Author's note: I initially might have thought of something big and fancy for this, but after all the drama this fic has already had, I decided to just give it the right ending.
Thank you all for your support.
With this story concluded, I'll probably be focusing on My College Romantic Comedy Had Horror As A Subgenre, which I haven't updated in quite a while.
I am indeed planning a new fic, and I have a few ideas. I'd be interested in knowing which of them you'd like to read.
(1) AU with Oregairu characters in the Kengan Annihilation Tournament
(2) Yukinoshita's Bizarre Adventure
In any case, let's bring this show home! Final Chapter: Making the Impossible Work Hachiman's POV:
I was standing in front of a mirror, examining my reflection. I might have mentioned once or twice before that Soubu High is a bit lax about its dress code. I think the unwritten rule is that as long as you're recognizable as belonging to the school, and look classy, you can modify the uniform a bit. This I had used to my advantage over the course of my three years at Soubu. I was still using it today, but due to the occasion, I decided to be a bit more subtle about it. After all, today was the last time I'd be wearing this uniform. I had the trouser, shirt and belt on right, but left the blazer unbuttoned, and had the tie on a little loose. Also, I actually decided to comb my hair, something I almost never do (I'd started cutting it short in my third year specifically because it was so much easier and more convenient). Right now, the guy staring out of the glass at me looked a little like the high school version of one of those men in black suits.
Sigh. This, after all the effort I went to for the sake of changing my lifestyle. Ah well. On the brightside, I really haven't been involved in any kind of street fight or brawl since then. And you know what? I don't really miss it.
Satisfied with how I looked, I decided to grab my bag and head downstairs, into the living room.
"Aight, Komachi. I'm 'bout to head out."
She gave me a look of faux disgust.
"Onii chan, stop talking in memes."
I sighed.
"Thank you, Dark Souls" was all I said, as I moved towards the door.
"Eh? What do you mean? Oh, good luck for your graduation ceremony!" she called out.
"Thanks!"
Waving, I exited the house.
It was still early. There was plenty of time, so I decided to walk to school.
The ceremony was to take place in the auditorium, and the field outside had tables and chairs laid out, since both students and the guests (their guardians and families) were welcome to stay for lunch. Miraculously, Mom and Dad would actually be showing up, and had left for work extra early so that they could have the rest of the day off. Komachi would be coming with them, since classes were off for the day. Oh yeah, I didn't tell you yet: she's made it into Soubu High. I'm a little worried because she hangs out with this one second year named Isshiki, who's a bit of a weirdo. She has her hair dyed blond and she's challenged me to "mortal kombat" ten times, saying she has to "defeat me to earn the legacy". Needless to say, I haven't accepted.
Still, I notice that all those punches she keeps throwing my way, which I keep dodging… are getting closer and closer to landing.
Well, she's got heart.
Feeling quite nervous, I decide to waste no time and start searching for the ones I must find. Because if I postpone this, I don't think I'm going to have the courage to say what I need to.
Let's see… where would they be?
Both of them liked to be early in case of big events, so I had no doubt they were here already. And if that was the case, the place they would more than likely be…
It didn't take me long to make my way there. I stood in front of the sliding door, and took a deep breath.
Now or never.
I entered the Service Club's room.
"Hikki!"
"Oh, you're on time for once, Lowlife kun."
I gulped slightly.
Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui both stared at me curiously.
"Are you quite all right?"
"You're sweating, Hikki."
Right. I probably looked nervous as hell.
Well, it's too late to back out now.
I've been pushing this moment back for a year. Honestly, it's a miracle they've both been patient enough to stick around this long. In so many ways, I'm thankful for them.
Almost two years back, I'd been rejected by someone.
It wasn't my first time getting rejected, but it was my first time getting rejected by someone I actually cared about.
At that time, the one whose endless positivity I had clung to was Yui.
And as time passed by, I'd ended up falling, not for the ideals, but for the woman behind them, Yukino.
I'd been afraid then.
Things were too good to be true.
I was certain I'd mess something up.
And, I wasn't in the right frame of mind.
It had taken me time to move on properly from that rejection. And that been, in no small way, due to the one who had done the rejecting, who was honestly the best teacher I could ask for.
But even after that, I'd been torn.
Yuigahama Yui was an amazing woman, stronger in many ways than I was. Her kindness, patience, and ability to stay positive and continue doing what she knew was right, had blown me away.
Yukinoshita Yukino was incredible in her own right. From clinging to the image that her family wanted her to have, to truly embracing her own kindness, as well as her own desire to be happy, she had humbled me.
I was more than lucky that either of them would be interested in me.
And that was why I'd been torn.
Like an absolute scumbag, I couldn't choose.
No, the word "choose" sounds wrong here.
I liked both of them. But whoever I pursued a relationship with, I realized, that the other would eventually be someone who'd drift apart from me.
To be sure, I don't think for a moment that they wouldn't get over me.
They were both too strong for that.
No, I was the one who wouldn't get over losing either one of them.
And so, the answer you came up with is risking losing both of them?
I ignored the voice in my head.
I already knew the risks.
But if there was one thing I'd learnt, it was to be true to my own feelings.
Yeah, you say that, but this third rejection is probably going to destroy you. What are you going to do when you lose them too?
I closed my eyes for a second.
Losing people is a risk we constantly take. By loving someone, we're always taking the risk of not being loved back. If that's what you're afraid of, then you'll never feel anything for anyone at all. And that… is a pretty shitty way to live.My inner voice was actually silenced for a moment.
Heh. You've got a point. Guess we just have to see what the answer is, huh?Guess so.
With my mind made up, I opened my eyes.
"There's something I need to say to the both of you. I've been pushing it back for a long time now. I should have said it ages ago. Just wasn't brave enough. But if I miss my chance now, I'll never be able to say it."
By now, the two of them were staring at me, their eyes slightly wide.
We'd spent a whole two years with each other without ever having addressed our feelings for each other. Even Yui, who'd all but asked me out, hadn't said anything about it.
"Yui, you remember I said, when I was ready, I'd tell you how I feel?"
She nodded, eyes shimmering slightly.
"I'm ready now. What I'm going to say is going to be unfair to both of you. I guess Yukinoshita was right. I really am a lowlife. But… I'll say it anyway."
I paused slightly.
"I like the both of you. Not just that. Over the time we've known each other, I've fallen in love with the both of you. And… I won't walk away from either of you. Not unless you want me to. These are my honest feelings."
Having said what I had to, I looked at the two of them, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
To my surprise, they were both smiling.
I somehow hadn't noticed, but they were holding hands too.
"Hikki… neither of us wanted to walk away from each other either. And neither of us wanted to walk away from you."
Even the normally cold Yukinoshita had a hint of red on her cheeks. With some difficulty, she looked at me.
"We t-thought about it. And the truth is… I wanted to be closer to the both of you two."
Yui smiled brightly, genuine happiness on her face.
"The three of us will be together, Hikki. Because, we love you too."
They were both holding out their hands to me.
I realized I had something in my eye.
Moving closer, I took both their hands.
The three of us… would always be together.
The graduation ceremony passed without any hitches. All three of us received our degrees, and we ended up meeting each others' families too. Of course, a three way relationship isn't really something we could tell them about right now. But one day, we would.
We also met all of our friends. Zaimokuza, Totsuka and I would be meeting up later in the week again for a night of gaming. Hayama had an all too knowing look on his face as he saw Yui, Yukino and I together. I wondered for a moment if he would out us, but ultimately, he just nodded to me, a gesture I reciprocated.
Haruno, as usual, seemed to know far too much as well.
"You think you can make something as impossible as this work?"
Well, she and I had always been frank with each other in our own ways.
"I've made impossible things work before."
To my surprise, she smiled in understanding.
"Fair enough. Yukino is a grown-up anyway. She can make her own choices. Just promise me you'll do right by her. By both of them."
"That is the one thing I have no problem promising you."
When it was all said and done, the three of us decided to go have dinner, just us.
"So… what plans do the two of you have now that we're done with high school?"
Yui was first to answer.
"Well, I've been giving it some thought. I'll probably start working in the family shop. Someone's going to have to take it over eventually."
Yukino went next.
"Nee san went to Tokyo for her Bachelor's… but I think I'll stay here. Chiba University is good. I am planning on pursuing a career in Law."
They both looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to say what I had in mind.
"I got in touch with a mangaka here and sent some samples of my work. I asked if I could work under him as an assistant, and he agreed, as long as I go to college. My scores are decent, so I'll be trying for Chiba U."
The two of them looked as relieved as I felt.
None of us knew what the future held.
But we'd face it together, and for that, we were thankful.