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Chapter 318 - Chapter 318: The Plastic Sisters of the Ichinose Family and the Tohsaka Family’s Household Affairs

[Ichinose Family Mansion]

In a room filled with a girlish atmosphere—

"Is-is it morning already?"

Ichinose Honami was lying on Ichinose Ayano's bed. Her silky long hair was scattered in a mess over her fair shoulders, covering her delicate cheeks, as she weakly lay on the bed gasping for breath.

She didn't even know how many times tears had surged out like a spring through the entire night, soaking the sheets beneath her long ago. Her blurred vision couldn't make out anything around her at all.

Only the sunlight outside the window, filtering through the curtains, illuminated the dark room, making her instinctively raise her hand, still wearing the pink wristband, to block her eyes.

The long night seemed to have finally passed. She had never thought her first time staying up until dawn would be because of something like this. For the sake of keeping healthy, avoiding sickness, and saving money, she had never studied hard enough to the point of staying up all night like this.

No, wait, that wasn't right. This actually wasn't her first night staying up. On Friday night, she had already started.

But after staying up until Saturday morning, she ended up sleeping the whole day. After waking up at night, taking a shower, and resting for a while, Ayano once again dragged her into this room and pressed the switch on the pink wristband.

Two days had practically been spent entirely at night, making her almost forget the flow of time.

And she still couldn't refuse.

Although Ayano had said after pressing the switch that Hikigaya-kun already knew she was a spy sent by her uncle Ichinose, and wouldn't mind her approaching him on purpose, she couldn't be sure Ayano wasn't lying to her.

Maybe Ayano was waiting for her to expose herself to Hikigaya-kun… Should she go ask him to confirm.

Ichinose Honami's mood was tangled and complicated. She didn't know how she should face Hachiman when Monday classes began.

Maybe she should just leave. From the start, she shouldn't have accepted her uncle's request, approaching Hikigaya-kun with ulterior motives.

Even if it was for the family, her mother wouldn't want her to become this kind of person.

If she admitted her mistake, bowing her head to apologize, would Hikigaya-kun forgive her?

"Uu… uuuh…"

Also staying in Ichinose Ayano's room, Horigome China wasn't in much better shape. Her normally long and slender legs wrapped in black tights couldn't straighten anymore. She sat on the floor in a duck position, her upper body drooped over the edge of the bed, her slender figure trembling slightly from time to time.

She didn't want to go back to that house. The adoptive father who once cared for her actually had those kinds of thoughts, wanting her to continue the Horigome family line. And her mother had chosen to remain silent, not speaking out for her.

All this time she had thought her family was at least decent. No arranged marriage for family benefit, no massive family business to worry about. She never expected there was such a huge "continuing the family line" problem waiting for her.

Luckily Ayano was willing to help her, letting her stay at the Ichinose house to avoid her adoptive father's demands. Otherwise, she wouldn't even know what to do.

But she never thought Ayano's real solution was to have her find someone else to have children with. To continue the family line that way. And this entire weekend, she had been made to experience that process in advance.

She also hadn't expected that the lover Ayano had never revealed before was actually their classmate, Hikigaya.

She had never seen any special connection between Ayano and Hikigaya in class. They had barely even spoken a few words.

After enduring two whole nights, she finally understood the real reason behind Ayano's "illness," and why Hikigaya had gone to the infirmary with Honami to deliver Ayano that time.

But if Ayano and Hikigaya were lovers, then why was Ayano arranging for her to have Hikigaya's child? Even pulling Honami into this too?

What exactly was Ayano's relationship with Hikigaya?

Secret lovers? One-day lovers?

Horigome China's feelings were just as complicated as Ichinose Honami's.

But now that she had vaguely realized Hikigaya was no ordinary person, she no longer had to worry about her adoptive father. Even if her adoptive father wanted to go to school and cause trouble, as long as Ayano's father knew she had a "special relationship" with Hikigaya, Ayano's father would surely try to please Hikigaya and help her solve the problem with her adoptive father.

Now all she had to consider was whether she herself could accept Hikigaya.

Compared to bearing children for her adoptive father, of course she'd choose to bear them with someone her own age, handsome in looks, gentle and kind in personality, like Hikigaya.

But she and Hikigaya didn't have any real feelings between them. And besides, Hikigaya was someone Ayano liked.

She also thought she should consider whether Hikigaya would even want her to have his child. After all, there were countless beautiful girls around him.

Even Ayano, as a secret lover, was constantly finding girls for Hikigaya, as if worried Hikigaya might get bored of her and ignore her, racking her brain to draw Hikigaya's attention.

In the whole room, only Ichinose Ayano didn't have all these complicated thoughts. Hugging her life-sized pillow tightly, she simply and wholeheartedly enjoyed herself.

Even though with her physical condition, it was impossible for her to last the whole night without resting.

But once she rested for a while, she could activate the empathy switch again, remotely joining the party at Hikigaya's tavern, immersively synchronizing with the daily experiences of the Elf Princess, the mermaid idol, the student council president, and the disciplinary committee member.

"Someone new again, huh…", Ayano crawled to the bedside and picked up the nutrient tonic given to her by the school doctor, Mikado Ryoko. She finished the last bottle, replenishing her body's nutrients just in time. After resting half an hour, she pressed the empathy button again, hugged her pillow tightly, her rosy face rubbing against it nonstop, her little mouth murmuring softly.

Even though she didn't actually know who exactly was receiving the master's affection, she felt so envious.

If only she could receive her master's affection directly, then she wouldn't need to drink these tonics at all. She could cling to her master, act spoiled, and beg for kisses.

She hoped that after presenting Honami and China to her master, she too could one day enjoy the master's love together with the Elf Princess.

Elf Princess, mermaid idol, she couldn't compare with them. The student council president was the master's childhood friend. But she could tell one of them was Hayase Saki, another was Sakurase Shino.

Even that self-conscious, introverted fool Hayase Saki could go to the master's house. As if she was the only one in the entire Service Club not allowed to enjoy the master's affection. She wasn't willing to accept that.

As for Yukinoshita Yukino, the politician's daughter like her, Ayano had long since dismissed her. Who would compare themselves to Yukino, who never even participated in Service Club activities?

Gradually, even Ayano, who had drunk the nutrient tonic, could no longer hold on. Shaking and trembling, she shut off the empathy switch on her wrist and closed her eyes. Alongside Ichinose Honami and Horigome China, who were either lying or slumped nearby, the three of them drifted into deep sleep together.

———

"Riiiing~"

No one knew how much time had passed when suddenly a phone ringtone sounded.

The three sleeping girls didn't react at all.

But as the ringtone kept going, Ayano, who had the strongest recovery ability among them, drowsily woke up. Half-opening her eyes, she reached toward the sound from under the blanket, groping out a phone.

"Hello…"

Holding the phone and sliding the answer button, Ayano, eyes still closed, weakly answered.

["Good morning, Ayano. Are you still sleeping?"]

"Mas… master?"

The instant she heard the voice she had even dreamed of, Ayano, who had just been groggy and half-asleep, instantly snapped awake. She clutched the phone and sat up straight in bed.

["Yeah, it's me. Do you have time today? In the afternoon I'll be helping at Elio and the others' concert. In the morning, I was planning to hang out with Komachi and the others around the new aquarium nearby."]

"Uh… go shopping with master… I really want to, but I used that wristband last night, only slept this morning, so maybe it's not so good if I go with you like this."

Ayano's heart leapt with joy, but when she thought of her current state, she hesitated.

Going shopping with her master was basically a date. Of course she desperately wanted to go. Even if it wasn't just the two of them, she still wanted to. What if she had the chance to receive his affection?

The master personally inviting her on the weekend, that showed he valued her.

But unfortunately, she hadn't rested well these past two days. Her body was even a bit worn out. Her condition wasn't good. Even if she got up right now to dress up, she would still look haggard. She didn't want her master to see her ugly side.

Regret. Unbelievable regret.

If only she hadn't indulged in pleasure last night, but instead rested properly, then today she might have had the chance to receive her master's affection directly. Instead of using this wristband to remotely experience other girls' joy.

["You only just slept this morning… Then you should rest well, Ayano. If you still don't feel well tonight, I'll come over to your house and treat you properly."]

"Mhm~ Thank you for your concern, master! Tonight, if you have time, just come over. I hope you have fun today~"

Hearing Hachiman's words, Ayano's frustration instantly disappeared, her heart filled with joy.

The master himself had said it, tonight he could come over.

Yesterday she had been worrying about when it would be her turn. She hadn't expected that today, immediately, she'd get the chance to be doted on by her master. And she wouldn't even have to go to his house. They could have an all-night service session right at hers.

After Hikigaya hung up, Ayano looked at Honami and China sleeping beside her, tucked the blanket around them, but couldn't sleep anymore herself.

Even though her body was still very tired, her heart was already looking forward to the night to come.

Beep~

[Ichinose Marika: Ayano, I'm almost at your house. I'm stuck on some homework, so today, can we have a study session together with Honami?]

Seeing the message pop up, Ayano suddenly remembered her father's recent reminder for her to interact more with the young people of the Ichinose family.

Actually, the Ichinose family wasn't small. But most of them were just ordinary workers, a few in entertainment, but not successful.

Marika's family was an ordinary middle-class household, better off than Honami's single-parent family, at least.

Usually her father wasn't willing to deal with poorer relatives, so she didn't have many friends among them.

But she did get along well with Marika, closer than with Honami. With her understanding of Marika's personality, it wouldn't be hard to pull her in too, then offer her to the master as another obedient girl.

If the master came over tonight, she had to let him feel her loyalty all at once.

[Ichinose Ayano: No problem! Honami's really good at studying too. Tonight, we'll study all the way until dawn!]

[Ichinose Marika: Eh? Studying all night?]

[Ichinose Ayano: I'm still a bit sleepy, so I'll nap for a while. When you get to the door, just tell the maid and she'll bring you in. See you when I wake up.]

Not replying further to Marika's words, Ayano closed her eyes to catch up on sleep after sending that message.

She had to make sure she rested well, so when Marika arrived, she could focus on persuading her.

Now that Honami and China were already settled, if Marika joined too, her master would definitely reward her.

Even if he punished her for acting on her own, she wouldn't mind. In fact, she hoped he'd punish her harshly every day.

———

[Outside the Aquarium Gates]

"Overexerted herself again, huh…"

Hachiman stood in a quieter spot making the call. After hanging up, he stared at Ayano's name on the screen, a little speechless.

Today the Yukinoshita sisters would be there. Given his closer ties with the Ichinose family, it wouldn't make sense if they didn't show up too.

Either Honami or Ayano could have come.

If they were here, it might even make Yukinoshita Haruno realize the gap between their families, pushing her to be more proactive instead of cautiously testing his attitude.

But the moment he heard Ayano's weak, powerless voice, he knew what was going on. She was probably like Rurikawa Tsubaki and Usui Makoto, forcing herself until morning before falling asleep.

That girl Ayano, was she addicted now? No sense of moderation at all.

Before, he had to use the empathy wristband to punish her for a whole night. Now, he didn't even need to force her, Ayano willingly indulged in punishment herself.

"Hachiman Onii-chan, is no one else coming?"

"Onii-chan, you're so lame. You always say tons of girls like you at school, but now you can't call a single one."

Shion stood on one side in a long dress and heels, exuding elegance and coolness. Komachi stood on the other in a sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers, lively and cute. Both flanked Hikigaya, looking at his helpless expression with curiosity.

Last night, Kaede had rallied people and fought fiercely against Iris, with the tavern party going on until dawn. Kaede, Tsubaki, and the others were still recovering at home.

Although in the end Iris's side had won, both sides had exhausted themselves and needed to rest.

So today, only the two of them, who hadn't joined last night's tavern party, could accompany their brother to shop with the Yukinoshita sisters and the Tohsaka sisters.

Sakura Tohsaka was their classmate and friend, after all. They couldn't not be there.

But what puzzled them was: other than the girls from home, was their brother really unable to bring anyone else along?

"Today isn't some ordinary classmate hangout, you know. It's not the kind of thing you can just casually invite people to. I'll show you my skills another time."

Seeing how naïve the two were, Hikigaya rubbed Komachi's head hard in exasperation.

If he wanted, he could summon people anytime. There were tons of beautiful girls in the swim club who wanted his "special coaching." He could call over Miura Yumiko or Kitagawa Marin from the Nijika household.

From the disciplinary committee, he could bring out Sakurai Hana or Asai Saki. Even Kamijou Maki from another school would eagerly run over.

Even Gabriel and Vignette, who spied on him daily from the neighboring apartment, could be dragged along.

But today, Yukinoshita Haruno had invited him with a purpose. This wasn't the time to just pull random people in.

"Tch~ You can't call anyone, just admit it~ Still pretending."

Komachi pouted, then suddenly swatted away Hikigaya's hand from her head and pointed with her lips at a few girls slowly approaching from behind him.

"Stop teasing me, onii-chan. Look over there. Sakura and her sister are here."

["Detected character card—Tohsaka Rin."]

["Detected character card—Tohsaka Sakura."]

'Sakura and her sister…'

Hikigaya let go of Komachi's hair and turned his head to see five girls slowly walking toward them.

He wasn't very familiar with the three Tohsaka sisters. The only one who knew Komachi was Tohsaka Sakura, and even with her, the relationship wasn't that close. Naturally, today they came together with the Yukinoshita sisters.

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