Chapter 30 - Chapter 29 - I was surrounded by a cold, unfriendly junior colleague.

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Hello, hello. This is Komachi, your brother's sister. It's been a while, hasn't it?

Well, let's get straight to the current situation. Today is January 2nd, with the New Year having just begun. It's almost six in the evening. My brother was supposed to come home last night, but for some reason, he suddenly changed his plans and came back today. I thought it wasn't like him, but oh well. I know I won't be able to relax and pet Kamakura in the living room for much longer.

—Ding-dong!

Just as Komachi was smirking internally, a slightly drawn-out sound of the intercom echoed. I exchanged glances with Mom, who was making dinner, and hurried to the intercom.

"Yes, please wait a moment!"

I said unilaterally, then, after seeing the other person nod, I hung up. I didn't want my brother to accidentally find out who it was; it would spoil the surprise.

"Alright, let's go, Onii-chan."

"Huh...? Why?"

"Just come on, hurry up."

I forcibly pulled my brother up from the sofa, and we headed to the entrance on the first floor. After stepping down into the genkan and glancing back at my brother for a second, I slowly opened the door.

"Welcome, welcome, Onee-chan..."

"Excuse me for intruding."

And so, the two of them stood face-to-face at our front door. My brother's dumbfounded expression— It was irresistible! Operation Surprise, a huge success! It's my brother's fault for not telling me himself that he started dating Iroha-senpai! Wahahaha!

"H-Hey... Why are you here?"

"Eh? Didn't Komachi-chan tell you? I came to say hello to your parents and give New Year's greetings today."

"Oh, that's right, I hadn't told him yet. Happy New Year. Please continue to take care of my brother this year."

"Happy New Year. I'll be sure to take care of him."

My brother stared dumbfounded at Komachi and Iroha exchanging respectful bows. Ahh, my brother really gives such good reactions. I was quite shocked when Iroha-senpai told me she started dating my brother, but I think I managed to get even.

"Please come in. Dinner will be ready soon."

I ushered them towards the usual living-dining room. At the four-person table, a special birthday seat for Komachi, which wasn't there before, had been set up. Komachi and Mom's coordination was perfect.

"Oh, welcome."

"Thank you for having me. Thank you for making time so early in the New Year."

"Oh no, don't worry about it. We're the ones who called you."

Still, this practiced adult conversation. As expected of a former student council president. Well, Komachi was also a student council president, though. Komachi left the living room, once again impressed, to tell Dad that dinner was ready. By the way, I hadn't told Dad today that my brother would be introducing his girlfriend to the family. It would be annoying if he got all fidgety. After Dad, despite his surprise at Iroha-senpai's presence, everyone sat at the table, and the gathering began.

"Ah, um... This is, well..."

"Nice to meet you again. I'm Iroha Isshiki. I'm dating Hachiman."

Iroha-senpai took over my brother's stammering words and bowed her head, making my brother let out a strange "Ugh." Hmm, this reaction... I bet she hasn't called him by his first name yet, has she? Such innocent reactions are fine for girls, but when my brother does it, it's just creepy, so I really wish he'd stop.

"Oh my, I never thought the day would come when Hachiman would bring such a cute girlfriend!"

Mom said, looking next to her, but Dad was staring at my brother as if to say, "Seriously, this normie." It was hardly the look a son who brought his girlfriend home should receive. Komachi was totally put off.

"Come on, let's eat before it gets cold."

At Mom's signal, everyone said "Itadakimasu" and picked up their chopsticks. The unusually lavish New Year's meal was, of course, not for my brother's return, but for our guest, Iroha-senpai.

"Iroha-chan, you went to the same high school and university as Hachiman, right?"

Mom asked Iroha-senpai while eating. Komachi also had many things she wanted to ask (mainly to her brother), but for now, she'd let Mom lead the conversation.

"Was that part of the reason you two started dating?"

When Mom asked in a more refined tone than usual, Iroha-senpai replied with an equally refined smile.

"No, the reason I went to the same university was because I loved Hachiman-san ever since high school, so I followed him there."

"Nboff! Geff, geff...!"

"Onii-chan, you're so loud..."

I couldn't help but say something rude, but it was a good reaction, so I'll let it slide. Huh? You're saying I didn't let it slide if I complained? It's just your imagination.

"Oh my! Is that so~! This girl is quite something, isn't she!"

Mom said that and looked at Dad, looking happy again. But Dad, he hadn't said a word until now, and now he was glaring at my brother as if to say, "Normies, begone." Seriously, Dad, you're making us look bad.

"Ah, I suddenly feel full..."

As my brother said that and tried to stand up, Iroha-senpai firmly grasped his hand.

"You usually eat more, don't you? Since your mother went to all the trouble of preparing it, you have to eat properly."

"Oh my, 'Mother'! What a lovely sound!"

Mom, meanwhile, was in high spirits. Iroha-senpai's handling of the situation was impressive, but Mom's excitement was also quite something. In inverse proportion to Mom's excitement, my brother's spirits plummeted. Komachi was having a blast.

"I'd also like to hear how Hachiman is spending his time at university."

"Well, Senpai is surrounded by beautiful women... It makes me a little worried, honestly."

"Ohh~!"

Mom was thrilled, Dad's gaze was sharp and silent, and my brother looked like he was about to roll his eyes back in his head. Ahh, to think a day like this would come to the Hikigaya family.

Go ahead and explode, Onii-chan!

—-----------

The Aftermath

I truly had a terrible time. Well, I knew it would happen eventually, but I think there's a proper way to go about things.

"You look quite tired."

"Of course I am..."

The "terrible time" wasn't just about the chaos at the Hikigaya household yesterday. Today, January 3rd, I was forced to attend a gathering of Iroha's relatives. Naturally, I had to greet Iroha's parents and be introduced to all the assembled relatives. The fact that she told me right before we went showed that Iroha truly understood me well. Thanks to that, I couldn't run or hide, and I was asked to take good care of Iroha.

"Now, there's somewhere we need to stop before heading back to Tokyo."

"...What did you say?"

I was already getting fed up with being dragged around like this. I had planned to go home after this since I had a part-time job starting tomorrow.

"Can't you tell me these things in advance?"

"Eh? If I tell you, you'll just come up with some excuse and try to escape, won't you?"

She was absolutely right. But from her tone, it seemed like there was an event she thought I'd want to avoid.

"But you don't have to be so tense. We're just going to give Yukino-senpai her birthday present."

"Hmm..."

I see, that's nothing compared to the "hard mode" I just endured. In fact, I think it's something to be happy about that we can meet so casually now.

"I knew it was today, but I didn't prepare anything."

"It's okay, I prepared it. We'll say it's from both of us, so please split the cost with me later."

"Well, in that case..."

As expected, she was well-prepared, having deceived me so thoroughly. In that case, there was no reason to refuse, so I nodded.

Yukino still lived in the same apartment where she lived alone during high school. I remembered Yui saying she lived there too, and I was curious about what pretext they used to live together. As I pondered these things, I got off at the nearest station to the apartment, and a familiar park spread out before me. Crossing the park, which also served as a daily path for local residents, Yukino's place was just around the corner.

"Oh, Hikki! Iroha-chan!"

The moment I entered the apartment's entrance, a familiar call reached my ears. Waving and approaching us was Yui.

"Yui-senpai, Happy New Year."

"Yeah, happy New Year. You too, Hikki."

"Yeah. Happy New Year to you too."

It seemed she had come out to greet us. "Let's go then," Yui said, and as I watched her swipe her card key, I reaffirmed that they really were living together. As I felt a nostalgic pang for the apartment building's interior, we took the elevator, and soon, Yukino's front door came into view. Yui, naturally, opened it, and we were invited in. Following Yui's lead, we entered the living-dining room, and I saw Yukino standing in the kitchen.

"Welcome, both of you. And Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year! Here, Senpai, you too."

"Oh... Happy New Year..."

I thought, "I can say it properly without being rushed, you know?" but I still returned Yukino's New Year's greeting. My gaze fell to her hands, and it seemed she was brewing tea. "Please, sit," Yui urged, and we gathered around the dining table. Soon after, Yukino joined us with cups of tea. A terribly nostalgic scent filled my nostrils.

"Yukino-senpai. Happy Birthday. This is from us."

"Thank you for going to the trouble. I'm happy."

Yukino received the wrapped present Iroha offered and smiled gently. I wanted to add something, but I didn't even know what Iroha had bought. After the usual exchange of "Can I open it?" "Please, go ahead," Yukino unwrapped the gift.

"This is... bath salts, perhaps?"

"That's right, it's bath bombs."

When Yukino opened the wrapping, what appeared was a bath bomb shaped like ice cream scooped with a disher. Spherical, with marble colors and flashy red and blue two-tone colors, it looked vibrant.

"Oh~! That's nice, that's nice. It looks like it smells good!"

Seeing Yui's reaction, I understood. With a gift like this, not only Yukino but also Yui, who lived with her, could enjoy it. If Gahama-san is cheerful, then Yukinon will also be happily smiling. Iroha, such a thoughtful girl... As expected of my girlfriend.

"Oh, that's right! Cake!"

Suddenly remembering, Yui clapped her hands and stood up. She bustled towards the refrigerator and entered the kitchen with a white box.

"There's some for both of you too."

"Wow, thank you so much!"

It seemed she had prepared enough cake for everyone, anticipating our arrival. Yui inserted candles into a small whole cake and returned to the table. Then, she lit the candles and dimmed the lights. We sang "Happy Birthday," and Yukino blew out the celebratory flames. Everyone enjoyed the cake Yui had cut. It was so utterly blissful and sweet, it felt almost unreal. It was a strange sight, like sensation returning to numb, chilled fingertips.

"By the way, Hikigaya-kun."

"Hmm?"

As I savored the cake, feeling my heart warm gently, Yukino suddenly looked at me.

"Don't you have something to tell us?"

The smile she wore had a clear hint of teasing. Seeing her gaze shift to Iroha after looking at me... it meant she wanted me to say it properly.

"Ah, well, that is..."

Saying it clearly in front of these two was too much resistance for me. However, that was just a delusion I had created. The fact that Yukino desired to hear it meant precisely that.

So, this was a ritual of liberation.

"I think you probably already know, but I've started dating Iroha."

When I announced that, Yukino narrowed her eyes as if reminiscing about past days. Next to her, Yui nodded with a smile that held a hint of pain, saying, "Yeah." What lay beneath their expressions—I probably could never see it, understand it, or truly know it. And the faint flicker of light that remained within me, too, would slowly extinguish, unknown to anyone.

"Yukinon, that's a bit mean. You already heard it from Iroha-chan."

"You're right. Since we couldn't say it either, now we're even."

Starting with Yui's words, a peaceful atmosphere returned. As for me, I felt a burden lifted from my shoulders. I realized how easy it was when there were no secrets between us.

"Well, Senpai never says anything unless he's pushed to."

Iroha said with a smile, yet she looked at me with a piercing gaze. Ehh... scary... Well, I suppose I deserved that. But since I started dating Iroha, I like to think I've changed, if only a little. No, I must change. For Iroha's sake too.

"Oh, that's right, Yukinon. Can I talk about what we discussed before?"

"Yes, of course."

Yui and Yukino exchanged a conversation only they understood, then turned back to us. When they did, I braced myself, wondering what it was about.

"You know, we're thinking of going on a trip around Golden Week this year..."

"It's an invitation for you to join us."

"Oh~! That sounds great~!"

When Yukino took over Yui's words, Iroha immediately agreed. The idea was for the four of us—that is, the two couples—to go on a trip together.

"We've only talked about going on a trip; we haven't decided on the destination yet."

"That's fine! Let's discuss it and decide together!"

"...I haven't even answered yet."

"Eh? Did you think you had a choice, Senpai?"

When Iroha said that, Yui laughed an "Ahaha," and Yukino chuckled softly. The scent of tea, just like that time, filled the room, and the smiles they wore were more fulfilled than back then.

"Well, I guess it's fine..."

I quietly whispered "I'm home" in my heart.