22No, no fucking yaoi shit here.
If you're into that, get out of here, NOW.
Go hang out with Ebina or someone else and NOT be here. I have enough BS to deal about those things with my female friends. I'm straight like a flat earth theories and NOTHING can change that. This is a friendship kind of story, a story of comradery. Don't confuse my character for some pretty, angsty, cringe-worthy bishounen or a dark, bad boy, undeniably handsome and smart ikemen (Yeah, I know. Ikemen meant handsome guy or something but you get my point).
So, I spare you guys by skipping all the bonding stuff and improving relationship so you don't get any sense of "chemistry" with these two or misunderstanding, if the word is suffice enough. Yeah, I know. Quite the introduction coming from me. Alright, alright! Let's just get the story going!
"This is pronounced in English"
Chapter 1:
"The Nice Girl's Impact"
More than one year later,
It has been more than a year after that happened. Hachiman's bullying had been toned down to only verbal and not getting himself beaten up all the time. After witnessing a one-sided beat down, Hachiman and his parents were called along with the ones who beat him up and the red-head. Fortunately, Hachiman explained the situation to the principal about what had happened. The principal believe him, but the guys denied it, saying Hachiman was the one who started it first. That was where the red-head came in with a recorder along with his camera. He showed footage of them beating Hachiman up and threatened him. He had both the recorder for backup in case the guys do something really stupid.
In the end, Hachiman walked away with no punishment and the guys along with the red-head received theirs.
The guys were suspended for three months and the red-head for a month.
And the red-head's name is Saitou Shinku, as he had told Hachiman.
Through the months, Hachiman had tried to talk with the red-head, finding it quite challenging since, like him, he was a loner. More than that, he was actually someone who was feared amongst the students in Kaihin Sougou Middle School. Not known by his actual name, he was known as "Blood Devil", a "chuuni title" as he always said with rolling eyes. He never really liked exaggerating nicknames and preferred to call by his actual name.
Hachiman would greet Shinku every morning, earning a short glance a few months before evolving into a reply, formal one. Hachiman, even though he was not really good at conversing, he still tried to make a proper conversation with the red-head. Mostly, during the breaks because Shinku's eating spot is exactly near Hachiman's. It was hard, really hard. The red-head was not easy to talk with much less befriend. But lo and behold, in their second year, Shinku became Hachiman's only "friend". Someone who was willing to hang out with him without any ulterior motive or being forced to.
They were both shocked to find that they both have many things in common. From being isolated due to their looks and their personality. Fate is such an asshole, but sometimes, it can be a bit kind. However, Shinku noticed something from Hachiman that was the exact opposite; his naivety.
Currently, both of them were residing in their spot, quiet and no people around. It was at a bench near the tennis court. They were enjoying their lunch quietly, the comfortable silence was accompanied by the gentle wind brushing through them. It was quite nice actually, no clatter or chatter from riajuus (which they were able to make sound almost like a bustling market) and just the sound of nature. Rattling trees, wind's whistles, birds' chirps, anything. Anything that is caused by nature and nature alone.
While eating, Hachiman had something on his mind. Something he wanted to let on at Shinku. He was a trustworthy guy, he isn't some kind of childish teenagers that just spills secrets all over the place. Plus, he's mature since he's two years older than him. He had personal reasons why he repeated his whole year for two times. It was then, Hachiman decided to tell Shinku what he had planned after school. This plan might be able to blow Shinku away in shock and awe.
And it did, but not in a good way.
"Hey." Hachiman called, his dead fish-eye rolled over to the side as Shinku gulped down his food.
"Yes?" Shinku replied and took a juice box, proceeding to drink it.
"What do you think about Orimoto-chan?"
At that, Shinku blinked and drink all the juice, "Her? What do I think about her?" He looked displeased at the mention of the girl but he lifts up to the sky and thought about it. "Let's see…just a girl who is popular among both boys and girls." He shrugged, not caring for Kaori. "That's all I guess." He then continue to eat his lunch.
"I'm going to confess to her after school…"
Shinku immediately choked on his food at hearing the ridiculous sentence came out of Hachiman's mouth. The food was stuck on his throat and he quickly another juice box and drink. The juice brought all the food down and he coughs for a bit.
He sighed in relieve before facing towards Hachiman with a disbelieve expression on his face. "I'm sorry, what?" Shinku put his pinky in his ear, rolling it to clear any earwax that may block his hearing. "Can you please repeat that?"
"I said I'm going to confess to Orimoto after school ends." Hachiman said without using the usual honorifics for the girl in question, facing Shinku who had his eyes widened while he seemed serious. "I said I'm going to co-"
"Okay, okay." Shinku urged Hachiman to stop. "I heard you." The red-head heave another sigh. "Um…it's all "good" and "fine", but can I ask why?"
"Well, she's really nice to me. Like, really nice." Hachiman said, smiling with a blush. "I think she likes me."
Shinku only blinked a few times and gulped. "Uh…Hikigaya, I don't think that's a good idea." He shook his head. "She's just being nice, you know? That's all to it."
"Yeah, but nice to me of all people!" Hachiman said, adamant about his plan. "I mean, why would she?"
"She's being nice to you and everyone, Hikigaya. There's no special meaning to it."
"No, she really likes me!"
"Goddamnit, Hachiman, listen to me." Shinku stared at Hachiman straight in the eyes. "She does not like you, at least not in that way. She's being nice to you out of sympathy. She's just nice. That's what she is, Hachiman. A nice girl."
Hachiman kept quiet for a few seconds before coming up with a reply; "….are you, perhaps, jealous?"
"Hah…?" He was taken back by the reply as he blinked in shock, the gears in his mind stopped working for a moment. "Wait, what? Jealous? Me? For you confessing her? Hell no!" He frowned, "Hikigaya, you better heed my warning. You don't want to make your life more har-"
Suddenly, the bell rang, cutting off Shinku's words indicating that lunch time had ended. Hachiman started to pack up his lunch, already finished up. Seeing as he hadn't finished yet, Shinku quickly ate up his lunch and started to also pack it up. While doing so, Kaori can be seen with her friends walking back from lunch. She saw them both and waved with a sweet smile that melts Hachiman's heart. She also smiled at the red-head but Shinku just turns his face away with hints of irritation on his face. He doesn't really like her.
Hachiman walked away, leaving Shinku. "O-Oi!" He called and Hachiman turned around, confused. "Did you hear what I said?"
"Yeah, yeah. I understand." Hachiman said while waving his hands and immediately walked away without sparing any time for Shinku to say anything back.
The red-head could only clenched his fists tightly as his only friend just raised a red flag. Hachiman was smarter than Shinku and yet, the idiot really thought that Kaori likes him. He should've seen through the façade of Kaori and yet, he didn't.
"He would be really screwed if he really does confess to...that girl."
About a half an hour after school ended,
It was time.
School ended half an hour ago and the shades and hues of orange from the setting sun can be seen. Shinku was waiting at the gates, getting a bit tired from all the standing while waiting for one guy. They usually walk home together since their houses were close to one another coincidently. However, today seemed a bit off. Hachiman was late, which is unusual considering the one who is always early is the dead fish-eyed boy. He let out a yawn and looks at the time on his watch. It is already pass half an hour and still, there was no sign of Hachiman appearing any soon. He could've texted Shinku, telling he had something urgent to do or something. But Shinku checked the mail on his phone and seen there was none.
He just stood there, waiting with his back on the gate of the entrance when suddenly, his eyes widened in realization. 'During the lunch…! The fool is really going to do it!'
With no time to lose, he bolted straight towards their class, passing through some people who are on their way back, going through the shoe lockers and turn left. He climbed up the stairs continuously until he reached the second floor and head right. Shinku went through hallways and corridors, going into another building before arriving at their class only to see the scene about to unfold in front of him.
"Please go out with me!"
He was too late.
Laid before his eyes was Hachiman bowing down before a girl with his hands reaching out. The brunette, Orimoto Kaori, was backing away with a slight disgust in her eyes - Shinku could see it - and avoided any eye contact with Hachiman. Hachiman's middle school life might as well ends here. Shinku can only witness the scene, feeling all helpless and hopeless to fix the current the situation. There is nothing that could be done to improve this, it's impossible.
"Pfft!"
"Did you heard what this creep said?"
"Yeah, I know right? Asking Kaori out...hahahaha!"
Shinku blinked before turning his head at the direction where the voice was coming from. He can see two girls and one boy on the other door, peeking in through the small gap and giggled at Hachiman's confession. These guys made fun of him, they didn't feel any pity. Therefore, they are going to spread what had happened between Hachiman and Kaori throughout the school. Shinku's mood gleamed in delight and he smiled gleefully, he isn't helpless or hopeless. He can fix the situation and not make things worse for his only "friend".
He breathes in and out, cracking his knuckles and his neck and psyche himself up. "Oi, you guys..."
He put on a really pissed look on his face and purposely stomped his way towards the three students, proceeded to be careful for the two people inside to not hear it. They all noticed this and felt really annoyed, thinking that a knight in shining armor or a moral man is coming and lecture them about eavesdropping. But there were wrong, really wrong. Once they turned their heads at the person who called them, their blood run cold and their heart stopped pumping for a half of a second.
The red hair,
The pissed-off look,
The angry posture of the body,
The intimidating aura that pressures them,
It was the infamous "Blood Devil" and he is approaching them fast and doesn't seemed too happy.
They all shrink once Shinku stood before them. "What happened here..." Shinku started, getting them to gulp in fright. "...never had happened, ever. Understand?"
They nodded, "Y-Yes…" They whispered together but it was not clear.
"I can't hear you. Understood?" Shinku's figure shadowed over them, the intimidation worked perfectly well.
"Yes, we understand!" They all whispered loudly.
Shinku gave a devil smile. "Good." He then glared at them with every ill intent he could put into. "If I hear some rumors flying around about what happened here...I'm sure you know whom to blame for that, now won't you?" They gulped once more nodded. "I'm not going to just leave a few broken bones, I'll add better "treatments" to it..."
They were afraid but the two girls had something in their mind. He could see doubts in the two girls' eyes and faces. They thought he wouldn't hit girls just because they're, well, girls and he is a boy. However, Shinku was not a sexist. He has something in his arsenal called "Gender Equality". He would treat males and females all the same because they're humans. Nothing more, nothing less. He could use one thing against them that would wipe those doubts off their mind.
"You do know what had happened to Karasawa Akari and Hasegawa Kodachi, right?" He asked specifically the girls with seemingly zero expression. "The "Cruel Queen" and the "Iron Maiden"?"
And that just about to wraps it up. The girls were horrified, this man doesn't hold back in fighting someone - not even girls. The two aforementioned third-year girls are known for their crazy strengths, as well as their attitude and aggressiveness towards everyone including the teachers. They were the student body's greatest fear and they were like tyrant rulers. However, just last year, the two were sent straight into the hospital because they challenged a certain newcomer. They got the "Blood Devil" to fight them both. Inevitably, they had what's coming for them and their reign in the school was over like a snap from a merciless extraterrestrial being [1].
The girls shrunk even more and became terrified at what the red-head could and would do. The "Blood Devil" was like an apathetic devil to them and they have no options other than to agree. They comply with the agreement and had their lips sealed by Shinku. He couldn't even get gladder than he is already. While Hachiman may lament over his failure, as well as blaming himself for believing such stupid misunderstanding, he won't need to suffer from social collapse. These damned riajuus who caused this thing should just overload with retardation and explode and die [2].
"Hmph, now that's more like it."
He silently thanked the chuuni for giving him that stupid nickname and his fame as a cruel delinquent. Shinku walked away, knowing his job here was done and he only has one more to do; waiting. Things was getting smooth and his plan was flawless.
Well, at least he thought it would be.
The three people looked at Shinku's disappearing figure in the distance, confused why he threatened them. It was so unlike the "Blood Devil" to do things like this unless...
"Hey..." The two girls looked at the boy as he called them. "You don't think he's...you know-"
"Interested in Kaori?" A girl cuts him off, but he nodded. "That might be the case. I think he wanted to be the first to confess to Kaori since she never had anyone confess to her beside this creep." She pointed at the dead fish-eyed loner inside the classroom. "Don't forget to mention; Nakamura-kun as the leader her fan club and that guy in the Student Council, Tamanawa or something."
"Well, it's not bad of a pairing right?" The other girl said, grinning ear to ear. "I mean, "The Bad Boy and the Cheerful Girl", kinda have a nice ring to it, you know?"
The other two nodded in agreement, seeing the same thing. The all looked at each other, thinking the same thing. They have their lips sealed for sure, but there would be a new and a very interesting topic to start gossiping about especially since it's about the "Blood Devil". This will become the number one thing to talk about in the school.
And so, yet another ridiculous rumor began to spread around...
A few minutes passed,
Hachiman left the class feeling really dejected and self-loathing. He shouldn't have confessed to Kaori, he should've seen for what she is and not the shell, he should've realized what she was doing towards him...he should've listened to Shinku. Damn, did he want to hit himself for being such an idiot! He continued walking and opened up his cellphone, seeing Shinku's contact number. He wanted to text him but after what he did to the red-head, ignoring his warnings and act like a total douche, how could he? School ended almost an hour ago and Shinku would've left already.
It's just who he is.
He arrived at the shoe lockers, putting on his outdoor shoes and proceeded to placed back the indoor ones. He sighed and continue his journey home. The sun was still setting, the sky had a mix of blue, bits of purple and orange on it. The orange light was blocking his sight a bit as he walked towards the school entrance gate. However, a shadowy figure blocked said light, getting the dead fish-eyed loner to lift his head up a bit to see the familiar red-head.
"Yo." Shinku greeted with a smile. "Took you long enough."
Hachiman reminded himself; he shouldn't have doubted the red-head.
They were both walking home quietly, none had made any attempts to make a conversation. Hachiman, because he didn't know what to say after what had happened and Shinku, who doesn't bother since it's up to Hachiman to strike a conversation here. The fault was mostly on Hachiman. But partially, the fault was on Shinku too for not being persistent enough in changing Hachiman's mind about the confession. But the red-head couldn't bring himself to explode in anger at the only "friend" he got. Plus, he promised himself that he would fix the hot-headedness of himself.
Hachiman opened his mouth, but closing it with a bite on the lower lips. He couldn't find any courage to utter any words. Shinku saw this and in his mind, he encouraged the loner to gather that bravery, get the balls and man up. After a long silence, Hachiman finally decided to take the Buster Sword and use Braver [3]. Shinku focus his eyes on the guy, preparing his ears to not miss every single words Hachiman about to say.
"...h-haroo?"
And yet, it failed.
Shinku stared at Hachiman with a dumbfounded face, both immediately stopping their tracks at what Hachiman just said. "Hng...pfft!" The red-head bent his body forward, his hands holding his belly as he tried to hold in his laughter. "Hahahahahahaha!" But, he couldn't so he burst into loud laugh. "W-What the hell was that!? Ha, hahahahahaha!"
"H-Hehe." Hachiman also laughs for a bit, but nervously.
"Ahaha…hah!" The red-head continue to laugh joyfully for a few seconds before it soon died down. "You were trying to say "hello" weren't ya?" He said, pronouncing the word in a proper English making the loner to look at him with his eye brows raised in surprise. "Yeah, yeah. I'm good at speaking English, that's only something I could at least do other than kick someone's asses." The red-head shrugged and changed the topic. "So, what's on your mind, Hachi-boi? Come on, lay it on me."
"..." Hachiman didn't speak at first, he looks down and seemed to have guilt written on his face. "Sorry..."
"Hm? For what?" Shinku asked, Hachiman tried to reply but the red-head beat him to it. "Being a jerk and ignoring what I said during lunch?" Hachiman reluctantly nodded. "Nah, it's okay. I forgive you long time ago." He smiled, Hachiman blinked in confusion. "So, did you really confessed to her?"
"I-I..." Shinku didn't want to remind Hachiman of that, but he has to. "I did..."
"And? How did it go?" Shinku pressed on, knowing full well this will change him forever.
"You were right." Hachiman sighed. "She was just being nice, that is all. She's a Nice Girl..."
"Right? Told you." Shinku said with his eyes closed and his shoulder shrug, seemingly calm and different than his usual short-tempered self. "So what's you next plan, Hikigaya?"
He stared Shinku with determination in his eyes, he could see it. "I'm aiming for Sobu." Hachiman then continue to walk forward, Shinku following.
"Wait," Shinku blinked, "Sobu? As in, Sobu High? That prestigious school?"
"Yeah." He nodded.
"Huh, for a second I really thought you would stay in Kaihin Sougou and prove yourself to her, then get on with some foreign transfer student." Shinku muttered quiet enough for Hachiman to not fully get it [4].
"What?" Hachiman asked but Shinku waved his hands off.
"Nothing." The red-head replied before thinking what he feels about Hachiman's plan is. "But damn." Shinku chuckled. "That's one heck of a plan, Hikigaya. A pretty good one at that."
"You think so too?" Shinku nodded. "What about you?"
"I think I'll do the same." Shinku replied. "I should also change. All this delinquent stuff and me beating around like some Yakuza, I think I'm done with it. I have a very important thing to do once I'm in high school, and a reminder of me being the "Blood Devil" isn't going to help me." The red-head simply smile as a small boy came into his mind. "Screw Kaihin Sougou High School, a lot of the guys from our middle school are going there. I'm just gonna also aim for Sobu High."
"Well, it won't be easy you know..." Hachiman said to him, causing him to wince. "With all the entrance exams and stuff."
"I know." He let out a long sigh. "I guess, for once, I should really study. Hah, goddamnit."
Sobu High is by no means a normal school, it is a school for those who have the smarts and the determination. Fortunately, Hachiman has those. Unfortunately, Shinku doesn't have those. The red-head had heard of it from one of his senior mentioning how hard the entrance exam is. He was never a fan of learning or studying. In fact, it was the opposite of it. He hated it, at least hated learning something he doesn't want to. But now, he has to do it. For the sake of himself and his family.
He sighed once more. "This is going to be an absolute royal pain in the ass."
End of the Chapter:
"The Nice Girl's Impact"
References:
[1] Who doesn't love Thanos, who had become meme of todays? He can destroy half of the remaining creatures of the universe away with a simple snap of the fingers.
[2] Maximbady, an African guy on YouTube. His channel is a commentary channel. I like the way he always says "Overload with (something) and explode and die". Totally recommend to watch and subscribe to this guy, he's very funny. It's really worth it.
[3] A clear reference to Final Fantasy's Cloud Strife. I remembered playing him in dissidia, the PSP ones. Buster Sword is the giant-ass blade he wielded and Braver is a skill I think was used in air? Or probably on ground, I don't know. I forgot.
[4] If you haven't read a certain fanfic, then you would be confused. I forgot what it was called but to sum it all up:
It is where basically Kaori accepted Hachiman's "confession" but for different reasons. She's like a gold digger inside this fanfic and Hachiman was the victim. Things happened and Hachiman decided to stay in Kaihin Sougou instead of Sobu to prove himself and met a foreign transfer student; Miura Yumiko. For people who likes HachiXYumi pairing and people who are open-minded about any straight pairings like me, I'd say give it a read. You won't know it's good or not until you read it. Though, heads up; Hachiman may seemed OoC there and Yumiko is really OoC. But well, it's kinda fun to read so whatever.
And there you have it.
The first chapter of "The Only Friend".
And this is the end of Middle School Hikigaya Hachiman and the start of the Monster of Logic Hikitani. Shinku's presence helped a lot in this event thanks to his fame as a certificate asshole who beats defective students around. He being around Hachiman also impacted the change, which is a good thing.
OoC Hachiman, good riddance!
Now, get the fuck away from here!
Next chapter, I probably use first-person perspective. In our favorite loner's perspective of course. Well, I'm gonna do both Hachiman and Shinku since both of them are the protagonists, and to avoid any OoCness which most would hate. So, look forward for Shinku's interaction with the cast of OreGairu, especially Miura Yumiko and the Yukinoshita sisters. Oh, boy. That is going to be the most fun to write, the younger one should be the best.
#GenderEquality
No, no OC pairing with one of the OreGairu cast. OC should be with OC. At least that's what I think for now. That's all I'm going to say.
What happened here? Well, for one; Hachiman confessed, there's nothing that can change that. I guess you could say it is inevitable since he's still naïve. However, Shinku helped him out by cutting off any rumor from spreading. But now without a cost. Hey, I'm kind but not THAT kind. A new rumor had spread and it is not a really good one to the red-head and some aforementioned unpleasant people. This would make a good situation where the red-head will have to comply.
Anyone who hate what Kaori did to Hachiman both in middle school and in high school during the double date, you should like what's going to happen next chapter. Highlight "hate what Kaori did" not Kaori. Well, I hate the canon one but some of the fanfics I've read with a pairing of KaoXHachi, I think it was pretty good. Yeah, I used to hate Kaori, but now I hate the canon one. Some Fanfic Kaori is likeable at the very least since the authors would make her different than she is in canon, which is a desperate bitch.
Also, for those who are confused with my character's way of calling Hachiman, I'll summarize it for ya: "Hikigaya" indicates his mood is normal (because calling him by his first name feels a bit weird, I don't know why). "Hachiman" is when he's serious, drop-dead serious with full intent on doing and saying things he thought is right. "Hachi-boi" or some other funny or stupid nicknames is when he plays around and not too serious during the time his mood is good.
Thanks again for reading and giving this fanfic a chance, it's my very first one. I wasn't sure at first but I'm glad some people like it. I was confused why the authors don't make fanfics with a guy having to befriend Hachiman and instead, mostly were female OCs that is interested in Hachiman. I thought it was a bad idea but I'm glad I took the courage to make this.
Well, that's it. Thanks for reading once more and hope you enjoy this chapter. Criticism is much appreciated, I would like to improve myself.
See ya guys around next time!
