(Tomoko)

It's Monday again. The weekend is over, and it's time for another week of school. It's weird. I spent the whole weekend bored waiting for Monday so that I'd have something to do, but now I'm getting the Monday jitters. I guess one moderately good week of school isn't enough to offset 10 years of social failure.

Speaking of, I told Hikigaya I would meet his clubmates today. Idiot. Why in the world did I say that? Is it too late to act like I never said it? No, I wrote it in a text message. Maybe if I avoid the topic all day, I can act like I forgot. Otherwise, I can only hope Hikigaya will still talk to me afterwards.

I couldn't concentrate at all in any of my classes today. My mind was bogged with the sense of impending doom. Absently, I noticed that nobody in class tried to approach me today. I suppose that means the novelty of being a new student has already worn off. That suits me just fine. It's exhausting putting on a friendly appearance anyway. I have to think hard and fast about everything I say and my face gets sore from the forced smiling.

I flop my upper body on my desk and cast my gaze out the window. I wonder what Hikigaya's clubmates are like. Maybe one of them will be a hot guy, and we'll hit it off immediately. By Wednesday, he will be head over heels for me, and by Friday, we'll be a couple. From then on, he'll spend all of his money and free time trying to win my favor, showering me with gifts and compliments and making me feel like the only woman in the world.

Or, Hikigaya's clubmates could be a couple of delinquent meatheads who look like they're acolytes in the human trafficking business. That would make more sense. Given the strange purpose of that club, I wouldn't be surprised if they're just as twisted as Hikigaya himself.

Before I know it, the bell for lunchtime rings. I don't realize how much I was looking forward to seeing Hikigaya until just now. It really is nice talking to someone you can relate to. Someone who laughs with you, and you feel comfortable around them. It's nice to have a friend.

I get all the way to the cafeteria before I remember that I already bought some food from home. Whoops, I guess there's no reason to be here then. I turn around and head towards the secluded lunchspot that I've already become so familiar with.

(Hachiman)

I'm the cafeteria, trying to decide on what I want to eat today, when someone calls out to me. I say someone, but I'd recognize that voice anywhere.

"Senpai."

I turn to find Isshiki. Wow, she looks absolutely terrible. Her hair is a mess, her eyes are bloodshot, and her complexion is somehow dark in an unhealthy way. What is this apparition and why has it taken the form of my Kouhai!?

"Yo." I greet her cautiously. I briefly considered telling her how awful she looks, but I'm worried the negativity could somehow make her look worse.

"Can we talk?" She asks. Even her voice is dreary today. What in the world happened to her?

"Sure."

I allow Isshiki to lead me out of the cafeteria. With no idea where we're headed, all I can do is follow. What the hell happened to her? Did someone hurt her? Is that why she was absent on Friday? My mind is plagued with restless thoughts and I can't bring myself to quell my concern.

"Isshiki, are you okay?" I know I should wait until she tells me, but I can't help it. The feelings of irritation and worry are stirring within me and won't stop until I find some peace of mind with the issue at hand.

"I'm fine, Senpai. Or at least, I will be." Is her omenous and unsettling answer. How is a cryptic answer like that going to make me feel any better, idiot!

And so, we continue walking to who knows where. It's quiet between us throughout the trip, the sounds of the other students gradually dying as we get further away from the crowds. Multiple times, I open my mouth and try to think of something to say. But all that comes to mind are questions, and most of those questions are just rephrasings of the one question I already asked. It's agony, knowing someone you care about could be suffering and you have no idea what to say or do.

Eventually, Isshiki stops, signalling that we've arrived. Looks like we're at the back of the gymnasium. Usually, when a girl leads a guy to a place like this, she probably has romantic intentions. I expel the thought immediately and internally berate myself for even thinking of something like that in a situation like this.

Isshiki turns to me, and I wait for her to say something. She doesn't, and instead just stares intently at me.

I decide to open the conversation myself. "Isshiki, what's wrong?"

She drops her gaze to the floor and sighs. I can't see her expression, but she's wearing a melancholic smile on her pale face.

"I'm an idiot, that's what."

What the hell does that even mean? How am I supposed to help you if you don't talk to me?

"Isshiki. Tell me what happened." The tone of my voice changes from concerned to authorative. If she won't freely tell me what the problem is, then I'll force an answer out of her and solve the problem myself. I don't have to be a nice guy to be a good guy. She looks up, and surpise briefly flickers across her face. Then, it's gone as quickly as it came.

"Last Thursday, after our date." She begins. "When you left with Tomoko-senpai, something came over me. Something awful. I felt sick. When I realized you weren't coming back, I was so miserable I couldn't even cry. I know. I know it's disgustingly hypocritical after what I did, but I can't help it!"

"Isshiki..."

"Senpai, what's wrong with me?"

A simple question. Yet, a very one difficult to answer. At this point, we both know the answer to that question, but saying it out loud can have consequences. If I answer her honestly, what will happen next? Will I have to make an ultimatum? Will I have to decide between holding Isshiki close and losing her forever?

"I think... I think you have a crush on me."

I said it without thinking. Like skydiving out of a plane, or throwing your first punch at someone you don't particulary appreciate. They say courage isn't the absence of fear, but rather action in the face of fear. Right now, I disagree. In a sitation where you have to choose whether or not to act, there is a very brief moment, after much deliberation, where the fear simply disappears. In that moment, your body reacts automatically at the opportunity, and you find yourself doing the thing you were trying to do. To me, that's what courage feels like. That's how I felt when I opened my mouth to speak just now. I wonder if that's how Isshiki felt when she decided to bring me here.

"..."

There's a moment of silence, neither of us know what to say or do next. It's not like the social tension of uncomfortable silence, but it's equally unsettling in a different way.

"Well, I always knew you had terrible taste in guys."

She laughs. It's a short-lived, wheezy laugh that you'd make if you saw or heard something unexpectedly funny.

"Senpai, are you hitting on me? Can't you see I'm distressed right now? I mean what kind of scumbag goes after a girl in a state like this? If that's the kind of guy you are, then I'm glad I found out now. I really feel like I dodged a bullet there, so thank you."

She bows formally. I roll my eyes and scoff at the sight. Throwing a sidelong glance, I meet her eyes through her bangs. She smiles, and I can't help but smile too. Standing up straight, Isshiki tilts her head back and sighs heavily in relief.

"Thank you for being so understanding, Senpai."

Her complexion looks a little better now. Her hair is still a mess, though.

"Of course."

"I really am an idiot, though."

"Huh? Why" I ask. Really, we just went over this so there's no need to keep saying that.

"It's like, I can't get rid of this admiration for Hayama-senpai. Like, in my mind, he's the perfect guy. If I had a type, it'd definitely be him." Isshiki rambles. Hey, I've been lenient because I'm a good Senpai But as a guy, it hurts my confidence to hear that sort of thing right after a sloppy confession like that, you knooooow.

"Ah, I know what you mean. My ideal type is pretty much Totsuka."

"... What did you say?"

Crap! Did I just say that out loud? That was top-secret information, nobody was ever supposed to hear me say that. I don't even like to admit it to myself.

"Uh, never mind."

"No, Senpai. Please tell me in no uncertain terms how you feel about Saika-senpai."

"Huh? Are you sure?" I ask cautiously.

"Please. I've always kind of wondered anyway."

"Okay, erm..." Darn it, what am I supposed to say now? "Uh, I guess, it's like... if I think of all the things I'd want in a... someone, I would just describe all of Totsuka's features. He just fits my criteria, or something. And it gives me a sense of... admiration? I guess? I don't know."

Isshiki just stares blankly at me. Hey, I know it sounds like something out of Ebina's diary, but I swear I'm not that kind of guy.

"Hey, just for the record, that doesn't make me-"

"Right, of course." She interrupts me. "It's just admiration, so it doesn't matter if he's a guy, right?"

"Uh... right?" Isshiki is suspiciously understanding of my perspective here.

Somehow, her expression seems brighter. Not literally of course, but she's looking a lot better than she did when I saw her at the cafeteria.

"I'm feeling a lot better now, Senpai." She walks past me with a skip in her step. "I'll be going now. See you later, Senpai."

Before I can respond, she skips off, leaving me to my own thoughts.

Guess I'd better go to lunch now.

When I get to the back of the school, I find Kuroki sprawled out on the staircase. Her back flat on the ground, and her knees folded with her feet planted on one of the steps. Her eyes are closed. Is she sleeping on the stairs? I briefly consider that there may be merit in sneaking up on her, so I approach quietly.

It's when I get close that I hear her mumbling. I can't make out any particular words, but I'm pretty sure she's talking to herself. I allow her to continue for a few moments, and then she stops.

"Am I interrupting something?"

She springs to life as if she were poked with something sharp. Propping herself up with the energy of a wild animal, she stares at me with an expression of unrivalled horror. Really, if it weren't for the rapidly changing color of her cheeks, she wouldn't even look embarrassed.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." I tell her with a chuckle. In the back of my mind I note that I would normally endeavor to keep a straight face in situations like this.

"For fucks sake, Hikigaya!" She wheezes. "You scared the crap out of me." Her expression quickly turns from shock and horror to exasperation.

"I said I was sorry." Well, even though I said it, it's obvious to the both of us that I'm not at all remorseful.

I take a seat on the side of the stairs next to her. It's then that I realize I never got to buy any lunch. Worse still, everything is usually sold out by this point in the day.

"Aw crud."

"What?" Kuroki asks impatiently. Her annoyance is quickly diminishing, but she's probably not in a good mood just yet.

"Forgot to get some lunch."

In a single moment, her foul expression completely dissipates, replaced with one reminiscent to a child who thinks they have a good idea. She looks down at her own lunch at her side, then back to me. Wait, could it be?

"... You have nothing to eat, huh?" She asks. The tone of her voice sounds as though she's about to make a proposal.

"Uhm, yeah. I guess."

Would she really be willing after I surprised her like that just now? How considerate of you, Kuroki. You're a very big person in my eyes right now.

She doesn't say anything, but she stares intently. I think she's waiting for me to ask. Maybe I'll do just that.

"Say, Kuroki. I don't suppose you could give me something to eat?"

At this, she beams a generous and bright smile.

"No." She says, smile unmoving.

Huh?

"Huh? But I thought-"

"Hmm?" She hums questioningly, feigning obliviousness.

My own face goes flat, and I make a deadpan expression. She's holding a grudge. How petty of you, Kuroki. You're a very small person in my eyes right now.

I fold the corner of my mouth and roll my eyes. "Never mind."

I look back at her. An unmistakable smugness is seeping through her innocent facade. What a punk.

"So anyway!" She begins. "Explain to me the circumstances regarding this drag queen friend of yours."

(Tomoko)

The final bell ends, signalling the end of school and the beginning of my free time.

This is it. I exhale deeply. Time to go say hi to Hikigaya's clubmates. God, I hope this goes better than I'm expecting it to. I make an attempt to steel my nerves, and rigidly stand up out of my seat.

Hikigaya said the club was in the old building. I almost managed to bypass the subject entirely, until he happened to bring it up again at the end of our lunch break. Every other moment I consider neglecting what I said and just going home, but I'm sure that would damage my relationship with Hikigaya, and then my school life here would be the same as it was back at my last highschool. That is, bleak and lonely.

I dawdle the entire way there, and it takes me nearly fifteen minutes to arrive. The entire time, I'm stewing over what I should say and how I should act when I go in. Finally, I'm standing outside the door. I can hear an airy, girlish voice on the other side of the door. Is one of his clubmates a girl? I can't decide if that's good or bad for me. I'm not the best at talking to guys, but the flashy girlish types are one of my biggest weaknesses.

I slap my cheeks lightly. I've been deliberating on this long enough. Time to go in. I firmly push the door open and rigidly step inside. The bubble voice that was chattering away stops immediately.

Wait, should I have knocked first?

I get a look at the people in the room. Hikigaya is on the left, and opposite him... are two of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen. Their skin is flawless and glowy. Their hair is silky and stylish, one of them even has her hair tied in a cute bun on the side of her head. I might have seen her around school somewhere, but I'm not sure.

What the hell is this? Did I walk into the wrong clubroom by accident? No, it can't be. This is the room Hikigaya sent me to, and he's right there on the end of the table. Wait, that means those two... are his clubmates?

No freaking way. What is this? Hikigaya is a liar. He's not a loner at all if he spent the weekend with people who look like that!

"Um, hi there." The brighter one politely greets me.

My nerves kick into gear, and I force myself to speak. "H-hello."

"Hello." The cooler one also offers a greeting.

"Yo." Hikigaya catches my attention.

"Sup." I greet him at I usually do. The familiarity serves to calm my nerves, if only slightly.

"You came." He states plainly.

"You told me to."

"Ah, yeah I did."

There's a brief moment of, decidedly awkward silence.

"Um." The brighter girl speaks up again. "Did you have a request to make?"

"O-oh, um... no. I just came t-to introduce myself." I stutter out awkwardly.

"Oh, um, okay then."

"Uh... My name is Kuroki Tomoko." I raise my voice a little. It's just a little bit easier to speak confidently when you're recalling facts, I guess.

"I'm a friend of Hikigaya's."

We made it guys. We've reached the end of the first arc, and Tomoko has established herself as a part of Hachiman's life.

What is the meaning of dedication? For some, it's seeing things through no matter how hard it may be. For me, it's writing up fanfiction using a broken keyboard on a shitty PS4 browser. I love you fuckers, you know that right?

As for the interactions between Tomoko and the YYs, I won't spoil anything. I will say that she will fit with them in some ways, and totally just not see eye-to-eye in other ways. Which ways those are will be dependent on each character's indivual personality. Speculate if you want.

I will be bringing in more characters to the story now, too. I've been running off a somewhat limited cast so far, but I now have total freedom in the direction of the story, and I'll be using it to bring in some of my favorite characters. Sensei, for example. Perhaps a bit of Totsuka too.

Also, now that the relationship between Hachiman and Isshiki has changed, I will have a chance to implement some new dynamics within their interactions. Hopefully none of which will be too offputting. Hachiman won't change much, but Isshiki will most likely undergo a bit of personal growth from here on out.

Speaking of, somewhere in volume 10.5, there is a brief comparison between Hachiman's admiration for Totsuka, and Isshiki's crush on Hayato. It is vaguely implied that they may be the same kind of feelings, though it isn't mentioned after that. It also circles back to what Hayato said after he rejected Isshiki at Destinyland. So yeah, I don't think I'm just plucking at straws here.

At some point, if the story gets that far, I'd like to dip into the Watamote side of the story. Not too much, just a bit of interaction with some Watamote characters, to flesh out Tomoko in the story. One character who will surely be appearing is Yuu-chan, though you already knew that.

I have a lot of ideas for future scenarios, and some (I think) believable ways for our protagonists to bond. All I have to do, is connect those scenarios to the storyline in a way that flows well and is easy/nice to read.

Before I dive into a new chapter, I feel like I should update one of my other stories first. Just this once, I will allow myself to be persuaded by popular opinion, and the next story I update will be chosen by the reviewers. Don't expect this often, though.

One last thing. Lately, I feel like I'm being given more credit than I'm worth. I've had like 6 upcoming authors ask me for pointers since I started this story. I appreciate the respect, you guys, but I don't want to set ungodly high standards that I can't meet. I'm an amateur too, you knoooooow.