Unlikely Duet

Chapter 7: Divide and Conquer

The Unlikely Duet

General Information: Unlikely Duet- line break, "Alone again, just as expected."-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 7: Divide and Conquer

[Hachiman POV]

I want to spend some time today honoring a great friend. They were warm and easygoing to everyone they met, and their presence will be sorely missed. Thank you for everything you've done, and until we meet again, I'll forever wait and never forget... Summer vacation... especially when compared to... the present.

"Come on everyone, settle down!" The class representative stood at the teacher's lectern, trying to corral uncooperative students. Our break had been over for weeks, leaving that abysmal project a distant dream. I miraculously finished the assignment before the vacation ended, only costing me a few sleepless nights. Thanks to my efforts, I didn't have to worry about failing the year anytime soon. My graduation was almost guaranteed...unless a few surprise math or science tests popped up. I might now have time to think about my high school plans. Or at least I would have, if not for... Our school year's next major event... The cultural festival.

It was supposedly a cooperative event where the class worked together towards a shared goal. An idea would be devised, teams formed, long hours spent realizing the vision, and eventually life-long memories made. From that perspective, cultural festivals seemed productive and harmless, an almost noble endeavor. We ultimately lived in an organized society where every person played a part in keeping things orderly. How could you not like cultural festivals?... With such an ideal premise.

Unfortunately, reality wasn't so kind. My track record with cultural festivals wasn't the greatest... Scratch that, they were the bane of my existence: the black holes of my youth, sucking up any positive memories around them. The class project, the school-wide stalls, and student-run performances led to the grand finale: the legendary nighttime bonfire dance. I hated them all. My wide-eyed naivety died at a cultural festival. Taking its place was the apathetic and cynical Hikigaya Hachiman you see today.

Therefore, no one could blame me for tuning out of class. It's not like I had any bold ideas or a burning desire to lead. To my peers, I was the ultimate slacker and perhaps the class's black sheep. My name didn't inspire much confidence or enthusiasm if anyone remembered it. Even if I made a suggestion, I doubt anyone would care. Besides, the class rep and I didn't see eye-to-eye... In no small part thanks to her being... You know what, this tangent isn't worth discussing.

I sighed and rested my head on my desk, waiting for this mindless meeting to end. Hopefully, no one expected anything from me this year. For the next few weeks, I would become the sort of background character you could find anywhere. I would only contribute the bare minimum to this project while silently decrying its faults. Not much could stop me on this front, aside from...

"..." I craned slightly from my perch, feeling a weak but reoccurring gaze. Every few seconds, the sensation would grow stronger before suddenly decreasing. It was as if the other person couldn't decide how to continue. To speak or not to speak, that is the ultimate question. Regardless of the specifics, we eventually shared a glance: dead fish meeting blue eyes. Was it a bird or a plane? No, it was my classmate, the reclusive yet passionate Gotoh Hitori.

She had challenged my preconceived notions countless times before, forcing me out of my comfort zone... There was just something about our dynamic I couldn't rationalize. Even though she would be better off without me, she never walked away. Not after our first encounter, before summer vacation, during the amusement park visit, or at that festival.