AN: Hellooo everyone!!
I'm back again for a new update of this fic!
Here is the continuation of Hachiman's school life in ANHS~.
This arc will revolve around his various relationships and will also give a sneak peek at his past.
I won't reveal everything at this point since I want to reserve it for the special volume I plan for the future.
So please bear with me, and hopefully you all will still be with me by that time.
Anyways, for now, please enjoy this sweet chapter between one of my favorite Fan-Fic ships.
Please share your thoughts about it! And leave a comment, I love to read those.
And most importantly, please give a rating!
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Deserted Island, Hachiman's Home Planet…
The walk toward Class D's camp after leaving Class A's territory was filled with silence. Even the usually talkative Ichinose Honami, who loved chatting with Hachiman about almost anything, remained silent.
Aside from the gentle breeze, the chirping birds in the trees, and the distant sound of waves from the sea, nothing else could be heard around them.
Honami stayed close to him, holding onto his arm while leaning her body against his. Her head rested lightly on his shoulder. Hachiman's arm was wrapped around her waist—an action that was very unlike him.
For someone like Hachiman, who valued his personal space so much, actively holding someone this close was rare.
If they had been walking on a normal city street instead of this deserted island, they would have looked like a couple on a date.
But their reality was far from normal.
'He might be shaken by his own emotions, too,' Honami thought. Simply letting Hachiman stay like this, not even considering teasing him about it.
"... I showed you something ugly, huh? Did you get deluded about me now?"
Now that he had finally calmed himself and brought his emotions back under control, Hachiman broke the silence between them.
"I guess I'm not really the cool, calm, and collected 'hero' you always thought I was."
He let out a self‑deprecating smile. His voice carried a mix of shame, confusion, embarrassment, and vulnerability.
'I wonder why… whenever I switch to this meme body, it feels like my control over my emotions slips.'
Hachiman grimaced at the thought. He knew he was quite an emotional person, but he also believed his stronger rational side was enough to keep them in check. After all, if he couldn't do that, his time as the 'Joker' of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts would never have worked.
Back then, he had seen plenty of ugliness—human greed, lies, and darkness from their hearts. Enough that he could have easily lost faith in humanity altogether. He could have turned his back on people and refused to believe in them ever again.
But he didn't… Rather, he doesn't want to give up on humanity.
Even while being sarcastic about human relationships, a part of him still wanted to believe that somewhere within all the lies and deception, there were people who were sincere and genuine.
Something he calls the 'Real Thing.' Something he was so obsessed with finding.
That is why, once he found them, he treasured them, and he would do everything he could to protect them.
To him, aside from his family, the genuine people he had found were Mana—the girl who gave him hope—and the Service Club trio: Yukino, Yui, and Iroha. They were the first friends he made after he and Mana got separated, the three people around whom he could simply be himself without holding anything back.
Then there was Arisu, who was never afraid to say exactly what she thought or wanted. Honami, who stayed by his side even during the days when his reputation in Shujin was at its worst. And the friends and comrades of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts—the people who fought beside him and even cried when he "died."
There was also the Astral Express crew, the ones who would always stand behind him and never leave him alone in the face of danger. And Mei, Sora, and the new family he founded showed him what it meant to live a normal life.
That was why, the moment his Astral Emblem awakened with the element of Geo—proof of how strong his conviction was—Noah didn't think twice to give him the title [Guardian] of the crew, the one who would stand at the front to protect those who mattered to him.
A true hero who would stand firmly at the front, shielding those who needed him.
"I don't know what kind of misunderstanding you have about me that made you think I would be disappointed in you. So let me make this clear—what you did just now perfectly matched the hero I had in mind. The same awkward boy who saved me… and who was always there for me."
Honami answered him softly. She lifted her head and looked straight into his eyes, making sure he wouldn't overthink her words again. She wanted him to understand that what she said wasn't just to comfort him.
It was the truth. Her real feelings.
"You were just angry and frustrated because the people you value so much were looked down on and hurt. Seeing the 'real thing' you have always searched for being tossed aside and treated like it meant nothing… of course, that would make the 'Monster of Logic' forget about rationality and act like a normal person."
Hachiman's eyes widened at her words.
Hearing her words, he finally understand why his emotions always slipped out of control whenever he was in this meme body.
The 'real thing' he had been so obsessed with… simply wasn't valued in this school where supremacy was the rule. Here, sincerity was treated like weakness, something to be exploited and used against others.
It was something the so-called elites refused to carry because it would only slow them down on their way to the top.
Seeing the realization on his face, Honami smiled gently. Her Hachiman had finally begun to understand his own actions.
"You always complain to me about why you have to be the leader of our class. Questioning yourself why it has to be you, the one holding the authority over others. You act like you don't care, like you don't want to be bothered, finding excuses for you to take action… but I know."
She squeezed his hand slightly.
"I know that deep inside, Hachiman just wants to protect everyone."
Honami lifted her hand and gently caressed his cheek as she continued speaking.
"You spoke on the very first day, telling everyone what you truly thought about this school so that none of us would fall into the trap set before us. You wanted to warn them. To wake them from the dream of the paradise called Advanced Nurturing High School. So you gave them tasks, not to prove what you said is real or show how clever you are, but so they could see with their own eyes how false the promises of this school really were."
Hachiman's shoulders trembled. He hadn't expected Honami to understand him so clearly.
He instinctively wanted to look away, but she didn't let him. Using both of her hands, she held his face firmly, keeping his eyes on hers.
"After you became the class representative… our leader… You always said you were only doing it because you didn't want the 'good kids' of Class B to become food for the ruthless monsters of this school."
Her fingers softened against his cheek.
"But I can see it, Hachiman. You value our class as your 'real thing.' That's why you can't help protecting us."
Honami understood better than anyone how much Hachiman hated trouble. How much he disliked standing in the spotlight. And yet, despite all of that, he still stepped forward to help their class—in his own awkward way.
He became the pillar supporting Class B.
The pillar that assured everyone they could face any trial or obstacle without fear.
"Everyone might joke about calling you their father," Honami continued with a soft smile, "but that's actually their own way of showing how much they appreciate you. How much they admire you. How grateful they are."
Her eyes shone with pride.
"That's why everyone is trying their best in their own way. They want to lighten your burden. They want to prove to the other classes that if you are willing to risk everything for them… then they are people worthy of that effort."
She smiled warmly at him, her eyes filled with affection and pride. She was genuinely happy that the person she admired and loved was being appreciated.
"They want to show the entire world that the children raised by Hikigaya Hachiman are the best."
As the mother of Class B, she knew better than anyone how much effort everyone was putting in so they wouldn't hold Hachiman back.
They wanted to become living proof that everything he had done for them would never be a waste.
Some might say it was nothing more than peer pressure. But to the members of Class B, it was something completely different.
After seeing how much effort Hachiman put into protecting them and finding ways for them to survive in this harsh environment, they themselves wanted to become better.
Honami had seen it with her own eyes. The students who were weak in sports gritted their teeth and began exercising to improve themselves. Those who were more academically inclined spent long hours studying to raise their grades.
And the entire class—without Hachiman ever knowing—had even signed up for self‑defense lessons after hearing about the Sudō incident where violence broke out.
They were all afraid of one thing.
That one day they might become a burden to him.
That there might come a moment when he would have to bow his head just to save them.
"So deluded? Disappointed? There was never even a chance for that!"
Honami grinned at him.
"If anything… It made me even prouder. Proud that the person I fell in love with is someone like you."
Her words were filled with pride, love, and unwavering conviction.
"So don't you dare think about me leaving your side… or falling out of love with you."
—---
Faced with such a pure and genuine confession, Hachiman finally gave up trying to deny what he felt for the girl standing in front of him.
'Ichinose Honami is, without a doubt… the "real thing" I've always been searching for.'
Hachiman closed his eyes and let her words sink deep into him. That love, devotion, trust, and care… As someone who had been ostracized for most of his life, he still couldn't get used to receiving such overwhelming warmth whenever Honami, Mei, Ruan Mei, Arisu, and the others showered him with those feelings.
"I… really can't win against you, huh?"
His voice trembled with emotion.
For a long time, he had chosen to ignore it—pretending to be dense whenever Honami and the other girls showed their feelings for him.
With his sharp observation and rational mind, Hachiman could usually understand what people were thinking almost immediately. Their intentions, their motives, their emotions… none of it escaped him.
But when it came to positive feelings directed toward him, he simply couldn't believe them. Or more precisely… he didn't want to assume that anyone would truly feel that way about him.
That was why, no matter how direct Mei, Ruan Mei, Arisu, or Honami were when showing their feelings, he had always chosen to act like he didn't understand.
It was easier that way.
But that time, when the other Mei—the Herrscher personality of hers—launched that attack at him before (chapter 114), his defenses took a massive hit. The direct and undeniable affection coming from both Meis was something he simply couldn't, and definitely wouldn't, deny.
Because it was real.
Because it was genuine.
Because it was their truth.
And the moment he denied it… he would be throwing away the very 'real thing' he had desperately searched for.
So when he and Mei finally confirmed their relationship (chapter 120), he had been afraid, flustered, and nervous.
But at the same time… he had also been happy.
So happy that he had finally found what he had always been searching for.
Ruan Mei and Arisu, however, were a little different from Mei and Honami. While Hachiman had found his 'Real Thing' in Mei and Honami… for the other two, he himself was their real thing.
For them, he was the person they had been searching for. The one they had been waiting for. The one who gave them something they had long hoped to receive.
And then there was Honami.
Hachiman had always conveniently ignored her blatant affection. He had acted dense, pretending not to notice or understand.
But in truth, that had always been nothing more than self‑defense.
Because once he found a 'real thing', he didn't want to lose it.
He was afraid that everything might just be a misunderstanding. That, the moment he accepted it and acknowledged it… It would turn out to be nothing more than an illusion.
That was why he always played coy or suddenly acted dense whenever Honami showed her love for him.
But now?
He couldn't do it anymore.
If Mei's first strike had cracked his emotional defenses, then Honami's confession had completely shattered whatever walls he still kept around his heart.
'This is seriously Mei's fault… She went and did the impossible. She taught me how to accept love… how to accept affection… and what it feels like to be happy because of it. And now… I want more.'
A helpless smile slowly crept across his face. Then a chuckle slipped out of him before it grew into full laughter.
"Huh?! Why are you suddenly laughing?! Isn't this supposed to be a heartfelt moment?! Did I say something funny?!"
Honami quickly released his cheeks and tilted her head in confusion while Hachiman continued laughing.
She rubbed the back of her head and waited for him to stop. Her cheeks puffed out as she pouted, a small wave of resentment growing in her chest.
'Geez! I just delivered the perfect confession, and he's laughing at me!'
She complained silently. When Hachiman finally managed to calm his laughter, she glared at him, ready to scold him.
"Hachi—!!"
But the moment she spoke, she froze.
Her eyes widened. Her mouth hung open. Her cheeks turned bright red.
Because Hachiman—on his own initiative—had pulled her into his arms.
He hugged her.
His arms wrapped firmly around her body. The embrace was strong and tight… yet at the same time, it felt unbelievably gentle, as if he were holding the most fragile thing in the universe.
"Honami."
Then she heard him call her name.
His voice was gentle and soft, filled with emotion. A tone she usually only heard when he spoke about Komachi, his sister.
"I love you."
"…Huh?"
Honami's mind completely stopped.
"I love you too, Honami."
He chuckled softly before repeating himself.
"Sorry… what did you just say? Can you repeat that?"
Hachiman fought the urge to laugh again at the sheer disbelief in her voice.
"I said that I, Hikigaya Hachiman, am madly in love with you, Ichinose Honami!" he declared loudly and clearly. "I've fallen for you. Hard."
"Oh… WAIT WHAT?!"
Her reply came out flat at first… until the meaning of his words finally reached her.
She pushed herself out of his arms and stared at him with complete disbelief.
"Who are you and what did you do to my Hachiman?!" she accused, pointing a finger straight at him. "There's no way Hachiman would accept my confession this easily!!"
Hachiman's cheeks twitched slightly at her reaction.
'I guess I really brought this on myself.'
Sighing, he lifted both his hands and pinched Honami's cheeks again.
"Weren't you the one who told me a few minutes ago to answer your feelings directly?"
"OOOWWWW!!! STAAHP ITTT!!!"
With one last pinch, he finally released her cheeks.
"Ow, ow… that actually hurts!" she glared at him while rubbing her cheeks. Then his words finally registered in her mind. "Wait a minute… did you just say I told you to answer my feelings directly?"
Hachiman raised a brow and nodded. "Yeah? Didn't you say that when we were talking to Hashimoto and Kito earlier?"
Honami's eyes widened.
"Y‑you actually heard what I said?!"
"That's right," Hachiman answered without hesitation. "I also noticed those subtle movements whenever you wanted to hold my hand… or when you wanted to hug me or wrap yourself around my arm. Even that little scheme of yours earlier, jumping on that fallen tree branch to seduce me with your Honamins—mmph—"
"WAAAHHHH!!! WAAAHHHH!!"
Honami instantly jumped forward and placed her hands over his mouth to stop him from saying another word. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes while her entire face burned bright red—her ears and neck included from embarrassment.
"S‑so all this time… you noticed and heard what I was saying and about to do?! And don't call them Honamins!!" she protested, covering her chest.
"That's right."
Hachiman admitted it shamelessly.
After a moment of silence between them, the trembling Honami finally called out to him… her cheeks twitching slightly as she tried to hold back her embarrassment.
"...Hachiman."
She glared at him, filled with righteous fury, and pointed an accusing finger at him.
"You bad guy!"
Hachiman raised a brow at her adorable accusation.
"Yes, yes. I am."
He smirked.
Honami's expression immediately flattened at his shameless response. She let out a long, tired sigh, suddenly feeling silly for getting angry.
"You… haa… I really can't do anything about you…. I seriously need you to make this up to me!"
"Sure. What are your demands?"
Hachiman let out an amused snort, which earned him another glare and pout from her.
"First! You have to tell me you love me every day! Second, you have to hug me whenever I want! Third, no more acting like a dense black hole! Fourth, you have to take me on dates every week! And fifth…"
She began listing her demands confidently, but when she reached the last one, her voice suddenly weakened. Her cheeks flushed red as she fidgeted shyly.
"...you have to… ki…"
Shaking his head at the embarrassed and fidgeting Honami, Hachiman decided to spare her from finishing that sentence. So, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer before leaning in and claiming her lips.
"Hmhmm…"
"...."
After a few seconds, he gently broke their first kiss. Their foreheads rested against each other.
"... was that good enough?"
"Yes… But it is not enough… give me more."
So he did.
Honami's arms wrapped around Hachiman's neck while his arms held her firmly by the waist, pulling her body closer to his.
Before long, they broke apart again, both of them slightly breathless as they caught their breath.
"...More, please."
"...as you wish,"
Then their lips met once more.
Again and again.
Until they were satisfied.
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