And Nishikigi Chisato was the strongest among all the lycoris in history.
Originally, he thought Nishikigi Chisato appearing nearby was the same as Yukinoshita Haruno coming to contact him or to contact Iris and the others.
However, seeing that Nishikigi Chisato had no reaction at all when facing him, treating him as just an ordinary customer, he overturned his own guess. Maybe it really was just a coincidence.
The system only gave a prompt that Nishikigi Chisato's character card was discovered, but no task was triggered. He also didn't plan on taking the initiative to ask Nishikigi Chisato anything.
The so-called lycoris agents were basically just ordinary people trained to master firearms. Normally, they wore uniforms similar to high school girls' to disguise themselves as regular civilians and complete missions, carrying licenses to kill, eliminating criminals and terrorists before incidents happened.
It sounded mysterious and powerful, but in reality, they were just pitiful people raised as agents by the DA organization after being adopted as orphans. People with no registered identity, possibly without even basic human rights.
Even someone like Nishikigi Chisato, who looked superhuman, strong body, lightning reflexes, capable of dodging bullets like a mini Superman was still just a killing tool to DA, someone meant to obey orders.
In the original work, DA's performance was already pretty lackluster, let alone in this current world where extraordinary powers existed.
Handling incidents involving ordinary humans might still be fine, but when it came to problems with demi-humans in another world, DA's capabilities were useless.
Mm… knowing that DA and lycoris existed, if needed he could always have them help cover things up. No need to always bother Ursula into running cleanup for him. A dignified Dragon Clan chief had practically been turned into his little errand girl.
"I live not far from here. I'll head home and play some games. Good night, everyone."
While Hachiman was lost in thought, the outwardly cold yet inwardly gentle and mature onee-san-type PA said her goodbyes to Ijichi Seika and the others and left first.
As the "onee-san" between Yukinoshita Haruno and Ijichi Seika in age, she was actually part of the nearly-thirty crowd already being pushed toward marriage by her family.
Now she worked night shifts at STARRY. After finishing her shift and going home to shower, she could still play some games before sleeping. She'd sleep until noon the next day, have lunch, watch dramas or play more games, and then just head in for her evening shift.
This lifestyle was far better than her high school days of waking up early every morning. She was very satisfied with her life now, not planning on romance, let alone marriage and kids. So whenever her family occasionally brought up marriage, she would brush it off however she could.
Compared to her being single and not affecting anyone, it was the shop manager, Nijichi Nijika's older sister, who really needed to be considering marriage.
"Marin, Yumiko, Ryou, how about you all stay over at my place tonight and head home tomorrow?"
After PA left, the others were also getting ready to head home. But Ijichi Nijika looked at her good friends with some worry and hesitated.
It was already late. For girls, riding the train home alone at night wasn't very safe.
Last time, Yumiko had asked Hachiman to walk her and Marin home. Now Yumiko, Marin, and Ryou heading back together was normal. Nijika still hadn't forgotten the train incident from before, and she didn't want to risk Yumiko or Marin running into that kind of thing again.
But if Hachiman escorted Yumiko and the others, what about Yukinoshita Yukino, Yukinoshita Haruno, Yuigahama Yui, Hayase Saki, and the others? They, like Bocchi-chan, were also members of his club.
If Hachiman really had to escort them one by one, wouldn't that take him until the middle of the night?
As for Bocchi-chan, Nijika hadn't thought of keeping her over. With Bocchi's personality, staying with so many people would only make her more uncomfortable. It was fine to just let Hachiman walk her home.
"Nijika, don't worry. I already asked Rurikawa-san to arrange a car to pick us up. I sent her a message while we were eating earlier. The car should be arriving soon."
Hearing Nijika's hesitation, Hachiman immediately understood her concern. He smiled and explained.
Nowadays, did he still need to personally escort people one by one? For trivial things like this, he didn't even need to ask Rurikawa Tsubaki, her head maid, Shion, would already have arranged it.
Earlier, Iris had asked if he wanted to keep Sylpha and the other new elf girls around to help him while building rapport. But considering their identities as elves, it would be inconvenient to hide them all the time, so he let them go back together.
Honestly, if it weren't for Bocchi-chan, Haruno, and the others not being close enough to him to set up teleport anchors, he could've just teleported them all straight home.
"Uh, I thought about it, and I'd rather not trouble Hikigaya-kun to send a car. I just wanted to have a chat with Nijika before bed," The moment Hachiman mentioned arranging cars, Kitagawa Marin immediately accepted Nijika's invitation to stay over.
Who knew whether the car would take her back to her house or Rurikawa's mansion?
If it dropped her off at Rurikawa's, wouldn't that mean more over-the-top elf cosplay immersion all over again?
Her throat had only been a little uncomfortable that afternoon, but now it was late at night. She didn't even dare imagine what might happen if she started feeling worse.
With Hikigaya-kun's monstrous stamina and Lumilia's elf spring water that restored energy, she strongly suspected that even by morning she'd still be stuck playing the role of an elf serving the savior in the Elf Forest.
"Since Marin's staying, I'll stay with Nijika too," Miura Yumiko stayed quiet for a moment, then stood between Marin and Nijika.
She too was worried that Hachiman might harass them again.
After all, once there was a first time, a second time was likely. The two of them found it hard to refuse him outright. If they rejected him face to face, he might turn on Nijika instead. Better to stay at Nijika's house and avoid being alone with him, leaving him no opportunity.
By now, she and Marin had already been worn down completely by this guy. No matter what, she couldn't let Nijika get dragged deeper into his perversions.
"Then I'll go with Hachiman—", Yamada Ryou, seeing the other two decline the car, wasn't planning on squeezing into Nijika's house. But before she could finish her words—
"Ryou, you're staying too! Don't even think about using this chance to borrow money from Hachiman! I'll send you back tomorrow!", Nijika immediately clamped a hand over Yamada Ryou's mouth, firmly rejecting Hachiman's car arrangement on her behalf.
It wasn't that she worried about Hachiman doing anything to Ryou during the ride. She trusted he wouldn't. What she worried about was Ryou willingly letting him cop a feel or two, then asking to borrow money.
After all, Ryou was broke now, and with her lack of shame, after experiencing the empathy collar, it wasn't impossible she'd think letting Hachiman gr*pe her a little more was no big deal.
"...", With her mouth covered tight by Nijika, Yamada Ryou's eyes flickered with regret.
She really had been planning to borrow money from Hachiman.
But not the way Nijika thought. Not by letting him touch her black-stocking thighs. Instead, she wanted to help him, to get him to come to the studio more often to rehearse, openly holding Nijika while playing.
After all, the band's sense of unity was still low. They needed Hachiman's help to improve.
A hug once was a hug. Twice was still a hug. She might as well help Nijika overcome her shyness, so she could get used to Hachiman holding her while drumming without blushing or panicking.
"Then you can all stay at Nijika's. Tomorrow, if you want a ride, just let me know and I'll arrange it. But…"
Watching Nijika and Ryou bickering like the childhood friends they were, Hachiman shook his head with a smile. Suddenly, he reached out, pulling Kitagawa Marin and Ijichi Nijika to his side, whispering in their ears, "Marin, don't forget your promise."
"Nijika, you too. You both said you'd bring each other and Yumiko to reward me together."
"Talk it over between you. Doing it all at once would be best. But if you'd rather take turns, that's fine too."
"..."
"..."
At his "friendly reminder," Nijika and Marin both snapped their heads toward each other. Their faces turned scarlet, their expressions a tangled mess, were they angry, guilty, or secretly relieved?
Hearing that their friend had "sold them out" should have made them angry. But since their own betrayal had also been exposed, were they supposed to feel guilty instead?
The only fortunate thing was that both their promises to Hachiman had included Yumiko. That meant neither was betraying her, knowing Yumiko liked Hachiman and sneaking behind her back. Instead, they had only wanted to help her in this special way.
The only ones they'd wronged were each other. But since they'd both done the same thing, didn't that cancel out?
No, wait, something like this could never cancel out.
If Hachiman hadn't spoken up, they might really have ended up taking turns bringing each other along to "reward" him?
One time had nearly exhausted them already, two times would leave their legs so weak they wouldn't want to move all day.
"Bocchi-chan, Saki, Miki, let's head to the corner and wait for the car. See you all later~ See you too, Seika-nee!"
Seeing Nijika and Marin frozen, staring daggers at him instead of at each other, Hachiman just chuckled. He didn't pursue the matter further, waved to Ijichi Seika and the others, then left with Gotou Hitori and the rest.
"Nijika? Marin? What did that guy just whisper to you?", Miura Yumiko narrowed her eyes, glaring at her friends.
When had Nijika and Marin gotten so close with that creep Hikigaya?
Whenever they satisfied his twisted tastes, it was always the three of them together.
What could Marin and Nijika possibly need to whisper about with him behind her back?
"N-nothing… Hikigaya-kun was just asking about you, Yumiko."
Flustered, Kitagawa Marin quickly waved her hands.
"Asking about me? What about me?"
Yumiko didn't buy it.
"Ahaha… he just wanted to know when you'd visit his house again. His little sister really likes you."
Nijika, seeing Marin panicking and Yumiko's skeptical stare, hurriedly stepped in to explain.
"Hmph! Just refuse him directly. That guy's hopeless. Using his sister as an excuse? I only helped him once because I was in a good mood. Doesn't mean I have time to entertain him all the time."
Hearing Hachiman wanted her to come over, Yumiko didn't think much of it. Folding her arms and raising her chin, she huffed coldly.
Wasn't he all high and mighty at school, refusing even small errands? Now look, begging her to indulge him.
Other than girls like Yuina and the few of them she had dragged along, who else would bother with his weird fetish?
A princess of the elves, someone noble and exalted, would never stoop to indulge him.
Seeing Yumiko as tsundere as always, Nijika and Marin exchanged a glance, both quietly letting out a sigh of relief.
'Sorry, Yumiko! We really didn't mean to lie to you!'
Thankfully, Yumiko wasn't very good at reading people. Otherwise, they'd never have gotten away with it.
But they couldn't go on like this forever. They needed to speed up Hachiman and Yumiko's progress, or else they themselves would get dragged deeper and deeper into this mess.
Off to the side, Ijichi Seika watched the three girls with a suspicious look, a bold thought rising in her heart.
'Nijika and the other two… could it be that all of them like Hachiman?'
Otherwise, why were they all so focused on him? Sneaking glances while eating was one thing, but now they were still whispering about him after he'd left?
Expressionless, Yamada Ryou noticed Nijika's shifting expressions and felt certain of her own conclusion.
Nijika clearly had something going on with Hachiman. The only question was how far it had gone.
But since Nijika liked him, Ryou could boldly borrow money from Hachiman. And if she couldn't pay it back, she'd just use Nijika as collateral.
Surely Nijika would be grateful. That way, Nijika wouldn't end up like the shop manager, becoming another leftover woman.
———
"Haru-nee, did you need something? Or are you not full yet and planning on going with me for round two?"
While waiting for the car with Hayase Saki, Gotou Hitori, and the other Service Club support staff, Hachiman turned to the sisters who had followed them, specifically, Yukinoshita Haruno.
After all, the Yukinoshitas were a prestigious family in Chiba, with private drivers for outings. Even if their driver was busy with their father the councilor, they could still afford pricey taxis home.
From what he knew, the Ichinose and Yukinoshita councilors weren't in the same faction. And with Rurikawa's family now aligning more with the Ichinose family thanks to his influence, the Yukinoshitas wouldn't risk suspicion by riding in Rurikawa's car for convenience.
"Hikigaya-kun, you joke. Eating so much this late would only make me fat. I just forgot to ask, do you have any plans this week? The weather's been nice. There are some good events at the Chiba riding grounds. If you're interested in horseback riding, I could arrange something. No outsiders would bother the elf princesses."
Ignoring her younger sister Yukino's frosty glare, Haruno smiled warmly, explaining their reason for tagging along.
Her little sister was useless, so she had to take the initiative. She needed to connect with the elf princesses and Hikigaya, show them the Yukinoshita family's sincerity.
Otherwise, if they just sat and watched the Ichinose family grow stronger under the elves' support, they'd soon be crushed by the ambitious Ichinose councilor.
The Rurikawa family had been too weak before. Now, though they had taken in the Poiman family's assets and resources, they still needed time to digest. And with Rurikawa Tsubaki busy at school, their whole house leaned conservative.
But the Ichinose family was led by a middle-aged, ambitious man at his peak. He had not only gotten his daughter into the Service Club, but even arranged for his niece to be placed by Hikigaya's side through the elite high school. If the Yukinoshitas did nothing, Ichinose would surely press them down and swallow them whole.
After all, Yukino was also in the Service Club with Ichinose Ayano, and as vice president, she was a threat even without trying.
It was only natural for Ichinose to make the first move, to keep his advantage from being split.
"This week? I'm a little interested in riding, but tomorrow the merfolk have a concert. I already promised Elio and the others I'd go help."
Hachiman naturally understood Haruno's purpose, trying to win his favor while also meeting Iris. But after thinking a moment, he politely turned her down.
Horseback riding was mostly a rich person's hobby. While some stables offered tourist experiences, he'd never gone out of his way.
What Haruno was suggesting was obviously a private stable, booked for their exclusive use. No waiting, no crowds.
But tomorrow he was already booked. Long ago he'd agreed to act as a temporary manager for Elio and the others, experiencing the fun of being an idol producer.
Of course, he wouldn't actually be doing the hard work. Normal merfolk handled all the busy tasks. He just needed to hold the title and accompany Elio's group. Still, it wasn't something he could skip.
"The mermaid divas' concert? I remember the ad said it was a rare outdoor one, at Chiba's ZOZO Marine Stadium. Funny coincidence, I have a female friend taking her little sisters to the new aquarium nearby tomorrow. If you're free, you could contact Yukino, and we could all go together."
Even after being refused, Haruno wasn't discouraged. Hearing Hachiman mention the mermaid singers, she immediately shifted her pitch, offering a softer alternative, meeting up casually if they happened to have time.
There weren't many demi-humans at Sobu High. She knew about the mermaid singers. To humans like them, mermaids were impressive, born with magical voices, masters of enchanting song.
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