Minor notes: Aha, you expected the END but it was me-Epilogue! Though in hindsight, 90% of you probably saw this coming already.

As this is the definitive final chapter, I just want to say: You guys are awesome since you kept up with all the delayed updates, jarring plotholes and grammar mistakes.(Though I'm a bit peeved that the title is so generic, seriously, it's suuuuuuper generic)

Anyway, enjoy.

Epilogue: His and Her Life

You know…sometimes, I like to go to the windows, look at the moon (or the sun) and tell myself:

'I screwed up.'

Sure, it doesn't make any difference whatsoever but it was cathartic to say the least. As an up and coming novelist, it is very important to keep your stress in check.

But I digress.

There's another reason to why I often do this and it doesn't involve stress. Rather, it involves a certain sly, former junior of mine submitting something against my will.

That something was, coincidentally, a request from her. You see, Isshiki Iroha is an ultimate opportunist and as such, asked of me to write her a short story that the young'uns of today would like so that she could take full credit for it or something like that. I didn't really get the full story.

She is a hasty girl after all.

I reasoned with myself that it was only right that she enlisted my help. After all, I do owe her quite a bit.

So I dug deep in my heart and conjured up a story so in touch with youngsters of today that it will blow through sales and even get its own anime!

And thus, I wrote a High school story.

Trust me. My years of reading light novels meant that this story already succeeded the moment I decided on the genre.

And what do you know? It succeeded. Tremendously, might I add.

There was one slight, slight flaw however…

Instead of registering in the competition with her own name, she registered me under my own name.

Yes, she did that. Instead of coming up with a clever pseudonym, she decided to put MY name.

How terrific.

And quite honestly, I wasn't that pissed off about it. In fact, I rejoiced slightly when she told me that my 'story' had won the young author's division or something. I didn't really pay attention due to what she said later.

'Senpai, the publisher expects another chapter by the next two weeks. Isn't that great? Your work is being published!"

Oh, Isshiki, you silly girl.

You silly, idiotic girl.

But despite that, I did pump out another chapter, therefore, leading to more chapters being demanded, albeit in a longer time span, courtesy of Isshiki's negotiation.

Gee, thanks for the extra two weeks, Isshiki.

I guess I have to give her some credits though. Because of that 'story' that consequently turned into a full-fledged light novel, I was able to live comfortably.

So, really, things had taken a turn for the better. That novel even got its own anime adaptation!

...Until you factor in the stress that came with it.

Not only do I need to keep pumping out chapters in a short amount of time to sustain my finance, I also have to worry about Nishinomiya potentially pulling some shenanigans, dropping me into the hole of poverty.

Yes, Nishinomiya. That guy.

Hence, the reason why my motto is now 'I screwed up'.

So despite the weather being nice even though it was winter, I had to sit in front of my laptop and write something. This was like a wall-less prison for me.

My unfinished can of MAX coffee was situated solemnly to my left, a reminder that even my favorite drink couldn't knock down my stress.

I leaned back slightly on my chair. Maybe, I could get Isshiki to extend the deadlines. She is my pseudo manager nowadays anyways.

Before I could reach my phone to tell Isshiki of my predicament, the shrill sound of the doorbell reverberated through my ears. I sighed and reluctantly dragged my feet towards the door.

Before I even got to it, three knocks were sounded hastily. Whoever was out there must be quite impatient though I couldn't blame them since I was moving at the pace of a snail.

Not bothering to even shout 'I'm coming!' or something like that, I unceremoniously opened the door. The person on the other side was obviously not prepared for this, considering that said person's hand was still in mid-air, ready to be brought down again.

Oh, that said person was a woman, with relatively short hair.

Well, not short; more like, it came down to her neck. What do people call it? Bob haircut? Why Bob? Why can't they pick another name besides 'Bob'?

But I could recognize that face somewhat. Blue, piercing eyes and an aura of poise.

Truthfully, I had no solid idea of who it actually was.

The lady stared at me expectantly, as if checking whether or not I recognize her. I didn't but I didn't show it in my face…I hoped.

"…Haruno?" I spoke up softly and hesitantly. I didn't know why Haruno came into my mind though I suspected it had something to do with that familiar Bob haircut.

Ugh, 'Bob'.

As expected, the woman wasn't Haruno; something that was clearly shown by her face twisting into something akin to that of a pissed off tiger. Scratch that, she was a pissed off tiger the moment I muttered Haruno.

"…."

We stayed silent and the woman's face grew more unpleasant as time went by. Rather, it appeared as though any traces of warmth held by her face vanished completely, as if the warmth was never there in the first place. Combine that with the chilly winter wind and it felt like my entire body had frozen in place.

She then sighed.

"Hikigaya-kun."

A soft voice.

"After all these times, I expected that you would have worked on your social skills."

Ah, it was her.

"So, are you going to let me in?"

I grimaced slightly before stepping aside to let her come into my humble refuge. As she did so, I noticed that slightly large bag that she brought with her. It seemed filled to the brim with items.

"Yukinoshita," I called out to her, "Do you want me to hang your coat or something?"

She turned around, a teasing smile adorned her smug face, "Ah, you have worked on your social skills."

"Oh, shut it." I replied, as she handed me her coat. While I was doing so, she wandered to the living room and by the time I got there, she had already made herself comfortable with my kotatsu.

Not only that but she had also spread out the goodies that she brought onto the table.

I sat across to her in relative silence as she continued to pull out various boxes of…sweets? And a book as well. A book that I was very familiar with. On it was a sloppily printed title.

'SNAFU'

Yeah, Isshiki chose the name. I didn't understand what it meant either when she told me of it but I didn't care either way. I think it's supposed to be an English acronym but whatever.

And to the bottom left, one could see the name 'Hikagaya Hachiman'. Well, if one squinted hard enough anyways. I made it obligatory to minimize my name as much as possible when the book was released.

"So…why are you here again? You just waltzed in," I wasted no time with the pleasantries, "And what's with that haircut?"

"This," Yukinoshita pointed towards her short hair, something that I felt strangely out of place, "Was simply a change that I wanted."

"And you invited me in, just so you know." She finished off.

"Did I have a choice?"

"You could've just said no and left me out in the harsh, cold weather."

"Glad to see you're fine as always."

She gave a light chuckle and started talking, "By the way, Hikigaya-kun."

"Hmm?"

"Lately, you haven't been replying to my mails." Her voice sounded very disappointed, akin to that of a mother.

That again…

"Woman, you sent actual mails. In actual envelopes!"

"I don't see the problem." She replied blankly.

"Well, I do. Who sends real mail? Isn't that why we invented e-mails?"

"It is a sincere way of communicating."

"It's also a really inconvenient way to do so."

Before she could get her snarky reply in, I changed the topic.

"And won't your parents get mad? Your mother, in particular, doesn't seem too fond of me."

"There's a reason why I requested to live alone."

"Oh…" I had to compose myself a little for some reason, "Well, that's rich, considering you were a quivering mess, like what, a year ago? With all the 'I'm scared of my family' stuff."

It was a sensitive topic but I had moved on…somewhat. Though by moving on, I meant making fun of it at every possible chance.

Don't judge, it's my coping mechanism.

"I was talking about you."

"So you weren't scared of your family?"

"I was definitely scared of my parents and of course, scared of my family being hurt by that guy."

Yukinoshita put extra emphasis on the last few words. Ouch, even though I wasn't the target, it felt like an ice, cold dagger stabbed me.

But then, the redundancy in her statement forced me to stop and think.

"What do you mean being scared of your parents and your family being hurt? Isn't that just the same thing?"

Yukinoshita looked at me as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"By family, I meant you."

"Oh," I raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Family? I mean; we're not even cousins or long lost siblings or whatever. So we're not actually family."

I then gave out a fairly audible snicker, "I mean, unless we're marri-."

Realizing where she was leading me with this, I stopped myself preemptively and stared at her.

Yukinoshita gave me that smile. That oh so innocent smile that only Yukinoshita Yukino can produce. I narrowed my eyes but that did nothing to destroy that smirk of hers.

So with the authority of an army general, I spoke, enunciating each and every one of my words slowly.

"I am not going to give you a worthless piece of accessory that's worth 3 months of my salary. It's a scam."

I was sure that every ounce of venom that I had was put into that sentence.

However, did it fulfill its purpose of sapping Yukinoshita's smirk of its smugness?

Hahahaha.

…

Nope.

"My, my. Hikigaya-kun, what are you talking about?" She brought one hand up to her mouth in an attempt to show surprise. If only she didn't had that goddamn smirk.

"You know what I'm talking about."

"I really don't," She said all this and finished it off with a chuckle. I could feel my eyes twitching.

"Anyway, the reason I'm here is to get an autograph," She pushed the book (That I wrote) towards me, "And to congratulate you."

Ah, so that's what the sweets are for.

"Autograph?"

"Is there a problem?"

"You. Yukinoshita Yukino getting an autograph," I looked at her incredulously, "From me of all people."

"It's for one of my nieces."

"You don't have a niece. I would've known since you put every single piece of information in your mails."

"A slip of the tongue," I admired her attempt at collecting her cool, "It's for one of my students."

"You don't work in the educational industry."

She stayed silent. I stayed silent as I slowly and reluctantly signed on the cover of the book. Then the sound of meowing filled the room.

Yukinoshita immediately turned her head towards the source and coincidentally, that source was already jumping on to her.

"Y-You kept h-him?!" She asked amidst her bouts of laughter due to the cat snuggling with her.

I only responded with a simple 'Yeah'.

I watched in relative silence as the two old friends played together. It was only after Yukinoshita managed to get Pasu to calm down that she was actually able to form coherent sentences again.

"A-Anyway," She gave a cough, signifying her serious tone, "Congratulations on having your first book adapted into an anime."

"Thanks…" I replied slowly, not sure of how to react to all this.

"Yuigahama-san is one of the voice actors, right?"

I stiffened but I immediately composed myself and tried to act as calm as possible.

"Kinda surprising that you follow that kind of stuff," I said nonchalantly, "I mean, you normally don't do anything related to anime."

Yukinoshita looked down at Pasu as she stroked his fur.

"Well...Yuigahama-san is my friend after all…" She said wistfully.

"Friend, huh…"

She didn't look at me but soon enough, she asked the thing that I was dreading the most.

"Are you still mad…at her?"

"I would be lying if I said I'm not," I looked over to her, "You still consider her a friend…after she did those things to you."

"Well…we've kept in touch with each other."

"Even though you were directly hurt by her." I continued, putting a little too much emotion into my voice.

"Hikigaya-kun."

Silence filled the room again as Yukinoshita stared at me.

"You can't hold grudges forever."

"I guess so…but Yuigahama's actions directly affected you."

"You haven't communicated with her, have you?" She didn't consider my response, opting to ask me instead.

"Not really…"

A chuckle escaped her lips.

"Don't you think it's a bit strange that Yuigahama-san auditioned for your anime?"

Well, it's not technically my anime…

I didn't reply.

Yukinoshita had a longing smile on her face but she, too, didn't utter another word.

We sat in silence for a fair amount of minutes before Yukinoshita laid Pasu gently on the tatami mat and stood up, looking at her watch as she did so.

"Anyway, I have to go meet someone now," She picked up the book that she brought, "It was nice catching up with you again."

A small bow and off she went towards the door. And it was at that moment that I felt an insatiable urge to call out to her.

"Yukinoshita."

She turned around, a small smile adorning her face. I was stunned momentarily and I did my best to say something…

Except I didn't.

"I-It's nothing…stay safe, I guess."

I looked around sheepishly before settling my eyes back on her. That same smile was beginning to diminish in vibrancy.

"Oh…thanks. Well, bye."

A nod was all I did in response to her farewell.

But as I watched her leave and disappear from my sight around the hallway, I thought of something. A clichéd line that I had shoehorned into my book.

'Our springtime of youth had already passed and we were already halfway through the autumn of adulthood. Soon enough, the winter of my life will reach me.'

So if that was the case then before I get buried under all that winter snow, I had to at least cease what little amount of time and opportunity I had left.

And thus, I ran. I ran as fast as I could in this enclosed space. She was there, putting on her coat, the door not even opened yet.

I reached out for her hand and in an unsightly manner, I called out to her.

"Yukinoshita!"

Said woman turned around in confusion as one of her hands was grasped by mine. I gulped.

"Ya know; you're meeting with someone to discuss business stuffs, right? I was thinking that it could be a shady dealer…or something so if you don't mind…"

I paused, trying to find the right words but her innocent stare made it hard to do so.

"If you don't mind…I could accompany you, just in case…" I looked at the side, feeling awkward, "…if you don't mind, that is…"

The sound of howling wind filled the room as I just continued to stare at the ground, unaware of how Yukinoshita reacted. I mean, I understand that. It's not every day that I would run up to someone and shout some nonsense.

Ah, Hachiman. You (un)lovable fool.

Instead of a reaction that I had expected, I get a small chuckle. That small chuckle turned into a small laugh. That small laugh got louder and louder as time went by.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't delighted to hear that sound again.

"H-Hikagaya-kun, w-where did that came from?" Yukinoshita desperately tried to ask, amidst her bouts of laughter.

I merely grimaced and brought a hand up to cover my face. It was strangely warm for the winter season.

"Thanks for that but I am just going to meet with Yuigahama-san."

Ah, Hachiman. You fool.

"Ah," My mouth was agape but I tried to save what little face I had left, "I guess I don't need to go then, ahaha…well, then, have fun."

Turning my heels, I set my course for my room, intent on finishing any work that I had left. Well, that was the plan until something softly grabbed my hand.

I turned around. Yukinoshita was looking fairly red for winter.

"If you don't mind, why don't you come along? Would be a great chance to reconcile, don't you think?"

Scratching my head in hesitation, I replied, "I don't know about that…"

"I'll be there, you know," Yukinoshita said softly, as a reassurance, "Though, isn't it strange? Normally, Yuigahama-san would be the mediator."

"Yeah…"

"If Yuigahama-san and I ever got into a squabble, I expect you to solve our problems…okay?"

With a sigh, I proclaimed, "Fine, I'll go."

"Good, and Hikigaya-kun."

"Hn?"

"After a little reunion…if you're up for it…" She trailed off, looking off to the side before glancing sheepishly back at me, "Why don't we hang out with just the two of us? A date, if you will."

And as I stood there, mouth agape, I think I said 'Okay'.

"Well then, hurry up and change. I'll be waiting outside," With a smile, she went through the door, closing it in the process and once again, leaving me alone in solitude.

I immediately went to my room, changed my clothes and as I walked past my still working laptop, I gave it one last look before pressing the power button.

Work can wait. It's not every day that you get to go on a date with Yukinoshita Yukino.

…

…

Date? Perhaps, it was due to Yukinoshita being raised in a sheltered environment that cause her to use words such as 'date' to signify a 'hang out'. Yeah, that must be the reason. Definitely.

Yet as I stood in front of the main door, everything ready, including wallet, phone and keys, I felt a bit uneasy knowing Yukinoshita was on the other side waiting. I brought up my hands to my face to steel myself.

Ah, it was unusually warm for winter this year.

Final notes: Yes, I just did that. Yes, in headcanon, I just made 8man write Oregairu.

And before we end things, I just want to say that the only reason I wrote this story was because I wanted to write the scene where Yuigahama 'betrayed' Yukinoshita. It was only after I got that part cleared up that I proceeded to build a story around it. In fact, most, if not all, of my Oregairu stories are based on one single scene. So the plot might be a bit wonky at times.

Edit: Some of you might be confused at Yukino's hairstyle. But think about this: What does Komachi have? Short hair. Isshiki? Short hair. Orimoto? Short hair and finally. What does Totsuka have?

That's right...Short hair.

So, with that said, bye.