Unlikely Duet

Chapter 2: Second Impact

The Unlikely Duet

Formatting: Unlikely Duet- line break, "Things can't end any other way."- Dialogue

Disclaimer: I do not own Bocchi the Rock, Oregairu, or any other intellectual properties that may appear in this story. Please don't sue me.

Chapter 2: Second Impact

[Hitori POV]

"This is the start of something special," I walked to school, grinning and chuckling. What brought on the good mood? Did a Guitarhero video perform well?... I wish... My chipper spirits were due to my latest plan for popularity. Openly sharing my interests may have slightly backfired... I ran from the classroom defeated, only to be exposed by...

However, that wouldn't happen this time! If a direct approach didn't work, go for the opposite: subtlety. Over the last few days, I've developed a detailed strategy to raise my social stock without making big waves. The road was long, but I had time: the school year was nearly one-third over. If I don't mess things up, middle school might not end like how it started... friendless and lonely...

"..." My Happy End depended on the extensive notes I stored in my trusty notebook. That's why I held it tightly in my grasp. There was no place safer for it... My bag? What if a bird suddenly tore a hole through it? Inside my desk at school? You were asking for an unintentional custodial mixup. A digital version? The Internet's scary: with all those crashes, viruses, and clickbait content... Why was something so valuable capable of corrupting others? I just wanted people to go crazy for me, not buy an extensive Masterclass.

Don't misunderstand, I'm not gullible or a "whale," someone who mindlessly absorbs the smallest crumb of information no matter the cost. I just wanted to be safe and use every accessible resource to help me... I'm not a whale... especially since I haven't had any surprise encounters lately. Life has been predictably quiet, a reluctant lull for me. It was nice having the time to think about the channel at school, being ignored, but... I almost wished he had done more after our incident. Sure expecting more is just wishful thinking from me. I'm not the protagonist from a romance novel, but a side character whose face is always off-screen.

Long story short, everything will go well if I don't lose my notebook. It's not like some unexpected event could ruin that, right?

Crash!

While lost in my thoughts, I ran into someone. Our belongings then scattered everywhere... Okay Hitori, this isn't the end of the world. We have to apologize... calmly apologize and then leave...

"Are you okay?" The unlucky victim of my incompetence asked, reaching out their hand to help me up. They are so kind showing concern for me, while I had my head in the clouds... Now, to repay their gesture...

"ItwasallmyaultthatIdidn'tseeyou... Thankyouforbeingsounderstandingandhaveaniceday!" I replied before quickly running away, my voice not louder than an incoherent whisper... It wasn't my best work, but I didn't pass out this time... Let's go, Hitori!

"Wait, isn't that?..." I heard them mutter while I rounded a corner. It was easy to finish their thought... isn't that the girl lower than a water flea?

[Hitori-vision]

"Negativity doesn't suit you, Hitori-chan!" My hero, Guitar Man, exclaimed, his voice somewhat moving me.

"But I can barely visit the convenience store without passing out."

"No buts, Hitori-chan! Guitarhero is a rising star, and you're them, so that means..."