Chapter 383: Tonight is Hikigaya Airi
"Here, this is for you.
If you're interested, you can call the number on here and give it a try."
Hikigaya Hachiman pulled a private business card out of his pocket. It was the card Horikita Manabu had left behind when he visited his house that day.
"Boso Food Supplies?!"
Upon seeing the name printed on the card, Kawasaki Saki's eyes widened involuntarily. She looked at Hikigaya with a face full of shock, her voice stuttering slightly: "Hi-Hikigaya-kun... You... You couldn't actually be some young master of a yakuza gang, could you?"
"How is that possible!"
Hikigaya pointed a finger at his own face and retorted with an air of righteous indignation: "Look closely at this face of mine. I was born with a face full of integrity; how could I look like a bad guy?"
Kawasaki Saki fell silent and instinctively averted her gaze.
The guy's face had instantly intimidated the delinquents earlier. In a sense, it was quite persuasive!
But at the very least, he didn't harbor any ill will toward her, did he?
"Thank you so much, Hikigaya-kun!"
Kawasaki Saki composed herself and solemnly accepted the card with both hands, her eyes filled with genuine gratitude.
"It was just a small favor."
Hikigaya spoke nonchalantly. For him, he was just using Horikita Manabu's influence anyway.
"No! You've done a great kindness for my entire family!"
Kawasaki's expression was moved. She knew very well that with this private business card, the hope of securing jobs for her parents was very high.
However, she and Hikigaya were neither relatives nor old friends—they could barely even be called classmates. Why would he help her unconditionally?
Could it be... he was interested in her?
Kawasaki quietly looked up to size up the youth before her. His features were cool and handsome, and his physical fitness was exceptionally powerful. Thinking it over, it didn't seem that hard to accept.
However, judging by the fact that he bought so many rubber tools at once, he was likely a man of... loose morals. He might even have more than one girlfriend.
Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, her brow furrowed with conflict and struggle.
If she really gave herself to him, she would probably only be his "underground lover."
What should she do? It was such a dilemma!
What if he took this chance to make an excessive demand right now? Should she agree or not?
Kawasaki began to imagine the lines Hikigaya might say to her: [Saki, you wouldn't want your parents to lose this rare job opportunity, would you?]
Sigh, to get something, you really have to pay a corresponding price!
Kawasaki Saki had resigned herself to her fate, quietly waiting for Hikigaya to do with her as he pleased.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now.
Goodbye, Kawasaki-san."
Hikigaya waved his hand and turned to leave, not taking even a cloud with him.
"Eh?"
Kawasaki Saki was instantly dumbfounded. She stared blankly at Hikigaya's retreating back, which looked exceptionally tall and noble under the reflection of the lights!
Wait, brother?
You're just leaving like that?
Are you seriously not planning to take advantage of the situation?
Kawasaki's heart was a whirlpool of emotions; a strange, inexplicable sense of loss and uncertainty surged within her.
Hikigaya's departing footsteps didn't pause for a second as he vanished into the night.
To him, he had simply lent a hand to a high school girl in distress.
Although he didn't know the specifics of Kawasaki Saki's family situation, based on his intuition as a "human observer," he felt a familiar aura from her. Just like Ichinose Honami, who had once committed a theft for the sake of her younger sister.
Kawasaki Saki also possessed the traits of an eldest daughter acting as a mother figure.
Hikigaya had extended a helping hand to Ichinose Honami before, and now he was willing to give Kawasaki Saki a pull as well.
By the time Hikigaya returned home, it was already 10:00 PM.
"Onii-chan, you're so slow!
Where did you wander off to?"
Hikigaya Komachi was wearing a soft, cute cat onesie, curled up lazily on the sofa, her small, clean feet swinging gently.
Next to her was Sakura Airi, wearing Hikigaya's dark-colored pajamas. The oversized top made her look petite and delicate; the fabric hung loosely on her body. Fortunately, the "large-mass planets" on her chest managed to prop up the loose material, adding a different kind of gentle charm.
"Ah, I went to the convenience store to buy some drinks."
Hikigaya held a Max Coffee, while his other hand hid the bag containing the rubber tools behind his back.
This stuff was still too early for his young sister. Even though she would get married one day, Hikigaya's selfish wish was for that to be at least ten years away!
"It's getting late. Onii-chan and Airi-san have to go back to school tomorrow.
So, let's go to sleep early."
As Komachi spoke, she secretly shot him a series of fierce winks, her eyes full of mischievous hints.
That look clearly said: I've created the opportunity for you, hurry up and take down Airi-san!
Hikigaya and Sakura Airi glanced at each other and tacitly avoided eye contact.
Everything went without saying...
"Airi."
"Yes!"
Hearing him call her name, Sakura Airi's voice sounded a bit excited.
Hikigaya paused, then said seriously: "I'll take you to see my room first."
With that, he led Airi slowly up to the second floor.
He pushed open the door. This bedroom, which had been vacant for a year, didn't have a speck of dust, likely because Komachi often came over to clean and organize it. The furnishings were exactly the same as they were before he left home, without the slightest change.
"So this is Hachiman-kun's room."
Sakura Airi looked around curiously.
"Airi, there are light novels and manga on the bookshelf, and handheld consoles in the drawer.
You can kill some time on your own for a bit.
I'm going to take a shower first."
After a few brief instructions, Hikigaya turned and left the room.
In the bathroom.
The bathtub was still full of warm water—the bathwater his sister and Airi had just soaked in together.
Hikigaya didn't hesitate at all. He removed his clothing and slowly lay down in the tub.
Don't misunderstand...
This was out of the good habit of conserving water!
He definitely didn't have any thoughts of taking a sip!
After finishing his wash.
Hikigaya came to the sink and meticulously shaved his beard in the mirror.
As for why he chose to shave his beard at this time...
This falls under the category of "experience talking."
People with girlfriends understand!
After finishing his shave, Hikigaya specifically used the sensitive skin on the inside of his arm to rub his face, confirming it wouldn't be prickly.
"Mm!
Ready perfectly!"
Hikigaya slapped his cheeks and walked out of the bathroom with a face full of righteous spirit.
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