"Tch!"
Sato clicked his tongue softly and narrowed his eyes at Hikigaya Hachiman.
Did this guy even know what he was saying?
Hikigaya Hachiman's gaze burned brightly as he stared at Sato with blazing eyes.
Admit it!
You bastard trying to hit on my little sister!
"S-Scumbag?!"
Hikigaya Komachi covered her mouth in shock and let out a small cry as she looked at Sato.
Her gray eyes sparkled brightly. After staring at Sato for a moment, she suddenly turned toward Hikigaya Hachiman with a trace of pity.
Huh?
Hikigaya Hachiman, who had been glaring at Sato, froze slightly and turned toward his sister.
Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?
Then he heard Hikigaya Komachi lower her head and sigh softly.
"I never thought someone completely incompatible with girls like Onii-chan could actually have a friend like this. Truly unbelievable."
"Compared like this, doesn't that just make Onii-chan seem even more pathetic?"
Sorry for being so pathetic!
Hikigaya Hachiman looked at his little sister with a dark expression, suddenly feeling that his position as her older brother was becoming increasingly dangerous.
"But…"
Hikigaya Komachi suddenly changed topics and blinked at Sato.
"Onii-chan is really a scumbag?"
Sato shrugged and looked at Hikigaya Hachiman gloomily.
"This is also my first time hearing such a description."
Swish!
Hikigaya Komachi's gaze immediately landed on Hikigaya Hachiman as well.
"I wonder if Hikigaya-kun could explain this to me? I'm very curious about that description too."
Sato smiled as he looked at Hikigaya, though a dangerous glint flashed through his eyes.
Don't go slandering innocent people, you bastard…
The instant their eyes met, the flames in Hikigaya Hachiman's eyes gradually weakened.
"Uh… well…"
After calming down, Hikigaya Hachiman immediately became hesitant and conflicted. Soon after, his face turned awkward.
What he had said earlier was really just an instinctive feeling formed from hearing so many school rumors and being subtly influenced by them.
But once he seriously thought about it, he realized the accusation did not actually sound very convincing.
A so-called scumbag usually referred to a man who treated relationships carelessly and toyed with other people's feelings, especially romantic feelings.
First of all, he had to be a man!
And Hikigaya Hachiman did not think Sato was a man!
Ahem, although that wording might sound misleading, he had no intention of correcting it.
According to Hikigaya Hachiman's definition, to truly qualify as a man, one first had to reach that indescribable step.
The home base step.
Even though Nohara's popularity with girls was enough to make people jealous beyond repair, according to Hikigaya Hachiman's observations, Sato was actually very restrained.
Although he was close to many girls, he always kept things at the level of friendship and never intended to develop things further.
If he had to summarize it with one phrase, then it would probably be "a Buddhist-type boy."
The kind of person who simply went with the flow and let things develop naturally.
Moreover, compared to all those exaggerated rumors flying around everywhere, Hikigaya Hachiman himself was actually much closer to Sato and knew a more genuine version of him. He was more capable of distinguishing truth from fiction.
Since Sato had not crossed that final line and had not entered an actual romantic relationship…
Then naturally, none of those "scumbag" behaviors like treating feelings carelessly or playing with others' emotions could really apply either.
Therefore, in conclusion…
Hikigaya Hachiman solemnly reached his verdict.
…
"Onii-chan!"
Suddenly, Hikigaya Komachi's dissatisfied voice snapped Hikigaya Hachiman out of his thoughts.
Looking up, he found his little sister puffing her cheeks while glaring at him unhappily.
"It's wrong to slander innocent people for no reason!"
Hikigaya Hachiman opened his mouth, but in the end lowered his head and muttered gloomily,
"Sorry."
He had completely misplayed this one!
After seeing her brother apologize, Hikigaya Komachi first nodded in satisfaction, then turned toward Sato and clasped her hands together apologetically.
"Sorry about that, Onii-chan! My Onii-chan's brain seemed to malfunction a little just now!"
Whose brain malfunctioned?!
Hikigaya Hachiman clicked his tongue unhappily inside and turned his head away.
"I hope you won't mind."
Looking at Hikigaya Komachi's sincere and slightly worried expression, Sato felt somewhat surprised.
But he quickly understood and said with a sigh,
"Looks like Hikigaya really has a good little sister."
The girl in front of him was unexpectedly thoughtful. Was she worried that Hikigaya's earlier words might damage their friendship?
"Hehe! That sentence just scored very high points with Komachi!"
Hikigaya Komachi showed a bright smile, revealing her cute little tiger teeth.
"Don't worry. I'm already used to Hikigaya's gloomy personality."
Sato could not help rubbing Hikigaya Komachi's head.
I really want a little sister too…
But considering Mom and Dad's age, that was probably impossible now.
Hikigaya Hachiman's nearly fire-spitting gaze locked firmly onto Sato.
Take your damn hands off my sister's head already.
Sato curled his lips.
You don't just get to walk away after slandering innocent people.
"Oh right, Komachi, do you have time during autumn break?"
Hikigaya Hachiman's eyelid twitched.
"Autumn break? I do!"
"Our club and your brother's club are planning to visit a hot spring villa during autumn break. Want to come along?"
"A hot spring villa?"
Hikigaya Komachi's eyes lit up, but then she immediately became discouraged.
"I can't. I already spent all my allowance on clothes last week."
Hikigaya Hachiman let out a sigh of relief.
Little sister secured.
"I see… then how about I pay for you?"
Sato rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Huh? That wouldn't be right!"
Although Hikigaya Komachi really wanted to go, she knew it would probably cost quite a bit.
"It's fine. You just need to do me a small favor."
"Huh… can I hear what it is first?"
Hikigaya Komachi asked cautiously.
"Of course."
Sato smiled, then pointed toward the graceful figure ahead of them.
"Could you use your overflowing energy to heal that big sis up ahead for Onii-chan?"
"Hm?"
Hikigaya Komachi's eyes immediately lit up. She patted her chest confidently and declared,
"Leave it to me!"