บท 44: First Year of Highschool (End)

The sun is already on the other side of the world, which means Japan is now bathed in the glory of the moon light— a reflected sun light.

In a particular city in Japan, in the city of Chiba, in a particular house, a conversation is unfolding between a mother and son.

While the mother is fiddling with her glass of hot chocolate, the son is calmly sipping his, while looking at his mother silently. The role between the parent and the child seems to be reversed at how they behave.

This pair of mother and son is none other than our favourite hypocrite, Hachiman, and his beloved Maiko-chan.

"Komachi is already asleep, and I am here to hear you talk." Hachiman puts down his glass. "Seeing you fiddling with your glass is just as pointless as investing in NFT."

"What is NFT?" Maiko asked.

At his slip, Hachiman mutters, "Oops. It's not a thing yet here." Waving his hand mildly, he continues, "It's a good way to evade tax, but a useless thing. Anyway, don't get off topic." Hachiman gestures Maiko to talk.

Once again, Maiko looks down, and fiddles with her glass. She stays that way for a while, before eventually opening her mouth.

"I don't know where to start."

"Take it easy."

Maiko raises her head, and takes a look at Hachiman. "I think ... I am going to apologize first." She paused to look at Hachiman's reaction, but he just waves the apology off. "What does that gesture even mean?"

"I don't care about your apology. I don't find you having committed a mistake."

"I see..." Maiko Takes a sip of her hot chocolate. "Still, I am sorry for not being able to be with you two for most of the time. If I had been, this kind of ... Circumstance wouldn't have happened."

"It's normal amongst close siblings. Komachi is still growing; she is just confused with herself." Tracing the mouth of the glass with his finger, he continues, "It's nothing but a phase; she will pass this phase eventually."

Maiko cups her glass, and mutters, "While that maybe one of the reasons, but I think the major factor is you, Hachi."

"Me?" Hachiman blinks his eyes in slight surprise. "How come? Have you seen me doing something a sibling shouldn't do to her?"

Maiko shakes her head. "No, that's not what I mean. You are just ... Too good to be a sibling ... And a son." She sips her hot chocolate. "You are different to say the least. Even if we're way closer than before, you still feel unfamiliar ... to us."

Looking at Hachiman straight in his eyes, Maiko continues, "You changed since the accident—you have turned into another person—we don't know you anymore. Because of that, we can't help but feel ... Special at the way you treat us."

"I didn't expect you would be explaining about yourself too, Maiko-chan." Hachiman muttered.

Maiko shakes her head. "That's what I am talking about, Hachi. You treat us not the way you treat a family, but a woman. It wouldn't be weird, if you just didn't feel this ... unfamiliar. Anyway, Komachi is right: this is unexplainable."

"So ... Is this a talk about how you have fallen for me?" Hachiman said slowly.

Maiko takes off her glasses, then sighs. "To be honest, yes. But, I am more experienced than Komachi." Looking at Hachiman with her now bare eyes, she continues, "I know how to hold myself back." Then, she wears her glasses back.

"I see."

Hachiman is normally an insensitive bastard who likes to make light of people's feelings. Therefore, he often speaks useless things in emotional moments.

However, this time, he decided not to; not because he has become sensitive, but simply because it is Maiko who he is talking to.

After arriving to this world, he develops an instinctual habit to treat his family with extreme care. Therefore, he doesn't want to hurt Maiko with his insensitive comments.

"So, do you want to be a woman once again tonight?" Hachiman asked.

In the end though, Hachiman is still an insensitive bastard. He is too practical to read an emotional moment well!

Maiko makes the face of someone who has just tasted a sour lemon. "Are you really asking me, your MOTHER, about that?" She is bewildered, but soon a smirk decorated her face. "I am on the ride, if you are serious though."

In the end, she is Hachiman's biological mother for a reason. Although not much, they share the same nature.

"Alright, I'll make you a woman once again tonight."

Hachiman stands up, goes besides Maiko, then scoops her up.

"Kyaa!" Maiko is flustered. "H-Hey, Hachi, are you really serious?!" She asked while in his embrace with a blushing face.

Hachiman's answer to it is simple. "Do I look like joking?"

"... No," is the answer Maiko gives him.

Wild imaginations run through her head that night.

She wants to refuse, but the temptation is too much for her to bear; she is conflicted. Thus, she anticipates the pleasure, and the guilt she will get after tasting the forbidden fruit.

Unfortunately for her, her wild imaginations ended up being just that—imagination. Hachiman merely sings her romantic songs while playing a guitar, before eventually sleeping right besides her for the entire night.

Though nothing happens, Hachiman indeed makes her feel like a woman once again. He has performed better than his father ... In being romantic, of course.

...

Final Month.

Time flies quickly, and by the time everyone realizes it, a year has passed. The closing ceremony has just finished a few minutes ago; the last year students graduated today, and their juniors are going to have their spring holiday.

While some of the students are eager to go home to immediately conduct their spring holiday's plan, some of them take their time to talk with their friends.

"Hachiman, see you again in April!" Saika said brightly.

With a small smile, Hachiman replies. "See you in April, Saika."

Saika smiles sweetly, before running away from Hachiman; sh—he got to go home quickly, so he won't miss his flight.

With a wave of his hand, Hachiman sends Saika off. Kawasaki Saki, who is right besides Hachiman, frowns lightly.

"Are you gay?"

"Who says I'm gay?"

"You are gay."

At her insistence, Hachiman turns his head towards her. "Ninja-san, I still prefer a girlfriend over a boyfriend."

"Well, at least your action doesn't say so."

"Saika is an exception." Hachiman shrugs.

Saki unconsciously nods her head. "That's weirdly irrefutable."

You may be asking why these two are together. However, the reason is simple: Asako. Her health has deteriorated so much over the time, and she finally collapsed a night prior.

Starting from last night, she has to spend the rest of her life in the hospital. Therefore, Hachiman and Saki are going to visit her together.

Of course, Hachiman does this after notifying Shizuka first; he doesn't want to have another episode of "Where am I? Your mother's house, motherfucker!" again.

The feminine Saki is already there by now; she skipped the closing ceremony for that. To her, Asako is her mentor, the one who changes her for the better—someone precious. She can't just accept she might lose Asako one day.

In the other hand, while Hachiman considers Asako a close friend, he is not very emotional as a person to begin with. Therefore, he acts just like usual, despite knowing how short the time Asako has to live.

Of course, it doesn't mean he doesn't care.

Riding Saber-chan, Hachiman and Saki heads to the hospital. Upon arriving there, they quickly head to Asako's room.

Knock. Knock.

Hachiman knocks on the door of the room Asako is in, then waits for a response.

"Yes, come in!"

The voice belongs to someone he and Saki know. Sliding the door open, both of the people enter the room. Upon entering, a big white room with many medical equipments greet the two people.

They, of course, have their eyes on the person lying in the bed weakly. She has a pale skin, and considerably thin body. Her expression is weary, but it doesn't diminish her beauty in the slightest bit. This is Asako—the current Asako.

The feminine Saki, who is sitting right on the side of the bed, immediately greets Hachiman and the masculine Saki.

"Hachiman-kun! Saki-chan!"

"Yo, Saki." The masculine Saki greets back.

Even if it's been months already, Saki still feels weird calling someone with the same name as hers sometimes.

Hachiman nods his head at the feminine Saki. "Good to see you here, Saki." Turning his head to the person sitting besides Saki, he greets, "Long time no see, J.B."

Julia Bardera or known as Harudera Yuria nods her head. "It's been a long time, Hachiman." Her expression is solemn, and one can tell she worries over Asako greatly.

"Hey, brat! Am I not getting any greeting?" Asako chimes in.

Hachiman turns his head to her, and faintly smirks. "You look like shit, Asako."

"Damn, right!" She chuckles.

The people, who are looking at their interaction, can only smile sadly. They are amused by how in sync the two are, but also saddened at the fact that they will not be able to witness the moment anymore soon—they will sooner or later lose Asako.

"What's wrong with the sad face? Can't you guys act just like this bastard over here for a little bit?" Asako grins.

The masculine Saki is the first one to respond. "We can't. We know how to treat an ill person, unlike a certain someone, after all."

"Ckckck. You need to loosen up a little bit, Alternate Saki." Asako clicks her tongue. "It doesn't suit your delinquent like appearance."

"I am not a delinquent." Saki protested. "Also, can't you just call me Saki? What does even Alternate Saki mean?" She is slightly annoyed at Asako and Hachiman's similar habit to call people the way they like.

"Well, I consider this girl," Asako points her hand to the feminine Saki, "is the ideal Saki. You are exactly the opposite of this Saki. Therefore, you are the Alternate Saki."

Clap. Clap.

"Well explained!" Hachiman exclaimed.

Saki sighs. "These two really are in sync, aren't they?" Sometimes, the two are really annoying when they are together.

The five people keep interacting with each other, talking mostly about trivial things, for the next one hour. The main contributors of the conversation are, of course, Asako and Hachiman.

The others are mostly enjoying their interaction. They are amused by how dark but entertaining the two people's talk is.

Soon, the time where the visitors have to leave come. Both of the Saki bid their farewell, and wish Asako to get healthy soon.

They know it is nothing more than a pleasantry to the current Asako, but they really mean what they said; they really wish for Asako's recovery greatly.

"Yuria, can you take these kids home." Asako sends an eye signal, and Julia nods in understanding. "Okay." She answered, before leaving with the girls.

Soon enough, Asako is left alone with Hachiman.

"Hey, can you do me a favor?"

Quirking his eyebrow, Hachiman asks, "What is it?"

"I want to pee. Can you take me to the bathroom?"

"Sure."

Hachiman carefully scoops Asako up, and makes sure to also carefully drag the IV pole stand with him. But soon, he is reminded of something.

"Shouldn't you have a urine bag for that?"

"No. I don't want to wear any urine catheter, so I told them not to."

"So, how do you ... Well, fuck it."

Hachiman is tricked, and he fell for it. Upon reaching the bathroom, which is just a few steps away from her bed, Asako asks Hachiman to help her clean herself in an attempt to make him uncomfortable.

Needless to say, she failed completely.

When all the matter is done, Asako is lying in the bed again. Hachiman also sits himself on the side of her bed, and just watches her silently.

"I can't believe you really agreed to do that." Asako smirks. "So, how did my 'valley' feel when you washed it?" She is referring to the moment when Hachiman helped her clean herself.

"Well, it is no different than any of I have ever touched."

Asako clicks her tongue in annoyance. "Tsk. Can't you get a little bit flustered or something?"

"I'm not your average Joe, Asako. You will never be able to comprehend my existence!"

Ironically, it is quite true.

"No shit, Conan."

They smile at each other, before eventually chuckling. The room descended in silence right after, but it's not unpleasant for the two. They are enjoying each other's company in the silence.

Minutes passed, and finally Asako opens her mouth.

"Life is funny, don't you think? Once we are given life, we are also given death; we live just to die. I thought I could handle it pretty well when my time comes. But, upon seeing it in front of me, I am afraid to die. It's funny."

She turns her head to Hachiman. "I am reluctant to leave behind everything that I have; I don't want to part with them. And because of that, I am afraid."

Asako extends her hand to touch Hachiman's cheek, and Hachiman grasps it in his. He then rubs her hand tenderly in an attempt to soothe her.

"The warmth of people's hand ... I have never cared about this in the slightest before. But now ... I know. Even something like this is worth remembering."

Staring into Hachiman's eyes deeply, she asks, "Will I be able to stay longer just to feel the warmth of your hand, Hachiman?"

Hachiman leans his on Asako's hand, and says, "I never gamble, but I dare to bet. I bet you will live." Then, he gives a light kiss on her hand. "That is all you need to know."

"That was so unlike you, Hachiman. But ... Thank you. I need that."

Asako tears up, but no sound comes out. She doesn't sob, and Hachiman is sure she doesn't even aware of it. He stays that way until Asako eventually falls asleep.

He stands up, and kisses her forehead once, before getting out of her room; he is going home.

Upon getting out of the room however, he is stopped by someone. It is Julia, who is leaning on the wall right next to the door.

"You may not realize it, but you changed Asako a lot." Julia bows. "For that, I am thankful. I will be even more thankful if you can still stay by her side on her last day."

"Such thing won't happen." Flustered, Julia quickly straightens her posture. She is about to ask what Hachiman meant by his word, when Hachiman continues, "The last day won't come for her soon."

Turning his back on her, he continues, "Her last day will be the day where her hair naturally lost its pigmentation. That day, she won't be accompanied by me, but the person she loves. I can only accompany her until she gets through this."

Hachiman walks away.

"Wait!" Julia tries to stop Hachiman, but he doesn't listen. "Asako ... About you ... She..."

Hachiman waves his hand mildly at her, "It's been pleasant, Yuria. Goodbye!"

At the failed attempt to stop him however, Julia sighs. "What a bunch of stubborn people." Then, she realizes something. "That guy ... He—He just called my name." She is slightly happy.

Life is like a river: there will be eventually shit passing through. When that time comes, we just have to brace ourselves, and wait for it to pass.

Like a river, time is never stagnant; it keeps moving.

Today's loss is tomorrow's delayed victory. It depends on us whether to advance forward, or give everything up. When we choose the former, there will always be a way, no matter how hard the path we are paving.

Thus, Hikigaya Hachiman's first year of highschool ended.