Chapter 264 Relationship: Close Sisters
"What on earth is going on in your head?"
Hearing Komachi's nonsensical rambling, Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but palm his forehead.
What kind of similar plot had Komachi watched to generate such completely unnecessary worries?
"The other two just came here to start a new life with me because they couldn't stay in their original world. Don't let your imagination run wild..."
"Is that really all?"
Komachi scrutinized Hachiman with a look of suspicion, trying to judge from his facial expressions whether he was lying.
"Of course, that's all. What else do you think it is?"
Rolling his eyes at Komachi, Hachiman changed his shoes, stepped past the two people blocking his way, and headed straight for the kitchen.
"Onii-chan is planning to cook today?"
Komachi, who followed closely behind Hachiman, ready to make dinner, was surprised to find that he was actually tying an apron!
"Well, consider this a little compensation..."
Hachiman, who rarely cooked at home and was surprised by Komachi's huge reaction, awkwardly scratched his cheek. He then opened the bag containing the ingredients and started the cleaning process.
"Wow, it's all my favorite food."
Hearing Hachiman personally admit that cooking tonight was to compensate her, Komachi smiled and moved closer to him, ready to help wash the vegetables.
It was only when she got close that she realized all the things Hachiman bought today were her favorite ingredients.
"It looks like Onii-chan's apology is very sincere!"
"Of course, it is, right?"
Hachiman gave Komachi a resentful look.
Since he had already decided to apologize, of course, the attitude had to be sincere.
Besides, if his attitude wasn't sincere, why bother apologizing?
"Um... is there anything I can help with?"
Sakura stood timidly at the kitchen doorway, looking in.
Although Hachiman and Komachi weren't deliberately ignoring her, the unspoken rapport that had long formed between the siblings made Sakura unconsciously feel a barrier between them.
Hearing Sakura's words, Hachiman and Komachi simultaneously stopped what they were doing.
They both realized the unpleasant fact that they had accidentally ignored Sakura while bickering.
In the past, this could have been perfectly framed as deep sibling affection, but if they continued this way now, it wouldn't be good...
"Hmm... then could I trouble you, Sakura, to wash the vegetables with Komachi?"
Moving his body away from the sink to deliberately make space, Hachiman looked at Sakura to gauge her opinion.
"Yes, no problem..."
Nodding gently, Sakura saw the space opened up between Hachiman and Komachi, and with a slight skip in her heart, she ran over.
However, once she reached the sink, she realized a terrible fact.
"I can't reach..."
Looking at the countertop that was almost as tall as she was, Sakura instantly realized her height issue.
"Hmph, don't worry about this!"
Seeing Sakura standing beside her looking bewildered, Komachi triumphantly pulled out a dedicated step stool from the back of the cabinet under her feet.
"Why is this here?"
Trying it out, Sakura stepped onto the stool and was surprised to find that with the added height, she could just manage to wash the ingredients in the sink. However, this problem was surely only temporary, so why was Komachi-nee so prepared?
"That's right, why is this stool here?"
Hearing Sakura's question, Komachi looked thoughtful, and then she looked at Hachiman with a slight, knowing smile.
"Please, don't make me recall those not-so-pleasant memories..."
Noticing Komachi staring intently at him, Hachiman quickly spoke up to break the sudden "flashback."
Perhaps for Komachi, it was a heartwarming time when siblings cooked together, but for him, the novice chef, it was a rather dark period in history.
"Tch..."
Seeing Hachiman's look of refusal, Komachi pouted in dissatisfaction, and then pulled Sakura closer to her.
"Sakura, let's ignore Onii-chan, that insensitive idiot!"
.
.
.
An hour later, in the Hikigaya family's living room.
"Ugh, so full..."
Komachi, who had tasted Hachiman's cooking again after a long time, patted her round stomach, then lazily collapsed onto the sofa and closed her eyes.
Sakura sat neatly beside her, not making a sound.
As for Hachiman, he naturally took on the post-meal cleaning duties.
"Sakura, are the other two people Onii-chan brought back okay?"
Komachi, feeling lazy because she was a little too full, suddenly remembered the mother and daughter who only existed in Hachiman and Sakura's words.
Since they were people from another world, it meant that the mother and daughter were also undocumented, just like Komachi.
Was it really okay for Hachiman to only bring Sakura back?
"Um, Brother settled them in a nearby hotel... and he taught them how to order meals via phone beforehand."
"I see."
Hearing Sakura's answer, Komachi nodded and felt reassured.
She then looked at Sakura, who was sitting up straight next to her, suddenly sat up herself, and leaned towards her.
"Relax a little; this is your home now, too."
As she spoke, Komachi pulled Sakura into her embrace and stroked her as if petting a doll.
Although at first, when she saw Sakura, whom Hachiman brought home, she inevitably felt a sense of dislike.
However, after calming down, she was captivated by Sakura's adorable face.
"Having a cute sister isn't bad after all."
Since Hachiman was earning money, Sakura's arrival wouldn't place any financial burden on the Hikigaya household...
"Thank you, Komachi-nee."
The moment Komachi hugged her, Sakura's body instantly tensed up.
However, upon feeling the warm touch on her back and Komachi's gentle tone devoid of any hostility, her guard instantly dropped.
"As expected, Brother's sister is also especially kind..."
Closing her eyes, Sakura enjoyed Komachi's petting.
When Hachiman finished cleaning the dishes and walked out of the kitchen, he saw the affectionate sight of the big and little girl huddled together on the sofa, watching a show on a phone.
"?"
What exactly happened while I was in the kitchen?!
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