Unlikely Duet

Chapter 5: Family Matters

The Unlikely Duet

Formatting: Unlikely Duet- line break, "Now, for the grand reveal!"-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 5: Family Matters

[Hitori POV]

"..." So this is where he lived, huh? I looked down at my phone, checking our LOINE conversation.

UNLIKELY DUO

Hitori: "I have finished my prior obligations, Hikigaya-san. I am now available to discuss our partnership's next steps."

Hachiman: "Sometimes I wonder if it's all intentional. Like this is a clever way to mess with me."

Hitori: "Hikigaya-san?"

Hachiman: "It's nothing. If you're not busy, we can work on the academic half of the project at my house. You showed initiative by asking me first, so I'll reward you."

Hitori: "Really?...Heh! My communication skills are unmatched, Guitar Man!"

Hachiman: "You definitely need the positive reinforcement... I don't have a specific time planned, so you can arrive whenever; I'll probably be there. My parents are working all day..."

Hitori: "Did something happen to your phone, Hikigaya-san? Why did you stop responding mid-sentence?"

Hachiman: "This is the oldest cliche in the book... Let me just confirm something with you, Gotoh-san. I know it's been a week since we talked, but did your parents approve of this meeting? There won't be unintentional complications, right?"

Hitori: "Y-yes, they agreed. If anything, they insisted... especially my mother."

Hachiman: "I see. Then here's my address... Don't forget your notebooks and the project packet, Gotoh-san. I want today to be as painless an experience as possible."

Hitori: "Okay."

Hachiman: "I'll see you here...and please avoid oncoming pedestrians. The last thing anyone needs is another notebook mixup."

"Hikigaya-san's foresight never fails to amaze me." I weakly smiled at the LOINE chat. He had accurately predicted the multiple near misses I had while walking. There was a black cat, painters working with a ladder outside, and a girl walking her hyperactive dog. Regardless of my troubles, the address he provided lined up. Thankfully, I hadn't made any mistakes when arriving here.

"..." I now peered behind a telephone pole outside Hikigaya-san's house. It was an ideal vantage point, providing cover and a clear view of the front door. What stopped me from taking another step?... My self-confidence, and a few lingering fears.

Despite our last meeting ending well, at least from my likely incorrect opinion, I still felt nervous about approaching Hikigaya-san. I didn't want to jeopardize our dynamic... one that was uncomfortably close to collapsing.

[Flashback]

"D-do you not enjoy your current life, Hikigaya-san?"

"...Look at that, we've got a merry-go-round to catch."

[Flashback End]

There was just something about his brief pause to my question, and all the words presumably left unsaid. His eyes didn't look serious, or even soft at that moment, but lonely. It was an emotion I knew well after years of sitting on the sidelines and being a spectator in my own life. If not for that faithful television interview birthing guitarhero perhaps I might have worn the same expression today...