That Just Happened

{Hikigaya Hachiman's POV}

A wise man from the city of Athens, named Socrates once said: "By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher."

From his quote, we can conclude that every philosopher has a bad wife. I don't know whether the relation is reversible: became a philosopher, and gets a bad wife, but I know for sure any man who has a bad wife has a potential to become a philosopher.

"Marriage, o marriage. It's nothing more than signing a contract to make yourself a slave: to your wife, and children. Be a slave, you're a good dad. Be a human, you're a scum. Marriage, o marriage."

This man for example.

I don't know this man at all, and I don't know why he suddenly came to me talking about life. But, I prefer this man over those loudmouthed married women, i.e., Shizuka's "friends."

Ah, in case you don't know, Shizuka and I are currently at her highschool reunion. Apparently, it is always conducted on the exact same date each year: April 4th. Shizuka is so hyped about it because she can finally flex her status to her "friends."

Back to the philosopher man, he is one of Shizuka's classmates whose wife, apparently, is way closer to his friends than he himself. His friends are "snatched" away from him, and they all side with his wife in almost everything.

He is a tortured soul, a good husband, whose main job is to become his wife's lapdog—a pathetic beta.

"What about you, Hikigaya-kun? I am not doubting your maturity here, but you are quite young in my opinion."

I turn my head to the man. He is just an average looking man in his mid twenties with a good sense of fashion—probably because of his wife. His eyes look passionless, and he is honest in expressing himself; his 'I don't give a fuck' face is really standing out.

Since we share some of the same outlook on life, I entitled this man as a man ... I mean I upgraded his title from a dude to a man. Yeah, that's about right.

"Can you specify what you are asking about?" I quirk my eyebrow. "And, how do you know my name?"

"I'm still talking about the same thing, marriage. And, I don't know your name; I only overheard your family name." The man points to the women crowding around Shizuka.

I nod my head in understanding. Those women called my (family) name a lot when Shizuka introduced me to them, which she didn't do last year, since Haruno occupied her mind at that time.

I extend my hand to the man. "Let us know about each other. I am Hikigaya Hachiman." The man quickly grasps my hand. "Nice to meet you, Hachiman. I am Adachi Yōsuke."

When we are finally acquainted, we can finally became a little bit more familiar with each other.

"So, what do you think?"

Well, he is really interested in my view, it seems.

"I don't know. Never been married before." I shrug lightly.

Yōsuke cups his chin. "Indeed. I shouldn't have asked."

"I am sure I will be a happy philosopher though."

Yōsuke turns to me with a puzzled gaze. He is about to open his mouth, when I elaborate what I mean.

"There is always 'another side' in life: black and white, good and bad, plus and minus. When you only experience one of the two sides, there is definitely something wrong with your life. One can't be be happy forever, and one can't be sad forever."

I pause to drink my champagne. "Life is never flat. You can be happy and sad at the same time. There's no absolute happiness, only less sadness and more happiness. It's just a matter of how we find enjoyment out of it."

Looking at the happily talking Shizuka, an unconscious smile is brought to my face.

"I sometimes get irritated by my girlfriend's behavior. But, most of the time she makes me think I am very lucky to have her as a partner. She's a good and bad girlfriend. Thus, if I marry her, I'll be a happy philosopher."

Gesturing my hand at him, I ask, "So, how do you view your marriage? Do you find enjoyment in it?"

Yōsuke stays silent for a moment, before gulping his champagne entirely right after.

"I think I'm a fucking masochist. I enjoy my marriage greatly." He said.

"As humans, we are naturally a masochist. Living means suffering. We will kill ourselves a long time ago, if we can't bear the suffering."

"Well ... Like you say, despite of the suffering, I can still find enjoyment out of it. Life is not that bad, I guess?" Yōsuke shrugs.

"That's what a masochist would say."

Yōsuke opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. "You are witty." Quirking his eyebrow, he asks, "Then, are you a masochist too?"

"Nope. I'm a sadist."

I know he is puzzled, but I don't have any intention to explain myself. I can't just say, "I am a sadist for I will abuse the world as much as I can," can I? That's so fucking Chūni.

The event quickly passed, and, from Shizuka's recount, it is revealed that Yōsuke's wife is a good wife; she loves him dearly.

That fucking hypocrite Yōsuke, apparently, is just as rotten as myself ... I mean the previous Hikigaya Hachiman.

...

Time flies so quick, by the time I realize it, today is the opening ceremony. Shizuka and I are at the dining table, having our breakfast.

"Hachiman, why did you quit your club?"

Ah, I knew Shizuka will ask me about it when she knows. But damn, why does she need to be angry? I can't get taller any longer. It's better to stop dribbling the ball, and enjoy my life instead.

"Relax, my lovely Gorilla. I just wanted to laze around."

"Do you really think that's a good answer?"

"No. But, it's an honest one."

Shizuka sighs, and massages her forehead lightly. "I've been lenient to you for so long, because of your maturity ... I forgot that you're a rotten inside." She muttered.

"Being true to oneself is not rotten, honey. It's what a true human does!"

"Rapists also say the same thing." Shizuka looks at me with unamused eyes.

"Touché," is the only response I can give her.

"Anyway, you should socialize more. It's been a year, but I have never seen you hanging out with your friends."

I am slightly offended; I have made enough acquaintances for the past year!

"I am acquainted with Saki, Ninja-san, and Saika. That's enough for me."

"You don't have to declare it proudly, Hachiman. You make me sad."

I thought it was a joke? Why are you looking at me with those eyes, Shizuka?!

"Kuhum!" I cleared my throat. "Anyway, I don't see the point of making that many friends in highschool. We are bound to be a stranger in the end; pointless is what I mean."

"I'm not saying you should make hundreds of friends. I just want you to socialize with the other students. I believe you don't even know the name of your classmates aside from those three."

Now, now. You are challenging my extraordinary memory, Shizuka. Prepare yourself to be shaken!

"It's been two years, but you don't know me yet?" I smirk. "For your information, I know James, Oliver, George, Bob—"

"I don't even know those are Japanese names."

Holy shit, wrong names! Those are the names of my previous classmates ... Are they? I don't quite remember anything insignificant.

"It's because I know you, I want you to socialize more, and pay more attention to your surrounding. I know you're observant, but you are so easy to disregard people ... At least, show your teacher some appreciation by paying attention to their lecture."

Ah, so it's all about this. Shizuka must have overheard those teachers gossiping about me, and she wants to make me look slightly better in front of their eyes.

As expected of my choice, I didn't choose the wrong one!

"Don't worry about it. If it's destined to, it will happen." I smile. "Besides, I pay close attention to one of my teachers, in case you don't know."

Shizuka merely eats her food silently, while muttering under her breath, "Corny brat."

Time passed, and with a parting kiss, we head to the school separately.

...

This year is a little bit crowdy. Apparently, there are more people accepted than last year. I don't know whether the passing grade is lowered or the examinees are getting smarter, but no matter what it is, I don't care.

Maiko-chan is starting to change her mind about school; I might be allowed early graduation soon. Before that time comes, I'll find enjoyment out of the boring school life.

"Hachiman, Good morning! It's good to see you again."

I turn around at the call, and greet the person back. "Good morning, my ang—Saika." At the slip, I play it cool.

Saika is puzzled, but sh—he quickly brushes it off when he sees my face. That's how you cover things up. Act naturally, and no one will figure out the truth!

We walk together, and head to the school field to check on the bulletin board. I already know which class I am assigned to, but it doesn't hurt to check.

"How is your Spring holiday, Hachiman?"

"Pretty much the same, but enjoyable. I like watching sakura the most though." Glancing at Saika, I say, "How about yours?"

With a smile, he says, "My holiday in Thailand is awesome!"

Hold up!

I know it's a stereotype, but my mind can't help traveling around "that" possibility. Therefore, I opt to ask. A direct approach is my way to solve uncertainty.

"What are you doing there?"

"Oh! I visit many of its provinces to have a taste of the delicacies. I went to Phuket to enjoy the beach too! And then ..."

Saika keeps talking, but he mentioned nothing about going to a hospital. Then again, how can I know he didn't go there? Well, I trust my intuition. Saika is too innocent kind-hearted to lie.

Upon arriving right in front of the bulletin, we meet a duo of a confusion evoking people. They are Saki and Saki. I mean, Yoshida Saki and Kawasaki Saki.

"Yo, Hachiman! We're in the same class again this year." This is Ninja-san. She is as masculine as ever. "Good morning, Hachiman-kun, Saika-kun!" This is Saki. She is as feminine as ever.

I slightly wave my hand, and greet back. "Morning, you two."

"Good morning, Kawasaki-san, Saki-san!"

Yup, no matter how many times I have heard it, it still seems like Saika is calling Ninja-san in two different ways.

This way, my boring second year of highschool starts ... Or so I thought.

The world really likes to fuck with me more than I thought.