Unlikely Duet

Chapter 9: The Other Side

The Unlikely Duet

General Information: Unlikely Duet- line break, "It all ends here."-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 9: The Other Side

[Hachiman POV]

"Hey, H-Hikigaya-kun?"

"What is it?" I pulled back a chair and sat down, organizing my belongings at a desk. Scanning around, I found countless rows of bookshelves, each housing an array of genres: references, romance, mystery, horror, take your pick, it was probably there. Looking closely enough, you might even find a light novel or two. Other students were out and about with notebooks, pencils, and textbooks, armed to combat an enemy. What enemy exactly? The bane of every student's existence: studying. Regardless of how much time passed, I doubt the two would ever reconcile.

Those details made my location glaringly clear. I wasn't at home, in one of my classes, or outside a vending machine, savoring a refreshing Georgia Max Coffee. Instead, I found myself at the library. What brought me here? It wouldn't be my grades, which weren't great but far from failing. If necessary, I could apply to any nearby high school without feeling utterly hopeless. Sure, my academic prowess mainly stemmed from spite, wanting no further relation to my classmates. I madly studied, determined to have an exit strategy. If I aimed high enough and entered a prestigious school, none of them could follow me, firmly ending my "flop" era of middle school.

"Why are we in the library?" It was the perfect plan, and one I still worked toward.

"Don't tell me you've forgotten already." And yet as I sighed, about to point out the obvious, the rationale for my goal slightly wavered. Perhaps I didn't have to reinvent myself, grasping at straws nearly out of reach. Rather than reaching for the stars, I could smell the roses and enjoy the world around me.

"...No?" This change was in no small part thanks to her. The same girl sitting across from me, sheepishly hiding her face behind a textbook...held upside down, mind you. Her blue eyes wandered around the room, presumably scanning the book's illegible pages, bustling students, and towering shelves. She seemed to be on a world tour, taking in all the sights—except for me, sitting right in front of her.

"You asked me to help you study." But what can you do? That's just par for the course with my f-friend, Gotoh Hitori.

[Flashback]

Hachiman: "Beyond human language, huh? I guess your Japanese scores prove that fact."

Hitori: "I look forward to studying with you, Hikigaya-kun."

Hachiman: "Hold on. When did I become your tutor, Gotoh?"

Hitori: "That's what friends are for, right?...Unless I'm unworthy of the honor... (T_T)"

Hachiman: "Stop trying to guilt trip me, Gotoh. I'm your friend, not a miracle worker!"

Hitori: "(T_T) Futari's been talking about you. She's wondering when—"

Hachiman: "Whatever! I'll help you study! We can hash out the details later. It'll probably be after the school trip, though."

[Flashback End]

"So I said that, huh? Time really does fly by." My classmate twirled her fingers, nervously laughing at her textbook.

"Yeah, that's not how time works, Gotoh-san." I drawled, my words dripping with sarcasm. She wanted more of me, so I had to deliver... even though my personality leaves much to be desired.