TriGayatri
Butter Cookies Villainess
- Location
- Indonesia
- Pronouns
- She
The funniest part of Chika saga is the fact that her father was the lenient side of the parental control...
The confession they want is wrong as expected - Season 2 (Kaguya-sama/Oregairu)
- Thread starter ZeroXSEED
- Start date
- Crossover
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
That's not funni, that's tragic.
- Location
- Indonesia
I'm assuming you meant among Hachiman's harem.
Also worth noting that Chika's dad is probably the one who most can and want to spend time with her daughter. Hayasaka's mom is lovely but her job made it hard for her to spend time. Hayasaka's dad seemed okay-ish but is also relatively absent. Momo's parents...you could almost forget they existed.
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
No. Specifically the Fujiwara family. Her dad at least give the carrot with the stick.
I mean, technically Momo's parents don't even exist in canon, by virtue of being highly irrelevant side chatacter
Z000
If this is trash, then find me in the dumpster
- Location
- Viet Nam
well, he is the one carrying the big chest genetic, so his heart must be at least big enough for that non-existing breast
Side Chapter 02 - Fujiwara-san wants to ride along
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
"He said that?" Hachiman asked in disbelief.
"Yeah," Chika told Hachiman. "I think he felt bad when he saw you walking back home at night and refusing the limo."
"Can't be that easy with him." Hachiman knew there was a catch.
"Do you hate my father that much?"
Chika has little clue what transpired, but she knows Hachiman immensely disliked him. Hachiman can be petty, but he's never been unreasonably petty. There must be some beef between them that Chika was unaware of.
"Hate is too strong of a word," Hachiman said. "But I don't trust him, not in the slightest. And I would continue to distrust him. Hopefully, you're not taking offense to that."
It was absolutely suspicious how Daichi could come home just like that to have dinner with them. Hachiman is familiar enough with politics to know that free time is the last thing a Minister can have.
Especially since his parents caught the wind of it. They don't know who did it, but they DO know someone is picking up their trails of crumbs. Hachiman found this out when they warned him of a potential stalker who snooped around for the Hikigaya family's information.
Hachiman found that his own parents can be a little elusive at times. He always thought that they were just simple wage slaves. But to be honest, the fact that their records are so clean (except for his father's mishap five years ago, but he was also a victim) made it all the more suspicious.
Hachiman suspect that his father and mother might be far more capable than he liked to believe. Otherwise, reaching their position before they turn 40 is downright impossible.
There might be things that even Minister Fujiwara doesn't know about them...
"Well, he IS a politician, after all." Chika winked, but Hachiman noticed the smile of resignation. "Sometimes, I hate that he is extremely overprotective and only around to lecture me when he thinks I'm only going to mess up."
"You think?" Hachiman raised his eyebrows, weirded out.
"Like, when it comes to two parental extremes, either they're absent and neglectful, or they're smothering and controlling." Chika winced. "In the case of my mother and father, it was the worst of both worlds."
Cripes. At least Hachiman only has to deal with absence and neglect. Otherwise, his parents can be supportive without dictating his or Komachi's behavior.
"Everyone has it tough, I guess," Hachiman said. "But I stand by my point. If possible, I don't want to get involved with your father and his bullshit."
"Understandable!" Chika grinned. "I'll make sure he won't bother you."
Needless to say, Chika might respect her father as a politician but not as a father. Naturally, she knows her father has always done a lot of machinations behind her back.
She was holding back from dismantling everything because she didn't want to anger him before impressing him. Politics, after all, is a long game of buttering.
It is not that Chika doesn't like having higher grades. She doesn't want to stray from her original goal and waste her energy in petty conflicts. Unlike Hachiman, Fujiwara Chika willingly takes the hit if it achieves her goal.
But still, deep inside, Chika's heart wishes Hachiman and her father could get along. But for that to happen, compromises need to be made. And God help anyone who would try to ask them to make compromises.
One thing these two people shared? It is that they're so damn stubborn!
For Chika to obtain sufficient bargaining power, she needed to gather soft power. And what better soft power there is than increasing her grades?
Suddenly, she feels even more motivated since monetary concern isn't just her goal.
She WILL make her father accept Hachiman as her friend.
"By the way, do you have specific food you like and dislike? You often cook Russian food, but I'm asking anyway."
"To be honest, I actually prefer Italians. It's just that Russian food is so much easier to make outside the basic pasta." Hachiman said. "As for things I dislike, it would be sliced fresh tomatoes. If I had a choice, I'd dump them off my plate."
"What a coincidence. I also dislike tomatoes!" Chika brightens up. "What about tomato sauce?"
"Eh, I don't mind. Tomato sauce doesn't actually taste like tomatoes anyway. Plus, they blend with other condiments."
"Right then. Today's dinner is Italian! Tomato is verboten!" Chika happily cheered. "Let's go, shall we."
"I'll wait for you in Shibuya. Call me when you arrive." Hachiman closed his helmet visor and revved away with his bike, leaving near-invisible smoke behind him.
Chika was frozen.
She only realized now. If Hachiman can ride his bike? His travel time got cut in half, if not more. It means there's no opportunity for them to come home from school together anymore.
No walking to the train station, no more holding cutely to his arm, and no more unintentional kabe-don. Did Daichi purposely do this instead of giving Hachiman lenience from the goodness of his heart?
"Can't be that easy with him." Hachiman's words rang in her mind.
As the Fujiwara limo came to a dead stop due to a traffic jam, Chika took a deep breath.
"MOTHERFUCKER!"
Side Chapter 02 - Fujiwara-san wants to ride along
"Ahhhh." Chika sighed in disappointment.
"Why are you whining? You literally just came, and you're whining." Hachiman asked.
"Hikki-san, wording please." She waved her hand. "That traffic was the absolute worst. I wish I could ride a motorbike, too."
"Now you understand why I decided to get one," Hachiman said. "Miyuki said he won't get one unless he's moving house, but he is saving to get one."
"Is he?"
"I mean, he has a small car license*, but think how much money that would cost, especially the parking cost." Hachiman pointed. "Unless he moved to a renthouse like me, which either has a garage or private parking."
"Next time, you should bring me along," Chika whispered. "I can walk or ride the moment we arrive in Shibuya."
"Crazy talk. Not happening." Hachiman scoffed. "You said you won't get me involved in your father's BS. He has eyes everywhere."
"I did say that, but it is so annoying!" Chika cried. "Can we at least ask for a smaller car?!"
A limousine in a Tokyo traffic jam is certified tedium. Hachiman legitimately wondered if those rich people were insane. A limo can provide comfort, but navigation is hell, and their use of space is inefficient.
"Well, why not ask him?" Hachiman shrugged. "It isn't exactly an unreasonable request. A limo should not be a daily ride, let alone in fucking Tokyo. Even the Imperial Family doesn't use a limo every day."
"Right." Chika winced. "I guess you're right."
It is not like Chika would ask him to buy one so she could drive it herself. She'd be crucified should that happen. But still, it was disappointing that Hachiman didn't get the hint.
Chika wants to enjoy the limited time they have. She only has one week of private time with Hachiman, with no other girls pestering him, especially with the upcoming golden week before the exam since Hachiman will go on a vacation with his family.
"Speaking of which, your family will vacation to Hiroshima, right?" Chika asked. "When will you depart?"
"We're going Saturday night and return Wednesday night," Hachiman said. "So, not including transit, it's a four-day, three-night vacation."
"You seem excited," Chika remarked.
"I like my mother's side of the family more," Hachiman said. "Even my father prefers her side of the family. Because of the distance, we can't visit them that often."
"I see." Chika nodded. "Your father is a Chiba native, right?"
"Yep."
The two of them didn't waste more time and started studying. As Hachiman recommended, Chika listened to audiobooks as well. Both to increase focus and information absorption.
Should Daichi have seen this scene, this would have been the longest he had seen her sitting still and deathly quiet. Kaguya would have been creeped out. Fujiwara Chika could only sit still, deathly quiet, but never both.
However, information overload is still a thing. Humans can't use 100% of their senses all the time, so they take a short break after one hour of studying.
Chika removed her headphones and stretched herself. Hachiman did the same with his earphone.
"Wanna eat some snacks?" Chika asked. "Low-calorie konjac chips."
Hahchiman wordlessly stared.
"You don't like konjac chips?"
"They're good, but it feels like eating nothing. I'm not getting my money's worth buying them." Hachiman said. "It feels like I'm eating air."
"That is the point." Chika shook the package. "Girls just want to snack on something and not deal with all the calories. In fact, konjac is zero calorie food."
"Are you trying to diet?"
"I'm trying not to load calories. Because whenever I study, I start to crave." Chika whined. "To be honest? I want ramen, but we're this close to dinner, and I'd be too full by then if we eat now."
It was only 16:30 (04:30 P.M.). Too late for lunch and too early for dinner. The French would call this the time for goûter! Unfortunately, the Japanese have no such thing. And ramen would have been too heavy for a goûter anyway!
"We can have ramen for dinner if you want," Hachiman said.
"I thought we were supposed to have Italian!" Chika gawked. "Our family chef might already have ordered the ingredients, too."
Hachiman scoffed. "Ask first, bitch later."
Chika talked with the kitchen staff. She asked if they had things prepared beforehand. Sure enough, they bought pasta. It seemed that the Fujiwara family doesn't eat pasta that often, if at all.
"We already have wheat pasta." Chika sighed. "I mean, Hikki-san dislikes wasting ingredients, right?"
"We could eat pasta anytime, not like they expire overnight, sis. And why the hell you bought so much?" Hachiman remarked. "But quitters talk. I have a way."
Hachiman had a private conversation with the Chef, who furrowed his eyes first before smiling and nodding in understanding.
"It can be done." The Chef nodded.
"I thought you'd be offended."
"Thankfully, I'm not some food and cultural purist. My client is my king." The Chef twirled his thin mustache. "And it is an interesting experiment."
He signaled Chika with an OK sign. Chika had no clue but awkwardly grinned and nodded in response. So they continued studying.
...
Unfortunately, their peace did not last when Hachiman heard an unfamiliar humming note.
"Oyo, do we have a guest here?" A young woman asked, full of curiosity.
Hachiman's danger alarm immediately sounded as his entire body shook and his eyes widened. It doesn't even take a glance for him to activate his fight or flight instinct.
Just this seductive voice and the sickening fragrance told him enough information.
First-class threat.
Hikigaya Hachiman is a veteran of the battlefields of love. He only had failures upon failures, but after being defeated and disgraced so many times, it would be ignorant to say he didn't learn anything.
Coupled with his experience with Shuchiin students and various workplace acquaintances, Hikigaya Hachiman knows more than his fair share of women.
It is going to be a pain in the ass.
"Ah, neechan, you finally came home?" Chika realized and removed her headphones. "Where have you been? You've been missing all weekend!"
"Just hanging out at a friend's place." She smiled.
"Which friend? You didn't tell us at all." Chika suspiciously jeered.
Friend, huh.
Hachiman almost certainly doesn't believe it. Hachiman would tell them if he was outside for more than one night, even if his parents rarely home.
Toyomi noticed the unfavorable look on the younger kids and decided to swiftly change the topic. "Is this handsome boy a boyfriend of yours?"
"No." Hachiman and Chika responded in a similarly deadpan manner.
"This is Hikigaya Hachiman, the PR Manager of the Shuchiin Student Council and my friend." Chika introduced him. "This is Fujiwara Toyomi, my elder sister and eldest daughter of this family."
Ah, Hachiman already knows. But now it has been confirmed.
At first glance, their style might contrast each other. Chika rarely wears makeup, if at all, highlighting her youthful innocence. And she always dressed conservatively, at least in front of Hachiman.
However, despite her sultry look and sensual clothing, their face has an uncanny resemblance with each other, much like Chika and Moeha.
"Nice to meet you." Hachiman politely nodded.
"Thank you for taking care of my little sister." Toyomi sat beside Hachiman and smiled. "I've heard someone is helping her study. I didn't expect it was someone good-looking and around the same age. Chika-chan sure has good taste in men."
Thot alert. Thot alert. Thot alert. Thot alert.
Hachiman had it bad enough with semi-innocent girls at high school, where he'd have to ninja dodge his female schoolmates when they were too affectionate.
But young college women are something else.
For all his confident and decisive attitude, Hikigaya Hachiman is extremely weak to the presence of girls around his age or older!
"It's such a waste, though, since father banned you from dating." Toyomi smiled. "What about me, Hikigaya-kun?"
As Toyomi clearly leaned to Hachiman, he somehow disappeared from sight and reappeared beside Chika.
"Eh?!" The Fujiwara siblings both gasped.
"What?" Hachiman questioned.
"For the record, this boy is popular at school," Chika said, a hint of pride in her voice. "Just getting close to him is already a privilege."
Hachiman wanted to argue against Chika, but it wasn't like she was wrong. Hachiman wasn't sure how many brain-dead girls existed in Shuchiin for liking someone as rotten and unrefined as he was.
Hachiman can understand people liking Shirogane Miyuki. Fake as it may be about talents and charisma, Miyuki is genuinely kindhearted and always helps people in need without needing to be critical and confrontational.
Miyuki is also bloody handsome. More than Hachiman would verbally admit. Aside from his grades and athleticism, Hachiman had few things he could boast about.
His unpleasant personality is not one of them.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Hachiman said as a matter of fact. "And no, I'm not interested."
"Hahaha, very serious. Onee-chan also likes that kind of guy, y'now." Toyomi licked her lips. "All the more tasty when they give in."
Chika was visibly annoyed, but Hachiman was legitimately creeped out.
"...If you have nothing better to do, please leave," Hachiman said, disgusted. "You're bothering me."
"Ara, why so angry? I'm just trying to be friendly, you know?"
Hachiman looked at Chika with a glance that said. "Either she leaves, or I will."
Chika knows that look. Whenever Hachiman is like that, even his close female friends are off-limits. Let alone some strangers he just met. However, if Hachiman lashed out, it would've been seen as overtly rude as a guest.
It is the job of the host to manage the rowdy locals. And since their parents aren't here, it's up to Chika to take things into her own hands.
"Nee-chan, please leave," Chika said with a frown.
"You can just ignore me, you know. I won't be loud, I promise!" Toyomi grinned.
Chika and Hachiman pulled out a folded paper pan and slipper, respectively.
...
"You know, Hikki-san, I began to understand why you're so sick about people dragging each other down instead of motivating and competing fairly." Chika stretched her arms.
"Exactly." Hachiman didn't look at her but nodded.
"But really, you're not tempted at all?"
"I'm tempted," Hachiman frankly answered. "Your big sister is objectively pretty and sexy. What's not to like?"
Chika popped a vein and pouted. "Then why did you refuse?"
"It won't work out," Hachiman said as he refilled his mechanical pencil with a new lead. "The mental gap between a college student and a High School Senior is more massive than between a Senior and a Freshman."
"Is it really?" Chika blinked. "I don't think so."
"When it comes to college students, they play with adult rules but still have the temperament of a kid," Hachiman said. "If I threw a tantrum as usual, they'd just call me childish and unwilling to understand or compromise with each other. Yet when they make mistakes, they downplay everything and ask for forgiveness. And then we'd break up like that."
"I was about to argue, but what you said is scarily realistic," Chika grimaced. "I lost count of how many boyfriends she had in the last two years. Are you sure you haven't dated someone from college?"
"No. I never dated anyone, period." Hachiman said. "But I've heard the stories, and they all shared the same pattern."
"Is that so? I'm surprised." Chika whistled. "But I guess it all makes sense, all things considered."
"People like to say I'm more mature than people my age. The truth is, I'm not at all that different." Hachiman pointed upward with his pencil. "I'm just nowhere as open about it."
The illusion of maturity that Hachiman possessed was solely decided by how cold and ruthless he could be. It is not the loud and angry Hachiman people need to fear, but quiet and angry Hachiman.
"I think Hikki-san appears mature and wise because you're self-aware about it, so you act reserved most of the time." Chika grinned as she poked his cheek. "It might be why I and the girls always teased you. It is because we all want to see the real Hikki-san. So I think it would be bad if you start dating Onee-chan and keep yourself even more guarded to keep up with her."
Hachiman blushed a bit and averted his eyes. "Shut up."
But Chika's happiness hearing his response was genuine. It is not that Chika specifically dislikes her big sister. On the contrary, she doesn't mind that Toyomi becomes the way she is, even if her parents are disappointed.
It is just that Chika doesn't want Hachiman to get hurt because her big sister treated him like a toy, and Hachiman was thankfully too smart to fall into her petty tricks.
"Excuse me, Ojou-chan. Should I ask you what broth you want for ramen dinner?" The Chef politely knocked on the door even though it was wide open.
"Ah, what do you want, Hikki-san?" Chika asked Hachiman.
"You don't have to ask for the same thing," Hachiman commented.
"I'm not that picky about ramen, so it's easier to make the same thing for two people, right?" Chika argued.
"Sure, seafood then." Hachiman smiled in resignation. Chika sure wanted to spoil him today, so he gave up resisting.
In Chika's mind, he made a concession by proposing the ramen even though they had planned for an Italian dinner day. So she can't be too greedy. Especially since having matching food is romantic!
"I'll have it prepared. Please wait." The Chef nodded while giving a knowing look. Ah, youth.
"I'll help," Chika said. "Let's just have a dinner here. Everyone else might not be keen on eating ramen for dinner, anyway."
Duh, what are you, some peasant? Hachiman asked jokingly in his mind. In his opinion, the Fujiwara family seemed to be typical of rich people in Japan. Modest outside and living a lavish life in private.
(Putting aside the limousine, anyway.)
People who flaunted wealth, like the Shinomiya Group, aren't actually the norm. That's why Shuchiin students can blend in with the masses if they don't wear their uniforms.
Only by knowing their personality would you notice the difference in charisma and influence.
"Are? Chika-chan isn't here?" Toyomi entered and sat close to Hachiman, only for him to slide away in response. "You really dislike me, huh?"
"It is not that I dislike you," Hachiman said. "It's awkward being so close with someone I don't know well."
"I see. Then let's get to know each other!" Toyomi cheekily pointed at herself.
Hachiman looked at her with disgust.
"Hmmm, Chika-chan is pretty conservative. I guess that's your type, and you dislike if a girl is being too forward."
"Correct." Hachiman said.
"I guess you dislike outgoing girls, huh? What about gal girls?"
"On the contrary, I have plenty of gal friends." Hachiman refuted. "The ones that aren't walking lie, anyway."
"Really?"
"It is not that I don't judge people by appearance. I am a very judgmental person, in fact." Hachiman said. "But I care a lot more about how they behave than anything."
"I see." Toyomi frowned. "You like it that Chika-chan would behave properly with you around."
Hachiman looked at her.
"Pfft." He scoffed.
"What's with the scoff?" Toyomi cringed. "I'm offended, but now I'm also curious."
"Fujiwara Chika, behave? Don't make me laugh." Hachiman snorted. "She only stays behaved because she doesn't want her father to get mad. I have never seen a home that feels like a prison more than this one."
"See? I'm inclined to agree." Toyomi stood. "Chika-chan is an obedient girl. Unfortunately, it only gave our parents more reason to restrict her."
She walked slowly and then bent over as she stood behind Hachiman. Her beautiful hands draped over his shoulder, almost touching his chest.
"But if it was me, you can do anything with me. Hikigaya-kun." She whispered seductively. "And father could do absolutely nothing about it."
"This is sexual harassment, you know." Hachiman's voice lowered. A mixture of anger and arousal filled his tone. "And you're doing it with a minor right now, so please cease."
"I'd like to call it flirting, though." Toyomi smiled. "And I'm sure you can consent, should you be willing to reciprocate."
"I see." Hachiman grinned and loosened his tie. "Two can play that game."
Meanwhile, Fujiwara Chika was hiding just outside and listening intently. A tray with two bowls of ramen in her hands. She tried her best to stay quiet, but she was panicking.
"Wha-wha-what did he mean with that?"
"Not so rough, Hikigaya-kun!" Toyomi cried. "I don't know if you're into hardcore stuff."
"I'd rather call it a foreplay," Hachiman said.
WHAT?!
Chika was so furious that not only Hachiman lied! But he was willing to soil the sanctity of the study room with unwholesome acts! Going this far, Chika won't let it slide!
They will pay!
As Chika entered the room, she saw her elder sister standing, her hand bound behind her, and her face was covered with a paper with letters written on it.
Chika snorted.
Then she laughed.
"Why are you laughing, Chika-chan?" Toyomi cluelessly asked. "I can't see anything."
On Toyomi's face, the single sheet of paper had a marker all over it, which read: [A thot and a kiddy diddler.]
"Oh, the food is here." Hachiman smiled, satisfied. "Thanks for spoiling me, Fujiwara."
"Mmmh, Hikki-san always indulged my whims at school, so let me be a nice host for you this week." Chika giddily sits beside him. "It is amazing how the pasta texture can change like that!"
"In cooking, the air and the water are often overlooked. However, the difference between pasta and ramen isn't just the wheat grind, but also the acidity."
"I am impressed how out of the box he could go to. Hikigaya-kun proposed to use alkaline water to cook the pasta." The Chef entered and nodded. "The base nature of the water made the pasta springy, but the taste didn't change much."
"Most people would use baking soda, but it would make the pasta bitter," Hachiman said. "Using natural alkaline water doesn't leave as much residue. So, the pasta isn't as bitter as using baking soda. You can wash it off by short boiling in ordinary water or let the broth taste cover it."
"Amazing!" Chika's eyes became starry. "You're both amazing."
In other words, Hachiman's recipe turned pasta into ramen. Most culinary purists would call this heresy. But when it comes to cooking, Hikigaya Hachiman never goes out of his way to make things difficult for himself.
Such is the mindset of a boy who cooks his own meal daily. The same person who makes meat jelly from store-bought gelatin powder!
"Waa, I want to have one, too! Please give me!" Toyomi begged. "It smells so good!"
"Naughty girls don't get dinner." The Chef laughed as he left.
It wasn't until Daichi came (sweaty and breathing hard) that Toyomi could be released from her binding, which he recognized as Hachiman's tie. However, the father gave her an earful about her actions today.
"How do you always appear at such convenient timing, Minister?" Hachiman gleefully asked.
"Right," Chika muttered. "How is it that he always comes home early these days?"
"I apologize for the intrusion." Daichi coughed awkwardly. "That won't happen again. I will make sure of it."
Chika wondered if Daichi hated Hachiman and distrusted him as much as Hachiman did Daichi. It seemed that the rift grew. Or perhaps it was bigger than Chika thought.
"That's bullshit, and you know it, Minister." Hachiman venomously remarked.
...
* IRL Japan, small car license was abolished in 1958
"Yeah," Chika told Hachiman. "I think he felt bad when he saw you walking back home at night and refusing the limo."
"Can't be that easy with him." Hachiman knew there was a catch.
"Do you hate my father that much?"
Chika has little clue what transpired, but she knows Hachiman immensely disliked him. Hachiman can be petty, but he's never been unreasonably petty. There must be some beef between them that Chika was unaware of.
"Hate is too strong of a word," Hachiman said. "But I don't trust him, not in the slightest. And I would continue to distrust him. Hopefully, you're not taking offense to that."
It was absolutely suspicious how Daichi could come home just like that to have dinner with them. Hachiman is familiar enough with politics to know that free time is the last thing a Minister can have.
Especially since his parents caught the wind of it. They don't know who did it, but they DO know someone is picking up their trails of crumbs. Hachiman found this out when they warned him of a potential stalker who snooped around for the Hikigaya family's information.
Hachiman found that his own parents can be a little elusive at times. He always thought that they were just simple wage slaves. But to be honest, the fact that their records are so clean (except for his father's mishap five years ago, but he was also a victim) made it all the more suspicious.
Hachiman suspect that his father and mother might be far more capable than he liked to believe. Otherwise, reaching their position before they turn 40 is downright impossible.
There might be things that even Minister Fujiwara doesn't know about them...
"Well, he IS a politician, after all." Chika winked, but Hachiman noticed the smile of resignation. "Sometimes, I hate that he is extremely overprotective and only around to lecture me when he thinks I'm only going to mess up."
"You think?" Hachiman raised his eyebrows, weirded out.
"Like, when it comes to two parental extremes, either they're absent and neglectful, or they're smothering and controlling." Chika winced. "In the case of my mother and father, it was the worst of both worlds."
Cripes. At least Hachiman only has to deal with absence and neglect. Otherwise, his parents can be supportive without dictating his or Komachi's behavior.
"Everyone has it tough, I guess," Hachiman said. "But I stand by my point. If possible, I don't want to get involved with your father and his bullshit."
"Understandable!" Chika grinned. "I'll make sure he won't bother you."
Needless to say, Chika might respect her father as a politician but not as a father. Naturally, she knows her father has always done a lot of machinations behind her back.
She was holding back from dismantling everything because she didn't want to anger him before impressing him. Politics, after all, is a long game of buttering.
It is not that Chika doesn't like having higher grades. She doesn't want to stray from her original goal and waste her energy in petty conflicts. Unlike Hachiman, Fujiwara Chika willingly takes the hit if it achieves her goal.
But still, deep inside, Chika's heart wishes Hachiman and her father could get along. But for that to happen, compromises need to be made. And God help anyone who would try to ask them to make compromises.
One thing these two people shared? It is that they're so damn stubborn!
For Chika to obtain sufficient bargaining power, she needed to gather soft power. And what better soft power there is than increasing her grades?
Suddenly, she feels even more motivated since monetary concern isn't just her goal.
She WILL make her father accept Hachiman as her friend.
"By the way, do you have specific food you like and dislike? You often cook Russian food, but I'm asking anyway."
"To be honest, I actually prefer Italians. It's just that Russian food is so much easier to make outside the basic pasta." Hachiman said. "As for things I dislike, it would be sliced fresh tomatoes. If I had a choice, I'd dump them off my plate."
"What a coincidence. I also dislike tomatoes!" Chika brightens up. "What about tomato sauce?"
"Eh, I don't mind. Tomato sauce doesn't actually taste like tomatoes anyway. Plus, they blend with other condiments."
"Right then. Today's dinner is Italian! Tomato is verboten!" Chika happily cheered. "Let's go, shall we."
"I'll wait for you in Shibuya. Call me when you arrive." Hachiman closed his helmet visor and revved away with his bike, leaving near-invisible smoke behind him.
Chika was frozen.
She only realized now. If Hachiman can ride his bike? His travel time got cut in half, if not more. It means there's no opportunity for them to come home from school together anymore.
No walking to the train station, no more holding cutely to his arm, and no more unintentional kabe-don. Did Daichi purposely do this instead of giving Hachiman lenience from the goodness of his heart?
"Can't be that easy with him." Hachiman's words rang in her mind.
As the Fujiwara limo came to a dead stop due to a traffic jam, Chika took a deep breath.
"MOTHERFUCKER!"
やはり, 彼らが望む告白は間違っている - 藤原編
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong - Fujiwara Chapter.
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong - Fujiwara Chapter.
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
Side Chapter 02 - Fujiwara-san wants to ride along
"Ahhhh." Chika sighed in disappointment.
"Why are you whining? You literally just came, and you're whining." Hachiman asked.
"Hikki-san, wording please." She waved her hand. "That traffic was the absolute worst. I wish I could ride a motorbike, too."
"Now you understand why I decided to get one," Hachiman said. "Miyuki said he won't get one unless he's moving house, but he is saving to get one."
"Is he?"
"I mean, he has a small car license*, but think how much money that would cost, especially the parking cost." Hachiman pointed. "Unless he moved to a renthouse like me, which either has a garage or private parking."
"Next time, you should bring me along," Chika whispered. "I can walk or ride the moment we arrive in Shibuya."
"Crazy talk. Not happening." Hachiman scoffed. "You said you won't get me involved in your father's BS. He has eyes everywhere."
"I did say that, but it is so annoying!" Chika cried. "Can we at least ask for a smaller car?!"
A limousine in a Tokyo traffic jam is certified tedium. Hachiman legitimately wondered if those rich people were insane. A limo can provide comfort, but navigation is hell, and their use of space is inefficient.
"Well, why not ask him?" Hachiman shrugged. "It isn't exactly an unreasonable request. A limo should not be a daily ride, let alone in fucking Tokyo. Even the Imperial Family doesn't use a limo every day."
"Right." Chika winced. "I guess you're right."
It is not like Chika would ask him to buy one so she could drive it herself. She'd be crucified should that happen. But still, it was disappointing that Hachiman didn't get the hint.
Chika wants to enjoy the limited time they have. She only has one week of private time with Hachiman, with no other girls pestering him, especially with the upcoming golden week before the exam since Hachiman will go on a vacation with his family.
"Speaking of which, your family will vacation to Hiroshima, right?" Chika asked. "When will you depart?"
"We're going Saturday night and return Wednesday night," Hachiman said. "So, not including transit, it's a four-day, three-night vacation."
"You seem excited," Chika remarked.
"I like my mother's side of the family more," Hachiman said. "Even my father prefers her side of the family. Because of the distance, we can't visit them that often."
"I see." Chika nodded. "Your father is a Chiba native, right?"
"Yep."
The two of them didn't waste more time and started studying. As Hachiman recommended, Chika listened to audiobooks as well. Both to increase focus and information absorption.
Should Daichi have seen this scene, this would have been the longest he had seen her sitting still and deathly quiet. Kaguya would have been creeped out. Fujiwara Chika could only sit still, deathly quiet, but never both.
However, information overload is still a thing. Humans can't use 100% of their senses all the time, so they take a short break after one hour of studying.
Chika removed her headphones and stretched herself. Hachiman did the same with his earphone.
"Wanna eat some snacks?" Chika asked. "Low-calorie konjac chips."
Hahchiman wordlessly stared.
"You don't like konjac chips?"
"They're good, but it feels like eating nothing. I'm not getting my money's worth buying them." Hachiman said. "It feels like I'm eating air."
"That is the point." Chika shook the package. "Girls just want to snack on something and not deal with all the calories. In fact, konjac is zero calorie food."
"Are you trying to diet?"
"I'm trying not to load calories. Because whenever I study, I start to crave." Chika whined. "To be honest? I want ramen, but we're this close to dinner, and I'd be too full by then if we eat now."
It was only 16:30 (04:30 P.M.). Too late for lunch and too early for dinner. The French would call this the time for goûter! Unfortunately, the Japanese have no such thing. And ramen would have been too heavy for a goûter anyway!
"We can have ramen for dinner if you want," Hachiman said.
"I thought we were supposed to have Italian!" Chika gawked. "Our family chef might already have ordered the ingredients, too."
Hachiman scoffed. "Ask first, bitch later."
Chika talked with the kitchen staff. She asked if they had things prepared beforehand. Sure enough, they bought pasta. It seemed that the Fujiwara family doesn't eat pasta that often, if at all.
"We already have wheat pasta." Chika sighed. "I mean, Hikki-san dislikes wasting ingredients, right?"
"We could eat pasta anytime, not like they expire overnight, sis. And why the hell you bought so much?" Hachiman remarked. "But quitters talk. I have a way."
Hachiman had a private conversation with the Chef, who furrowed his eyes first before smiling and nodding in understanding.
"It can be done." The Chef nodded.
"I thought you'd be offended."
"Thankfully, I'm not some food and cultural purist. My client is my king." The Chef twirled his thin mustache. "And it is an interesting experiment."
He signaled Chika with an OK sign. Chika had no clue but awkwardly grinned and nodded in response. So they continued studying.
...
Unfortunately, their peace did not last when Hachiman heard an unfamiliar humming note.
"Oyo, do we have a guest here?" A young woman asked, full of curiosity.
Hachiman's danger alarm immediately sounded as his entire body shook and his eyes widened. It doesn't even take a glance for him to activate his fight or flight instinct.
Just this seductive voice and the sickening fragrance told him enough information.
First-class threat.
Hikigaya Hachiman is a veteran of the battlefields of love. He only had failures upon failures, but after being defeated and disgraced so many times, it would be ignorant to say he didn't learn anything.
Coupled with his experience with Shuchiin students and various workplace acquaintances, Hikigaya Hachiman knows more than his fair share of women.
It is going to be a pain in the ass.
"Ah, neechan, you finally came home?" Chika realized and removed her headphones. "Where have you been? You've been missing all weekend!"
"Just hanging out at a friend's place." She smiled.
"Which friend? You didn't tell us at all." Chika suspiciously jeered.
Friend, huh.
Hachiman almost certainly doesn't believe it. Hachiman would tell them if he was outside for more than one night, even if his parents rarely home.
Toyomi noticed the unfavorable look on the younger kids and decided to swiftly change the topic. "Is this handsome boy a boyfriend of yours?"
"No." Hachiman and Chika responded in a similarly deadpan manner.
"This is Hikigaya Hachiman, the PR Manager of the Shuchiin Student Council and my friend." Chika introduced him. "This is Fujiwara Toyomi, my elder sister and eldest daughter of this family."
Ah, Hachiman already knows. But now it has been confirmed.
At first glance, their style might contrast each other. Chika rarely wears makeup, if at all, highlighting her youthful innocence. And she always dressed conservatively, at least in front of Hachiman.
However, despite her sultry look and sensual clothing, their face has an uncanny resemblance with each other, much like Chika and Moeha.
"Nice to meet you." Hachiman politely nodded.
"Thank you for taking care of my little sister." Toyomi sat beside Hachiman and smiled. "I've heard someone is helping her study. I didn't expect it was someone good-looking and around the same age. Chika-chan sure has good taste in men."
Thot alert. Thot alert. Thot alert. Thot alert.
Hachiman had it bad enough with semi-innocent girls at high school, where he'd have to ninja dodge his female schoolmates when they were too affectionate.
But young college women are something else.
For all his confident and decisive attitude, Hikigaya Hachiman is extremely weak to the presence of girls around his age or older!
"It's such a waste, though, since father banned you from dating." Toyomi smiled. "What about me, Hikigaya-kun?"
As Toyomi clearly leaned to Hachiman, he somehow disappeared from sight and reappeared beside Chika.
"Eh?!" The Fujiwara siblings both gasped.
"What?" Hachiman questioned.
"For the record, this boy is popular at school," Chika said, a hint of pride in her voice. "Just getting close to him is already a privilege."
Hachiman wanted to argue against Chika, but it wasn't like she was wrong. Hachiman wasn't sure how many brain-dead girls existed in Shuchiin for liking someone as rotten and unrefined as he was.
Hachiman can understand people liking Shirogane Miyuki. Fake as it may be about talents and charisma, Miyuki is genuinely kindhearted and always helps people in need without needing to be critical and confrontational.
Miyuki is also bloody handsome. More than Hachiman would verbally admit. Aside from his grades and athleticism, Hachiman had few things he could boast about.
His unpleasant personality is not one of them.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Hachiman said as a matter of fact. "And no, I'm not interested."
"Hahaha, very serious. Onee-chan also likes that kind of guy, y'now." Toyomi licked her lips. "All the more tasty when they give in."
Chika was visibly annoyed, but Hachiman was legitimately creeped out.
"...If you have nothing better to do, please leave," Hachiman said, disgusted. "You're bothering me."
"Ara, why so angry? I'm just trying to be friendly, you know?"
Hachiman looked at Chika with a glance that said. "Either she leaves, or I will."
Chika knows that look. Whenever Hachiman is like that, even his close female friends are off-limits. Let alone some strangers he just met. However, if Hachiman lashed out, it would've been seen as overtly rude as a guest.
It is the job of the host to manage the rowdy locals. And since their parents aren't here, it's up to Chika to take things into her own hands.
"Nee-chan, please leave," Chika said with a frown.
"You can just ignore me, you know. I won't be loud, I promise!" Toyomi grinned.
Chika and Hachiman pulled out a folded paper pan and slipper, respectively.
...
"You know, Hikki-san, I began to understand why you're so sick about people dragging each other down instead of motivating and competing fairly." Chika stretched her arms.
"Exactly." Hachiman didn't look at her but nodded.
"But really, you're not tempted at all?"
"I'm tempted," Hachiman frankly answered. "Your big sister is objectively pretty and sexy. What's not to like?"
Chika popped a vein and pouted. "Then why did you refuse?"
"It won't work out," Hachiman said as he refilled his mechanical pencil with a new lead. "The mental gap between a college student and a High School Senior is more massive than between a Senior and a Freshman."
"Is it really?" Chika blinked. "I don't think so."
"When it comes to college students, they play with adult rules but still have the temperament of a kid," Hachiman said. "If I threw a tantrum as usual, they'd just call me childish and unwilling to understand or compromise with each other. Yet when they make mistakes, they downplay everything and ask for forgiveness. And then we'd break up like that."
"I was about to argue, but what you said is scarily realistic," Chika grimaced. "I lost count of how many boyfriends she had in the last two years. Are you sure you haven't dated someone from college?"
"No. I never dated anyone, period." Hachiman said. "But I've heard the stories, and they all shared the same pattern."
"Is that so? I'm surprised." Chika whistled. "But I guess it all makes sense, all things considered."
"People like to say I'm more mature than people my age. The truth is, I'm not at all that different." Hachiman pointed upward with his pencil. "I'm just nowhere as open about it."
The illusion of maturity that Hachiman possessed was solely decided by how cold and ruthless he could be. It is not the loud and angry Hachiman people need to fear, but quiet and angry Hachiman.
"I think Hikki-san appears mature and wise because you're self-aware about it, so you act reserved most of the time." Chika grinned as she poked his cheek. "It might be why I and the girls always teased you. It is because we all want to see the real Hikki-san. So I think it would be bad if you start dating Onee-chan and keep yourself even more guarded to keep up with her."
Hachiman blushed a bit and averted his eyes. "Shut up."
But Chika's happiness hearing his response was genuine. It is not that Chika specifically dislikes her big sister. On the contrary, she doesn't mind that Toyomi becomes the way she is, even if her parents are disappointed.
It is just that Chika doesn't want Hachiman to get hurt because her big sister treated him like a toy, and Hachiman was thankfully too smart to fall into her petty tricks.
"Excuse me, Ojou-chan. Should I ask you what broth you want for ramen dinner?" The Chef politely knocked on the door even though it was wide open.
"Ah, what do you want, Hikki-san?" Chika asked Hachiman.
"You don't have to ask for the same thing," Hachiman commented.
"I'm not that picky about ramen, so it's easier to make the same thing for two people, right?" Chika argued.
"Sure, seafood then." Hachiman smiled in resignation. Chika sure wanted to spoil him today, so he gave up resisting.
In Chika's mind, he made a concession by proposing the ramen even though they had planned for an Italian dinner day. So she can't be too greedy. Especially since having matching food is romantic!
"I'll have it prepared. Please wait." The Chef nodded while giving a knowing look. Ah, youth.
"I'll help," Chika said. "Let's just have a dinner here. Everyone else might not be keen on eating ramen for dinner, anyway."
Duh, what are you, some peasant? Hachiman asked jokingly in his mind. In his opinion, the Fujiwara family seemed to be typical of rich people in Japan. Modest outside and living a lavish life in private.
(Putting aside the limousine, anyway.)
People who flaunted wealth, like the Shinomiya Group, aren't actually the norm. That's why Shuchiin students can blend in with the masses if they don't wear their uniforms.
Only by knowing their personality would you notice the difference in charisma and influence.
"Are? Chika-chan isn't here?" Toyomi entered and sat close to Hachiman, only for him to slide away in response. "You really dislike me, huh?"
"It is not that I dislike you," Hachiman said. "It's awkward being so close with someone I don't know well."
"I see. Then let's get to know each other!" Toyomi cheekily pointed at herself.
Hachiman looked at her with disgust.
"Hmmm, Chika-chan is pretty conservative. I guess that's your type, and you dislike if a girl is being too forward."
"Correct." Hachiman said.
"I guess you dislike outgoing girls, huh? What about gal girls?"
"On the contrary, I have plenty of gal friends." Hachiman refuted. "The ones that aren't walking lie, anyway."
"Really?"
"It is not that I don't judge people by appearance. I am a very judgmental person, in fact." Hachiman said. "But I care a lot more about how they behave than anything."
"I see." Toyomi frowned. "You like it that Chika-chan would behave properly with you around."
Hachiman looked at her.
"Pfft." He scoffed.
"What's with the scoff?" Toyomi cringed. "I'm offended, but now I'm also curious."
"Fujiwara Chika, behave? Don't make me laugh." Hachiman snorted. "She only stays behaved because she doesn't want her father to get mad. I have never seen a home that feels like a prison more than this one."
"See? I'm inclined to agree." Toyomi stood. "Chika-chan is an obedient girl. Unfortunately, it only gave our parents more reason to restrict her."
She walked slowly and then bent over as she stood behind Hachiman. Her beautiful hands draped over his shoulder, almost touching his chest.
"But if it was me, you can do anything with me. Hikigaya-kun." She whispered seductively. "And father could do absolutely nothing about it."
"This is sexual harassment, you know." Hachiman's voice lowered. A mixture of anger and arousal filled his tone. "And you're doing it with a minor right now, so please cease."
"I'd like to call it flirting, though." Toyomi smiled. "And I'm sure you can consent, should you be willing to reciprocate."
"I see." Hachiman grinned and loosened his tie. "Two can play that game."
Meanwhile, Fujiwara Chika was hiding just outside and listening intently. A tray with two bowls of ramen in her hands. She tried her best to stay quiet, but she was panicking.
"Wha-wha-what did he mean with that?"
"Not so rough, Hikigaya-kun!" Toyomi cried. "I don't know if you're into hardcore stuff."
"I'd rather call it a foreplay," Hachiman said.
WHAT?!
Chika was so furious that not only Hachiman lied! But he was willing to soil the sanctity of the study room with unwholesome acts! Going this far, Chika won't let it slide!
They will pay!
As Chika entered the room, she saw her elder sister standing, her hand bound behind her, and her face was covered with a paper with letters written on it.
Chika snorted.
Then she laughed.
"Why are you laughing, Chika-chan?" Toyomi cluelessly asked. "I can't see anything."
On Toyomi's face, the single sheet of paper had a marker all over it, which read: [A thot and a kiddy diddler.]
"Oh, the food is here." Hachiman smiled, satisfied. "Thanks for spoiling me, Fujiwara."
"Mmmh, Hikki-san always indulged my whims at school, so let me be a nice host for you this week." Chika giddily sits beside him. "It is amazing how the pasta texture can change like that!"
"In cooking, the air and the water are often overlooked. However, the difference between pasta and ramen isn't just the wheat grind, but also the acidity."
"I am impressed how out of the box he could go to. Hikigaya-kun proposed to use alkaline water to cook the pasta." The Chef entered and nodded. "The base nature of the water made the pasta springy, but the taste didn't change much."
"Most people would use baking soda, but it would make the pasta bitter," Hachiman said. "Using natural alkaline water doesn't leave as much residue. So, the pasta isn't as bitter as using baking soda. You can wash it off by short boiling in ordinary water or let the broth taste cover it."
"Amazing!" Chika's eyes became starry. "You're both amazing."
In other words, Hachiman's recipe turned pasta into ramen. Most culinary purists would call this heresy. But when it comes to cooking, Hikigaya Hachiman never goes out of his way to make things difficult for himself.
Such is the mindset of a boy who cooks his own meal daily. The same person who makes meat jelly from store-bought gelatin powder!
"Waa, I want to have one, too! Please give me!" Toyomi begged. "It smells so good!"
"Naughty girls don't get dinner." The Chef laughed as he left.
It wasn't until Daichi came (sweaty and breathing hard) that Toyomi could be released from her binding, which he recognized as Hachiman's tie. However, the father gave her an earful about her actions today.
"How do you always appear at such convenient timing, Minister?" Hachiman gleefully asked.
"Right," Chika muttered. "How is it that he always comes home early these days?"
"I apologize for the intrusion." Daichi coughed awkwardly. "That won't happen again. I will make sure of it."
Chika wondered if Daichi hated Hachiman and distrusted him as much as Hachiman did Daichi. It seemed that the rift grew. Or perhaps it was bigger than Chika thought.
"That's bullshit, and you know it, Minister." Hachiman venomously remarked.
...
* IRL Japan, small car license was abolished in 1958
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Either way keep cooking, I like seeing them.
TheEchoOfReality
The Spectre Who Speaks
- Location
- The Universe
- Pronouns
- He
The dichotomy of the Hikigaya family:
Hachidad: "All women… are queens!"
Hachiman: "If she breathes… she's a THOOOOT!"
Hachidad: "All women… are queens!"
Hachiman: "If she breathes… she's a THOOOOT!"
Warmach1ne32
Machine of War and Quests
- Location
- Indonesia
As someone who eat while looking at food videos, I learnt a lot of random recipes and techniques. I knew about using alkaline water to turn pasta to ramen, but I prefer pasta to ramen, so I don't use it at all but that information is still there. Zero might be doing the same thing, sprinkling facts he learnt or just spend the time to do a wiki dive on the subject until he has all the information.
TheEchoOfReality
The Spectre Who Speaks
- Location
- The Universe
- Pronouns
- He
Hell, Haruno presumingly went to Suchiin too, as did Toyomi. Whose to say they aren't already acquainted and Hachiman might have to deal with both at once?
If you listen carefully, you can already hear him hyperventilating.
GoukaRyuu
Shadow Cabal Made Man
- Location
- New Jersey
From my discussions with Zero I can tell you she did not. This is part of why Yukino is so happy too. she got a coup over her sister that Haruno could never match.
- Location
- USA
I can only imagine getting out from under her sisters shadow at school and going to a place where she can make her own connections and friends has helped a lot.
No zero I'm pretty sure said she didnt
TheEchoOfReality
The Spectre Who Speaks
- Location
- The Universe
- Pronouns
- He
Ah, my apologies. I must have missed that particular tidbit. It also explains just where she got all that confidence and courage from a few chapters back. Slaying that particular dragon of hers would certainly vanquish any feelings of inferiority or inadequacy that plagued her in her Sobu iteration.
In that case, wouldn't Toyomi come out on top in any theoretical battle of the cradle-robbers since Haruno has been humbled a bit here? She'd certainly have the edge, methinks - confidence and charisma being the key to seduction and whatnot.
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- Pronouns
- Reader
Wow. Was it a paper work thing or something more senseless?
This was a fun update. Bullying Toyomi should become a Hachi harem hobby.
TriGayatri
Butter Cookies Villainess
- Location
- Indonesia
- Pronouns
- She
Some of them yeah. Can confirm he fucked around with ramen pasta, though
(Kaguya loves cooking arc in canon anyway)
Cars just get bigger and faster so licenses become universal. Back in the day Kei car was 300-450cc. Its the practical ride in postwar Japan.
However the main story established that the license still exist if maybe uncommon. Both Shirogane and Yukinoshita had theirs (and Yukino had her own car too)
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdyXKJ8NcNI
Canon wise both of them hold that value actually. Hachidad taught Hachiman not to trust women, unless you know she's a queen bossgirl, which Hachimom is. Hence his huge misogynist streak against Yui and borderline worship of Yukino.
Haruno... if she tried.
Haruno is a loser in canon because she's lazy and disillusioned about college life. If she actually tried, she could achieve anything Yukino do (and vice versa), she just don't have the willpower and dedication. Haruno is closer to a jaded and washed out Komachi than a Yukino archetype.
Toyomi, despite being a natural thot, is not that far removed to Chika in personality. So when someone ask
Chika is Toyomi if she's monogamous.You know Chika would be utterly terrifying if her dad were to rescind the dating ban, Hachiman would know no mercy from her desire and Moeha would be left shaking at the thought of Komachi becoming her sister-in-law.
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Side Chapter 03 - Fujiwara-san wants to listen
ZeroXSEED
Economic Authoritarian Muslim Leftist
- Location
- In the name of orange!
- Pronouns
- He
"You only have the power because the kids gave you one. The moment they decide to rebel, that's the end."
"I don't understand what you're talking about, Hikigaya-kun." Daichi sat down across the table, somewhat offended. "Are you implying I don't have the power to control my own daughter?"
Hachiman might dislike how Toyomi invaded his private space, but he could not refute her words. Minister Daichi only has power over Chika because Chika lets him do so.
That's why Daichi feared Chika becoming as rebellious as her big sister. Once Chika decides it's enough, then there's nothing Daichi can do. Nothing that would not wound Chika's heart, anyway.
"At this stage, no. If I guessed right, you stopped giving Fujiwara Toyomi money. Perhaps even cutting her college tuition." Hachiman said. "But somehow, she found a way out of it. Now that she's financially independent, you can't do anything. Not without abusing your power to destroy her livelihood."
"..."
Chika closed her mouth in response, while Daichi was proverbially gagged and unable to argue.
"Father won't do that... would you?" Chika grimaced as she looked at Daichi in the eyes. "Right?"
"No," Daichi said. "I would never do that to my own child. I'd sooner disown her and write her off the family inheritance rather than rob her of what she earned."
"Everyone else is a fair game, though." Hachiman helpfully added, which made Daichi twitch.
"Should she do anything disturbing, you have my word that you can use any proportional approach to stop her." Daichi firmly told Hachiman. "Should she cross the line, I will deal with her myself. Harshly."
"I'm home!" The heavy and hostile atmosphere was dispersed when another woman came. "Oh, we have a guest? Good evening."
Hachiman looked at her, then at Chika and Daichi.
The woman has a stark physical resemblance with all the Fujiwara sisters... except for her relatively modest chest and neck-length hair. It wasn't flat, but it was below average for her age.
"Oh."
"You were thinking something rude just now, weren't you?" Chika slapped him with a paper fan. "Anyway, this is Hikigaya Hachiman, a friend in the student council. He is helping me study this week! Hikki-san, this is my mother."
"I see! So you're the famed Hikki-san. My name is Maho. Fujiwara Maho." She bowed a couple times. "I don't know how you persuaded her, but thanks for instilling the value of hard work on my lazy daughter."
"Uh, that was a little too much," Hachiman said while Chika fumed hard. "Actually, Secretary Fujiwara was the one who asked me for help. She definitely had the drive to push herself even without me around."
"Is that so?" Maho blinked.
"IT IS TRUE!" Chika shouted and left angrily.
Apparently, the mother had even less faith in Chika than the father, which says a lot. At least Daichi did not question Chika's motivation and reason to study hard.
"Well, he helped to identify her strength and how to study efficiently." Daichi coughed. "So I am somewhat thankful."
"Are you that confident about it, Hikigaya-kun?" Maho questioned. Her eyes gazed at him like those of a hawk. "To be honest, I've hired several tutors in the past, and they all gave up."
"I would only say what I know and refuse to say what I don't know for sure." Hachiman gave a half-committed answer because he was annoyed. "As for the tutor you hire, perhaps they're too rigid and unwilling to think outside the box."
"Define," Maho demanded.
"You can't put a round peg in a square hole," Hachiman said. "If everything the school taught is enough, there's no need for cram school and private tutoring. There's no such thing as ultimate problem solver."
"Everyone has the best way to study something," Daichi defended Hachiman. "It's just that Chika-san hasn't found most of them."
"I see." Maho softened. "That's rational."
The Fujiwara parents sure aren't the most welcoming. But Maho, at least, wasn't as upfront about her suspicion. However, it seems that she is even more stubborn than her husband.
But Hachiman is alright with that.
"How about you, Hikigaya-kun? You're an external student. How do you find a way to enroll in Shuchiin? Although it is open to the public, few are willing to tackle the challenge. Especially without inside sponsors."
"In my third year of middle school, I began to study seriously. So I could enter any elite high school. Originally, I planned to enter Soubu Municipal High." Hachiman said.
"Soubu High." Maho checked her phone. "It's Chiba's #1 elite high school and #27 nationally. Not bad."
It was a far cry from Shuchiin Academy but prestigious on its own. Everyone who studied at Soubu High is considered an elite students in Chiba.
"But a close friend of my father tried to sponsor me to get into Shuchiin. Should I fail to earn scholarships, he probably would end up paying for my tuition." Hachiman said. "But I said I would not enroll without securing scholarships anyway. I'd rather not have someone outside family paying for my tuition."
"And this person is..."
"President of the Saionji Conglomerate Group." Hachiman uncharacteristically grinned. "They have known each other since they were young."
Hachiman saw Daichi's face turned ashen white while Maho's eyes bulged out in shock.
At that time, Daichi was arrogant. He thought he could get away with everything because the Fujiwara family had money and power... how wrong he was.
Not only did Hachiman run roughshod all over his spying, but even the Hikigaya parents had begun to retrace everything.
Japan had a nebulous relationship with private detective agencies. The line between legitimate investigation and stalking can be thin. Doubly so about the internet footprints and public records. To say nothing of secret information that could be obtained via internal connection (a breach of corporate trust) or outright data theft...
As far as Daichi is concerned, that last part is actually the sore point in his mind. The Hikigaya family had a nearly spotless public record, and the in-depth information was buried in a place many detectives were unwilling to touch.
In hindsight? That might have saved Daichi's bacon should a legal battle ensue. Because there IS such a person behind Hachiman's father. Someone even he could not recklessly offend.
When Chika returned, she gave Daichi and Maho a bowl of pasta ramen. "Here, you must be hungry."
"Hmm? Ramen?" However, Daichi noticed when he took a small slurp after he prayed. "This is pasta."
Then Daichi remembered Chika said Hachiman preferred Italian food. Did they change it into a ramen?
"It's delicious, though," Maho remarked. "Albeit unique."
"I know. Right?" Chika giddily nodded. "The Chef really pulled out a miracle on this one. I'm glad he listened to Hikki-san."
?
"What did you tell him, Hikigaya-kun?" Maho asked.
"How to turn pasta into ramen without ruining the taste." Hachiman lightly answered. "It also takes skill and innate knowledge to pull it off. He did it much better than I ever could."
"Oh."
The husband and wife felt Hachiman did that for Chika because they knew what the second daughter liked to eat. Sometimes, she would even go to a ramen shop AFTER the dinner...
Maho always chastised Chika whenever she did it, but it wasn't like she was at home often enough to catch her. Which leaves Daichi to pick up the slack.
It's not like Daichi is too worried about her gaining weight and losing her prettiness. No, he's just worried she would ruin her health that way. Not only the calories. But the loads of sodium commonly used in commercial ramen stalls worried Daichi.
Needless to say, wheat pasta is also slightly healthier than genuine ramen noodles. So Daichi could only grudgingly be thankful.
This boy is too sneaky.
Daichi was surprised that Hachiman resisted Toyomi so vehemently, to the point of humiliating her. Daichi was all too aware of her eldest daughter's body count, something he was truly ashamed of.
"What do you think of Toyomi-san, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Scary." Hachiman openly told him. "Should anyone let their guard down, they'll be swallowed whole. I'm not an exception. And I feel unsafe around her."
Ah.
Daichi doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Chika seemed to be satisfied with the outcome, at least. He knew she still loved her big sister dearly, but that didn't mean she approved of her behavior.
Especially seducing her crush.
"Excuse me, I'm going to the toilet." Hachiman stood up and left the study.
Side Chapter 03 - Fujiwara-san wants to listen
Daichi took a deep breath and sighed as if an invisible burden had been lifted off his shoulders. Somehow, even though he went out of his way to corner this boy, he had always been the one who ended up intimidated.
He hated it. Hachiman's words made him feel powerless because they were objectively true. And unlike many adults who behaved similarly, Daichi's conscience is too strong to ignore the truth.
"Toyomi-san is here?" Maho asked. "And what happened? Seems like everyone is on edge."
Chika told Maho the things that happened to her when they were studying, all the way to the moment Hachiman put Toyomi in a literal corner of shame. Chika even had pictures on her phone to prove it.
Maho was so furious that had it not for Daichi holding her, she was about to kick the bedroom door open!
"I will make sure that girl understands!" Maho screamed.
"Please be patient," Daichi begged.
"To be honest, I don't dislike Nee-san at all," Chika said. "But at this rate, Hikki-san will end up making enemies of half the household."
"That's a little too much." Daichi scoffed.
"Right? What exactly is the problem." Maho frowned. "It is normal for us to be worried."
"He felt so uncomfortable and restless," Chika said. "As if he was always watched. He always looked as if everyone was ready to stab him when he was not looking. He feels unwelcome here, and as someone who asked him to come, it was awful for me as a host."
Daichi twitched.
"I mean, we have a CCTV system. But most of the time, the stations are empty." Chika remarked. "...Right?"
Fujiwara Chika dreams of being a Prime Minister. But she also has an unusual hobby. That being a self-proclaimed detective. She liked mysteries and had a sharp sense, even if her clumsiness, inability to focus, and gullibility got in her way.
This time, her mind was focused. Daichi is in danger.
"Right. The CCTV." Maho coughed. "What about it?"
"I have no clue what you're talking about, Chika-san." Daichi feigned ignorance. "But after what happened today, I can understand his feelings. This boy valued silence like no one I've seen before."
That was a lie.
If Daichi truly cared for Hachiman's feelings, he wouldn't be so on guard and watch his every move. Indeed, he didn't even bother to check on Shirogane Miyuki when he spent a night or two here.
Because Chika did not fancy him as a boy in the slightest. Shirogane Miyuki is not a threat.
Although Hachiman had been a great help in motivating Chika so far, it only made Daichi even more uneasy. Perhaps Chika was right, and he wanted Hachiman not to come at all.
But in that case... it would ruin Chika's hard-earned motivation and good mood. And Daichi would slap himself should that happen. He could not forgive himself if he let his insecurity ruin his daughter's largely positive development.
"Hikki-san absolutely values personal space. That's why he reacted to Nee-san violently."
Daichi furrowed his eyebrows.
"He's like this at school, too?" Daichi questioned.
"Very much." Chika nodded. "If the girls teased him too much and he felt harassed, he'll just hit them with a slipper."
"Have you got hit?"
"All too often." Chika winced.
Maho and Daichi don't like the sound of that.
"But I will try to behave as much as I can from now on." Chika's face suddenly grew darker. "It would be a shame if he refused to come because everyone refuses to behave. Right, Father and Mother?"
Busted.
Daichi knows his daughter's temperament. And right now, Chika looks so much more like her mother. An angry Chika would have a temper tantrum, but this was not one of them. An angry Chika, who is calm and focused, terrifies Daichi more.
Their expression was way too alike. And as much as Daichi tends to appear as a strict Asian father figure, his wife is even more rigid and scarier.
As Daichi looked at Maho, she was equally unsettled. She knew that Chika was also on the edge. They could only push her around so far before she blew up.
The current Fujiwara Chika is basically a walking landmine.
"I think your mother understood," Daichi gently said. "Be sure to remind Moeka-chan to behave as well."
"I will." Chika's face brightened again, with a radiant smile that would make boys melt.
Daichi had been thinking about it for a while. If Hachiman wanted to ruin everything, he could've just told Chika the spying incident. From what Daichi saw, he kept the lid shut, which Daichi was thankful for.
God knows what her reaction would be if Chika ever found out.
In other words, Hachiman has the perfect blackmail material that he hasn't used, so Daichi can't be too zealous about his treatment of him. He was sure his wife would agree.
...they haven't really talked about that, have they? Daichi knew that his wife understood it from the uneasiness on her face.
...
"So, speaking of Toyomi-san." Maho continued the train of conversation as soon as Hachiman returned. "She wasn't always like this. But looking back, I have difficulty finding where we did wrong."
Hachiman said. "If we were talking more vague and broad concepts like abandonment, neglect, abuse, smothering, and so on, it is easier. But few parents could tell when exactly things went wrong. To find the turning point where their child changed overnight."
"Because most children don't change overnight. So trying to pinpoint past mistakes is a waste of time." Chika added as she put her hands on Hachiman's shoulders. "We changed whimsically over time, sometimes without realizing it ourselves. Unlike adults who consciously have to push themselves to change."
...Honestly? Daichi and Maho were peeved that they looked so good in that pose. Thankfully, Hachiman slapped her hands away within seconds. Looks like Chika was not lying. Hachiman really values personal space.
But their words weren't incorrect. Children, by definition, grow up and change over time. It is said that a person's mental growth only settled around thirty years old.
"It reminds me of something," Hachiman said. "The story of an acquaintance."
"A story?" Chika asked. "Sounds interesting!"
"There were two sisters, two years apart. The big sister is always lovable, outgoing, and a bit of a bully. The little sister has always been weak and quiet." Hachiman began retelling the story. "The big sister has always been the face of the family. Everyone praised her for achievement and loved her for her beauty and personality."
"The little sister is nothing more than a wallflower. She was bullied and ostracized at school for being outstanding yet asocial. No matter how she tried to achieve something, people kept comparing her to her big sister. In the end, she has always been alone. Left behind and forgotten."
The story is honestly not that specific. Japan, for the most part, still believes in strict familial hierarchy. The man before the woman. Older before younger. The older one gets more privileges in exchange for more responsibilities. While the younger one is ignored as long as they don't make an embarrassment of the family name.
"The little sister, in her loneliness and isolation, became cold and hateful. But she realized she could not bear to commit evil and tarnish her proud family's name. Her heart was too pure, and her moral was too strong. So she seeks a different path to commit revenge." Hachiman continued, his voice full of awe and respect.
"She decided to avoid retracing the path her big sister climbed. She went to a different school, bigger and better than the one her big sister went to."
"She aimed to change the world and erase all forms of injustice. To ensure the nail that sticks out does not get hammered. She aimed to prove to her bullies and doubters that she could beat the odds. She surpassed her big sister in every way conceivable."
"If her big sister is the beautiful moon, the little sister is the sun. Unimaginably distant, yet immensely imposing. Her parents know this, and they were too spooked to try and rein her back. Their conscience is eaten alive by their past sins. Their unfair treatment and neglect. They could not even boast about her without dying inside."
"But the most important is not the honor and glory she earned. By leaving her sister's shadow and the burden of family legacy, the little sister can prove herself and find true companionship. Because her name is no longer special." Hachiman warmly smiled. "She found happiness in self-exile."
"...What happened with the big sister?" Chika asked, suspenseful.
"Wasting her time in a mediocre college, realizing that her past achievements as a high school student matter little, and the people surrounding her don't care about her, only her family name. But now she couldn't even bully her little sister because the little sister is the superior sister." Hachiman scoffed.
All the Fujiwara family members became silent.
"Whatever moral message you take from this story is up to you." Hachiman finished the retelling at the same time he packed his bag.
"What is your take, Hikki-san?"
"The past is full of regret, and the future is uncertain. You don't have to surpass your past self or be afraid of failing to achieve your future goal. For me, doing my best in my present is all I wanted." Hachiman carried his bag. "Because dreams betray many, but hard work betrays no one."
In other words, it does not matter that the little sister is more successful. The big sister's fleeting days of decay are a hell of her own making. This is what Hachiman believed.
Daichi remembered the first time he talked with Hachiman about Toyomi and his fear of Chika.
"But Secretary Fujiwara isn't her older sister."
Hachiman said in full conviction, even though he had never known Toyomi, because he knew Fujiwara Chika and believed she would never be led astray as long as she held onto her dream to become a Prime Minister.
Hachiman had faith in Chika, something the parents did not have.
"I'll have to wrap this up early, Secretary Fujiwara." Hachiman bowed at them politely. "Thank you for the hospitality, everyone. I most likely won't be able to make it tomorrow."
Fujiwara Daichi and Maho felt like they got stabbed in the heart. Although they appear cordial, they were anything but. Hachiman was correct. Not only did the CCTV network do something more than simple recording, but the housekeeping staff were there to observe his actions, too.
In other words, the entire household members, except for the Fujiwara sisters, were enemies.
Chika ended up being the one who saw him leaving at the entrance.
"Sorry, things get so chaotic that you feel uncomfortable." Chika sighed.
"You misunderstood," Hachiman told Chika. "I'm going home early for a different reason. Also, tomorrow I have something important to do. Not because I don't want to come."
"Really?" Chika asked in disbelief.
"If you have time, we can study on Thursday afternoon, too," Hachiman said. "Since I plan to go out with Komachi in the morning, I might have some free time later."
"Hmm, I see." Chika nodded. "Then I'll mail you again."
"To be honest, I am envious," Hachiman told Chika. "Despite the various disagreements and conflicts, the Fujiwara family is extremely close with each other. My family is different. We all operate on the same wavelength and understand each other, yet cold and uncaring toward each other."
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Chika often wished she had Hachiman's near-absolute freedom, but if the price is losing the love and care of her family...
Is it worth trading?
"You still on unspoken terms with your father?" Chika asked.
"Nah, things are certainly improving," Hachiman replied. "Father has been fumbling to reconnect with me since the spring vacation. And my relationship with my mother wasn't poor, just distant."
"That's why you agreed to go with them to Hiroshima!" Chika clapped in realization.
"You bet it."
He wouldn't agree to go if Hachiman was still mad at his father. Although Hachiman is stubborn, he's not heartless. If Hachiman's father had been genuine in his attempts to apologize, Hachiman would return the sentiment.
"Although I am uncomfortable with your parents' suspicion, I can perfectly understand them. Whether it was their emotional distress or their rational reasoning for doing so." Hachiman told Chika. "Don't be too hard on them."
"I can't," Chika said. "Hikki-san had been nothing but helpful and nice to me. If they still want me to see them as a loving family, they better treat you well as my guest."
"Your choice." Hachiman scoffed. "Just don't regret it."
"Also..." Chika hesitated to ask, but she asked anyway. "The little sister in the story, was it someone in Shuchiin? And are you close with her?"
The way he spoke about the little sister, his eyes were full of admiration, and his voice was colored with reverence, which made Chika super jealous.
"First of all, yes." Hachiman nodded. "Secondly, no, we're not exactly close friends. We don't meet all that often. Not anymore."
"I see." Chika sighed in relief. "For a second, I thought you were talking about a secret girlfriend or something."
Hachiman burst out laughing.
"Crazy talk." Hachiman wore his helmet. "See you later."
"Mmmh." Chika happily waved. "Be careful."
As Hachiman's bike disappeared in the evening street, Chika's smile turned into a frown.
Today was really a disaster!
"I don't understand what you're talking about, Hikigaya-kun." Daichi sat down across the table, somewhat offended. "Are you implying I don't have the power to control my own daughter?"
Hachiman might dislike how Toyomi invaded his private space, but he could not refute her words. Minister Daichi only has power over Chika because Chika lets him do so.
That's why Daichi feared Chika becoming as rebellious as her big sister. Once Chika decides it's enough, then there's nothing Daichi can do. Nothing that would not wound Chika's heart, anyway.
"At this stage, no. If I guessed right, you stopped giving Fujiwara Toyomi money. Perhaps even cutting her college tuition." Hachiman said. "But somehow, she found a way out of it. Now that she's financially independent, you can't do anything. Not without abusing your power to destroy her livelihood."
"..."
Chika closed her mouth in response, while Daichi was proverbially gagged and unable to argue.
"Father won't do that... would you?" Chika grimaced as she looked at Daichi in the eyes. "Right?"
"No," Daichi said. "I would never do that to my own child. I'd sooner disown her and write her off the family inheritance rather than rob her of what she earned."
"Everyone else is a fair game, though." Hachiman helpfully added, which made Daichi twitch.
"Should she do anything disturbing, you have my word that you can use any proportional approach to stop her." Daichi firmly told Hachiman. "Should she cross the line, I will deal with her myself. Harshly."
"I'm home!" The heavy and hostile atmosphere was dispersed when another woman came. "Oh, we have a guest? Good evening."
Hachiman looked at her, then at Chika and Daichi.
The woman has a stark physical resemblance with all the Fujiwara sisters... except for her relatively modest chest and neck-length hair. It wasn't flat, but it was below average for her age.
"Oh."
"You were thinking something rude just now, weren't you?" Chika slapped him with a paper fan. "Anyway, this is Hikigaya Hachiman, a friend in the student council. He is helping me study this week! Hikki-san, this is my mother."
"I see! So you're the famed Hikki-san. My name is Maho. Fujiwara Maho." She bowed a couple times. "I don't know how you persuaded her, but thanks for instilling the value of hard work on my lazy daughter."
"Uh, that was a little too much," Hachiman said while Chika fumed hard. "Actually, Secretary Fujiwara was the one who asked me for help. She definitely had the drive to push herself even without me around."
"Is that so?" Maho blinked.
"IT IS TRUE!" Chika shouted and left angrily.
Apparently, the mother had even less faith in Chika than the father, which says a lot. At least Daichi did not question Chika's motivation and reason to study hard.
"Well, he helped to identify her strength and how to study efficiently." Daichi coughed. "So I am somewhat thankful."
"Are you that confident about it, Hikigaya-kun?" Maho questioned. Her eyes gazed at him like those of a hawk. "To be honest, I've hired several tutors in the past, and they all gave up."
"I would only say what I know and refuse to say what I don't know for sure." Hachiman gave a half-committed answer because he was annoyed. "As for the tutor you hire, perhaps they're too rigid and unwilling to think outside the box."
"Define," Maho demanded.
"You can't put a round peg in a square hole," Hachiman said. "If everything the school taught is enough, there's no need for cram school and private tutoring. There's no such thing as ultimate problem solver."
"Everyone has the best way to study something," Daichi defended Hachiman. "It's just that Chika-san hasn't found most of them."
"I see." Maho softened. "That's rational."
The Fujiwara parents sure aren't the most welcoming. But Maho, at least, wasn't as upfront about her suspicion. However, it seems that she is even more stubborn than her husband.
But Hachiman is alright with that.
"How about you, Hikigaya-kun? You're an external student. How do you find a way to enroll in Shuchiin? Although it is open to the public, few are willing to tackle the challenge. Especially without inside sponsors."
"In my third year of middle school, I began to study seriously. So I could enter any elite high school. Originally, I planned to enter Soubu Municipal High." Hachiman said.
"Soubu High." Maho checked her phone. "It's Chiba's #1 elite high school and #27 nationally. Not bad."
It was a far cry from Shuchiin Academy but prestigious on its own. Everyone who studied at Soubu High is considered an elite students in Chiba.
"But a close friend of my father tried to sponsor me to get into Shuchiin. Should I fail to earn scholarships, he probably would end up paying for my tuition." Hachiman said. "But I said I would not enroll without securing scholarships anyway. I'd rather not have someone outside family paying for my tuition."
"And this person is..."
"President of the Saionji Conglomerate Group." Hachiman uncharacteristically grinned. "They have known each other since they were young."
Hachiman saw Daichi's face turned ashen white while Maho's eyes bulged out in shock.
At that time, Daichi was arrogant. He thought he could get away with everything because the Fujiwara family had money and power... how wrong he was.
Not only did Hachiman run roughshod all over his spying, but even the Hikigaya parents had begun to retrace everything.
Japan had a nebulous relationship with private detective agencies. The line between legitimate investigation and stalking can be thin. Doubly so about the internet footprints and public records. To say nothing of secret information that could be obtained via internal connection (a breach of corporate trust) or outright data theft...
As far as Daichi is concerned, that last part is actually the sore point in his mind. The Hikigaya family had a nearly spotless public record, and the in-depth information was buried in a place many detectives were unwilling to touch.
In hindsight? That might have saved Daichi's bacon should a legal battle ensue. Because there IS such a person behind Hachiman's father. Someone even he could not recklessly offend.
When Chika returned, she gave Daichi and Maho a bowl of pasta ramen. "Here, you must be hungry."
"Hmm? Ramen?" However, Daichi noticed when he took a small slurp after he prayed. "This is pasta."
Then Daichi remembered Chika said Hachiman preferred Italian food. Did they change it into a ramen?
"It's delicious, though," Maho remarked. "Albeit unique."
"I know. Right?" Chika giddily nodded. "The Chef really pulled out a miracle on this one. I'm glad he listened to Hikki-san."
?
"What did you tell him, Hikigaya-kun?" Maho asked.
"How to turn pasta into ramen without ruining the taste." Hachiman lightly answered. "It also takes skill and innate knowledge to pull it off. He did it much better than I ever could."
"Oh."
The husband and wife felt Hachiman did that for Chika because they knew what the second daughter liked to eat. Sometimes, she would even go to a ramen shop AFTER the dinner...
Maho always chastised Chika whenever she did it, but it wasn't like she was at home often enough to catch her. Which leaves Daichi to pick up the slack.
It's not like Daichi is too worried about her gaining weight and losing her prettiness. No, he's just worried she would ruin her health that way. Not only the calories. But the loads of sodium commonly used in commercial ramen stalls worried Daichi.
Needless to say, wheat pasta is also slightly healthier than genuine ramen noodles. So Daichi could only grudgingly be thankful.
This boy is too sneaky.
Daichi was surprised that Hachiman resisted Toyomi so vehemently, to the point of humiliating her. Daichi was all too aware of her eldest daughter's body count, something he was truly ashamed of.
"What do you think of Toyomi-san, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Scary." Hachiman openly told him. "Should anyone let their guard down, they'll be swallowed whole. I'm not an exception. And I feel unsafe around her."
Ah.
Daichi doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Chika seemed to be satisfied with the outcome, at least. He knew she still loved her big sister dearly, but that didn't mean she approved of her behavior.
Especially seducing her crush.
"Excuse me, I'm going to the toilet." Hachiman stood up and left the study.
やはり, 彼らが望む告白は間違っている - 藤原編
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong - Fujiwara Chapter.
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
As expected, the Confession they want is wrong - Fujiwara Chapter.
Original Story by: Watari Wataru and Akasaka Aka
Side Chapter 03 - Fujiwara-san wants to listen
Daichi took a deep breath and sighed as if an invisible burden had been lifted off his shoulders. Somehow, even though he went out of his way to corner this boy, he had always been the one who ended up intimidated.
He hated it. Hachiman's words made him feel powerless because they were objectively true. And unlike many adults who behaved similarly, Daichi's conscience is too strong to ignore the truth.
"Toyomi-san is here?" Maho asked. "And what happened? Seems like everyone is on edge."
Chika told Maho the things that happened to her when they were studying, all the way to the moment Hachiman put Toyomi in a literal corner of shame. Chika even had pictures on her phone to prove it.
Maho was so furious that had it not for Daichi holding her, she was about to kick the bedroom door open!
"I will make sure that girl understands!" Maho screamed.
"Please be patient," Daichi begged.
"To be honest, I don't dislike Nee-san at all," Chika said. "But at this rate, Hikki-san will end up making enemies of half the household."
"That's a little too much." Daichi scoffed.
"Right? What exactly is the problem." Maho frowned. "It is normal for us to be worried."
"He felt so uncomfortable and restless," Chika said. "As if he was always watched. He always looked as if everyone was ready to stab him when he was not looking. He feels unwelcome here, and as someone who asked him to come, it was awful for me as a host."
Daichi twitched.
"I mean, we have a CCTV system. But most of the time, the stations are empty." Chika remarked. "...Right?"
Fujiwara Chika dreams of being a Prime Minister. But she also has an unusual hobby. That being a self-proclaimed detective. She liked mysteries and had a sharp sense, even if her clumsiness, inability to focus, and gullibility got in her way.
This time, her mind was focused. Daichi is in danger.
"Right. The CCTV." Maho coughed. "What about it?"
"I have no clue what you're talking about, Chika-san." Daichi feigned ignorance. "But after what happened today, I can understand his feelings. This boy valued silence like no one I've seen before."
That was a lie.
If Daichi truly cared for Hachiman's feelings, he wouldn't be so on guard and watch his every move. Indeed, he didn't even bother to check on Shirogane Miyuki when he spent a night or two here.
Because Chika did not fancy him as a boy in the slightest. Shirogane Miyuki is not a threat.
Although Hachiman had been a great help in motivating Chika so far, it only made Daichi even more uneasy. Perhaps Chika was right, and he wanted Hachiman not to come at all.
But in that case... it would ruin Chika's hard-earned motivation and good mood. And Daichi would slap himself should that happen. He could not forgive himself if he let his insecurity ruin his daughter's largely positive development.
"Hikki-san absolutely values personal space. That's why he reacted to Nee-san violently."
Daichi furrowed his eyebrows.
"He's like this at school, too?" Daichi questioned.
"Very much." Chika nodded. "If the girls teased him too much and he felt harassed, he'll just hit them with a slipper."
"Have you got hit?"
"All too often." Chika winced.
Maho and Daichi don't like the sound of that.
"But I will try to behave as much as I can from now on." Chika's face suddenly grew darker. "It would be a shame if he refused to come because everyone refuses to behave. Right, Father and Mother?"
Busted.
Daichi knows his daughter's temperament. And right now, Chika looks so much more like her mother. An angry Chika would have a temper tantrum, but this was not one of them. An angry Chika, who is calm and focused, terrifies Daichi more.
Their expression was way too alike. And as much as Daichi tends to appear as a strict Asian father figure, his wife is even more rigid and scarier.
As Daichi looked at Maho, she was equally unsettled. She knew that Chika was also on the edge. They could only push her around so far before she blew up.
The current Fujiwara Chika is basically a walking landmine.
"I think your mother understood," Daichi gently said. "Be sure to remind Moeka-chan to behave as well."
"I will." Chika's face brightened again, with a radiant smile that would make boys melt.
Daichi had been thinking about it for a while. If Hachiman wanted to ruin everything, he could've just told Chika the spying incident. From what Daichi saw, he kept the lid shut, which Daichi was thankful for.
God knows what her reaction would be if Chika ever found out.
In other words, Hachiman has the perfect blackmail material that he hasn't used, so Daichi can't be too zealous about his treatment of him. He was sure his wife would agree.
...they haven't really talked about that, have they? Daichi knew that his wife understood it from the uneasiness on her face.
...
"So, speaking of Toyomi-san." Maho continued the train of conversation as soon as Hachiman returned. "She wasn't always like this. But looking back, I have difficulty finding where we did wrong."
Hachiman said. "If we were talking more vague and broad concepts like abandonment, neglect, abuse, smothering, and so on, it is easier. But few parents could tell when exactly things went wrong. To find the turning point where their child changed overnight."
"Because most children don't change overnight. So trying to pinpoint past mistakes is a waste of time." Chika added as she put her hands on Hachiman's shoulders. "We changed whimsically over time, sometimes without realizing it ourselves. Unlike adults who consciously have to push themselves to change."
...Honestly? Daichi and Maho were peeved that they looked so good in that pose. Thankfully, Hachiman slapped her hands away within seconds. Looks like Chika was not lying. Hachiman really values personal space.
But their words weren't incorrect. Children, by definition, grow up and change over time. It is said that a person's mental growth only settled around thirty years old.
"It reminds me of something," Hachiman said. "The story of an acquaintance."
"A story?" Chika asked. "Sounds interesting!"
"There were two sisters, two years apart. The big sister is always lovable, outgoing, and a bit of a bully. The little sister has always been weak and quiet." Hachiman began retelling the story. "The big sister has always been the face of the family. Everyone praised her for achievement and loved her for her beauty and personality."
"The little sister is nothing more than a wallflower. She was bullied and ostracized at school for being outstanding yet asocial. No matter how she tried to achieve something, people kept comparing her to her big sister. In the end, she has always been alone. Left behind and forgotten."
The story is honestly not that specific. Japan, for the most part, still believes in strict familial hierarchy. The man before the woman. Older before younger. The older one gets more privileges in exchange for more responsibilities. While the younger one is ignored as long as they don't make an embarrassment of the family name.
"The little sister, in her loneliness and isolation, became cold and hateful. But she realized she could not bear to commit evil and tarnish her proud family's name. Her heart was too pure, and her moral was too strong. So she seeks a different path to commit revenge." Hachiman continued, his voice full of awe and respect.
"She decided to avoid retracing the path her big sister climbed. She went to a different school, bigger and better than the one her big sister went to."
"She aimed to change the world and erase all forms of injustice. To ensure the nail that sticks out does not get hammered. She aimed to prove to her bullies and doubters that she could beat the odds. She surpassed her big sister in every way conceivable."
"If her big sister is the beautiful moon, the little sister is the sun. Unimaginably distant, yet immensely imposing. Her parents know this, and they were too spooked to try and rein her back. Their conscience is eaten alive by their past sins. Their unfair treatment and neglect. They could not even boast about her without dying inside."
"But the most important is not the honor and glory she earned. By leaving her sister's shadow and the burden of family legacy, the little sister can prove herself and find true companionship. Because her name is no longer special." Hachiman warmly smiled. "She found happiness in self-exile."
"...What happened with the big sister?" Chika asked, suspenseful.
"Wasting her time in a mediocre college, realizing that her past achievements as a high school student matter little, and the people surrounding her don't care about her, only her family name. But now she couldn't even bully her little sister because the little sister is the superior sister." Hachiman scoffed.
All the Fujiwara family members became silent.
"Whatever moral message you take from this story is up to you." Hachiman finished the retelling at the same time he packed his bag.
"What is your take, Hikki-san?"
"The past is full of regret, and the future is uncertain. You don't have to surpass your past self or be afraid of failing to achieve your future goal. For me, doing my best in my present is all I wanted." Hachiman carried his bag. "Because dreams betray many, but hard work betrays no one."
In other words, it does not matter that the little sister is more successful. The big sister's fleeting days of decay are a hell of her own making. This is what Hachiman believed.
Daichi remembered the first time he talked with Hachiman about Toyomi and his fear of Chika.
"But Secretary Fujiwara isn't her older sister."
Hachiman said in full conviction, even though he had never known Toyomi, because he knew Fujiwara Chika and believed she would never be led astray as long as she held onto her dream to become a Prime Minister.
Hachiman had faith in Chika, something the parents did not have.
"I'll have to wrap this up early, Secretary Fujiwara." Hachiman bowed at them politely. "Thank you for the hospitality, everyone. I most likely won't be able to make it tomorrow."
Fujiwara Daichi and Maho felt like they got stabbed in the heart. Although they appear cordial, they were anything but. Hachiman was correct. Not only did the CCTV network do something more than simple recording, but the housekeeping staff were there to observe his actions, too.
In other words, the entire household members, except for the Fujiwara sisters, were enemies.
Chika ended up being the one who saw him leaving at the entrance.
"Sorry, things get so chaotic that you feel uncomfortable." Chika sighed.
"You misunderstood," Hachiman told Chika. "I'm going home early for a different reason. Also, tomorrow I have something important to do. Not because I don't want to come."
"Really?" Chika asked in disbelief.
"If you have time, we can study on Thursday afternoon, too," Hachiman said. "Since I plan to go out with Komachi in the morning, I might have some free time later."
"Hmm, I see." Chika nodded. "Then I'll mail you again."
"To be honest, I am envious," Hachiman told Chika. "Despite the various disagreements and conflicts, the Fujiwara family is extremely close with each other. My family is different. We all operate on the same wavelength and understand each other, yet cold and uncaring toward each other."
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Chika often wished she had Hachiman's near-absolute freedom, but if the price is losing the love and care of her family...
Is it worth trading?
"You still on unspoken terms with your father?" Chika asked.
"Nah, things are certainly improving," Hachiman replied. "Father has been fumbling to reconnect with me since the spring vacation. And my relationship with my mother wasn't poor, just distant."
"That's why you agreed to go with them to Hiroshima!" Chika clapped in realization.
"You bet it."
He wouldn't agree to go if Hachiman was still mad at his father. Although Hachiman is stubborn, he's not heartless. If Hachiman's father had been genuine in his attempts to apologize, Hachiman would return the sentiment.
"Although I am uncomfortable with your parents' suspicion, I can perfectly understand them. Whether it was their emotional distress or their rational reasoning for doing so." Hachiman told Chika. "Don't be too hard on them."
"I can't," Chika said. "Hikki-san had been nothing but helpful and nice to me. If they still want me to see them as a loving family, they better treat you well as my guest."
"Your choice." Hachiman scoffed. "Just don't regret it."
"Also..." Chika hesitated to ask, but she asked anyway. "The little sister in the story, was it someone in Shuchiin? And are you close with her?"
The way he spoke about the little sister, his eyes were full of admiration, and his voice was colored with reverence, which made Chika super jealous.
"First of all, yes." Hachiman nodded. "Secondly, no, we're not exactly close friends. We don't meet all that often. Not anymore."
"I see." Chika sighed in relief. "For a second, I thought you were talking about a secret girlfriend or something."
Hachiman burst out laughing.
"Crazy talk." Hachiman wore his helmet. "See you later."
"Mmmh." Chika happily waved. "Be careful."
As Hachiman's bike disappeared in the evening street, Chika's smile turned into a frown.
Today was really a disaster!
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Z000
If this is trash, then find me in the dumpster
- Location
- Viet Nam
after P5R and Mr sad man palace, i say that hardwork can betray you, it bring suffering and pain because you don't know if you will achieve anything at all, life ain't gonna make sure your struggle will be rewarded
but that neither here or there since 8boy did manage to get here, so his hardwork did succeed
- Location
- USA
This bit is repeated twice
Also really neat to see Yukino's story
I wonder how true this is and how much Hachiman tends to downplay and minimize things in his own mind.
Also that revelation of who his father is tied to will shake things up with Daichi so curious how that turns out
TriGayatri
Butter Cookies Villainess
- Location
- Indonesia
- Pronouns
- She
Reverse foreshadowing! ☕
Also, Shuchiin Hachiman is a master of guilt tripping, which is scary but also believable. Canon Hachiman was remarkably convincing that both Hiratsuka and Yui think Hachiman can raise a cult on his own.
I like how despite the overall negativity, the Fujiwara family is portrayed as desirable in many ways. Which makes sense: Chika is literally the only person in StuCo to not have abandonment issues.
Z000
If this is trash, then find me in the dumpster
- Location
- Viet Nam
huh now that you said that, yeah she the only one who family doesn't neglect her
her mom is strict but not to some high insane standard
her dad a bit smothering but that about it
also she not the problem in the family as well, it her older sister
well i guess there perk in being the middle child, not too much expectation or too much smother by being the first and no neglect or dismiss as being needy from being the youngest
perfectly balance as Aka intended
GoukaRyuu
Shadow Cabal Made Man
- Location
- New Jersey
I mean, a rule against dating is, while strict and smothering, something that is realistically possible for a teen regardless of socioeconomic background.