Chapter 1: The Request

This isn't how it was supposed to go.

"Hachiman… please..", Miura whispered as her teary eyes peered into mine.

I gulped, unable to say—or do anything. Gently, Miura moved closer, closing the gap between us.

How did it come to this?

Yumiko's POV, present day—

I wonder when it first started.. when I first found myself unable to look at anyone but Hikio.

Not too long ago it was Hayato who was in my sight.. but the gorgeous sparkle that once emanated from him seemed to have fizzled out.

That wasn't to say that Hikio sparkled.. on the contrary, he was quite dark. If I had to describe it, he seemed to almost emit a dark miasma, warning others to stay away. In terms of attractiveness, he wasn't anything special.. but.. he was assuring. Just watching him made me feel more secure.

"Yumiko—are you okay?", Yui asked.

Crap.

I had begun blushing while gazing at Hikio.

"Ehh? Ya I'm fine" I responded bluntly.

Yui was easy, too kind to ask any further.. but I should watch myself. Not everyone was as easy to fool.

My mind wandered as Hiratsuka-sensei's endless lecture prattled on. Since my request.. I suppose. Back when I asked the service club for help finding out Hayato's school specialization.. that was when I started to see who Hikio really was.

When he told me that he understood what I was asking for, and that he'd handle it, for the first time in my life I was able to feel from the mere words of another person that I could trust them entirely. Not only did he take a request from someone who did nothing but criticize him and the choices he made, but he put everything he had into fulfilling my wish.

I merely watched from the sidelines, as he spent all of his time to help me, even hurting his own leg in the process. It was awe-inspiring. Never before had I ever had someone so willingly devote their own body to help another, without wanting anything in return. Not even Hayato was this kind.

By the time I went to the Service Club to get the answer, I had found I no longer cared what Hayato chose… instead, I found myself wondering about Hikio's path.

Had I been brought up in a normal household, I probably wouldn't have changed my mind about loving Hayato. Even though I knew my heart might be wavering, I'd likely still pursue him. After all, someone like me really doesn't get together with someone like Hikio.

But, I wasn't brought up in a normal household… since I had first learned how other parents acted, I had known that there was something terribly wrong about my home. About my parents.

It was during my first year of schooling, when I started to first visit friends' homes and see for myself what normal parents were. Mine weren't. In fact, they were so distant that I had forgotten what their voices sounded like.

It wasn't that I didn't see them often or anything—I saw them every single day. But they didn't speak to me, ever. Ever. Not even once as far as I could recall. They didn't speak to each other either; they merely glared at each other.

I wasn't sure what I had done wrong, or if something terrible had happened in my family when I was young, I had no idea what caused all this. There was one thing however, that I knew for sure. I would find a man that I loved, who loved me back. I would make sure to raise my children in a happy and loving home.. I'd make a loving family of my own.

That's why, I decided, I would find out whether Hikio was really someone special to me.

I had to do this, for my future.

Hachiman's POV, present day—

The bell rang, resonating with its magnificent tone echoing through the entire school. The bell meant many things for different people. For the normalfags, it meant it was socializing time. These losers would get together with their posses to talk about pointless things and waste their time hanging out, before making their slow way home. All in the name of "enjoying their youth". Fools.

What did the bell mean to me? It meant sanctuary. This beautiful resonating sound meant I was free from the prison that society called school, free to go home and spend my time as I pleased… or not.

Ever since I was forced to join the Service Club my afternoons of freedom had been stolen from me…. Instead I spent my time helping people who really couldn't care less about whether I helped them. Except for Totsuka. Totsuka was special, phenomenal, amazing, beautiful, phenomenal.. the way Totsuka's eyes sparkled when I helped him with his tennis team… its amazing. Amazing. To find the love of your life and know that you've found them.. an unforgettable feeling. Thank you Totsuka. I guess the Service Club was actually pretty great, since it brought my sweetheart to me.

Lately, we hadn't even gotten any requests, so I was able to again enjoy my afternoons reading leisurely, while Yukinoshita served tea and occasional snacks, and Yuigahama made small talk in-between playing with her phone.

I reached out to open the Service Club door.

"Yo", I said, to Yukinoshita and Yuigahama who were already sitting inside.

"Yahallo Hikki!"

"Hello Hikigaya-kun"

This daily routine of greetings wasn't so bad.

"Your tea Hikigaya-kun", Yukinoshita said as she handed me my Pan-san cup.

"Ah, thanks"

I got my light novel out of my bag, amazing tea and low brow literature.. not a terrible way to pass the time.

As I started to get settled and read my book, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in", said Yukinoshita.

Everyone was taken aback, as Miura walked in.

"Ohhh, Yumiko! What brings you here?" Yui said, her face betraying her, showing the worry she was trying to hide. It made sense. Last time Miura came to the club room Yukinoshita destroyed her and she cried… I don't think anyone wanted a repeat of that. Except maybe Yukinshita. The Ice Queen was terrifying and always relentless.

"Hi Yui.. I—I had a request."

"Well then, have a seat and tell us what your request is Miura-san" Yukinoshita said with a great amount of politeness usually not afforded when talking to Miura.

She probably noticed what I had, Miura seemed off. She wasn't her normal domineering self. This Miura seemed weak and insecure.

"No.. actually the request is for a specific person only you see.. it's kind of private too"

She must have wanted to get Yui alone for something she couldn't trust Yukinoshita and I with. I turned away and began reading my novel again, as Yuigahama got up and started walking towards Miura.

"Ah, should we go into the hallway Yumiko?" Yuigahama asked.

"No rather its not you.. Hikio—I mean Hikigaya-kun, would you please help me?"

"What?" I blurted out, unable to hide my shock.

Yuigahama and Yukinoshita immediately tensed up at hearing Miura. Yuigahama was now feigning a smile on her face, while Yukinoshita was blatantly glaring daggers at Miura. Scary. Too scary.

Please trust me more, okay? I'm not going to hurt her, she's going to be fine. I really don't have Hikigerms, those don't exist. I think. I mean I'm pretty sure.

These girls must really think I'm a terrible person, immediately becoming so worried for Miura's wellbeing after she asked for me alone… I wasn't a murderer..

"Uhhh that.. I'm not sure if it would be okay since I'm busy with helping Komachi recently" I stammered.

"Ah yeah! Of course! Komachi-chan is studying for entrance exams so she needs Hikki's help!"

"There's no helping it, I'm afraid Hikigaya-kun is too busy to take on the request alone"

Yuigahama and Yukinon both said immediately. Please guys… I swear I'm really not a murderer..

"Please… Hikigaya-kun, there's no one else I can ask" Miura said, as she approached my desk in the corner and came down to eye level.

"Yumiko! Uh can't I hear you at least? Maybe I could help?" Yuigahama said, showing clear displeasure on her face.

I could hear Yukinoshita clearing her throat, also getting ready to backup Yuigahama and suggest Miura talk to her.

"Okay. I accept your request, Miura". Wait—what? Damn it.

My onii-chan protection instinct kicked in. I accepted, preemptively destroying Yukinoshita's queued-up attack on. I couldn't bear to see that again. Girls crying were too much.

"Really? Thank you… Hikigaya-kun thank you so much." Yumiko said, as she got up, and handed me a scrap of paper.

"Here's my number, please send me a mail and we'll figure out details. My friends were waiting for me so I have to go for now, bye"

As she said her goodbye, she quickly turned and left the room, not leaving any time for Yuigahama or Yukinoshita to say anything in response.

Miura said please… The Fire Queen of class 2F said PLEASE. To Me. What the hell? What was going on. Wait—Miura's number? I had just been given, Miura's number. By Miura. And she actually WANTED me to mail her!

It seemed like the god of romantic comedies was smiling at me from above… even with my professional Hikigaya 108 loner skills of refinement, I was being failed and my heart rate actually shot up a bit. I give you this one Miura, you defeated my 108 skills. Congratulations. But.. I was only fooled for a second.

She only gave me the number cause she had to, to make sure her request got filled. She just wanted my help, that's all. After all, she was in love with Hayato. As I thought, I really do hate pretty boys like him…

Yuigahama and Yukinoshita were frozen still, unable to process what had just happened.

Before they could give me flack about not murdering or hurting Miura in private, this would be a good time for me to escape.

"I guess I'll go now too, Komachi wanted me to bring her some snacks on my way home" I grabbed my bag and opened the door.

"See ya" I said, as I walked out.

"B—Bye Hikki!"

"Ah yes.. goodbye Hikigaya-kun"

I smiled as I left the room, closing the door behind me.

Service club really wasn't so bad.

A/N:

Hi guys.

I love the Oregairu fandom, and felt like trying my hand at writing something of my own. So here is my first fanfic.

Decided on Yumiko since her stories are quite scarce, and its a ship I can totally get behind.

Hopefully future chapters will be longer, I'm having a hard time writing large amounts and being happy with what I've written.

I'd love to hear honest opinions.

Edit: I changed the suffix when others talked to Hikigaya from "san" to "kun". I didn't realize that's what they used toward him in the anime. Thanks to the reviewer who pointed out the mistake.