Arc 1: And So, My Double Life Gets More Complicated Than Expected

Chapter 1: Hikigaya Hachiman Really is Unlucky

~XxX~

Life is unfair, and no place exemplifies that unfairness quite like Academy City. Those with power and potential stand at the top, and those without are crushed underfoot, never to be given the time of day.

So it's no surprise that those on top have an inflated sense of self-worth.

The Level 5s. The crème de la crème. The eight strongest Espers in Academy City. Those that stand above — veritable gods compared to the rest of us.

What a joke. No matter how close to godhood someone becomes, they're still a person and nothing will change this fact, no matter what Abilities they may possess.

So what if you can face an army by yourself, or recreate the effects of a high-tech military weapon? You still need to breathe like the rest of us, eat food like the rest of us, sleep like the rest of us. You still go to school like us, age like us, and die like us. In the end, we're not so different.

So, why then, do you think you're better than us? The answer is simple, really. It's because that's what you've been told by those around you. No-one's told you any different. After all, why wouldn't you believe that you're better than everyone else after being told so countless times?

It's that belief that makes the unfairness of Academy City stand out above the unfairness of the rest of the world.

Why, you ask? Because, in order to elevate one person to a position of respect and admiration, another must be given the exact opposite treatment. But in this case, it's not just one person. It's everyone that this city deems "talentless." Those without the talent to become Espers are worthless to this city, while those with talent are praised. Even among the "talented", there are those who can only elevate themselves so far and are then in turn treated with contempt by those above them because they aren't good enough to reach their level, and are hated by those below them because they were able to rise above others.

So, basically, the unfairness of this city can be summarized like this: it doesn't matter how talented you are, you'll never be good enough. Even if you stand above someone else, you're still not good enough no matter how big the difference between you and another is.

~XxX~

1-1-1

~XxX~

Hiratsuka-sensei stared at me with dull eyes, a piece of paper held between her hands. I could see a name written on the top corner but I was too far away from her to make out what it said. I had a pretty good guess, though. After all, why else would she call me here? She must have really enjoyed it if she wanted to talk to me about it outside of class.

"Hikigaya," she began, "do you have any friends?"

What an odd question. "Define 'friends.'"

"Yeah, I thought so."

What's that supposed to mean? Just because I didn't answer with a 'yes' doesn't mean I don't have them. I mean, I don't, but that's not the point. She should have at least given me the benefit of the doubt. I don't come across as that pitiful, do I?

Do I?

"Do you know what this is?" Huh? Oh, right, she called me here to talk about something. Taking a look at what she had in her hand, I took my best guess.

"My essay?"

"Exactly," she said. "Now, tell me, what was the topic for it?"

"'Life in Academy City,'" I responded. "Why are you asking me this sensei? You're not at that age where you're going senile are you?"

The fist was buried in my gut before I had time to move. I fell out of my chair, arms folded around my middle. Note to self, don't antagonize members of Anti-Skill who are sensitive about their age.

Hiratsuka-sensei settled back into her chair, cold eyes watching me. "Hasn't your mother ever told you not to bring up a woman's age?"

She may or may not have mentioned that once or twice.

I pulled myself up into my chair, my eyes watching her for any sudden, aggressive movements. She got me once. She won't get me again.

Hopefully.

"Anyways," she began, "your essay. Do you know why I want to talk to you about it?"

Why? Well there were multiple reasons for why. "Because it's amazing? Because you agree with it? Because you're in awe of how much sense it made?"

She shook her head and sighed. "Not even close."

Now I was confused. If she didn't call me down here to praise me for my essay then why would she want to talk about it? There wasn't anything wrong with it. Everything I wrote was true. I opened my mouth to respond, but Hiratsuka-sensei raised a hand to cut me off.

"Hikigaya, let me ask you something. Why'd you drop out of Judgment's training program?"

"How'd you know about that?"

"I read your file. Now I'll ask again, why did you drop out?"

Fair enough sensei, fair enough. Now, how to answer? Because my fellow trainees were all grossed out by me? Because I was a weak Level 1 who had almost no chance of getting stronger?

"It wasn't a good fit," I said. "What's that have to do with my essay?"

"Nothing really," she said, "just an idle curiosity. Now, back to the topic at hand. Your essay. I want you to rewrite it."

"What? Why?"

"Because it was supposed to be about your life in Academy City."

"Then you should have said so when you gave the assignment." I would have said more, but she leveled me with a look that shut me up.

You're way too damn scary sometimes sensei.

"And, because of that crack about my age earlier, you're coming with me."

"Where are we going?"

"The Service Club."

Service Club? What's that? And why is she taking me there as punishment?

Before I could ask, Hiratsuka-sensei was making her way to the door, throwing a look over her shoulder that clearly meant I was to follow her.

I stood up from my seat, grabbed my bag, and followed after her, frowning the entire time.

~XxX~

1-1-2

~XxX~

Sobu High School was, like most middle and high schools in Academy City, located in District 7. Unlike most schools in Academy City, however, it put as much emphasis on Liberal Arts as it did Mathematics and Sciences.

Because of that, there were two ways to become a student here. You could either be the minimum Level required to gain a scholarship, or you could pass the rigorous entrance exam.

Hmm? Which way did I use to enroll? The entrance exam, obviously.

Hiratsuka-sensei and I made our way down the halls of the class building, her in front and me slightly behind, the only sound between us the click-clacking of our feet as we walked.

The silence between us wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't awkward either. Even if it was, I had no plans on breaking it.

I was a loner after all. I was born of the silence, made man by the silence, and I refused to be undone by the silence.

"Hikigaya," Hiratsuka-sensei said, bringing my attention out of my internal monologue and back to her.

"What is it sensei?" I asked.

"That look in your eyes is starting to get creepier than usual. Stop."

How rude. I was born with these eyes you know? It's not my fault they look like they belong to a dead fish. If you want to blame someone for them then blame my parents. I know I did.

"Sorry sensei," I said, "I'll do my best to keep them at their normal level of creepy."

"Good."

Hmm? What's this? Is that a smile I see you holding back sensei?

The silence between us came back again as we continued our walk to the mysterious Service Club. Based on the route we were taking, it was located in the special building that connected to the class building by two walkways on the second floor.

What kind of club was it anyways? With a name like "Service Club" it sounded like that. But that couldn't be right.

Could it?

Nah, no way. This was a school. Something like that wouldn't be allowed.

Would it?

I mean, it wasn't impossible. This was Academy City after all. Some of the things rumored to happen in this city were pretty out there. That would be pretty tame in comparison to some of the things I've heard.

It would be very tame in comparison to some of the things I've seen.

If it was that then why was sensei taking me there? Was she taking me there to be "serviced," or, and what a terrible thought this was, was she taking me there to be a "servicer?"

The first option was just insulting. Did she really think I was desperate enough that I'd have to resort to something like that?

What am I saying, of course she did.

As for the second option…

"Tell me about your Ability," Hiratsuka-sensei said, breaking me from my thoughts. Good thing, that. I didn't like the way those were going.

I looked at her, frowning. "I thought you read my file?"

"I did," she replied, "but it only said what your Ability is, not how it works."

My Ability, huh? That was a loaded question. I knew what I couldn't tell her, but as for what I could…

"It lets me see and read an Espers' Personal Reality," I began, "and if I want to, I can cut them off from being able to access it for a short period of time."

"How long is a 'short period?'"

I shrugged. "It depends on the person. The higher a person's Level, the shorter it lasts. I don't even know how long it'll take them to get it back."

"Interesting," Hiratsuka-sensei hummed, "and what do they look like? Personal Realities, I mean."

What did they look like? That was hard to put into words. There was only one way I could think that would fit.

"Blue," I said.

"Blue?"

"That's what I just said isn't it?"

The look she gave me was enough to stop me from continuing. Sorry sensei, but you asked a stupid question, and stupid questions deserve stupid answers. Someone your age should know that already.

Her eyes narrowed at me after I thought that. Jeez, this woman was terrifying. If I didn't know any better I'd have thought she could read my mind.

She kept her eyes on me as we walked, crossing over into the special building.

Why are you looking at me like that sensei? I know better than to say anything that might set you off. I might not seem like it, but even I have a high sense of self-preservation.

She must have seen something on my face that satisfied her, because not long after she looked away. Her body language indicated she was still annoyed but had better things to focus on.

Namely, the unmarked door she stopped in front of.

"We're here."

~XxX~

1-1-3

~XxX~

The classroom on the other side of the door wasn't anything special in and of itself. Chairs and desks lined the walls of the room, stacked on top of eachother in a cluttered mess befitting a storage room.

What was special about the room was its sole occupant. She sat at the only table not stacked along the walls, the orange glow of the sunset coming through the windows serving as the light by which she read.

Long, flowing black hair tied off with two red ribbons by each shoulder framed an elegant face; her uniform giving off a different energy than that of the rest of the girls in the school despite being identical.

I was frozen by the picturesque beauty of the scene before me. If I'm being honest, I forgot how to breathe for a moment.

Naturally, sensei chose that moment to start talking.

"Yo, Yukinoshita," she said.

The girl — Yukinoshita — sighed, placing a bookmark in her book and setting it down. "Sensei," she began, "haven't I told you to knock?"

"You never respond when I do," sensei replied.

"That's because you don't wait for me to respond before you enter."

"Exactly, so why bother?"

What kind of response is that sensei? Are you a child? You certainly don't look like one. Don't tell me it's one of those situations where you're actually a lot younger than you look. That would make me feel very awkward.

Yukinoshita sighed, annoyed by sensei's response. "Who's that with you?" she asked. "Some delinquent you need me to discipline before carting off to the Reformatory?"

Oi, who are you calling a delinquent? Just because I slouch, and my eyes look like they belong to a fish who died before its time, that doesn't mean I belong in a place like that. If I was a lesser man, that might have even hurt my feelings.

Hiratsuka-sensei waved the girl's question off. "No, no, nothing like that," she said. "He's not someone I need your help with. I'd be able to take care of him myself."

Well, don't you sound overconfident, sensei? Aren't you underestimating my abilities here? You make it sound like you could take me down with ease if need be. Which was probably true, but you didn't need to say it out loud did you?

"I see," Yukinoshita said. "So if not that, then why bring him here?"

At that, Hiratsuka-sensei smiled. "I'll get to that in a minute," she said. "But first, introductions. Yukinoshita Yukino, this is Hikigaya Hachiman. Hikigaya Hachiman, meet Yukinoshita Yukino. You know who she is right?"

What kind of question is that sensei? Of course I know who she is. You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in this city, let alone this school who didn't know who she was.

Yukinoshita Yukino — Year 2, Class J. Number one in all subjects of our year, and the most well known person in the entirety of Sobu High.

But that's not the answer you want. Is it sensei?

"Yukinoshita Yukino," I started, "commonly known by her unofficial title 'Ice Queen' and her official title 'Absolute Zero.' One of eight Level 5's in Academy City and the second daughter of a high ranking member of the Board of Directors."

Hiratsuka-sensei nodded. "And what's her Ability?"

Really? Is that why you brought me here? Or is it just another one of your "idle curiosities?"

"How would he know that?" Yukinoshita asked.

Sensei motioned for her to be quiet, her eyes locked with mine. Sorry sensei, but I'm not something for you to amuse yourself with.

The impromptu staring contest went on for a minute with neither of us blinking. I could see Yukinoshita getting annoyed out of the corner of my eye, frowning as she watched us.

Eventually, I blinked, letting out a long sigh. Fine, sensei. You win.

I shifted my gaze to Yukinoshita, who looked frustrated at the continued disregard towards her question.

Yeah, don't worry, you're not the only one frustrated about this. If I felt like I had a choice, this isn't something I'd want to be doing either.

See, the thing about having an Ability like mine is that, in theory, it seems cool and fun to show off to other people.

In practice not so much.

Picture this: a young child, about nine-years old, first day of class, sitting alone at his desk and reading a book. All around him his classmates are talking and getting to know each other, making friends like kids that age are wont to do.

But not him. He's never been good at that sort of thing. Not for lack of trying, of course. After all, what kind of kid likes being alone?

His attention is taken from his book when he hears his classmates bring up Esper Abilities. The ones who haven't gotten their Ability yet are talking about what kind of power they'll get and the ones who have gotten it are bragging about what they can do.

The child shuts his book, and begins speaking, drawing the attention of his classmates to himself, "Um, I-I can tell you what your Ability will be if you want?"

His classmates question him on what he means, so he explains.

"My Ability lets me know what other people's Abilities are. If you want, I can tell you what it'll be when you unlock it," he says.

They're ecstatic at the information, rushing over to the boy so he can tell them what their Ability will be.

At first, everything is going well, the boy telling his classmates who haven't reached Level 1 yet what power they'll get when they do. He's happy to help, hopeful that by doing this he'll be able to be friends with his class. Hopeful that even though his eyes look like they belong to a dead fish, those he's helping will look past it and see he's a good person.

He should have known better. Hope is for people who haven't been disappointed by life time and again.

Hope is for people not named Hikigaya Hachiman.

It was a simple question that brought my childish delusions of friendship crashing down around me. Just the simple curiosity of a classmate.

"Are Esper Abilities all you see?"

To this day those words haunt my dreams. I'm not sure who asked it, but that doesn't really matter.

What does matter are the repercussions of that simple question.

Even now rumors of the De-

"Hikigaya," Hiratsuka-sensei snapped, "we're waiting."

Oh, right. I'm supposed to be doing something. Something I'd really rather not do. Maybe I could pretend I forgot and sensei will let me off the hook.

…

…

Yeah, I knew it was stupid the second I finished thinking it.

Glancing at Hiratsuka-sensei one last time, I flipped the switch in my brain that was the trigger for my Ability as I moved my eyes back over to Yukinoshita. Unlike the last time I looked at her she now had a blue aura surrounding her body. Like the last time I looked at her, she seemed frustrated.

Ignoring her frustration, I focused on the blue aura around her, letting the information it represented filter into my brain.

Control over the particles that constitute heat.

I blinked as I processed the information. Huh. Interesting. Not what I expected, but it makes sense.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and prepared myself for what was about to happen. "Her Ability allows her to control heat particles," I began, "and, I'm assuming that means she can control the speed at which they move, meaning that by stopping their movement she can lower temperatures to absolute zero, which makes sense given her title. Conversely, she can probably increase their movement speed and raise temperatures to a state of absolute hot."

I kept my eyes closed as I waited for the inevitable exclamation of disgust and accusations of stalking. Damn you sensei for making me do this. Now the rumors are going to start all over again. Once again, I'll be known as the Dea-

"Interesting. An Ability that tells you what another's Ability is. I've heard of Abilities that let the Esper see AIM Fields, but never one that tells the user someone else's Ability."

Wait, what?

I snapped my eyes open and stared at Yukinoshita. Instead of the disgust and revulsion I'd expected to see, she instead stared at me, arms crossed and head tilted like I was some kind of puzzle to be solved.

This… this is a reaction I did not see coming. Usually people react negatively when I use my Ability on them. To be so nonchalant about it was new for me.

It was also kind of nice. Have I finally met someone who won't be put off by what I can do?

"I'm not looking at your AIM Field," I corrected, still confused and maybe just a little hopeful. "I'm looking directly at your Personal Reality. Are you not creeped out by that?"

Now it was Yukinoshita's turn to look confused. "Should I be? I'll admit, it's a little unsettling to have your lecherous gaze on me, but if I felt threatened I would do something about it."

This bitch. Now, instead of confusion, I felt annoyance. I should have known better. Once again, hope is for people not named Hikigaya Hachiman.

Whatever. That's not important right now. I still didn't know why I was here. The person who did, however, was standing off to the side, amusement clear on her face.

Oi, sensei, what's so funny? I opened my mouth to ask her, but I was cut off before I could.

"You still haven't answered my question sensei," Yukinoshita said. "Why did you bring him here?"

Hiratsuka-sensei's amusement seemed to grow even more at the question. "I brought him here because I wanted to see his Ability in action. Oh, and he's joining the club," she said.

…

…

…

I'm what now?