But the combined strength and status in their tribe of the three mermaid divas should still fall far short of the elf princess Iris of the elf clan.
They hadn't expected that Hachiman would skip spending his day off with the elf princess, and even ignore the Dragon Clan chief, to instead accompany these mermaid idol singers.
It seems Hachiman's relationship with the elf princess is truly extraordinary, he has his own unique way of dealing with demi-humans; it isn't simply that he's won the elf princess's favor.
"Haruno-nee, your friend? Is her surname Tohsaka?"
Hachiman originally didn't plan to go to the aquarium with Yukinoshita Haruno on a day that was already packed with the concert schedule. Even though the concert only lasts a few hours, he'd be busy before the performance preparing life-energy reserves and after the show for the celebration party.
Saying he was the temporary manager for Elio and the others, Iris, Lala, Komachi and the others would also come to play; he couldn't just stay to accompany Elio and ignore everything else.
But when he heard that Yukinoshita Haruno's female friend would be bringing her younger sisters, something stirred inside him. He suddenly remembered Tohsaka Touka, who had been at the Poiman mansion beside Yukinoshita Haruno before, and the family-matters quest related to the Tohsaka household that he had once triggered.
Could this female friend be Tohsaka Touka, and the younger sisters be Tohsaka Rin and Tohsaka Sakura?
"I'm talking about my good friend Tohsaka Touka. Yes, her family name is Tohsaka. I didn't expect you to know Touka, Hikigaya-kun?"
Yukinoshita Haruno was surprised that Hachiman could directly call out her friend's surname. She hesitated for a moment; a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes.
Her close friend Tohsaka Touka's family, the Tohsakas, had once been a great noble house even more famous than the Rurikawa family, but after the sudden death of the head of the family they fell into decline. Mrs. Tohsaka had been struggling alone to hold the family together with three daughters.
The Takamine family, who had had business dealings with them before, wanted to take advantage of their weakness. They planned to curry favor and arrange a marriage between their third son and Tohsaka's eldest daughter Touka, gradually swallowing up the Tohsaka family's remaining assets and land.
Although the Tohsakas were in a slightly better state than the former Rurikawa household, they were only about the level of ordinary wealthy landlords. How would Hikigaya-kun know about Touka?
Or had Hikigaya-kun already investigated the Yukinoshita family's connections and thus knew about Touka, waiting for them to take the initiative and rely on the elf princess?
"My little sister Komachi and Shion are in the same class as Tohsaka-san's younger sister Tohsaka Sakura. Lately they've had some contact and seem to have become friends, so I know a little."
Hachiman knew Yukinoshita Haruno was the kind of meticulous person who would think a lot, so he straightforwardly told her about Komachi and Tohsaka Sakura's connection.
Although he actually learned about Tohsaka Touka first, he later unexpectedly found out from Komachi that Tohsaka Sakura was in Komachi's class.
He had let Komachi and Shion get in touch with Tohsaka Sakura, but perhaps because she lost her father early, Tohsaka Sakura's personality was relatively sullen and she didn't usually like talking with classmates.
Considering the family atmosphere and the small, unsuitable living room at home, Komachi and Shion hadn't yet felt comfortable bringing Tohsaka Sakura back to hang out.
"I see. Then this is truly quite the coincidence. My little sister Yukino and Hikigaya-kun are in the same club, and Touka's sister Sakura is in the same class as your Komachi. Too bad you don't have an older sister, or maybe your sister and I could be classmates at Chiba University."
Hearing that the connections weren't from her own side but between their younger siblings, Yukinoshita Haruno's delicate, bright face broke into a warm, gentle smile.
A quick check would prove it; Hikigaya-kun had no reason to lie.
He couldn't have arranged for his sister to be in class with Touka's sister a year or two in advance just to cover up a lie. Besides, he hadn't even met the elf princess back then.
"Although I don't have an older sister, there's a big sister who studies at Chiba University who lives next door. She might count as your junior, Haruno-nee."
Hachiman smiled at Yukinoshita Haruno's teasing.
The neighbor of Gabriel and Vignette, Hayasaka Yuuko, happened to be a Chiba University student. But Hayasaka Yuuko had only just started university and couldn't be a classmate of Yukinoshita Haruno.
"Hikigaya, you actually have a god-sister at Chiba University?"
Yukinoshita Haruno was genuinely surprised. She had thought she had no other way than to rely on Yukino to contact Hikigaya and the elf princesses, but there were actually so many connections around her she could use to approach Hikigaya.
A friend's younger sister, a junior… if she had a good relationship with that junior, she could often appear at the apartment next to Hikigaya's and gradually get closer to his home.
"Heh, Hayasaka-san isn't my god-sister. I just know her a bit and we've been in contact; we're on okay terms."
Seeing Yukinoshita Haruno getting interested in Hayasaka Yuuko, Hachiman shook his head and denied it with a smile.
He hadn't seen Hayasaka Yuuko much since rescuing her at the hamburger fast-food place last time.
Then again, they weren't at the same school and weren't that close; they might only meet on weekends in the apartment.
Next time he went to punish the angels and demons for play, he could drop by and see Hayasaka Yuuko.
Right now, the increasing clinginess and affinity that Bocchi-chan was developing toward him was the reward for completing Hayasaka Yuuko's quest, suggesting Hayasaka herself had an attachment personality. If not watched over, she might again end up working part-time at a hamburger fast-food place; having Yukinoshita Haruno look after her could prevent such worries.
"If Komachi and Tohsaka-san's younger sister Sakura are friends, then tomorrow let's go to the aquarium first before the concert. Haruno-nee, please contact Tohsaka-san. The concert is at night anyway; after the aquarium I'll still have time to get to the concert. Tohsaka-san and the others can also come and listen to the mermaid divas' concert."
Hachiman thought a bit more and decided it was worth taking time to interact with the three Tohsaka sisters, in case he needed an entry point to complete the Tohsaka family's household quest.
As long as he gave Elio and the others enough life-energy reserve before their stage time so they wouldn't be affected by so many non-magic humans at the concert, that would be enough.
After all, as a temporary manager he only needed to accompany Elio and the others; it didn't matter much where he accompanied them. Taking them around before the show was fine, as long as they were back on stage when it was time.
"I'll tell Touka. Is morning okay? We can meet in front of the aquarium; after we finish there we'll still have time around noon to stroll or eat something."
Yukinoshita Haruno nodded cheerfully and asked a few more questions about the plan for tomorrow's outing.
"The car's here. Bocchi-chan and the others and I will go back first. Haruno-nee, you can decide tomorrow's schedule. If the timing's right I'll leave now; you can stay and walk around a bit before the concert."
After a brief chat, Hachiman saw the car sent by the Rurikawa household stop in front of them, and he took his leave from Yukinoshita Haruno and Yukinoshita Yukino.
He still hadn't formally met the three Tohsaka sisters; no matter how much he talked with Yukinoshita Haruno it wouldn't help. He should go home early and get a proper night's sleep, lest he wake up late again tomorrow and stand up everyone he'd agreed to visit the aquarium with.
"All right, bye~ Hikigaya-kun, see you tomorrow~"
Watching Hachiman climb into the car with Gotou Hitori, Hayase Saki, Narahashi Miki, and Yuigahama Yui, Yukinoshita Haruno waved vigorously. After the car's shadow disappeared she happily turned to the silent Yukinoshita Yukino beside her.
———
"Yukino, why haven't you been talking much tonight? Weren't you supposed to be closer to Hikigaya-kun?"
What a turn of events: an invitation to ride horses had just been refused, but now they had arranged tomorrow's concert and aquarium outing.
"...", Yukinoshita Yukino remained silent.
She didn't want to speak, and she didn't know what to say.
Her sister had appeared here to get closer to Hachiman and the elf princess. But her own relationship with Hikigaya-kun was ordinary, she felt they were simply president and vice-president of the club and that saying anything would be inappropriate.
Rather than speak and cause an awkward silence, she preferred to say nothing and let her socially adept sister handle it.
"I'm not going home tonight. I'll sleep at your place. Touka hasn't seen you in a while. If nothing goes wrong, Touka will be marrying into the Takamine family soon. Tomorrow remember to spend some time talking with her."
Seeing her stubborn, thin-skinned younger sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, no longer needing to deploy her sibling to make connections, didn't mind the small matter. She poked Yukino's soft cheek with a grin and whispered a reminder.
"Touka's really decided to marry into the Takamine family? I'll be sure to keep Touka company…", Upon hearing Tohsaka Touka's impending marriage, Yukinoshita Yukino pictured the pure, dignified girl with long black straight hair and a touch of melancholy in her calm, still eyes. Her expression dimmed a little as she looked at the still-smiling Yukinoshita Haruno and slowly nodded.
Many people thought Yukino and Touka shared temperament and character, even feeling they looked like true sisters.
Although Yukino knew that was only a superficial remark from strangers who didn't understand them, and their actual approaches to life differed.
But if Haruno were the eldest daughter instead of her, if Yukino were the head of the Yukinoshita family, would her choices be the same as Touka's and Haruno's?
If Yukinoshita Yukino were the elder sister, there would be no doubt she'd have to shoulder responsibility.
But as the younger sister now, could she ignore the heavy burden her sister bore for her?
Enjoying the benefits of the Yukinoshita family's halo and the more harmonious home atmosphere compared to the Ichinose family, Yukinoshita Yukino faced a difficult choice ahead.
———
On the other hand, inside the moving car, Yuigahama Yui was facing a more urgent dilemma.
"Gulu…"
Yuigahama Yui, who had instinctively gotten into the car along with Hayase Saki and the others, nervously and uneasily looked at Hachiman and the other four in the opposite car. She pressed her knees tightly together, staring down at her hands involuntarily resting on her thighs, barely daring to breathe, not even daring to wipe the sweat on her face.
She was afraid of attracting the gaze of Hachiman, who was holding Gotou Hitori in his arms, with Hayase Saki and Narahashi Miki pressed left and right against him.
Although she'd thought about joining in when she saw Hayase Saki, Kitagawa Marin and Gotou Hitori go into the lounge one after another, now being alone, she wanted to discuss it with Yukino first to see what Yukino thought.
She didn't understand anything. If Yukino had already joined, she could have Yukino teach and guide her. If Yukino hadn't joined either, then they could join together. But now, alone, she didn't even know how to react.
Actually she felt she and Saki were friends, they chatted a lot in the group and in the activities room they were usually the only two who spoke.
But Saki's current behavior made her feel so unfamiliar. The Saki who was usually timid before Yukino was now so proactive and bold in front of the president… she didn't even spare Yui a glance.
Even Saki's good friend Miki was like that… Their behavior in the Service Club activity room was nothing like this.
She even wondered if she was hallucinating.
Yuigahama Yui couldn't make an active choice and could only agonize while waiting for the verdict from Service Club president Hachiman, to accept her fate.
However, she had already mentally prepared herself, but waited a long time without hearing Hachiman call her name.
Finally, unable to endure the inner torment, Yuigahama Yui stealthily raised her head and peeked at the four in the opposite car.
To her great surprise, Hachiman was merely affectionately holding Gotou Hitori and Hayase Saki close and nuzzling them; nothing happened that would be unbearable to look at.
Although the scene was intimate, Hayase Saki and Narahashi Miki were sitting kneeling on the seat, each hugged him from either side so Hachiman couldn't spare a hand to take care of Gotou Hitori. It was still much less than what Yui had imagined, and she could barely look away.
"Master, whom should I drop off first?"
The driver in front was the maid Sayo with cherry-colored long hair wearing a black-and-white maid outfit. She could also see the intimate scene in the backseat; hesitating slightly, her face flushed as she asked.
If possible, she didn't want to interrupt Master Hikigaya's good time, but as the driver she couldn't avoid asking the question.
Should she drop the guests off one by one? Take all the guests to Hikigaya's house together? Or bring Master Hikigaya back to the Rurikawa mansion?
These three choices led to very different outcomes; she didn't dare make the decision for Master Hikigaya.
"Drop off Yui first. After dropping off Yui, can you take Bocchi-chan next?"
Hearing the maid Sayo's question, Hachiman loosened his hold on the chest that had been rising and falling wildly beside him, Hayase Saki. And naturally rested his hand on the plump, firm, snow-white long legs of Narahashi Miki, chin leaning on Gotou Hitori's shoulder as she seemed about to bury her head in his chest. He smiled, pinched her unusually flushed cheek, and asked softly.
"Ugh… n-no… problem…"
Gotou Hitori's back was against Hachiman's chest, her head sunk. Her voice was like a mosquito whisper as she answered.
She was just socially anxious, but she wasn't completely clueless.
When Hachiman asked the question, she immediately realized that if Yui were dropped off first, the car would be left with only Hayase Saki, Narahashi Miki and herself.
Obviously, Hayase Saki and Narahashi Miki would never refuse Hachiman; whatever he did they would accept with nervous excitement. If she stayed, she'd very likely be pulled into that sort of situation along with Saki and Miki.
But knowing that and wanting to refuse were different things. Could she refuse? Or did she even want to refuse?
Hachiman was her only good friend. Although Nijika and Ryo seemed willing to become her friends now, all that was thanks to his help.
As time passed, even if Hachiman was not her only friend anymore, his value in her heart only increased.
She felt she was becoming more and more dependent on Hachiman.
At first she'd also been dependent, terrified and yet obediently joining the Service Club in the hope of making friends. Now Hachiman was supporting her dream and planning to keep her; she couldn't betray that.
The only problem was that her future husband Hachiman was a little fickle and didn't support only her.
There was Sakurase Shino, who was supposedly cured of autism and still spoke less than Yui;
Kei Karuizawa, who had been bullied before and now openly called Hachiman "Master";
The shy Saki and Miki beside her, who were also social-anxiety types and, like her, might prefer to be kept by Hachiman rather than work;
There was Nijika with the band and Ryo who was so poor she wanted to eat grass… maybe they'd also want Hachiman to keep them.
Counting it up, it seemed Hachiman was keeping quite a few girls.
But when she thought seriously, it didn't seem so unacceptable.
Compared to her old future, having no friends, being only decent at guitar, bad at studies and sports, then going into a sales job or convenience store work after graduation and facing different customers and strangers, being kept by Hachiman seemed like a blessed life.
Being kept by Hachiman wasn't so bad. Saki and Miki were as socially anxious as she was; they could stick together for warmth. For music topics they could talk with Nijika and Ryo. They wouldn't have to worry about work in the future.
With Hachiman's help she not only made many friends, but most of them were his friends too, and many were being supported by him. So she wouldn't feel awkward.
Gotou Hitori felt that now it wasn't a question of whether she should leave Hachiman, but whether Hachiman might leave her.
After all, compared to other girls Hachiman supported, her looks and temperament were nothing special. Only her practiced guitar skills were usable. She was, in her own words, a country bumpkin; without Hachiman, nobody would like her.
But now Hachiman liked her. He might not always like her, so she should hurry and learn from Nijika or Saki how to win Hachiman's favor. Oerhaps through the bracelets or collars experience to learn by immersion.
Hachiman not only didn't despise her but cared for her, did so much and gave so much support. She couldn't let him down, she had to work with Nijika and Saki to repay Hachiman's affection many times over.
"Gulu…"
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