On the couch sat a young girl, completely absorbed in the anime playing on the television.
Her hair fell just to her shoulders, the same color as his, even with a single ahoge sprouting from the top of her head. But unlike her rather plain-looking brother, she had a lively, adorable charm to her—bright, energetic, and brimming with youth.
This was his sister, Hikigaya Komachi.
"Komachi."
He called out to her.
"Eh? Onii-chan, what's with that dead-fish look? Did I do something to make you mad?"
Komachi turned toward him with a teasing smile.
"I've always had dead-fish eyes, remember? Though I have to say, that line of yours really is kind of irritating."
He replied with a mock frown.
"Ah, sorry, Onii-chan! Don't be mad, okay? Komachi was just joking! Seriously, though, you shouldn't keep that same expression all the time—it's kind of scary."
She clasped her hands together in mock apology, flashing her small, cute canine teeth.
"I was joking too," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"See? You look much better when you smile, Onii-chan!"
Komachi stood up, nodding in satisfaction as she patted him on the shoulder.
Hey—who's supposed to be the older sibling here?!
Hachiman watched her with a sigh before straightening his expression. "Komachi, I have something really important to ask you."
"Huh? Did I hear that right? The ever-so-lonely knight, my Onii-chan, is actually asking me for help? This must be a first!"
Komachi's eyes widened in mock astonishment.
"Just answer me—yes or no," Hachiman said, narrowing his eyes.
"Of course I'll help! As your little sister, how could I refuse? I'll always be your final line of support, no matter what happens—"
She paused, blinked, and then struck a pose. "Ah, that line sounded kinda cool, didn't it?"
So cute. Seriously, was this creature called Komachi Hikigaya raised entirely on adorableness?
"Well then," she said cheerfully, clasping her hands behind her back. "What is it my reliable self can help with?"
"Actually… I was hoping to borrow a little money from you."
"Oh? Is that all? Sure, how much?"
"About fifty thousand yen."
"...Sorry, how much?"
"Fifty thousand or so."
"Hold on, Komachi does have that much saved up, but isn't that a bit suspicious? Onii-chan, you're usually really frugal, right? Don't tell me you racked up some kind of debt outside, can't pay it off, and now you're coming to your poor little sister for help…"
Her clear eyes narrowed with suspicion as she studied him.
"Don't ask too many questions," Hachiman said, looking slightly embarrassed.
"No way! I can't just hand over money without knowing what it's for! What if I become your accomplice in something shady? Unless," she said with a grin, "this is for buying, you know, adult books or something."
"Wait, Komachi! What are you even saying?!"
"What's so shocking? You are at that age, Onii-chan."
Her expression clearly said, You know exactly what I mean.
"I'm not talking about that… Fine, I'll tell you. I'm buying a laptop."
"A laptop?"
Komachi's gaze sharpened, prompting him to continue.
"Yeah… I'm planning to start submitting light novels. I need it to write."
After all, since their schedules were similar, he could hide things from their parents—but not from her. Better to come clean now than be found out later.
"Wait, wait—submitting light novels? You mean you actually want to become a light novel author?"
Komachi looked utterly dumbfounded.
Hachiman nodded seriously.
"Onii-chan, are you sick? Did you hit your head or something? Stop daydreaming already."
She pressed her hand to his forehead, checking for a fever.
"No fever," she muttered under her breath.
"I'm serious," he reaffirmed.
Komachi locked eyes with him, as if gauging the sincerity behind those perpetually dead-fish eyes.
"Well… if Onii-chan's decided, then Komachi will support you," she said at last, folding her arms. "Sometimes, you have to experience failure to move forward in life, right?"
She turned slightly, her profile lit softly by the TV's glow.
"Wait, you're saying I'm doomed to fail already?"
"I never said that," she replied, whistling innocently.
"Just watch, Komachi. Your Onii-chan's going to make you proud."
After receiving the money from his sister, Hachiman silently made up his mind.
A few days later, one evening when their parents were working overtime and wouldn't be home until late, he finally brought his newly purchased laptop into his room. He hid it in a drawer with a lock—just in case.
Until he produced something worthwhile, it was best to keep this secret from his parents. No need to spark unnecessary drama.
Thanks to his reincarnation, his memory and focus were sharper than before, and since he already knew much of what he was studying, his grades were stable.
He was confident he could balance schoolwork and writing.
After dinner, Hachiman locked his bedroom door, sat down, and carefully set up his new laptop. Under the warm desk light, his eyes gleamed with determination.
"Then… let's begin," he murmured.
"My life."