Chapter 22: Secret Investigation
Meisuke Nueno happily left with his wife, clutching the prayer beads he bought for 100 Japanese Yen.
Hikigaya happily passed the first level of his video game, then got killed on the second level.
He was completely unconcerned; the item had already been sold.
He believed Meisuke Nueno wouldn't squander his merchandise like Handa Sei did.
This time, the item's effect would surely be experimented with thoroughly.
The first application of his spatial magic had also worked well, and the power of the sun even came with special effects.
Closing his computer, Hikigaya tossed the ¥100 into the shop's counter drawer and called Moe to close the shop and head back to Hinata Manor.
When he returned to his room, he saw Liliana waiting for him there.
"Lili," he greeted her. Hikigaya sat down on the tatami, and Moe unhurriedly went to boil water.
Some of the living appliances at Hinata Manor were slightly outdated compared to the outside world, but Hikigaya, who had even lived in ancient Egypt, didn't find this slight inconvenience troublesome at all.
Liliana first watched Moe go to boil the water, then set up a soundproofing barrier using magic before finally speaking, "Hachiman, why did you ask for me?"
"Because among the friends I know, the only one with resources and guaranteed to be an outsider is you, Lili," Hikigaya chuckled.
In addition, Liliana's caution was also a reason, which was evident from a moment ago.
"Simply put, regarding this woman you want to investigate, 'Narusegawa Naru,' may I ask what your relationship is with her?"
"She should be my father's wife before I was born."
"I see... I understand the importance of this matter. I will get back to you as soon as possible." Liliana stood up, raising her hand to dispel the barrier, but suddenly paused, her gaze fixed on Hikigaya. "If the news is bad, Hachiman, what do you plan to do because of it?"
"I don't know," Hikigaya mused. "I can only decide once the result is out. It is just a guess of mine, actually."
"Regardless, please do not forget that I am your Knight," Liliana stated solemnly.
This warmed Hikigaya's heart.
It was ironically amusing that he could only trust an outsider with this matter. Even Yomi, he couldn't fully and wholeheartedly trust in this situation.
The relationships within Japan were too complex, and the Yomi also originated in Japan. Hikigaya did not want his investigation to be misled in any way.
He wasn't afraid of combat, but this kind of strategic game had nothing to do with power; it relied on organizational strength and information gathering and analysis capabilities, which were not the forte of a Godslayer.
"Rest assured, how could I forget such a lovely Knight?"
"You... you only say sweet things." Liliana, who had just been heroic and efficient like a powerful career woman, immediately became shy. "Outside, don't casually flirt with other girls. You already have quite a few women now."
"Hey, hey, where are the many?" Hikigaya complained.
He counted them off on his fingers one by one.
"You, Ena, and Haruno. Isn't that just three?"
"I am a Knight, a Knight! I'm different from those who serve with their looks! And aren't three people enough to satisfy you?"
"Alright, alright. You're the Knight, they are sluts, and I'm the big pervert." Hikigaya pulled Liliana into his arms, licked her ear, and then grinned triumphantly, looking at her flushed face.
After some playful teasing, feeling that Moe had finished boiling the water and was walking down the third-floor corridor, Hikigaya finally let go of Liliana.
The Literary Knight hastily straightened her clothes. She didn't forget to dispel the barrier.
"I'll be going then," she said, but when she reached the door, she paused, turned back, kissed Hikigaya, and said, "Don't sneak snacks again."
Then she really left, leaping out of the window and disappearing without a trace.
It was then that Moe walked closer.
As Hikigaya took the kettle from her, he noticed that Moe looked very listless.
She was a Tsukumogami who required sleep.
He didn't know if this was a side effect of Hikigaya using the power of the sun to resurrect her, but when the sun set, Moe needed to rest like a human.
So Hikigaya had specially prepared a room for Moe, right next door to his, the place where Negami had initially repaired her.
As for the others, Ena and Lili's rooms were on the same floor, adjacent to Hikigaya's room from the other side. Haruno and Yukino shared a room, but in the South Wing with Komachi and the others.
"Go to sleep," Hikigaya patted Moe's head and sent her back to her room.
Then he walked toward Ena's room.
Reaching Ena's door, Hikigaya first knocked, and only after hearing "Please come in" from inside did he push the door open.
Ena's room was decorated in a strong samurai style, but she was not dressed in a samurai style at all.
She was simply wearing a yukata (Japanese bathrobe).
Ena's figure was typically petite and exquisite. She didn't have much flesh, but the right places protruded, and the right places curved, perfectly embodying what is called charming and lovely. Her slender waist appropriately set off her shapely butt, complemented by slightly wide hips. Whenever she wore a short skirt, people's eyes focused on her smooth legs and her alluring bust and hip shape.
Wearing the yukata made her even more tempting. Her fair legs were quite dazzling, and the deep cleavage peeking out from the slightly low neckline invited endless fantasy.
Even though he had enjoyed this body many times, Hikigaya's eyes still lit up.
He closed the door, turned around, and immediately placed a hand on Ena's thigh, staring intently at her chest.
"Dressed like this, what if another man walked in?"
But Ena just giggled charmingly, then stated righteously, "I'd beat him up!"
"Once he's seen you, what's the use of beating him up?"
"Hmph, I am a swordswoman. I'd chop it off if he dared to do anything bad."
"Hehe..."
After some teasing, the two quieted down. Ena quietly cuddled against Hikigaya's chest like a kitten.
After a while, Hikigaya said, "You heard everything, right?"
"Mhm," Ena nodded. The two "fruits" pressed against Hikigaya's chest rubbed against him intensely, sending a jolt through his heart.
"It's better to let Lili handle this matter. Besides, it might not be such a coincidence, right?"
"Maybe..." Ena kissed Hikigaya's chin. "Could that woman named 'Naru Narusegawa' be your mother?"
"Why do you think that?"
"I just feel a little uneasy."
"Don't overthink it. Not everything has to be related to you guys. My family is just ordinary people."
Hikigaya flipped over, then swiftly took off his clothes, lifted Ena's yukata, and pressed down on her...
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