitious life goal or anything since he wanted to be a house husband anyway.

Noticing the suddenly quiet crowd, Hachiman saw Hachi, Hina and Iroha walked side by side as they chat away. Hachi was drenched in as much sweat as he is, though her face looked absolutely fresh and content.

Huh, must have been overwhelmingly easy victory for her.

"Yo, did you two win?" Hachi asked.

"Yeah, we're going to semifinal tomorrow, Hikigaya-san." Saika happily smiled, "What about you?"

He was really happy that it doesn't seems that Hachi no longer took a distance away like before.

"Just the regulars." Hachi shrugged, "To be honest I'm not entirely confident I can win tomorrow, since I'm fighting the first seed."

"Miura seems to think otherwise." Hachiman scoffed. It would be downright impossible for Hachi to lose in this tournament, since this tournament benefit her than any other girls. It's almost rigged!

Zaimokuza Yoshiteru looked thoughtfully at Iroha and Hina who seems to keep staring at Hachiman for some reason, still, its not like the aspiring author doesn't understand. Just like him, Iroha and Hina knew very well the secret past of Hikigaya Hachi. Which gets even more confusing the more he think about it.

Could it be that Hachi was hiding the truth? Or maybe she was mistaken?

Still, it seems that it became an unspoken agreement between members of the Juvenile Literature Club not to ask Hachiman's origin and true identity. It was kind of amazing that they acted like his existence the most natural thing in the world.

It's not that Zaimokuza felt suspicious or wary of him, on the contrary, Yoshiteru did in fact like him. Hachiman seemingly knew so much about Zaimokuza's preferences, mindset and habit that it feels like as if Hachiman knew him for a long time. Hell, the first time they met, Hachiman actually said his name before they even get introduced to each other.

"Zaimokuza Yoshiteru," Hachiman muttered.

"OOOOH! YOU EVEN KNOW MY NAME BEFORE I COULD SAY IT! WE ARE TRULY BOUND BY FATE!" He excitedly hugged Hachiman, much to Ebina's delight. Both Hachi and Ebina also took pictures. "MY LOYAL RETAINER!"

Hachiman was actually angry enough to hit Zaimokuza right on his chin with the base of his palm and pushed him away. "So you become thin as hell like this huh? What happened?"

"Uh, let's just say I had a little... phase of depression and lost a lot of weight." Zaimokuza suddenly calmed down and look... normal, even. "These loyal comrades of me have supported me through grueling therapy, and I guess I also owe Hiratsuka-sensei as well."

"And yet your second-year middle school disease still persist huh." Hachiman scoffed.

"Ano, forgive me if I'm wrong, but Hikigaya-s-senpai, do you know Zaimokuza-senpai before?" Sawako asked.

"Maybe our fate really is tied together, I guess." He cryptically told her.

And if Hina's stories weren't wrong, Hachiman behaved similarly to other students around him. Fact is that Hachiman somehow managed to mention Sagami's name despite it supposed to be the first time they met.

It's not that Zaimokuza was suspicious, but it's impossible for Zaimokuza not to be curious. And he didn't think Iroha or Hina were any different, all this time Iroha too, probably wondering who exactly Hikigaya Hachiman is.

And he highly doubt Hachi did not know about it.

It's just that no one asked, and she didn't feel the need to tell them.

Zaimokuza honestly a bit annoyed, even if something is understandable doesn't make it acceptable.

But...

Zaimokuza who hid his depression for months before breaking down probably have no right to ask Hachi about it.

"Hey Hachiman." Hachi said as she forcefully pulled Hachiman's ear closer much to his ire, however his fury replaced by shock when she whispered him something. "I'm going to tell you the details later but you better go for now."

"I see." Hachiman wore his hat as his expression turned stiff, "Besides I don't know what I would say to her if we meet that person now."

Zaimokuza and Iroha's ears perked up while Saika tilted his head innocuously, because for all intent and purposes, Saika is the only person in this group who is completely out of the loop.

"Well, looks like it's time out now, we have to go home." Hachiman said.

"Man, that would be a waste." Zaimokuza hummed.

"Yeah, would be nice if we can talk about tennis more for tomorrow match." Saika whined, then he smiled."...What if we have a sleepover at my house instead?"

"Eh? Is it fine?"

"It's fine, I'm the only child after all. I'm very sure my parents will be happy if I can bring a friend in." Saika said, "So what about it, Hachiman? Yoshiteru-san can come too!"

"Wait, me too?"

Honestly, from Saika's perspective, they have been the only friend for, what, a couple of days? And yet, Saika would ask Hachiman straight away. Hachiman knew part of it was because Saika knew his sister, so Hachiman would be a trustworthy person at least but still... that only show how desperate Saika is for a male company.

Hachiman looked at Zaimokuza who acted unusually reserved. Hachiman don't know what else changed with Zaimokuza aside of physically, but the Zaimokuza he remember would just barge to his and Saika's private time together uninvited, shamelessly without question.

Maybe it's good time to learn how much they have changed than he remember.

"It's fine if you don't want to come, more time for Saika and me to bond as men." Hachiman grinned smugly.

Zaimokuza popped veins and pointed, "Of, of course I will come! You bastard! I'll have to get back to my apartment though, can you give me the address on the GPS?"

Saika told Zaimokuza where is the position of his house on the map, "Alright then, I'll come later after some dinner."

"Ehh? Can't we have a dinner together at least?" Saika looked a bit sad.

"I would love to, but I promised someone to have a dinner together." Zaimokuza chuckled, "You'd have to do with my retainer instead."

Hachiman raised his eyebrow, "Hmm? Was it a girl?"

"Well-"

"Zaimo-kun, what are you talking about?"

Zaimokuza was cut off when Hina called his name, incredibly affectionately, if Hachiman must add. Hoo, just how far their relationship had gone? Zaimokuza looked completely innocuous though everyone could see that Hina seems to be far too delighted about it.

"Ebina-san likes Yoshiteru-san, I think." Saika whispered at Hachiman.

"I can see that. Are they dating?"

"No, Miura-san told me that at least."

Hoh, so Ebina is holding back, or maybe she simply enjoy her time. Hachiman would not be surprised if it's the latter, since she likes to bring everyone to her own comfortable pace.

Even across the different world in different circumstances, there's part of people that simply would not change. Despite their stark difference in circumstances, Hachi and Hachiman shares the same understanding of the world and the people in it, just from entirely opposite approach.

"I see, then let's go to my house first."

Hachiman and Saika ride all the way to Hikigaya residence, and Hachiman brought Saika in.

"I'm home," Hachiman said.

"Welcome home, Hachiman. How was the tournament? Did you lose?" The father asked, "Have you get a dinner yet?"

"I won, tomorrow is semifinal and final matches." Hachiman smiled, "I'll skip dinner, tonight I'll spend at Totsuka's residence."

"Totsuka?" The father squeezed his eyes, then he recognized Saika as one of his idol's cousin and Hachiman's classmate. "Ah, you're Anya's cousin."

"Domo, I'm Totsuka Saika. Thank you for always taking care of her." Saika bowed, "I hope she didn't make too much trouble at the Studio."

"Don't worry, she's been working really hard since you came to visit." The father smiled, putting emphasis on his words so as to make sure Saika knew he had positive influence. "I hope you can visit her again sometimes."

Sly manipulative asshole. Hachiman remarked mentally. Not that he was any better since he was the first one to get the idea.

Of Course, Saika was none the wiser. He was too innocent to understand the depth of a Producer's depraved mind. Hachiman of course understood, after all, an apple doesn't fall off too far from the tree.

"Well, we're both going to semifinal tomorrow, and if we both won, we might face each other in the final." Hachiman explained, "So we want to discuss strategy to win the first match tomorrow. I'm wondering if sleeping at his place is okay."

"I see, I'll tell your mother and everyone else later. Just enjoy it while you can."

"I'm just going to take a quick shower and pack my clothes quick." Hachiman grinned and then went to the laundry room to dump his sweaty tennis gear and then get a quick warm shower.

"Totsuka-san wasn't it?" The father muttered, "Forgive if I remember wrong, you're Hachiman's classmate after he transferred?"

"Yes, we're both in class 2-F."

"I see, what do you think about my son? He... didn't talk much to me or his mother, you see. I'm wondering if he fit in with the rest of the class."

"At first Hachiman always been distant and somewhat blunt, it's hard to talk with him, honestly. So people can be a little cautious of him." Saika showed a hint of sadness when he told the father, "But Hachiman always been helpful to everyone in the class even if he didn't say much about himself, so I don't think anyone would come to dislike him. I think."

"I see, glad if you say so." The father sighed in relief.

"Your daughter, Hikigaya Hachi-san also helped me a lot in the past six months. Without her, it would be impossible for me to reach this level of competition." Saika told him with even stronger emotion, "She's been my inspiration all this time, along with my classmate Miura-san. There's no way I can repay their effort except to continue working hard even if we separated our ways."

The father wonder if there's more to that story than Saika let out, but he decided not to ask.

"So, have you got a girlfriend yet?"

"No, I never have one before." Saika frantically flailed, this was one of those question that only embarrassing when someone much older asked him. When someone his age asked, Saika always answered in stride.

"I see, what do you think about your cousin, Anya?"

"Anya?" Saika tilted his head, confused. "I guess she's cute and very popular with the boys. Plus, she doesn't look Japanese and that's why people think she looks exotic. Well, I'm no different, though. When we're still little, people mistook us for twins."

"That's not what I mean though." The father furrowed his eyebrows, wondering if Saika was that chaste and didn't realize the implication. "I was wondering if you see her as a little sister or something else."

"I used to think that way, well, not anymore. I guess it's because she's already working full time, I feel like I was left behind and not a proper big brother anymore." Saika's face suddenly stopped looking cute and far more masculine, far less childish than before, which made the Producer stunned. "Remembering it made me sad and somewhat envious actually."

Maybe he really wasn't as innocent as he looked?

The producer hummed, "Having complicated feelings toward someone means you're growing up. Only children have the privilege of simple and rigidly defined relationship."

"Pardon me, but I don't get it." Saika mumbled.

The producer raised his finger "Well, for example, if you're romantically interested in a female friend. If you're a child, you would just confess your love for her without a care in the world. Have you experienced something like that?"

"Mmmh, I don't think I have, it's something I heard from others a lot, rather." Saika nodded, "At some point, you also think about your other friends and your family when it comes to having a relationship."

"Yes, that's just what it means to grow up." The Producer pointed, "Your view of your cousin isn't any different. You could admire her and adore her while at the same time being envious of her."

"I see." Saika smiled, his confidence seemingly restored. "Thank you, Hachiman's father."

"Least I could do for my son's friend."

"Sorry, Saika. You didn't wait too long did you?" Hachiman asked, already dressed in a tracksuit and carrying a small bag of clothes alongside his tennis racquet bag.

"Not really, your father is really nice, Hachiman."

"I'm very sure your parents will be super nice too."

As the two boys happily chatted and left, Producer Hikigaya let out a deep sight.

"What about you, Hachi?"

Hachi shows up from behind the shadow of the corridor, completely unnoticed because Hachiman and Saika were in a hurry.

"What about me?"

"You're not the type to eavesdrop for no reason right? So, what's your relationship with that boy, Saika. I remember you also ran away back in the Studio." The father look rather displeased.

"I was his mentor, I guess," Hachi scratched her chin, "And he's my unrequited love. Sort of?"

Okay, now this, really is awkward. It's one thing to talk with another boy, but to be honest the father wasn't entirely confident when it comes to his own daughters...

Back when Hachi was Hachiman, he used to be super protective of Komachi, to the point that he will threaten to kill any boy trying to get close to her. But after Hachi undergo transition, something inside him changed. Not only he become more attentive toward his eldest children, he also become somewhat morelenient, fully aware that Komachi is dating the Kawasaki brat.

And now he learned that Hachiman's friend -that's apparently close enough that he's having a sleepover with- is also Hachi's unrequited love, that's just a little hilarious!

If nothing else, Producer found both daughters seems to be attracted to the meek archetype, he wonder why.

"...You want to talk about it?" Her mother and Komachi suddenly showed up behind her and made Hachi screamed aloud. Of course, by that point, Hachiman and Saika were on their bike, several blocks away.

やはり, 俺の関係の値はリセットされました
As Expected, My Relationship Values had been Reset

Disclaimer:

Original Story by Watari Wataru

Chapter 16 - Reaching Hands

Saika's house wasn't at all unusual, in fact, Hachiman found it all too familiar. Just like Hikigaya's own house, this house also purely western design. However, it was slightly different in that it wasn't blocky apartment style like his own. It added a subtle Japanese touch to an otherwise modern concrete house, such as an angled roof.

It was also smaller in terms of total volume, however, judging from the massive area surrounded by the wall, the plot area must be even larger than Hikigaya's own. The house can still be expanded, seeing as there was apparently enough room for a medium sized car and it's protective canopy. And then even more room for Saika's family to grow a garden.

There might be simply no need for house expansion seeing as Saika was the only children. Or that expansion would raise the property values way too high for a middle-class family to pay the tax. It's always cheaper to build tall than wide in this country.

Hachiman and Saika both put their bikes on the outside border of the canopy, where they would still be protected somewhat from the weather but did not prevent a car from parking properly.

While crime rate in form of vehicle theft in Japan is low, it's just common sense to always have an additional bike lock when the parking area didn't have its own lock system. So they did just that.

Saika crouched to look on Hachiman's black cruiser bike out of curiosity, "I just noticed something. It might look similar, but your bike is different than Hikigaya-san. There's a lot of difference up close."

"Yeah, it uses inferior Morini Franco S5 engine. Power output should be the same but it consumes about 30% more gasoline and oil than Hachi's AM6, due to being an older design."

"Haha, no wonder it spews so much smoke."

"I know right, good thing that 50cc is free from emission regulation."

Saika opened the door and shouted, "I'm home!"

"С приездом!" Saika was greeted by the warm and welcoming embrace of his cousin, who spare no thoughts as she tackled him much to his confusion. "I've been waiting for you!"

"Umm, Anya, why are you here?" Saika asked, quite flustered as Anastasia 'Anya' Romanovskaya buried her face in his jacketed, muscular chest. "Also, I'm reek of sweat so please let go."

Hachiman rolled his eyes aside, he was sure Anya enjoyed his sweaty scent even more if someone actually asked. Not Hachiman though.

"Looks like I came at a bad time," Hachiman said.

Anya looked up from Saika to see the taller boy with terrifyingly dead eyes looking at her with a strangely warm smile.

"Помощник продюсера Хикигая." Anya let go of Saika quickly and bowed, "Добрый вечер! Рад снова тебя увидеть."

"Я чувствую то же самое." Hachiman responded with poorly accented Russian.

"Ты можешь говорить на русском, Хачиман?" Saika asked, with somewhat better pronunciation than him.

"No, I just try to remember common phrases in foreign languages," Hachiman replied with a snark, "So please use Japanese to your heart's content."

"I see." Saika laughed in amusement, "С Днем рожденья тебя, Аня!"

Wait, happy birthday?

"Eh? UH?" Hachiman balked in response, seemingly caught off guard.

"19th of September is Anya's birthday, that is, it would be today that she turned sixteen years old." Saika smiled, then realized something. "...Wait, my birthday present for you was mailed to Studio though. I have nothing to give now, shame."

"Uuu, sorry." Anya cutely twiddled her thumb, embarrassed because she thought it would be nice to surprise her cousin like that.

"Well, it can't be helped. It always happens whenever two people want to surprise each other. Remind you of the Gift of the Magi right?" Hachiman cheered them up.

"Gift of the Magi?"

"For the celebration of Christmas, a pair of penniless husband and wife want to give each other surprise present. The husband went to sell his beloved old watch to buy her combs, while the wife went to sell her hair to buy him a new watch chain."

"...That's sad." Anya and Saika commented.

"Indeed, it shows us how important communication is, and how lack of communication could turn simple goodwill into disasters." Hachiman told them, "That said, Happy birthday."

Of course, what Hachiman didn't them is that the Gift of the Magi also taught the priceless value of selfless love. Not like they need to be even more naively optimistic about human beings, damn it!

"Still, Romanovskaya, you're.. not afraid of me?" Hachiman asked.

Anya blinked in response and tilted her head in confusion. "Why?"

"I mean people think my eyes are scary," Hachiman pointed himself.

"I didn't notice it, honestly. Your eyes resemble Producer's own." Anya replied lightly, "I think it's the same with other idols in 346 Pro actually. Some of them find Producer scary because of his eyes at first. But I think most of them get over it soon enough."

Shoot, there goes the plan of repelling Kanade with his eyes. If anything Hachiman SHOULD wear glasses in front of her. If Kanade saw him without glasses, he was afraid that his virtue might not survive the encounter.

Seriously, in the last 30 days, his entire life had been turned upside down, his loveless yet peaceful and tranquil days had turned into busy and irritatingly tense harem comedy, so right yet so wrong as expected. It must be karma of some kind.

"Why are we talking in the hallway anyways, let's get in." Saika said, "I'll just get a quick shower and then we can get a dinner."

"Ehh?! You haven't got a dinner yet?"

"Well technically we got ourselves protein shakes so we're not that hungry." Saika ruffled her hair lovingly, "But liquid dinner isn't something truly we can enjoy right?"

"Hey, that's discrimination against soup and porridge." Hachiman pointed with utter seriousness, which made Saika laugh even more. "I agree about protein shakes though."

Aside from his mother being obviously of foreign blood, Saika's parents were exactly like what typical Japanese parents would be described as. If anything, Hachiman felt like they were a lot more normal than his own family is. Saika's dad was a CEO of a small corporation while his mother is a teacher in Makuhari International High.

The dad was a busy man, sometimes not coming home for a few days, but it was pretty clear that he was fond of, or perhaps, even clingy on Saika and always spoiled him whenever he had a chance.

The mother always comes on time and happily spend her time with Saika, even when she's working. Perhaps, having such good parent was the reason why Saika always been so nice and cheerful.

"Really though, I am grateful that Saika is bringing his male friend home again. That hasn't happened since..." The father loudly proclaims, but then wondered at the last part.

The mother commented as she kept working on her teaching documents, "Средняя школа?"

"Hmm, yeah, Saika hasn't been like that since Junior high, since he started Tennis I guess." The father twirled his old gentleman mustache, even though he most definitely isn't that much older than Hachiman's dad, the facial hair makes all the difference.

"Well, it makes sense for him to spend more time at clubs instead." Hachiman smiled.

Though Saika wasn't part of School Club anymore.

"Say, Hachiman, you look pretty handsome, do you have a girlfriend yet?" The father teased.

"Ahh... no." Hachiman rolled his eyes aside, "I'm actually not that good with girls."

"Yeah, not good enough that you rejected three girls since you transferred in, right." Saika commented drily and rolled his eyes aside.

...Did Saika of all people just snark at him? Maybe it was Hachi's crude influence rubbing on Saika. That must be it! Damn it Hachi!

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure my fellow idols also likes Hikigaya-san." Anya added.

"Hey, would you like to date someone you're not familiar with?" Hachiman protested.

The seemingly identical-looking cousins replied flatly, "Nyet."

"Exactly."

The father laughed merrily in response to these boys.

"I'm not sure if I should be glad or worried." The mother smiled, "But either way, I really hope you can stay a good friend to him, Hikigaya-kun."

Hachiman just lightly smiled back without saying anything.

They heard a doorbell and Saika went to open the front door, revealing Zaimokuza.

"Please excuse me." Zaimokuza raised a box of cake, "I bought this one when I have a dinner with Ebina-sama."

"You don't have to bother, Yoshiteru-san. Please come in!" Saika said.

"Is that another friend of yours, Sai-chan?" His mother asked.

"Yeah, it's Zaimokuza Yoshiteru-san from class C." Saika said.

"Nice to meet you." Zaimokuza bowed politely, "It's a honor to answer his plea for me to attend this sleepover."

"Archaic language?" The mother blinked.

"Please don't mind him, he's a writer and a bit eccentric." Saika wryly smiled, "Yoshiteru-san, this is my mother, my father, and my cousin Anastasia."

Zaimokuza screened the members of the family, but his sight locked immediately at Anya instead. "...Have I seen you somewhere?"

"Probably on Tv." Hachiman snorted.

"...Oh!" Zaimokuza clapped his hand in realization, "My apologies for being so rude."

Zaimokuza almost get a heart attack from that shock, thankfully he can hide it well.

...

And so, Hachiman and Zaimokuza finally able to see Saika's bedroom. Hachiman found it strangely exciting, because while he didn't have much in the way of experience looking at someone else's bedroom yet, Saika's room was kind of, well, unique.

Apparently, Saika had an entire house attic for his own use, right under the roof. It was honestly a bit too short for Hachiman's liking, however, the massive area of the room made the entire thing worth it.

Saika's bed was, to say the least, huge. It was obviously a double-sized bed. One might wonder why would Saika have such thing for himself.

Hachiman's mind went into weird places before he could regain his senses and shook his head.

"Oh, it can be used like this." Saika pulled the bottom part of the bed, revealing a pair of bed sticking out from each side.

"What the, it was designed for four people?!" Hachiman gawked in shock.

"That's ingenious!" Zaimokuza raised his glasses in complete amazement.

"Convenient right? They were originally storage drawers. It was modified this way so the entire family could sleep together." Saika smiled, "The mattresses were new but the bed frame was older than me."

"I see."

Might be the exact bed where Saika was conceived! Not that Hachiman would say such creepy ass thought out loud.

"I hope you don't mind, but we're going to be sharing with Anya tonight."

Wut.

Hachiman's brain shut down for all but five seconds before it could reboot back to life, "Uh, are you sure? I don't think that's a good idea."

"It's fine!" Anya assured him, which makes Hachiman all the more afraid. Seriously, just how harmless Saika family consider Hachiman and Zaimokuza to be? They're too careless.

"Alright, then I call dibs for the right bottom." Hachiman sighed.

"Nah, it would be completely lack of prudent for me, so I call dibs for right bottom." Zaimokuza looked away, clearly too embarrassed realizing that Anya will be sleeping there.

He and Hachiman both glared at each other, neither is willing to give up.

"Let's think about it later, let's watch some tennis videos before we can go to sleep." Saika said, "This is Motemitsu's match at AEON Top Gun semifinal, a month ago."

Hachiman quietly watched it even as Saika explained the details of the match. And Hachiman came to a conclusion.

Hachiman said in an annoyed tone, "I'm going to absolutely crush him."

"Yes, you should." Zaimokuza huffed, though he didn't realize why Hachiman was pissed.

Saika and Anya both winced.

"W-well, it's true that apparently, Motemitsu-san is somewhat a playboy." Saika sighed, "I guess those types annoyed Hachiman the most."

"Damn right, it's like Hayama with absolutely no redeeming qualities. Normalfag trash." Hachiman scoffed.

That was not the reason why Hachiman was really annoyed and fired up to win. Well, not the only reason at least. Hachiman couldn't in conscience let someone like him to fight in the tournament finale, no matter how skilled he was.

"Speaking of which, Saika, are you close with Hayama before?"

"Well." Saika rested on his bed awkwardly, seemingly unwilling to tell it. Even so, he decided to say it at least. "We're rather close as fellow club captain, but ever since I resigned from Soubu Tennis Club... well..."

"You find it hard to talk with him?" Zaimokuza asked.

"Sort of." Saika smiled sadly, "I honestly don't know what to talk about, outside club activities."

"You could still talk about Tennis." Hachiman said, "With Miura and him both. Or was it because you quit being the Captain that you feel you're not his equal anymore?"

Anya was the first to react with wordless shock. How could Hachiman be so cruelly blunt and hit him where it hurt the most?

"...It's more than that." Saika said, "Even before I quit, I always feel like a failure. Hayato-kun managed to bring Soubu Soccer team becoming runner-up in Prefectural Prince Takamado cup selection. I couldn't even motivate my club to join competitions."

"Saika." Hachiman sighed, "You're missing the point."

"You know, all those team camaraderies is useless in Tennis." Hachiman said, "Once you're in Tennis court, you're alone. Even so, now that you joined Ardor Tennis Stage, do you feel that way?"

"No. There are Chika-san and others too!" Saika replied strongly as Saika grabbed him.

"And you know the reason why?" Hachiman asked him sharply, "Because that's the difference between solo and team sport. In a team sport, everyone will drag each other and the weakest links in a team will get hurt, and get motivated to improve themselves so they don't get hurt."

"In solo play, it's not a matter of holding each other's hand." Hachiman flicked Saika's forehead, "It's a matter of reaching a common goal because you don't want to be left behind. And Soubu Tennis Club members made that decision despite knowing how much effort and faith you put in them."

Hachiman assured him, "You are not a failure as a captain. They are the failure as members of the Tennis club. You don't have to feel inferior to Hayama or anything."

"But..."

"I think I understand... what Hikigaya-san said." Anya suddenly muttered, "As an Idol, there are times where I'm not always doing a job as part of an idol group, but also going solo. Even when I'm alone, I do not feel as lonely as I should, because I know, my friends and my rivals are moving in the same direction."

Anya smiled, "So even this Hayama person is a club captain and you're not, you're both moving forward at your own pace."

"Hayama has been looking rather lonely these days." Hachiman snorted, "Pretty ironic, the school prince that everyone loved is the loneliest of all."

"He is?"

"Not just him, but Tobe too."

With Hayama and Tobe...

Saika was reminded of the time where he felt the happiest.

When he, Hayama, and Tobe sleep in the same cabin during the summer camp. Before Hachi confessed her feelings to Saika...

Saika had determined to keep moving forward as a tennis player, but as a person, Saika still plagued by doubt and lack of self-worth.

And because of that, he feels like distancing himself from everyone.

He wonders if the reason why he wanted to be with Hachiman is that deep down, Saika knew Hachiman would understand and help Saika, out of this self-imposed hellhole.

"Hey, Hachiman, Yoshiteru-san."

"Yes?"

"Let's have a sleepover later, with everyone." Saika said, "With Hayato-san and Tobe-san too."

Hachiman scoffed, "As you wish."

"Anya, sorry for showing you such ugly side of myself." Saika gently ruffled Anya's hair gently, "As you can tell, I'm not a reliable big brother at all."

"No." Anya hugged him tight and smiled, "I'm glad I can see this side of you, Saika-nii."

Zaimokuza had to pinch his nose not to get a nosebleed, this is way, way too cute of an inappropriately lovely display of care between family members.

Saika blushed a bit, still, he can't bear to push her away. Instead, he turned off the lamp switch and the tv as well as the video player. "We still have a match tomorrow, let's go to sleep."

"Damn it, we still haven't decide who sleep on the left side!" Zaimokuza huffed, no, he's NOT sleeping near Anya. That would be improper.

"No." Hachiman said coldly.

Anya decided to intervene at last, because it seems that neither of them is willing to budge.

"Hikigaya-san can sleep on the left side."

"But-"

"Assistant Producer Hikigaya." Anya begged with teary eye, "Please?"

Did Anya try to threaten him by telling people about his one-time job experience? Or maybe she didn't mean harm with it and simply called him with the position she most familiar with. Regardless, it's not like Hachiman really don't like it. He was just embarrassed. But to Anya, Hachiman was no different than his father, so Anya must feel more embarrassed sleeping next to Zaimokuza who was a complete stranger to her.

In the end, he gave up.

"If you insist." Hachiman surrounded himself with the warmth of the blanket and closed his eyes, facing away from the bed.

Saika put the blanket around himself and Anya as he also went to sleep, feeling somewhat relieved, protectively and innocently embracing her.

Zaimokuza did not miss the odd vibe between Hachiman and Anya, regardless, it seems that he's learning about him, little by little.

* In most official tennis matches, winner of a set must have two games advantage in addition to obtaining six-game victories. This may result in hilarity such as three days long set in Wimbledon 2015, the final result was 70–68.