Unlikely Duet

Chapter 8: Major to Minor

The Unlikely Duet

General Information: Unlikely Duet- line break, "What types of OhTubers do you watch?"- 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 8: Major to Minor

[Hitori POV]

"Can you believe it, Hikigaya-kun? The big day's finally here!" I beamed from ear to ear, walking alongside my friend—I could say that for certain, right? I wasn't dreaming or anything?

After a decade of watching on the sidelines, I, Gotoh Hitori was finally an insider! It took a near-mental breakdown, but the ends justify the means. One of guitarhero's many underlying lies was somewhat truer. I may not be a social media influencer, hype beast, or my school's most popular girl, but I had one friend—hopefully the start of many.

Combined with my channel's performance lately: each video posting better metrics than the last and I was on cloud nine. Could I talk to strangers? No! Can I comfortably wear outfits other than my pink tracksuit or school uniform outside? No! Have I seen better days than these? Absolutely not, this is peak Hitori! Hitori the Peak!

"I don't understand your enthusiasm, Gotoh. You're setting yourself up for disappointment." My friend, Hikigaya Hachiman, sighed, seemingly unimpressed by my excitement.

"But Hikigaya-kun, this is the event of the year?" I questioned, confused by his skepticism. We walked to the train station, our school trip's first stop. I looked forward to this day for years. My track record with social events wasn't great, after all. People would usually forget my existence, leaving me behind. We'd all meet up for roll call and someone would inevitably say, "Gotoh? There's a Gotoh in this class?" And to their shock, I'd be standing right behind them.

Those moments inspired some guitarhero videos and a few original lyrics, but not much else. My Seishun complex probably developed thanks to previous school trips.

This year, though, would be different! I wasn't the same Gotoh Hitori anymore!

"That's just youthful propaganda, you know? It's the same as people claiming cultural festivals are enjoyable—" He explained, before suddenly stopping.

"..." I glanced downward, unable to respond. Our last cultural festival was that near-mental breakdown, after all.

"Sorry, Gotoh. That was insensitive of me." He apologized, bowing slightly.

"It's fine, Hikigaya-kun. W-why don't you like school trips?" I frantically waved, wanting to clear the awkward air between us. The last thing we needed was to reset our progress—arguably a second time. We barely made it through the first setback.

"Gotoh, school trips are just a simulation. A warmup round for professional life." Hikigaya-kun replied, his gaze somewhat distracted.

"A-aren't simulations great, Hikigaya-kun? They're like an easygoing set of rehearsals without all the stakes of a big performance— or people making social interactions a nightmare."

"That's only half the issue, Gotoh. School trips train students to restrain themselves for their likely future—corporate life. Business trips aren't uncommon in the workplace."

"People would love to travel for that reason, Hikigaya-kun. You get to see different sights, collect a paycheck—and sell out shows." I muttered, my dreams of stardom coming to mind.