Chapter 381 Airi Visits the Hikigaya Residence!
Returning home.
Hikigaya Hachiman changed into his indoor slippers and immediately brought out the gifts he had carefully prepared for his family while he was out.
First, he handed a gift to his younger sister beside him—an exquisite Casio women's watch.
"Waha~ Thank you, Onii-chan!" "I love you the most, Onii-chan~~" "Mwah mwah mwah! Kiss kiss! Love love~~~"
Komachi Hikigaya was overjoyed, planting several enthusiastic kisses on his cheek.
[(3)]
"Oh-hu!"
Hachiman instantly felt like his heart was blossoming; his happiness levels were even higher than when he was researching massive stars!
"...!"
The old man (his father) watched with a bristling beard and glaring eyes, wishing he could take Hachiman's place.
"There's also stuff for Mom and for the Old Man."
Hachiman brought out the gifts he had bought on a whim while shopping today. The gift for his mother was a set of women's skincare products.
"Oh my~ It's actually the Future Solution LX set! Mrs. Yuigahama next door recommended this same brand; I've always been reluctant to buy it for myself."
Mrs. Hikigaya's eyes were full of joy, clearly very satisfied with the thoughtful gesture.
'Wait, who is Mrs. Yuigahama? Is she Yuigahama Yui's mother?'
The image of a pink-haired girl with a "dog-hair" bun flashed through Hachiman's mind.
"A handmade Nishijin-ori silk tie?"
The old man deliberately straightened his face, letting out a feigned cold snort: "Hmph, I suppose it's barely passable."
The corners of his mouth were twitching upward; he really was a stubborn one. Hachiman didn't bother to expose him. A tsundere man has no market value, especially a "Geezy" like him!
"By the way, Hachiman."
Mrs. Hikigaya teased curiously: "Why didn't you bring a girlfriend back?"
"Girlfriend...?"
Hachiman was slightly startled by the question and asked back in confusion: "Mom, why... why would you think I have a girlfriend?"
"Heh~ Is Onii-chan trying to play dumb? Her older brother already came to visit!"
Komachi gave him an exasperated roll of her eyes.
"Who? Whose brother?"
Hachiman was completely bewildered, totally unable to make head or tail of it.
"Big Brother Horikita—a college student wearing glasses."
Komachi gestured with her hands, putting on a serious face.
"What? Horikita-senpai... why would he...?"
Hachiman was shocked; this was the first he had heard of it.
"Isn't it obvious?"
His mother giggled, covering her mouth as she teased: "We've known for a long time that you and Suzune-chan are dating at school."
Even the stubborn old man couldn't help but chime in: "I've seen that girl's photo. She looks bright and cheerful—definitely a good girl!" "Tch! I really don't know how a brat like you managed to trick someone like her!"
'Bright and cheerful? Are you sure you're talking about Horikita Suzune?'
Hachiman was speechless. He could imagine that Horikita Manabu must have specifically handpicked a photo—he might have even secretly used editing software to turn Suzune's cold "don't-come-near-me" expression into the look of a sweet, smiling girl.
"Onii-chan, what's with that face?"
Komachi widened her eyes exaggeratedly, teasing him on purpose: "Could it be... Suzune-neesan has already dumped you?"
"Why do you have to assume I'd get dumped?"
Hachiman's mouth twitched violently, and then he spoke helplessly: "Suzune and I... it's true we have that kind of relationship.
However, the situation is... a bit different."
He swallowed the words as they reached his lips; he couldn't exactly tell his sister bluntly that she had more than one sister-in-law.
Just then, the crisp sound of the doorbell rang from the entrance.
"Who is it now? It's dinner time; haven't the salespeople clocked out yet?"
The old man stood up impatiently, planning to open the door and send the visitor away. But the moment the door opened, he froze on the spot.
Standing at the door was an exquisite, energetic beauty who looked like an idol.
"...Excuse me, is this the Hikigaya residence?"
Sakura Airi gripped the hem of her clothes, asking softly in a timid tone.
"It is the Hikigaya residence. Who are you looking for, little girl?"
The old man instinctively thought it was one of Komachi's classmates, but looking closer, she seemed slightly older.
"I... I am a student of Advanced Nurturing, a classmate of Hikigaya Hachiman..."
Sakura Airi's cheeks turned slightly red as she introduced herself with a bit of nervous restraint.
"Hachiman's classmate?!"
The old man was startled. After carefully sizing her up, a peculiar expression couldn't help but surface on his face.
Pink hair. Not a black-haired girl. And her body's curves were exceptionally prominent.
'Oho~ Things are getting interesting!'
The old man's lips curled into a playful smile as he turned and shouted into the house: "Mother, come quick! Hachiman's girlfriend is at the door!"
'G-Girlfriend?!'
Sakura Airi's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Her eyes were full of shyness, yet she didn't speak up to deny it.
"What?!"
"Hachiman's girlfriend?!"
"Is it Suzune-chan?!"
Mrs. Hikigaya was stunned for a moment, then looked delighted as she stood up and hurried toward the door.
"Ohh! Is this a surprise Onii-chan prepared?"
Komachi was also full of curiosity and ran out excitedly.
"Suzune is here? No, wait..."
Hachiman's heart skipped a beat. Realizing something, he quickly chased after them.
"My, my~ Welcome, welcome~~
Are you Suzune-chan?
The real person looks even more... uh...?"
Mrs. Hikigaya's enthusiastic greeting stopped abruptly. She realized belatedly that the girl's appearance was completely different from the photo in her memory!
"Eh?!"
Komachi's eyes also widened. This "Big-Sister-with-the-big-assets" in front of them was not the same person as the Suzune-neesan in the photo at all!!
"Ai-Airi?! How did you find your way here?"
Hachiman was utterly flabbergasted and stepped forward to ask.
"U-Uhm..."
Sakura Airi explained in a small voice: "On the Advanced Nurturing student terminals, friends can see each other's GPS locations..."
Hachiman was stunned.
'There really is such a function!'
He wondered what the school was thinking when they designed that. Other than catching someone cheating, he couldn't think of any other use for it.
"Since you're here, come in and have a seat."
Hachiman didn't press her for the reason for her sudden visit. After all, this girl was usually very socially anxious; he didn't expect her to do something so bold!
"Okay..."
A flicker of joy passed through Airi's eyes. With a shy smile, she bowed slightly to Hachiman's family: "Hello, Uncle, Auntie, and Komachi-chan."
"Oh... Welcome, welcome."
Mrs. Hikigaya was full of questions, but she still greeted her politely. The old man on the side had the expression of someone watching a drama, enjoying the show.
His sister quietly pulled on Hachiman's sleeve, whispering: "Onii-chan, what's going on? Isn't your girlfriend that Big Brother Horikita's sister? Then who is this big sister who's as pretty as a celebrity?"
Hachiman was momentarily at a loss for words and could only resort to forced logic: "It's pronounced 'Girlfriend'... but it can also be written as 'Female Friend,' right?"
"Scum!"
Komachi instantly made a face of pure disgust, criticizing him without mercy! Hachiman was left speechless and could only endure it in silence.
In the living room, the Hikigaya family warmly entertained Sakura Airi.
"Airi-chan, this stupid son of mine must have caused you a lot of trouble, hasn't he?"
Mrs. Hikigaya affectionately took Airi's hand, chatting with her warmly.
"Not at all, Auntie!"
Airi's eyes were clear and gentle as she said seriously: "Hachiman-kun is a very excellent person. He always takes great care of me."
"Eh? Really? Onii-chan actually has moments where he's reliable?"
Komachi looked skeptical, clearly not quite believing it. In her memory, her brother was a socially awkward boy who never interacted with others. How did he suddenly "blossom" after entering high school? It felt like a dream...
"Yes, it's true!
Hachiman-kun is very famous at our school. Everyone... everyone respects him very much."
Airi originally wanted to say "afraid," but on second thought, she felt that word wasn't quite right and softened it.
Hachiman, listening from the side, couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
'Respect me? Most of the school probably wishes I'd get expelled!'
However, the atmosphere was warm, so he didn't feel the need to clarify and ruin the harmony.
"Mom, is there enough food for dinner?"
Hachiman suggested at the right time: "If there isn't enough, I'll go and buy some now."
"There's plenty, I already prepared everything.
Since I knew you were coming home today, I specifically bought ribs, free-range chicken, fresh fish, and beef. I'll make sure you eat your fill.
Airi-chan, don't be a stranger, stay for dinner."
Mrs. Hikigaya said with a smile.
"Thank you, Auntie," Airi thanked her softly, her expression docile.
"You young people sit and chat for a bit.
Mom will go prepare dinner. Dad, come give me a hand."
Mrs. Hikigaya was very tactful. She pulled the old man—who wasn't good at cooking at all—into the kitchen with her to give the young people space to talk.
"Heehee~ Airi-neesan, can I call you that?"
Komachi, being naturally friendly, scooted over to Airi's side.
"Of course you can, Komachi-chan.
I often hear Hachiman-kun mention you.
He said you are the cutest little sister in the world."
Airi spoke gently and very affectionately.
"What 'cutest in the world'... that's so embarrassing! It's just my stupid brother's nonsense!"
Komachi's cheeks turned slightly red, and she gave Hachiman an embarrassed glare.
"I'm just objectively stating facts. What's there to be embarrassed about?"
Hachiman looked perfectly righteous, speaking with conviction.
"Mhm! I also think Komachi-chan is super cute."
Airi nodded seriously in agreement.
"My, my~ Airi-neesan and Onii-chan are so in sync!"
Komachi was delighted by the praise. She immediately grabbed both their hands and placed them together, one on top of the other. Hachiman looked up, and his eyes met Airi's. For a split second, he felt as if he saw the wife " Hikigaya Airi " from his dream.
"Hachiman-kun..."
A clean, happy smile quietly spread across Sakura Airi's face.
'Alright! Onii-chan's move is solid! Now I don't have to worry about not having a sister-in-law.'
Komachi observed from the side, silently shipping their interaction. Afterward, the three of them chatted about trivial matters at school. When she learned that her brother was surrounded by several girls with close relationships at school, Komachi was greatly shocked.
Although she had heard rumors, hearing it confirmed from someone involved made the ridiculous facts even more real!
"Onii-chan! When did you become such a playboy?"
Komachi crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him with sharp eyes.
"Now, now~ Komachi-chan, you can't entirely blame Hachiman-kun for this."
Airi thoughtfully stepped in to bail him out: "After all, Hachiman-kun himself is very excellent and kind to others. It's only natural for girls to like him."
"But... Airi-neesan, how can you be so calm about it?"
Komachi hesitated. Airi seemed to see through her thoughts and shook her head gently, her tone exceptionally firm: "It's alright. As long as Hachiman-kun likes it, I am willing to accept everything unconditionally."
"Haaa—?!"
Komachi was instantly speechless, looking on with disbelief: "Airi-neesan... do you have some kind of secret that Onii-chan is using as leverage against you?"
Airi only gave a shallow smile and didn't answer. In her heart, however, she was thinking: 'I want to be the one to catch Hachiman-kun's "leverage"!'
In any case, she had to get on the "train" first. As for fighting for a seat, that would be a war for later!
"Hey, hey, Komachi?"
Hachiman's brow twitched: "Don't make your brother out to be some big villain out of nowhere, okay?"
"Onii-chan is a big villain!"
Komachi looked at him with disdain: "What kind of weird things have you been learning at Advanced Nurturing anyway?"
'I've learned a lot of things. Like fighting, tricking people, and "chaining the boats" together...'
Unfortunately, none of it could be brought out into the open; it was actually quite awkward to think about.
Soon it was dinner time. The Hikigaya family and Sakura Airi sat around the table, the atmosphere harmonious and joyful. Time passed quietly, and it was soon 9:00 PM.
"Airi, I'll walk you back to the hotel."
As soon as Hachiman finished speaking, he was interrupted by Komachi.
"Stupid Onii-chan, what are you saying?
Airi-neesan came all this way; of course she should stay the night!"
Komachi tightly gripped Airi's arm, refusing to let go.
"Uh, but our house only has three rooms. We don't have enough space?"
Hachiman raised a very practical problem.
"Isn't that simple?"
Komachi immediately suggested, "Onii-chan can sleep on the floor tonight and let Airi-neesan sleep on the bed. Problem solved!"
After saying this, she immediately turned to Sakura Airi and asked with a grin: "Airi-neesan, do you think that's okay?"
"I... I'll just follow whatever Hachiman-kun arranges..."
Sakura Airi lowered her head slightly, looking docile and obedient.
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