Chapter One

Causing A Scene With Zaimokuza Yoshiteru

Before School, Outside the front gate.

"Today this battle shall be won!"

Perhaps it is my fault.

I woke up uncharacteristically early this morning and for whatever reason I couldn't make myself go back to sleep. Having nothing else to do I got up and prepared myself for school in my usual manner. I beat Komachi to the kitchen for the first time in what feels like centuries and actually had to wait for her to make breakfast. Not that I complained. Seeing my sister's adorable tired expression was somewhat of a reward in my book. With that I ate my fill and was on my way. Having left earlier then usual I arrived earlier then usual. The front gate was crowded and I hopped off my trusted bike and starting walking through the dense crowd of students. At the moment, an old acquaintance of mine was making a fool of himself by thrashing around and saying ridiculous things.

At the very least, his a constant reminder of the path I didn't choose. A small glimpse at the me that could have been. When I see how pathetic he is, it makes my more resent wrong choices and regrets not seem so bad. If I could have ended up like that, then I can't be doing so bad now right? But it was early, and I didn't want to deal with him at the moment.

Just look at the ground and power on through. My stealth skills will come in handy today!

"Ahh! Hachiman! My old comrade!"

Dammit all.

I quickened my pace and kept looking at my shoes while the wind made a strange noise that almost sounded like someone calling my name. The strange noise followed me and got closer as I made my way past the gate. I suddenly felt several pairs of eyes land on me as well. Having so rarely been the main center of focus in a crowd, I started to get nervous.

"Hachiman! How are you this grand morning?!"

I turned right in the courtyard and walked as fast as I could with out running. The sound of heavy feet clumsily hitting the ground behind me increased. The bike rack was in my sight when the wind picked up again.

"I needed to speak with you at once! I shall be making another request of you and your comrades to review my newest manuscript upon its completion! I suspect it shall be ready in a day or two then- AHHH!"

I heard a loud crash come from behind me followed by a thud. Snapping my head back in surprise I found Zaimokuza lying face down on the ground with an overturned trash can next to me. Someone had apparently also just thrown away a lot of shredded paper, as it was now being blown around the whole courtyard creating something resembling the worst snow globe of all time.

Standing there I waited for him to get up. It was in his nature to overreact to everything and as a result I wasn't sure if he was actually hurt or just playing it up. He gave me an answer when he turned over on his back and reached a hand up to the sky.

"For a warrior like me...to fall this way...how sad..."

How dare you make me waste any of my concern on you!

Clicking my tongue in disgust I turned and started to leave only to discover that a small crowd had grown around us. Well more accurately, around Zaimokuza and the mess he made. Small pieces of laughter could be heard and a few fingers were pointed his way. It suddenly felt like I was in the presence of preschoolers instead of teenagers. The strangest emotion started to bubble in my throat.

I felt angry. I shouldn't really.

He brings all the ridicule and mean spirited things people say upon himself by the way he acts. He has no one to blame but himself...even so, I don't like how all these other people are starting to think their so high and mighty all of a sudden. The whole scene left a bad taste in my mouth. Plus I did technically owe him for his help during the marathon among other things.

"Oi..."

I turn and glare at the people closest to me. A group of first years by the looks of them.

"Can you tell me what's so funny? I'm missing the joke."

Their only response was to exchange worried looks with each other before they dispersed and the rest of the crowd instantly followed suit. With a sigh I looked back down at the pile of delusion lying on the ground. His stance remained unchanged other then the fact that he was obviously playing dead now.

"Get up already."

I reached down and grabbed his out reached hand. With a pull his shoulder was lifted off the ground and thankfully he took over from there and pushed himself the rest of the way up. When he was to his feet he stood next to me and eagerly patted my back.

"My eternal gratitude for your help!"

"Whatever. Just don't go around making a mess. Someone's going to have to clean this all up you know." I explained and motioned to the paper covered ground around us. Don't touch me so casually either.

"Should I repent by commenting seppuku?"

"That would only add to the mess." I said and started on my way to the bike rack. "Oh and about your new manuscript...if you think you can survive another round of brutal honesty and your dreams being called trash then we're be ready any time."

"It shall be finished post haste!"

He held an overly dramatic pose for a few seconds and then I walked away. I can understand how the idea of living in a world of delusion could be enticing. The only problems you have are the ones you make up and those can disappear as fast as you think them up. It would easy, maybe even fun. But that's just not the kind of place for me.

"The masterful words will flow from my finger tips like the water at Awamate Falls!" his shout echoed and every person within earshot cringed. Bringing my hand to my temple like a certain ice queen I know, I sighed.

Just make it better than last time alright?

TBC.

Next: "Greeting Yuigahama Yui"

This is a little side project I've been thinking about doing for a while now. I'm still working on the next chapter of "Saves The Day" of course but I'm trying to take my time with that one. With these one-shots I'm just short of going for it. As always I try to keep everyone in character and I appreciate reviews, also hoping to update often. Or at least more often then my other story. Seriously, sorry about that. (-_-)