Arrival / The First Meeting of the Family of Three

What is this? Why do we have to wash our feet before eating? Komachi's face was filled with confusion.

Why are you asking so many questions? Aren't you hungry? Hurry up and eat.

Hachiman tapped Komachi on the head with his chopsticks.

Waaah~ Komachi wailed after being struck for no apparent reason.

Mmm, it's a little cold.

Hachiman said this as he ate the breakfast in front of him.

That's what you get for staying in the room with Sister Yukino for so long, Onii-chan. Komachi pouted.

How was I supposed to know she'd come so early? When I woke up, she was already watching me from beside me. She even startled me.

Hachiman lied without even blushing.

Heeheehee, Onii-chan may say that, but you're actually happy inside, aren't you?

Komachi said this with a grin.

Sorry for the trouble.

Yukino sat down in a chair, the blush on her face not yet faded.

What took you so long? Hachiman asked in confusion.

Teacher Hiratsuka just called me and told us to go to the entrance of Sobu High School tomorrow.

Yeah, got it.

Hachiman nodded, then turned to Komachi and said, "Pack your luggage tomorrow. We're going together."

Huh? Where are we going? Komachi asked.

To the countryside for a little fun.

As soon as he finished speaking, Hachiman's phone rang.

Ah, I already know.

Um, Yukino is here with me.

At that moment, Hachiman clearly felt Shizuka Hiratsuka pause.

Can I bring my sister along?

Yeah, okay. Thank you, Teacher.

I'll be there on time tomorrow.

After hanging up, Hachiman and Yukino exchanged a glance before continuing to devour the breakfast in front of them.

Chapter 30: Arrival

Onii-chan, wake up~ It's time to go out.

Komachi said this as she opened Hachiman's bedroom door and pounced onto the bed.

What are you doing?! After being disturbed in his sleep for two days in a row, Hachiman was somewhat annoyed.

We're leaving soon. Sister Yukino is making breakfast. We'll leave after we eat.

Komachi clung to Hachiman like a koala.

Mmm. By the way, get off me first.

How am I supposed to get dressed like this?

Hachiman reached out and pushed Komachi away.

How did you sleep last night? You weren't uncomfortable sleeping with Yukino, were you? Hachiman asked casually.

It was fine. Sister Yukino was just cold to the touch, so I had to turn up the air conditioner.

Remembering that cold, smooth sensation, Komachi narrowed her eyes.

Is that so?

Hachiman shrugged casually. "Get me a pair of pants."

Hachiman took the pants Komachi handed him, bent over, and put them on.

Hachiman walked out of his room and saw Yukino bustling around in the kitchen. She was wearing hot pants, a tank top, and an apron. A warm feeling filled Hachiman's heart.

He stepped forward and gently embraced Yukino, who looked just like a virtuous wife and mother. Feeling the warmth and fragrance coming from her petite body, Hachiman felt as if time had stopped at that moment.

Yukino said nothing either. She simply continued what she was doing, feeling Hachiman's hot breath against the back of her neck.

Just as the two of them silently enjoyed this brief moment of peace, Komachi's voice came from behind them.

Ehh~ Onii-chan and Sister Yukino are really close, huh?

Yukino said nothing. She merely shoved Hachiman away with her backside. Once he released her, she finally said, "Go wash your hands. It'll be ready soon."

Okay, okay~ Hachiman replied with a smile.

Once Hachiman and Komachi had taken their seats, Yukino came out carrying two plates. She placed one in front of Komachi and kept the other for herself.

When she saw Hachiman staring at her expectantly, Yukino smiled with narrowed eyes. "Get it yourself. Do you expect me to serve you too?"

Hachiman rose helplessly and brought his portion from the kitchen counter to the dining table.

After the three of them finished eating, Hachiman sprawled on the sofa and played with his phone.

Yukino, meanwhile, took the three plates to the kitchen and washed them.

Before long, Hachiman's phone rang. It was Teacher Hiratsuka calling.

"Hello, Hikigaya. You can bring Komachi over now."

"Okay, I know. We'll leave once Yukino finishes washing the dishes."

Shizuka Hiratsuka was silent for several seconds before hanging up directly.

Looking at the call that had been disconnected, Hachiman could more or less imagine the expression on Shizuka Hiratsuka's face. He grinned and laughed without the slightest bit of remorse.

Yukino, hurry up and change. Teacher Shizuka called.

Hachiman turned to Yukino and urged her on.

I'll change my clothes.

Yukino said this as she wiped the water droplets from her hands.

Komachi, go check whether we've missed anything.

We prepared everything last night. Even Onii-chan's things are packed.

Komachi continued sitting on the nearby sofa, swinging her fair, slender legs as she read a girl's magazine.

Is that so? Then that's fine. We'll leave once Yukino comes out.

Hachiman stood up and stretched.

As he spoke, Yukino came out of the room.

Sorry, did I keep you waiting?

Yukino spoke apologetically.

It's fine. There's no need to hurry anyway.

Hachiman stood waiting in the entryway with his bag.

Yukino bent down and put on her sandals. Then she naturally linked her arm with Hachiman's, took a pair of sunglasses from her bag, and put them on his face. She also put on a pair of the same style, only one size smaller.

Komachi pouted from the side, condemning the two of them for their public display of affection.

They strolled leisurely all the way to the entrance of Sobu High School, where Shizuka Hiratsuka was waiting beside a pickup truck.

Seeing the two of them approaching with their arms linked, Shizuka Hiratsuka felt her mood worsen. She could only approach them with a dark expression.

You're here. Wait a moment. There are still a few people who haven't arrived.

Hearing the unmistakable hostility in Teacher Shizuka's voice, Hachiman obediently nodded and pulled Yukino to stand off to the side.

After a while, Yui came running over unsteadily. She paused when she saw Yukino holding Hachiman's arm, then continued forward and greeted the two of them.

Yahallo~ Little Snow, Hikki! You're here so early.

Yui's face held a faint smile.

Yukino merely nodded lightly before continuing to stand there like an ice sculpture.

Soon after, Ayaka ran over as well. He froze when he saw Yukino and Hachiman, and the expression on his face clearly grew gloomy.

Um, Yukinoshita and Hachiman seem to have a really good relationship.

Little Aya doesn't know? These two have already officially started dating.

I-is that so?

Ayaka spoke dejectedly.

Exactly! I don't even know how these two ended up getting together.

Not noticing Ayaka's expression, Yui continued talking without pause.

All right, stop talking. Hurry up and get in the car.

Teacher Shizuka was extremely displeased. Seeing them still talking about dating, she interrupted them directly.

Yui immediately shrank her neck and shut her mouth with an aggrieved expression.

Under Shizuka Hiratsuka's urging, the five of them got into the car together.

As they traveled, the curious Yui asked Teacher Shizuka, "Where are we going?"

Smoking a cigarette, Teacher Shizuka impatiently blew out a ring of smoke. "Didn't I tell you on the phone yesterday? We're going to the countryside in Chiba to volunteer. Some elementary school students are going to summer camp, and we're going to help out."

Huh, elementary school students?

What's wrong? You look really surprised.

Nothing. It's just... when I was in elementary school, I never had any summer camps.

Yui lamented the unfairness of fate.

Shizuka Hiratsuka let out a brief sigh of unclear meaning.

After that, an eerie atmosphere settled over the car. Ayaka sat beside Hachiman and Yukino, listening to their quiet whispers. Several times, he tried to start a conversation with Hachiman, but always gave up halfway.

The group drove all the way to their destination. Along the way, the only sounds in the car were Hachiman and Yukino's occasional quiet laughter.

Hachiman reached out and gently shook Yui, who had fallen asleep in the front seat. The girl sleepily opened her bleary eyes and looked at Hachiman. "Ah, have we arrived?"

Hachiman nodded. Yui said apologetically, "Sorry. I stayed up late chatting with a friend last night, so I didn't get much sleep."

What is there to apologize for? Hachiman looked somewhat puzzled.

Mmm, that's true.

Heeheehee, I guess I'm a little sleep-addled.

Yui stuck out her pink tongue and tilted her head as she spoke.

Oh my, Hikigaya-kun, you came too?

Hachiman turned around and discovered that it was Hayama and the others.

Chapter 31: The First Meeting of the Family of Three

Ah, you came too.

Hachiman nodded and greeted Hayama.

Oh my, isn't this Hikigaya-kun?