12 Hikigaya Hachiman

When summer holiday ends, comes the time that every students anticipate, school day. Some are eager to tell their summer experience to their friends, while some are reluctant to meet their peer's face once again.

I, surely, belong to neither of the two mentioned. I was already a PhD in Applied Mathematics Major in my past life. For me, going to school is merely a formality.

I attend school, because I don't want to disappoint my hardworking Maiko-chan, my single parent.

I, indeed, have no experience of being a son. However, I know at least how to appreciate someone's hardwork. Therefore, I comply to Maiko's one and only request, graduate.

"You are awake early, Hachiman."

"Hm? It's already 6 in the morning. This is not early."

"You used to be awake at 7. Therefore, it's a surprise seeing you here... training."

I hum to my mother as a response. To be truth, I was already awake since 5, and I've been working out for 45 minutes. Since she is already surprised I am already awake at 6, I think I don't have to tell her the truth.

"You got bulky."

"I guess so."

"Is it because you go to the gym?"

"Yeah, and enough supplement too."

"I wouldn't know you have enrolled yourself to a gym, if not from Shizuka."

I click my tongue at Maiko's word. Apparently, that loose mouth of a woman, Shizuka had a slip of tongue when Maiko contacted her to know my condition.

Why did Maiko contact Shizuka? That's because she doesn't know my number. I forgot to tell her the new one.

What? Don't judge me. I use my phone mainly to trade stocks, not to communicate. My only contact in the phone was Shizuka before. I only got Maiko's and Komachi's three days ago.

"Why did you keep it from me?"

"Because, I don't think it was important."

I stop my hundredth push-up, and stand to face Maiko. One might ask where is the resemblance between me and her. The answer is, we got none. I only resemble my late father. That's why, I got his sharp eyes, not Maiko's round and wide one.

"Why do you think it wasn't important? Everything about you is important to me. You are my son. I want to know about my son!"

I sigh inwardly. It seems Maiko is already at her breaking point. I wasn't purposefully distancing myself from her for the whole summer. It was the work of the circumstance. Thanks to that, Maiko thought I was purposefully being discreet to her.

Darn, it's troublesome. I don't know how to treat a mother. Should I joke with her like I used to do with Christine in the past? Now that I think about it, that sister of mine never acted like a mother to me. How could I know how to treat a mother?!

But, wait. A mother is a woman, no? I know how to treat a woman.

I close the distance between me and Maiko. Weirdly enough, the latter steps back each time I step forward. It is only when her back touches the wall, does she stop moving.

Now that her position is like that. I will do one thing to completely pin her to the wall.

Bam!

Yes, that's right. It's Kabe-don!

"Kyaa!"

Oh, boy. Was she startled or what? That was pretty sensual in my opinion. Still, I don't want to ruin the mood. Therefore, I pretend I didn't notice it.

"I know how hard you work for Komachi and I. You come home late at night, and go to work early everyday. Raising two kids by yourself must be hard already. But, you also have to feed us, pay for our tuition, and things."

Maiko has instantly lost the blush on her face. Now, she is staring at me in puzzlement. I look at her properly. She looks young and bright. But, I can see the fatigue she is hiding. Christine had been also the same.

"You have your burden already, and I don't want to be a burden to you. Therefore, I will do my best to be independent, and lessen your burden." I gaze at Maiko's eyes deeply, and say rather emotionally, "I want you to be happy."

I am crazy. I am starting to see Christine's shadow in every hardworking women close to me. I guess I finally figure out that I do have regrets.

If only I had been adamant, shit wouldn't have happened to Christine. If only I had not...

Huuh... Too many if onlys in my head, and the more I think about them, the more I think my previous life was full of regrets.

I can't be like that. I am different!

Men who hate their choice have regrets. I make dumb mistakes. However, I never regret it once. Regret is a sign of irresponsibility. Only men who can't take the responsibility of their actions have regret.

I am not like that, because I'm different!

Sob.

I am too deep in my thoughts that I realized it late Maiko is crying. Meeting her red and watery eyes, my usually insensitive heart is poked. My hand moves unconsciously to wipe her tears.

"You stupid Hachiman. What are you talking about?! What kind of mother who is happy on missing on her son's growth? We've been distant even before you had amnesia. But now, you're even distant. I worry you might hate me, stupid!"

Darn! It goes from 0 to 100 real quick! What should I do? I'm not too good at this emotional crap!

"Smile. It's the only thing I want to see on your face."

Fuck! I ended up saying it! I ended up saying it!

I don't want to make this situation awkward after saying that corny line. Therefore, I am going to hug her!

"Kyaa!"

Why are you being sensual, Mother?!

"Shush. I know I'm full of sweat. But, don't worry, I don't smell."

As Maiko is shorter than me, her head meets my chest directly. I quickly put my head on top of hers to put the final nail in the coffin.

Luckily, Maiko quickly relaxes her tense body in my warm hug. I have never been the best in emotional aspect, but I have confidence in my physical aspect. Therefore, I know how to give people a warm hug, without giving them the feeling.

"Did you use body spray?" Suddenly, Maiko talked. I quirk my eyebrow, and ask her, "Why do you think so?" Instead of immediately answering me, Maiko took a deep breath instead. "You smell nice."

Needless to say, it becomes one of my ultimate 'Hold up!' moments. But, I've had my fair share with Christine. Family has nothing to hide. As long as we don't do anything anything sexual, we are still inside the family boundary.

I caress her back tenderly, before looking down at her from above. "Unknowingly, it's been 10 minutes we are like this, and I need to prepare for school."

Maiko looks up to me, and I am meet with her glistening beautiful orbs. Her eyes are a little bit puffy and red. But damn, she's cute. She's like those cute moms I see in anime.

Oh.. yeah, it's an anime world, silly me.

"Are we good?"

"We are good."

"We are good what?"

"We are good... Mother."

Maiko stares deeply at me, before nodding her head. "A little bit stiff, but I will allow it."

I sigh inwardly, before trying to head to the bathroom, only to realize Maiko hasn't released me yet. I quirk an eyebrow at her, then she releases her hug while blushing.

Her clothes are also moist due to my sweat, but she doesn't seem to register that on her mind. She walks to the sofa, and lays her body there. Apparently, she is still tired.

Needless to say, she earns my respect for her dedication to clear things between us.

...

I have worn my uniform, and I am currently having a breakfast with my family. Maiko will steal a furtive glance at me from to time for whatever reason, and Komachi will look at us in puzzlement.

"Did anything happen between the two of you, Gomi-chan?"

"Not really, Kumacchi."

"What's with that name?! I am not a bear (kuma)!"

"Yeah, I am not a trash (gomi) either."

Just like that, I managed to distract my lovely airheaded sister, Komachi. I believe Maiko don't want to tell Komachi about our relationship's downfall, even though it is already fixed now.

"Nee, Onī-chan."

"Hm?"

"Is my cooking bad?"

"No, it's good. Why?"

"Then, why don't you want to eat my cooking anymore?"

Ah, shit. What's wrong with this family of mine? Everything gets emotional quickly!

I sigh inwardly, and look at Komachi's forlorn face. "I am having a diet program, and Komachi doesn't know my diet composition yet. Therefore, if Komachi wants to make my food, Komachi has to learn my diet first. Komachi won't like doing that, right?"

"I will do that!"

Well, at least Komachi is an airhead. Therefore, the matter is quickly solved.

Her case reminds me of recognition. No matter how good one is, if one gets no recognition, one will never be able to appreciate oneself.

Talking about human and their problem.

...

Kaihin Sōgō School.

I am already in front of the school gate, and every eyes are on me. All of the people looking at me like they are seeing an exotic species straight out of Utopia. Meanings, they are bewildered by my emergence.

None of these bastards seem to recognize me, and they are trying hard to figure out who I am. As usual, I don't give a fuck to the people, and enter the gate.

Upon entering the school area, I am quickly violated by the girls' x-ray gaze. As I am already used to it — it happened a lot in my last life — I am not really bothered by them.

I have thought in my first day I would be like a transfer student who knows no one. After all, it has been 5 weeks since the last time these bastards saw Hachiman. I believe they have forgotten about him.

Surprisingly, my thought is proven wrong as I can see someone I know in front of me. However, for some reason, she is reluctant to greet me.

"Yo! Saki! It's been five days."

After Saki's manager heard that I am her friend, everytime I went there with Shizuka, he always gave us a discount. Being the saver she is, Shizuka always brought me there since then. Therefore, I got to meet Saki a lot in summer.

"Oh, it's really Hachiman-kun!"

"Huh? What's wrong with that? You've forgotten about me already?"

Saki waves her hands frantically. "No, no, no! That's not what I mean. It's just... you look different than the last time I meet you."

I quirk my eyebrow, and say, "Is that so? Maybe, it's because the growth spurt. I have grown 4 centimeters taller in this summer."

"And, you look more handsome too..." Saki said that in a barely audible voice, but I heard it.

Judging by her blushing face, she doesn't like to be called out on that. Therefore, I have decided not to.

That way, my first day at school starts.