A/N: When I wrote down the first line for this story, The very first, it was meant to be a chapter for A Different Circumstance. It led me to this creation, my first for the golden pairing of Hikigaya and Haruno.

And we're back. For now. Happy New Years Everybody. I came up with a new story idea because I felt inspired to do so. Let me know what you think of this, my first time doing a Haruno fic. I have a rough plan actually set out this time, and this is gonna be an amazing slow ride, I feel. I hope you enjoy.

Story Start!

Hachiman First Person POV

Have I ever narrated the story of how I believe youth is a lie? I probably have, countless times, believing and acknowledging the 'between the lines' that is overlooked by everyday students that are looking to preserve an ounce of their 'friendship'. I myself found myself in a position where me, and what I had closest to friends decided to keep everything between the lines. We reached a pitiful point where nothing serious was ever acknowledged. We left it, we chose to bask in a shame of awkwardness rather than face what had put us in such a position. After all the thinking I did, I eventually stopped looking for that beautiful lie of 'genuine'. Perhaps there was something strong, a bond or relationship that could, with a slim chance, emulate what was genuine, but nothing in your relationships would truly ever be able to be 'genuine'.

After all, such a thing doesn't exist. Even if it did, it sure as hell wouldn't be found in high school.

I was reading my light novel as usual as it can be, at the usual time of the school day when I did so, as it had been for the last year and a half of my life. My phone buzzed while I was in the clubroom. The other occupant's stares were drawn to the sound for a second, before smiling at me and going back to their own stuff. I checked the messenger ID promptly.

Yukinoshita Haruno. A name that was once able to send shivers down my spine, leaving me fearing for my sanity soon after. A woman to which Yukinoshita Yukino stood with disdain and possibly hate, where Hayama Hayato stood with respect and affection, I, Hikigaya Hachiman, stood with fear throughout my second year of high school.

After all, those two blundering idiots, or at least when they were children, all those years ago, could hardly fathom what she was capable of. With a knack for bursting through and knowing everyone's business, erasing the boundaries towards getting whatever she wanted with her… Womanly… Charms, and deceitful smile. After all these years, there has been nothing but a room for growth. She grew even more sly, more smart, if it were ever possible. If there were anyone on earth who could compete, battle, or even surpass my own skill imbedded in my head for all those things, it would be Yukinoshita Haruno. The girl who had been blessed, and would be granted everything.

Of course, except for the one thing she really wanted. I questioned it myself to this day. The way she was now… She had the potential to burn everyone who made her who she is to the ground. Political Party heads. Relatives. Her mother. Ah, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing to see? Yukinoshita daughter snipes her way into her family's political status, with almost unattainable power.

So why now, of all times, when I should possibly be fearing her more than anything, I find myself standing strong, with nothing short of pride while facing her? Maybe I've just gotten cocky. I put too much faith in my ability even knowing full well I have only ever once in my life successfully managed to be in charge of a conversation with Haruno.

Perhaps it had to do with the events of my third year of high school. So much had happened, oh so much. All explained in due time I suppose. However I think this newfound confidence- or should I say overconfidence, was possibly influenced by my anger… of the official dismissal letter I received.

The one warranting my dismissal from the Service Club. The one requested and signed by Yukinoshita Yukino by majority vote, backed by Yuigahama Yui, which was reluctantly approved by our club advisor Hiratsuka-sensei, upon my request. How ironic, that even in an effort to kick me out using her own intellect I still had to lead her into this solution. She still had that smug, 'I win' smile on her face as I went to that disgusting clubroom one last time, to sign that paper and take my application to Hiratsuka-sensei. I couldn't help but notice of course…

My Pan-san cup was already in the trash.

I left that day with a smile on my face as well. That was the day I accepted that I felt nothing for either of those two. That all the time I spent in that room, opening up and making relations was for nothing in the end. After that day, all that remained was the Monster of Logic.

Ah, but I did mention I was in a clubroom, was I not? Yes, that is true. I joined the Literature Club at Sobu two weeks later, upon repeated request from Hiratsuka-sensei, who genuinely asked, no fists included. As usual, the group was small. We did have more members but not more than six or seven of them showed up each and every day. They were friendly enough, not only out of pity of what happened to me. Everyone knew, after all. It was refreshing to have a normal conversation whether it be about novels or manga, or about my musings on social life that everyone here loved for some reason. Well, refreshing without being insulted at every corner by a cold woman with the tongue of a snake. My vision went dizzy from the sheer anger those memories brought me.

After I read the message, asking me for a time and place to meet sometime in the rest of the week, I starred the message, and pocketed the phone. I'll decide on what to do with that later.

"Who was that Hikigaya-kun?" asked a kind and soft-spoken voice close by. My eyes visibly softened, trying not to look deranged as I just did when recalling the last few months.

"It was Haruno-san, asking to meet." I tell her. I do owe her enough to tell the truth at least.

"What is it about…?" She asks out of concern.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. She's either looking for real talk or she's just bored. It doesn't matter which one." I reply back at the girl.

"Alright, I'll hold you to those words! Of Course, you know you can ask your reliable senpai for dating advice." She giggled before going back to her book.

"Right, right. Thanks, Senpai." I say with a hint of a smile on my face. Shiromeguri-senpai. I guess she never changes. Even after leaving months ago to Chiba University, she still comes here once a week to her old club, and she's still welcomed by all, remaining the face of the club. It was upon her request that I decided to accept Hiratsuka-sensei's offer of joining, since it was senpai's request in the first place. She wanted someone she knew would be capable of leading the club for this year. The Literature club really didn't need a figurehead like that day to day, but she said the club finds itself struggling when dealing with administrative duties and planning for events and such.

Well, whatever. I never really had much to do anyway, and I couldn't really deny her request. Looking at the clock now that my phone was on, I realized it was nearing 4:30. Time to leave. I get up and pack my belongings into my bag, here being my novel and iPod.

"Leaving, Hikigaya-senpai?" Ah, that still felt weird to hear. It came from one of the second year students sitting across from me, her name was Yoshino Miyabi.

"Hm." I just grunted in response.

"Eh…. Senpai's so popular, huh? First Shiromeguri-senpai, and now going out to meet another girl sometime very soon." She says with a smile on her face.

"I'm not even gonna bother correcting you, I'm too tired for this." I say with a sigh. It still surprising how quickly this club welcomed me in, despite my reputation. If only my middle school 'friends' could look at me now. Huh?! You see this you Riajuu wanna-be bastards?!

Ahem.

"Senpai must remain loyal. After all, you'll be with Shiromeguri-senpai again soon, right?" Yoshino continued.

"Ah, that reminds me, Hikigaya-kun, what happened with Chiba University? Your Scholarship?" asked the oldest senpai in the room.

"Almost guaranteed. On the 1% they refuse the full trip, I'll be admitted anyway with some coverage." I said. I had just recently received the results of my scholarship application test. They were impressed.

"That's wonderful!" says Shiromeguri-senpai with nothing short of a breathtaking smile on her face. I've tried not to fall in love with that smile. I almost fail every time.

"Huh, that's really good news senpai!" said Yoshino as well.

"Can we discuss this later? Come on, let me go home for now. It's 4:30." I said, getting up for real this time.

"It's 4:15, senpai." came another voice in the corner. Damn second years will be the death of me.

"I was rounding up." I said, causing a smile and small laugh among some of my clubmates. They all muttered their pleasantries and I soon left the clubroom, throwing out the rest of my tea and placing the cup in the sink. One plus about the Literature Club was the perks we get for being a larger group. Oh, and of course, a larger clubroom located elsewhere that conveniently helps me avoid the Service Club room in general. I know it may seem like I'm running away from some problem, or conflict, but this goes deeper than that. The more I stay away, it's better for me in every way. I don't want to get involved in this war Yukinoshita is waging.

I switched mainly into autopilot after that. Stopped by the vending machine, got myself the one drink I always consume, and headed to the front gate and waited at where once my bike used to be parked, waiting for Komachi. Once again, my phone buzzed. I figured as much.

Onii-chan, I'll be going out with some friends to karaoke today! Please get yourself back home in one piece. Ah- That got me a lot of-

I stopped reading the message at that point, knowing what followed. I expected as much from her. It was a Friday. Wait… That means I have to meet with Haruno either tomorrow or on Sunday. Did she just trick me into a sense of having time? Ah shit, looks like I am getting somewhat sloppy.

Seriously though Komachi, with all that riajuu crap you do on a weekly basis, how did you even manage to get into Sobu? Though I guess the same could be questioned about any of the girls here. Sobu High was a private school after all. There were a decent amount of cases where students left in the second year to go to a less demanding public school, even last year. In the end, our school was adamant on the results it outputted. A private school or university may always seem to have a high grade percentage among students, but that's because the lesser scorers are filtered out from ever taking the exams in the first place.

While in my musings about the school system, I had already began walking towards the train station that would take me home. Overall it took about 10 minutes longer to take a train than just walking, but it sure as hell saved me the effort. I was in a daze, autopilot, as I mentioned, so I was startled when my phone began to ring. I recovered. I had half an idea of who it might have been, and my suspicions had been confirmed.

"Haruno." I answered. I knew that she would call eventually after thirty minutes of her text being ignored.

"Ah, already straight to the point of ditching honorifics? Yahall-" started the voice on the other end.

"Stop! Just… stop." I didn't need to be reminded of that… fucki-… repulsive greeting. She seemed to have gotten my point.

"Very well. Have it your way. Good evening, Hikigaya-kun." This was the smooth, vixen voice of one Yukinoshita Haruno. It could easily turn most men into a wistful bliss at the very sound of it.

Unfortunately, I was not most men.

"I know why you're calling. I was in club. I marked your message, I was going to reply in due time." I said. All the talk, all the games she liked to play could be played in person. I didn't want to do this now.

"I thought as much, you aren't one for avoiding me anymore, I suppose. But of course, the issue at hand is we really do not have that due-time you were telling me about. The meeting needs to be tomorrow. I have less time than I anticipated." Lies. She wanted to meet tomorrow in the first place.

"Or at least, that's the excuse I know you're not going to buy." She finished. I could almost feel the smile on her face over that phone line. Just… Just how good has she come to know me? I was about to reply but I was interrupted before I could speak.

"Of course, that can wait for a brief second. Do tell me about that 'club' you just mentioned." she asked, awaiting my reply. Great. I let even more shit slip through to her. I sighed, tired with my life over these last few months.

"The Literature Club. I was requested to join the Literature Club two weeks after I left the Service Club. I'm there to read, and I'm essentially there as the figurehead and representative for school events and activities until later this year." I could even feel the taste in my mouth go to shite after even mentioning that hell-hole. Service Club? Greater hypocrisy isn't known to man.

"Hm, well it's good to hear your life is taking order. Meguri-san talks a lot about you." Of course she already knew. I even chuckled.

"Never a step behind, are we Haruno?" I say. After everything that has changed, I never thought I'd ever find myself relieved that Haruno hadn't.

"No. I'm not. And right now… Neither should you be." Her voice was still comparatively playful, but I knew her well enough to know when she wanted to be serious. I still didn't know what she meant.

"…Life just can't be simple can it? Fine. Six o'clock. The usual Café." My voice was drained from any life it had before. Back to what it always was, or has been lately. Am I depressed? I'm not too sure if that answer is a 'no' anymore.

"Heh… I look forward to it. It'll just be you and your beloved beautiful Onee-san, Hikigaya-kun." She said with a seductively sweet tone, giggling throughout to accentuate that scary feeling.

"Who knows? Perhaps that just fits into one of your deepest fantasies. To be straddled by your Onee-san as she takes your lips forcibly and-" she was cut off by me.

"As if I'd ever let you be dominant." I reply back straightly. Thank the gods I didn't believe in that she couldn't see how hard that previous play-by-play actually made me blush with that mental image. I was brought back from my thoughts as I heard a beautiful laugh on the other end. A true, rare 'real' Haruno laugh.

"I quite like this new Hachiman…" She says in a fit of giggles. Ah, I'm playing right into her hands again.

"I really should go now. You have my time, we can continue the 'game' tomorrow." I say quickly, wrapping up the call.

"Yes, yes. See you tomorrow, Hikigaya-kun." She said, ending the conversation. I heard the click. Closing my phone, I released one of the deepest sighs of my life. I think even the woman beside me stared at me as I did so.

As far as conversations with that woman go, that was probably a 7/10 with the way I handled it. Still, a part of me felt relieved. Relieved that despite everything, Yukinoshita Haruno and my relationship had not changed. It still could, however.

It surprised me even more that I would ever feel relief, even after stressing over and over since I met her that I hated the woman. But I guess my life lately has put a broader perspective on hate. I knew something for sure now. No matter how much I ever told myself I hated Yukinoshita Haruno….

It would never compare to how much Yukinoshita Yukino hated me.

A/N: And, voila! I don't know what to make of it yet. Either everyone likes it or it doesn't fly at all. I hope you enjoyed reading this first chapter. I've always wanted to do something with these two characters. I think this is an interesting take. The 'Third year' fics are among the best we have for Oregairu. I hope I can meet those standards with this one.