Chapter 203: Two Girls Move Into His Home
Above the azure sky, the initial vibrations and noise subsided as the plane climbed to a high altitude. Contrails stretched out in long white lines, and the buildings below, whether three-story wooden attics or towering skyscrapers, all shrunk to the size of small squares.
Grayish-white strange rocks, blue land, and green ocean—these were the whole world.
The boy on the plane that took off from France, Jeanne hiding in a sealed cargo container on the Paris-bound cargo plane, and everyone else journeyed together to Chiba, Tokyo. A new story awaited them.
During his stop in Paris, Shirou bought clothes from the Champs-Élysées for Mrs. Hikigaya, the head of the household. Since Komachi was still a child, he bought a box of macarons and some sugared jam that could be mixed with water to make juice.
For Mr. Hikigaya, he bought some local famous cider, which tasted close to champagne but was cheaper and better.
Inside the Hikigaya home, Komachi, a cute girl with short black hair, was currently lying on the sofa.
"Ugh... not asleep yet... not asleep, not asleep... asleep!!!
I am the Guardian of the Counter Force, piercing through the world of dust, seizing boundless light, severing destiny! Zekka—Mu Kū Sandan!!!
It's over! Enma Rengoku Zan (Enma Purgatory Slash)!"
On the phone screen, a handsome girl with brown skin and long white hair, wielding a black greatsword that emitted purgatorial flames, sliced her enemy into pieces. Curiously, her voice was very similar to Komachi's when she spoke seriously.
"New Souji is so cool! Komachi is going to be super active now!" Today, Hikigaya Komachi, for once, didn't go out to play. Instead, she stayed home, swinging her fair little feet up and down. Komachi hummed a tune while looking at a magazine and grinding FGO, occasionally glancing out the window, anticipating the return of a certain boy.
She believed that her brother would be very upset if he came home and didn't see the cute Komachi, so she stayed in the living room near the main door since early this morning, not leaving the house.
"I'm so excited~! Speaking of France, it's the birthplace of macarons and crêpes, after all! What kind of delicious things did big brother buy for Komachi~! Ah, of course, if the gift he brought back was a blonde, blue-eyed big sister, Komachi would be happy too."
"Woof." Accompanying Komachi was the large white dog, Caval II, who had been squatting by the living room entrance all morning.
"I wonder how long it will take for him to get home? I can't wait! Right, Caval II?" Komachi asked her pet dog.
"Woof!" Caval II lay on the floor, wagging his tail back and forth, tongue hanging out, his eyes full of anticipation as he barked an answer.
Suddenly, the large white dog's ears twitched twice, and he took a deep breath with his nose. He immediately stood up and ran excitedly toward the door.
A few seconds later, the doorbell rang, followed by the sound of someone dragging a suitcase to the door.
Komachi heard the sound, instantly leaped off the sofa, rushed to the entrance, and pulled the door open, shouting with a radiant smile:
"Here I am! Here I am! Where's Komachi's gift~! Big brother!"
"..."
The person at the door looked surprised at the girl who suddenly opened the door, smiling so brightly.
'Did she really like her brother that much?'
"...Who is it?" Komachi's bright smile froze. Her hands remained on the doorknob, and she blinked, tilting her head in confusion and speaking blankly. Could her joke have actually come true?
The people standing at the door were two beautiful, doll-like blonde girls, who didn't look much older than herself.
"Woof! Woof!" As soon as the door opened, Caval II immediately rushed out and enthusiastically ran in circles around the girls.
"Stop." Artoria held out her hand, signaling Caval II to stop.
"Woof!" Caval II obediently sat down.
"Hello, young lady. This is the Hikigaya house, correct? We are..." Artoria looked up at Komachi, who was frozen at the door, and began to speak.
"Eh... Eh!" Komachi didn't wait for her to finish, her eyes widening as she cried out.
She completely disregarded the door, turned, and ran inside, shouting as she went: "Mom! Dad! Big brother brought home a blonde girlfriend! And he brought back two at once! He went to three countries, so is there another one coming?!"
"Rita, what is that child talking about? What does 'harem' mean?" Mashiro asked, confused.
"It's fine, don't worry, Mashiro. Even if it's a harem, you and Shirou are on my harem," Artoria reassured the girl.
"I see, I understand," Mashiro nodded. Although she didn't fully understand, if Rita said she could relax, she would relax.
"Ah, you're here. Are you Miss Artoria and Miss Shiina?" Mrs. Hikigaya saw the two girls and walked out to ask.
"Yes, hello. We ask for your kindness going forward," Artoria replied very courteously.
"Please be kind to us," Mashiro said, imitating her.
"Mhm, please be kind to us. What polite children, even though they're foreign girls. Please come in," Mrs. Hikigaya took out two pairs of clean slippers, placed them in the entryway, and said to the two girls.
"Yes, yes, welcome, welcome. Please come in," Mr. Hikigaya greeted them.
"Excuse the intrusion," Artoria said, pulling her suitcase with one hand and Mashiro with the other, as she stepped into the boy's home.
"Wait! Mom? Dad? You know these people? What's going on?" Komachi asked, confused.
"They are two transfer students from Britain, and they're our neighbors. Their house is currently being renovated, so they will be staying here for a while as boarders," Mrs. Hikigaya explained.
"Why didn't you tell me something so important?!" Komachi exclaimed.
"Eh? We didn't mention it? Maybe you were too immersed in your game and forgot what we said, ignoring us," Mr. Hikigaya suggested.
"Is that so..." Komachi said, sounding unsure.
"Besides, you haven't been in school recently, and you've been running around playing with your friends all day. You haven't really been home to talk with us properly," Mr. Hikigaya added.
"Well, since everyone wasn't home, I was lonely too..." Komachi looked away guiltily. She observed the two girls. They were both super beautiful. So, they were boarders... but not brought back by her brother.
"What if big brother comes back? They're two girls! Won't they be scared?" Komachi asked.
"It's fine with Shirou," Mr. and Mrs. Hikigaya said, showing their trust.
"Shirou is a friend," Mashiro spoke up.
"Eh? You know big brother?" Komachi asked, surprised.
"Mhm, Shirou's Baumkuchen is super delicious!" Mashiro nodded in agreement.
Artoria chimed in to explain, "We are Shirou's classmates. We met him at the exchange program school in England."
"What! I see, I see. Big brother has been doing well even overseas. He's quite a smooth operator! Mhm, mhm, in that case, as a sister, I definitely have to help out!" Komachi suddenly understood why her parents agreed to this. She muttered to herself, stroking her chin.
"Let's take the luggage upstairs first. The room at the far end of the second floor will work for you, right?"
"Yes, yes, Komachi will lead the way too!" Komachi enthusiastically raised her hand.
"I know. I'll leave it to you. Make sure you take good care of the two big sisters," Mrs. Hikigaya instructed her clever daughter, her eyes clearly saying, 'It's up to you, for Shirou's happiness!'
"Leave it to Komachi. I'll definitely help, hehe," Komachi smiled and agreed, responding with her eyes, 'After all, these are potential sisters-in-law. I must build a good relationship with them.'
The empty room in the Hikigaya house, which was originally used as a storage room, had been neatly organized at some point, and a wooden, two-tiered bunk bed had been installed.
"Komachi, this is your gift," Artoria said, pulling out two boxes of perfume sets from her suitcase. She handed one set, featuring a youthful collection, to Komachi, and kept the other, a high-end ladies' set, for herself.
The French, who paid great attention to fashion and appearance, would offer complete sets, from shampoo and shower gel to perfume and cosmetics, all designed so that the body's fragrances complemented each other, creating a harmonious and seamless scent without any abruptness.
If one wore heavy makeup and brightly colored, flamboyant clothes, but lacked an attractive scent, the effect would be greatly diminished.
But if one wore a plain, long dress and adopted a youthful look, a strong perfume that lingered after passing by wouldn't be suitable. It was best to have a light fragrance that could only be noticed when close.
Artoria wasn't really knowledgeable about these things. If she had to recommend something, food would be better. But if the food was delicious and kept nearby, she wouldn't be able to bring it here. So, she ultimately asked Rita to procure the gifts. As for Mr. Hikigaya, it was a bottle of vineyard wine.
"Wow! Thank you~! Um..." Komachi said happily, hugging the perfume set.
"Don't be polite. Since you're Shirou's sister, you can just call me Big Sister," Artoria said, looking at Komachi and giving a rare, slight smile.
"I understand! Sister Rita! Sister Mashiro!" Komachi examined the set in her hands and said with a sweet smile. The realistic girl then realized something and asked, "Um... does Sister Rita actually have a really good relationship with my big brother?"
"Mhm, Rita and Shirou have a very good relationship," Mashiro answered honestly.
"Ohh!" Komachi's eyes shone brightly as she looked at Artoria.
"Mhm, Shirou and I are partners that can entrust our lives to each other!" Artoria nodded.
"Ohh!" Komachi exclaimed excitedly in her heart. 'It's here! Finally, it's here! Komachi will definitely support you! Even without this perfume set!'
Komachi had waited over ten years, and finally, a strong woman had appeared!
That's right, that's what she was saying. If Komachi and her brother weren't related by blood, Komachi would have won him over in elementary school! She wouldn't have just left him alone.
Komachi could talk for three days and three nights about how great her brother was. Although he was too much of a nice guy, stubborn, and had a nagging mother-like personality, these were all points of cuteness.
To use a game analogy, he was practically a multi-route galgame protagonist, where multiple heroines with different personalities and circumstances use various methods to score points, capture the male lead, and make him change his future and find salvation.
There was the partner who was very similar in personality, belief, and conduct, who they fought with, eventually understood, mutually changed each other's views, and finally came together naturally, like a sword and its sheath;
There was the person who went from being the object of the other's aspiration to being the other's savior, and then to a lifelong bond as master and disciple, truly a couple, who mutually supported and complemented each other. After repeatedly being rescued and rescuing the other, and facing dire situations together, they built a deep bond and affection. Finally, the heroine declared that she would make the male lead happy;
And there was the gentle, thoughtful, and pitiful girl who was secretly calculating inside, who captured the male lead's heart through meticulous daily life, making the male lead save her. Finally, in a fierce battle, two people with ruined childhoods and twisted minds accepted everything about the other, overcame everything, and got together;
Although Komachi didn't know exactly what kind of game that was, she felt that was probably the gist of it.
"Oh! Sister Rita, I wanted to ask you this earlier, but you've actually known big brother for a long time, haven't you!" Komachi asked. After all, Caval II in the house was very obedient and intuitive, but he wasn't affectionate towards just anyone.
"That is correct," Artoria did not deny and nodded.
Komachi smiled knowingly and continued, "Big brother actually said that Caval II was a pet entrusted to him by someone important, so when big brother is home, he takes very good care of Caval II every day."
"I-Is that so? Shirou said that?" Artoria's face flushed slightly, but she quickly recovered, maintaining her composed and cool demeanor.
"Mhm," Komachi secretly stuck out her tongue, thinking, 'Although he said 'important friend' at the time, the meaning is similar. I'll just let it be that way. Big brother! This is all Komachi can do to help.'
At this moment, Komachi looked at Artoria with completely different eyes, full of expectant hope. If it was this person, she could safely entrust her brother to her!
After going downstairs, the conversation continued with Mr. and Mrs. Hikigaya. Under the pressure of the gifts, and with Komachi constantly fanning the flames, Artoria—though somewhat serious and aloof—was polite and earnest, earning high praise from the whole family.
The conversation then shifted to Mashiro.
Shiina Mashiro had studied painting under a professional artist since childhood and was solely focused on her art. Years of single-minded focus on painting had led to certain achievements. She loved painting, but more than oil painting, she favored manga, which told a story.
During this exchange program, she met her manga teacher, Eiri. Rita, her best friend since childhood, also supported her decision to go to Japan and try to become a mangaka, and Artoria, who had been looking after her recently, also had plans to go to Tokyo.
A relative happened to know a manga editor and introduced her, so Mashiro followed Artoria to Japan.
"I see, Mashiro-chan came to Japan to become a mangaka. Does anyone teach you?" Mrs. Hikigaya asked the pure and lovely girl.
As far as she knew, this girl was a prodigious painter, known as a genius in Europe, who had even shaken hands with the Prime Minister. Even if she didn't know much about the oil painting industry, she understood that this child possessed extraordinary talent.
And although both her parents were artists who had settled overseas, she now wanted to come to Tokyo for manga. Honestly, as a salarywoman who held practicality as her life motto, she couldn't quite understand it.
"I've already contacted the manga magazine editor," Mashiro replied.
Mr. Hikigaya nodded, stroking his chin. "Yes, well, apart from high-end research and car exports, the only cultural industry Japan has to offer internationally is anime/manga. A country that uses Doraemon as an ambassador for the Olympics, features anime characters in the Olympic closing ceremony parade, and uses anime-style chibi figures as mascots is rare, even centuries from now."
"By the way, this is also important. Do you have any dietary restrictions?" Mrs. Hikigaya asked, clasping her hands.
"No, none," Artoria replied. If she were fighting a war, she would eat pig feed for the energy needed to fight, and any dissatisfaction could be vented on the enemy later.
Mashiro saw Artoria's action and shook her head as well.
'It seems these two children are still a bit nervous. It's understandable, leaving their families and boarding with strangers in a foreign country,' Mrs. Hikigaya thought.
"Is that so? Then, my next question is, what kind of food do you like?" Mrs. Hikigaya, the clever head of the household, asked again.
"Baumkuchen! Melon bread!" Mashiro answered without hesitation.
"Hamburgers and fried chicken!" Artoria also answered decisively.
"Eh?" Mrs. Hikigaya blinked.
'Do British people really eat fast food and bread as staple meals?'
She didn't think she knew how to make anything other than fried chicken.
At this moment, Mr. Hikigaya was holding the bottle of vineyard red wine, turning it over in his palm. Although it wasn't a priceless vintage, it was still a good item that only locals could get their hands on.
Mrs. Hikigaya, the wise head of the household, immediately put down the apron she was about to put on, and smiled, "Haha, then we'll just have Shirou make those things for you when he gets back."
"Mhm," Mashiro nodded repeatedly.
"Understood," Artoria agreed.
Just then, a boy's sneeze echoed from the front door of the Hikigaya house.
It turned out that Shirou had returned home during their conversation.
The flight from Paris went directly to the airport in Chiba Prefecture, bypassing the need to transfer at the Tokyo airport. The school had arranged for drivers to use school buses to take the students home, and they would all meet at the school the next morning for a summary meeting.
The school bus had a smooth journey on the road, passing through several green lights, so he arrived home quickly.
"Thank you, and see you tomorrow, everyone." Shirou thanked the driver, waved goodbye to his classmates, and stepped off the school-arranged car. As he dragged his suitcase and walked toward his house, he felt a tickle in his nose.
"I'm home," Shirou took out his key, dragged his suitcase, opened the door, and called out casually. He immediately sat down in the entryway to change his shoes.
Soon, quick, cluttered footsteps sounded.
"Welcome home, big brother!" Komachi ran out, shouting excitedly.
"Oh, Komachi," Shirou replied without looking up. He figured she was just eager for the gift he brought back, right?
"Welcome home."
"Mhm..." What was with that soft, emotionless voice?
"Welcome home, Shirou."
"Eh?!" Shirou jolted upright, turning around. He saw the blonde girl in a dress.
A petite figure, with a beautiful face that seemed too lovely for a mortal. Though only fourteen or fifteen years old, she always had a serious expression, but only he knew that the girl would sometimes unintentionally reveal a cute look befitting her face.
Sometimes when he went out for school or groceries, she would rest at home, waiting for his return. When he opened the door with his key, he would often see the girl standing in the entryway saying, "Welcome home."
This nostalgic feeling, experienced a lifetime apart, was here again. Her clear voice echoed in his ears.
"Artoria..." Shirou gazed at the girl, softly calling out her name.
"Hey! Hey! Big brother, snap out of it!" Komachi called out repeatedly.
"Woof woof~!" Caval II ran up to Shirou, rubbing against his pants.
"Oh, eh?! Good boy." Shirou finally came back to his senses, stroked the white dog's head, and then blinked as he looked at the smiling Komachi and Mashiro, confirming that three girls were standing in front of him.
"Why? Did you bring Mashiro here? Is the school over there okay?" Shirou asked, surprised.
"Shirou, I came here to study to become a mangaka," Mashiro said to the boy.
"I see, that's your dream. Welcome... no, wait! Even if you came to Tokyo, why are you at my house?" Shirou asked strangely.
"?" Mashiro tilted her small head in confusion.
"Shirou, welcome home. These two children will be staying here for the next month as temporary exchange boarders," Mrs. Hikigaya said, walking out.
"I'm home, Mom. Boarders?" Shirou said, looking at Artoria and the oblivious Mashiro, trying to glean some information from their expressions.
Artoria stared back at the boy, saying nothing, yet seeming to say everything at once.
Behind them, Komachi and Mrs. Hikigaya exchanged glances and expressions.
'I feel like this is very feasible!' Komachi spread her five fingers and then clenched them tightly.
'No! Even if it's not feasible, we'll make it feasible with our power!' Mrs. Hikigaya indicated by making a gesture across her neck.
The mother and daughter nodded heavily.
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