The next day at noon.
First-Year Area.
"Who is that guy?"
"Seems like the Student Council Vice President. What was his name again?"
"I forgot too. What is the Student Council Vice President doing in our first-year area?"
"I heard that guy is very flirtatious, treats the school entirely as his own paradise, and likes to make moves on pretty girls."
"He wouldn't be looking for someone, right?"
"Really, how disgusting."
Hikigaya stood not far from Class 1-A and chose not to approach.
That's how it is.
Although he didn't care.
His image would undoubtedly affect Komachi's reputation.
He was indeed being avoided...
Hikigaya opened his phone's front camera, looking at his own reflection and giving two dry laughs.
Although he didn't talk much in middle school.
Now he was clearly being avoided.
This was something that couldn't be helped.
Most likely she heard the evaluations from others in the school; what should he do if she said "I don't have a brother like you"?
Hikigaya turned and left.
His heart was suddenly a bit apprehensive.
Helpless.
Hikigaya went up the stairs to return to the third-year area.
Just then.
Half a small head poked out from a corner, the ahoge on top swaying back and forth.
"Komachi..."
Hikigaya recognized her at a glance.
His own sister was using her two small hands to grip the wall and observe this side.
His heart had been full of longing, but at the moment of the actual meeting, he was somewhat uneasy, probably because it had been too long since they last met.
Very well.
Let's give a cheerful greeting.
"Yo... Komachi..."
Hikigaya waved his hand and went forward with a bright smile.
"Long time no see. How come I couldn't find you for a few days? You wouldn't be avoiding your brother, would you?"
"Who... are you?"
Hikigaya Komachi said with a look of disdain.
There should be a limit to jokes. Who is this person with a bright smile on his face?
Hikigaya Hachiman's face stiffened as he was hit hard.
He hurriedly pointed at himself and said:
"It's me, it's me! Your Onii-chan, Hikigaya Hachiman."
"Who... are you?"
"..."
Hikigaya Hachiman was suddenly a bit speechless, finally realizing that this fellow was joking.
"What are you doing? Why keep repeating that sentence? Are you a skipping record?"
"Ah, it really is Onii-chan..."
Only then did Hikigaya Komachi stand out. The two looked at each other and couldn't help but smile.
"Welcome..."
"Save those words for later."
Before Hikigaya could finish, Komachi held out her small hand:
"Give me your dorm card first. After school, I have some things to say to Onii-chan. And just so you know, it's a private talk."
"Oh..."
Hikigaya hurriedly took out the room card from his pocket and handed it to Komachi. Then the fellow turned and headed for the cafeteria.
This girl is still as hasty as ever.
...
After school.
Hikigaya asked Ichinose for leave and borrowed the room card by the way; today was time for some private time with his sister.
"Brother, wait a bit; I'm making dinner."
Just as he entered the dorm.
He heard Hikigaya Komachi's voice coming from the kitchen.
Hikigaya put down his bag and stood at the door, watching Komachi at the stove.
"Why does this feel nostalgic?"
"I told you not to disturb me. Housework is Komachi's job; Onii-chan, get out quickly."
"Understood..."
He was being disliked.
Only, even that was nostalgic.
Hikigaya sat at the low table. Soon, Komachi finished making dinner.
Rice, meat and potato stew, fish, miso soup.
It wasn't particularly grand.
But for someone who hadn't eaten it for several years, it truly brought back memories.
"Well, I'm eating now."
Seeing Komachi put her hands together, Hikigaya followed suit.
However, Hikigaya Komachi remained silent, creating an atmosphere that wasn't exactly conducive to talking.
It wasn't until dinner was finished.
That Hikigaya Komachi put down her chopsticks, crossed her arms, and became somewhat serious:
"So, Onii-chan, tell me about your situation. Why did it turn out like this? Do you know how the school evaluates it?"
"Well, I know some of it."
Feeling nervous inside, Hikigaya recounted everything that had happened since enrollment.
Though he forgot a few things in the middle, it was mostly accurate.
"I see, it's definitely Onii-chan's style."
After listening.
Hikigaya Komachi pinched her chin and lowered her head in thought.
After all, Onii-chan is a responsibility maniac; if he was pushed into it, he'd only think about taking responsibility to the end.
And that Ichinose-oneesan seems a bit indecisive as well.
That Sakayanagi Arisu-senpai sounds like a very scary person too.
"Komachi..."
The quiet silence made Hikigaya feel a bit awkward.
"Aren't you going to say anything?"
"What?"
Hikigaya Komachi put her hands on her hips and lifted her chin.
"Does Onii-chan think Komachi will start lecturing? How could that be? Big brother is big brother; I wouldn't do such a thing."
"..."
Hearing this.
Hikigaya was stunned for a moment; what had he been worrying about?
Big brother is big brother; family is family.
She would only stand by his side unconditionally.
Thinking of this.
The corners of Hikigaya's mouth couldn't help but curve into a teasing smile.
"What's this? This person is so smug."
"Wow, he's getting carried away all of a sudden. This guy has no self-awareness at all."
Hikigaya Komachi also feigned a shock, leaning her body back.
"Whatever."
Hikigaya Komachi coughed twice and crossed her arms.
"Since Onii-chan is a boy, he probably won't lose out, and..."
Saying this.
Hikigaya Komachi's tone softened slightly.
"Onii-chan is attending school properly, his eyes have become brighter, and it looks like he plans to work hard in the future."
"He's more decent than before, so it's a good thing."
"Although I feel a bit sorry for them, who told Komachi to be Onii-chan's sister?"
"Then there's no helping it."
"And..."
Hikigaya Komachi gave a mischievous grin:
"That Sakayanagi-oneesan sounds like she has a lot of money. The more sisters-in-law there are, the more advantageous it is for Komachi. I'll surely receive a lot of New Year's money."
"So that's your goal..."
Hikigaya was somewhat speechless.
Perhaps this was Komachi's way of showing concern.
"But..."
Hikigaya Komachi looked at the dorm room, somewhat dissatisfied.
"What's with this tidy dorm? It's completely unlike Onii-chan's style."
"Well, Honami and the others helped me clean it."
"Is the relationship already at that stage? I guess so. What's going on? I feel like something has been snatched away. Komachi is a bit unwilling."
"It's fine. They are all very kind people. By the way, Komachi, let me introduce everyone to you tomorrow, and then let's have a grand welcome party."
"Really?"
Hikigaya Komachi's eyes lit up.
But at the same time, she felt Onii-chan's change. Before, there would definitely never be something like a banquet.
"Oh, I almost forgot."
Hikigaya Komachi slapped her head: "Onii-chan, this is bad. Does that Ichinose-oneesan have a younger sister? That person wants to make you drop out."
"Onii-chan, we'll talk about the welcome party later. Let's find time to meet that person first."
"Hmm?"
Hikigaya frowned.
He had naturally discussed this topic with Ichinose.
He remembered Ichinose Kanon was in Class D. He didn't expect her to get involved with Komachi and even want him to drop out.