"E-Excuse me!" Asuna said nervously.
"Thanks for having me!" Kaori chimed in.
Asuna and Kaori entered the Hikigaya household and settled onto the living room sofa, both a bit tense. Noticing no one else was around, Asuna turned to Komachi. "Komachi-chan, where are your parents and Hachiman-kun?"
"Pfft!" Komachi let out a strange noise.
"Komachi-chan?" Asuna asked, peering at her.
Komachi, trembling with excitement, pulled out her phone and fiddled with it before thrusting the screen toward Asuna. "Nee-chan, please say that line again to the camera!"
"Uh, okay…" Asuna blinked. "Komachi-chan, where are your parents and Hachiman-kun?"
"Thank you! 'Parents' acquired!" Komachi squealed, practically vibrating with glee.
Asuna's eyes widened to dots, utterly baffled. Kaori, equally clueless but amused, stifled a laugh as she watched the exchange.
"Komachi-chan, what's going on?" Asuna asked.
"Okay, from the top!" Komachi declared. "When Mom and Dad heard you were coming, they threw a tantrum about skipping work to stay home. I had to kick them out! In exchange, I promised to record you for them to watch later."
"I see…" Asuna said, still processing.
"When they see this video, they're gonna lose it!" Komachi grinned. "And my allowance is definitely getting a boost. Total win-win! Yeah!"
"Nice one! Yeah!" Kaori added, giving Komachi a thumbs-up.
Komachi returned the gesture with a matching "Yeah!" Just then, footsteps thudded from the stairs, and Hachiman appeared, drawn by the noise.
"Komachi, you're having way too much fun," he mumbled, scratching his head through his pajamas as he opened the living room door. "I'm still half-asleep, so—"
He froze, spotting the scene, and tilted his head. "Komachi, I'm seeing Asuna in our living room, so I must still be dreaming. I'm gonna go back to bed…"
As he turned to leave, Asuna grabbed his hand. "Hachiman-kun, good morning! It's me, the real me!"
She waved frantically, trying to prove her authenticity, but Hachiman still looked dazed. Asuna hesitated—hugging him in front of others was off-limits—but then an idea struck. She sharpened her voice. "Hachiman-kun, switch!"
Instantly, Hachiman's eyes snapped open, his body tensing as if ready for battle. He scanned the room for threats, but realizing he was in his living room, he relaxed and turned to Asuna. "Don't scare me like that, Asuna… Wait, Asuna?"
"Good morning, Hachiman-kun!" she chirped.
"Morning," he replied, rubbing his eyes.
Komachi, watching in awe, muttered, "As expected of Nee-chan… Waking up my grumpy brother so easily…"
"That was intense," Kaori whispered, equally impressed.
Hachiman's gaze shifted from Asuna to Komachi, then landed on Kaori, where it froze. "Wait… Orimoto?"
"Hey, Hachiman! Long time!" Kaori said brightly.
"Yeah, hi… I'm completely lost here," Hachiman admitted, scratching his head.
He racked his brain but came up empty. Kaori, grinning, explained. "I ran into Asuna while she was looking for your place and offered to guide her. I kinda tagged along uninvited. It's been since the Christmas event, right? I'm so glad you're okay. Welcome back, Hachiman."
Her smile felt genuine, and Hachiman, caught off guard, responded sincerely. "Thanks, Orimoto. I'm still piecing things together, but… did you come all this way just to say that?"
"Yeah! I stopped by a few times before, but I couldn't work up the nerve to ring the bell. We weren't that close, you know?"
"I get it. Sorry about that," Hachiman said gently. Despite their rocky middle school history, their brief connection at the Christmas event and her visit now warmed his heart.
"Well, I shouldn't overstay as an outsider, so I'll head out," Kaori said.
"Alright. Thanks for coming, Orimoto," Hachiman replied.
"Oh, wait! Asuna, Hachiman, could I get your contact info? I'd love to catch up sometime!"
They exchanged details, and Kaori, satisfied, flashed a grin as she stepped out the door. Turning back, she waved. "See ya!"
"Later," Hachiman called.
"Bye, Kaori!" Asuna added.
"Take care, Kaori-san!" Komachi shouted.
The three returned to the living room and settled on the sofa.
"Orimoto's as energetic as ever," Hachiman remarked. "Hasn't changed a bit. Still, I was shocked to see you and her here, Asuna. What's the deal?"
"Well," Asuna said, "I wanted to go to school with you, so I got up early and came over."
Hachiman blinked. "You came all the way from the dorm for that? I'm flattered, but next time I'll pick you up. Don't push yourself too hard."
"It'd be tough every day, but once in a while is fine," Asuna said. "It was good exercise, and I got to see your town!"
"Fair enough," Hachiman conceded.
Under his breath, he added, "I'm happy about it too."
Asuna tilted her head, missing the comment. "Hm?"
But Komachi, with her sharp ears, pounced. "Nee-chan, Onii-chan just mumbled, 'I'm happy about it too'!"
"Really?!" Asuna beamed. "I'm happy too!"
Hachiman, embarrassed, shot Komachi a mock glare. "Komachi, have some mercy and let your brother save face sometimes."
"Nope!" Komachi chirped. "I like Nee-chan more than you, so I've gotta tell her everything that'll make her happy!"
Hachiman slumped, feigning dejection, but Komachi ignored him. "Oh, Nee-chan, there's a room I want you to see!"
She grabbed Asuna's hand and led her upstairs to a particular room.
"Komachi-chan, what's this?" Asuna asked.
"Ta-da! This is gonna be your room!" Komachi announced.
"Really?!" Asuna gasped.
"Mom and Dad had a blast picking out the basic furniture! So, you can stay over anytime, and I'm totally cool with it!"
The room was simple—just a bed, dresser, and vanity—but Asuna's heart swelled. "Wow… Wow! Thank you, Komachi-chan!"
"Glad you like it!" Komachi grinned. "Let's go shopping for the little stuff together sometime!"
"Absolutely!"
They returned to the living room, where Hachiman was preparing breakfast for three.
"You two haven't eaten yet, right? Breakfast's almost ready, so hang tight," he said.
Asuna perked up. "Oh, I brought ingredients to make breakfast too!"
"Nice. Let's save that for tomorrow," Hachiman said casually.
"Tomorrow?" Asuna asked.
Hachiman froze, realizing his slip. "Uh, sorry, old habits from when we lived together. I didn't mean—"
Asuna's eyes lit up. "Okay, I'll stay over tonight!"
"What?!" Hachiman sputtered.
"Yay! Nee-chan's first sleepover!" Komachi cheered.
"But, uh, what about your parents?" Hachiman protested.
"It's fine! Your parents are here too, and I'll convince mine," Asuna said confidently.
"I mean, still…"
"It's fine, I'll handle it."
"Uh… okay," Hachiman relented, overwhelmed by her determination.
The three enjoyed breakfast together, chatting happily, before heading to school as a group.
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