Chapter Thirty-Six: The Eve

Yui took it and thanked him, then sat off to the side with the cup in her hands.

Huh, isn't this the girl from yesterday? Yui said in surprise when she saw Rumi sitting beside Yukino.

I'm Rumi Tsurumi, not "this girl."

Little Rumi spoke up, displeased.

Oh, oh.

Yui nodded.

My name is Yuihama Yui. Nice to meet you.

Are you their friend? Rumi asked Yukino and Hachiman.

Yes.

Rumi frowned at the answer. You two are completely different from her.

Uh... Yui wasn't happy at all with that assessment. It feels like she's insulting me...

No, you're just overthinking it.

Yukino was extremely protective.

Right, Teacher Hiratsuka said there's a river here where we can play in the water! Yui said excitedly, as if she had suddenly remembered something.

Come on, Little Snow, let's go. It's so hot here.

Yui looked at Yukino expectantly.

Did you bring a swimsuit? Yukino asked.

Hee hee, of course I did.

Then that's settled. Let's go.

Mm~ I'm going too! Komachi suddenly spoke up.

Sure. Hikki and... uh... right, Rumi, are Hikki and Rumi coming too? Yui asked the other two people, who were calmly drinking tea.

I didn't bring a swimsuit. You guys go ahead.

Hachiman waved his hand, indicating that he was content to watch.

I didn't bring one either. Wherever Dad goes, I go.

Little Rumi didn't even look at Yui as she edged closer to Yukino beside her.

Dad? Daddy? Dango was dumbfounded.

It's because you said something about the three of us looking like a family. Now this child calls Hachiman "Dad" whenever she sees him.

Yukino glared at Yui.

Ugh~ How is that my fault? I was just surprised. You three really do look alike.

Yui spoke innocently.

All right, aren't you guys going back to change into your swimsuits? Hachiman interrupted their conversation.

Exactly. Come on, Little Snow. I'm practically dying of heat.

As Yui spoke, she tugged at the collar of her shirt, making her two Dangos bounce up and down.

Yukino, Rumi, and Komachi immediately turned hostile gazes on the extraordinary Yui.

Huh~ Why does it suddenly feel a little cooler?

The naturally airheaded girl had no idea that the chill came from the three class enemies standing before her.

After saying that, Yui hurriedly dragged Yukino and Komachi toward the house, leaving Hachiman to stroll leisurely with Rumi by the hand.

By the time Hachiman and Rumi leisurely reached the riverbank, Yui and the others had caught up from behind.

Want to sit over there? Hachiman pointed to a patch of shade beneath a tree by the river and asked Rumi.

Little one nodded faintly, waiting until Hachiman spread paper over the ground before sitting down with measured grace.

Why did you suddenly start calling me Dad? Hachiman asked with a smile.

None of your business.

The little princess turned her head away awkwardly.

All right, all right. I won't interfere. Call me whatever you want.

Hachiman patted his cheap adopted daughter's head, only to find that she merely blushed without resisting.

When Hachiman took his hand away, Rumi leaned against him and closed her eyes for a nap.

Hachiman merely adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable.

On the eve of the Thirty-Sixth Chapter

Rumi was sleeping soundly when she suddenly felt her breathing obstructed. Opening her eyes, she found that Hachiman was pinching her nose.

She slapped Hachiman's hand away irritably and glared at him like a fluffed-up kitten.

Didn't you sleep last night? Hachiman asked softly. It's noon already. You've been asleep for several hours.

Huh? Having just woken up, Rumi let out a small, childish murmur.

Little one blinked sleepily and looked at Hachiman with a dazed expression.

Is it noon already? Rumi asked.

They've already been walking for more than ten minutes. You wouldn't wake up, so I had to call you, Hachiman explained.

Rumi pondered this, when suddenly her little stomach growled.

The girl instantly flushed red and didn't dare look at the smiling Hachiman.

Come on? Hachiman didn't expose her. He simply extended a hand toward Little one, indicating that she should follow him.

Rumi didn't take Hachiman's hand. Instead, she opened her arms, wanting him to carry her.

Hachiman smiled wryly, but still forced himself to lift Rumi into his arms despite his aching arms.

Rumi hooked her arms around Hachiman's neck and adjusted her position in his embrace to make herself more comfortable.

In the end, Hachiman placed one hand openly on Little one's bottom and supported her back with the other.

Rumi cooperated fully, wrapping both arms around Hachiman's neck. Her soft little breasts pressed tightly against his chest, while her dangling legs swayed gently, showing how good she was feeling.

Hachiman carried Little Rumi along as he ambled slowly to the place where they were eating.

Hayama, who was busy working, was stunned when he saw the scene. He stared blankly as Hachiman carried Rumi over and sat down beside the table.

Hayama was suddenly scalded by rising steam. He immediately came back to his senses and stopped looking at Rumi and Hachiman, who were getting along like father and daughter. Instead, he devoted himself to preparing the ingredients in his hands.

At that moment, Rumi suddenly jumped down from Hachiman's arms. Hachiman asked in confusion, What are you going to do?

Pick flowers.

Little one said this faintly.

Pick flowers? Hachiman watched Rumi run toward the house, completely at a loss.

There aren't any flowers to pick in the house.

After seeing Rumi leave, Hayama wiped his hands and walked over.

Looks like you're getting along quite well with that child.

Hayama smiled as he spoke.

It's all right. Maybe I'm just better at handling this sort of thing.

Hachiman spoke indifferently.

You don't have to be so modest. She trusts you a lot now. At the very least, that's something I can see.

Seeing this, I can finally relax. How do you plan to handle things from here? Hayama asked.

That's where I need your help.

Hachiman told Hayama about his original plan.

I see. That can be done. This is something I can help with.

Hayama nodded and agreed.

But if you do that, she might still be isolated in the future.

That's why I asked Yukino to help transfer her to another school. She trusts me and Yukino quite a lot now. We just need to help her get through this period.

Hachiman explained.

I see. Then I can rest easy.

Hayama said this and prepared to leave.

Just then, Rumi came pattering out of the house and threw herself at Hachiman, climbing up him with both hands and feet.

Hachiman naturally pulled her into his arms and felt some moisture on her hands.

So that's what she meant by picking flowers.

Hachiman thought this to himself.

Seeing Rumi throw herself into Hachiman's arms again and hide like an ostrich, Hayama smiled without saying anything. He merely waved at Hachiman before returning to his place and resuming his work.

Hachiman, meanwhile, stroked Rumi's hair from time to time. As he watched Little one lie expressionlessly in his arms, the smile never left his face.

Hachiman-kun, come help with something.

Yukino called out without turning her head.

Um, I have to go help. Can you let go of me? Hachiman lowered his head and sought permission from the little princess.

Little Rumi snorted unhappily, then silently released her arms from around Hachiman.

Seeing her awkward reaction, Hachiman simply patted Rumi's head with a smile.

Hachiman walked over to Yukino and asked softly, What did you call me over for?

Come fix this. Then we can eat. These past two days, I feel like nothing but a housewife.

Thanks for your effort, but if you don't do it, are you going to have Yui do it?

Huh? What do you mean, Hikki? Yui unhappily raised her head from where she was blowing air into the stove.

Pfft, hahaha! What happened to your face? Hachiman burst out laughing when he saw Yui's soot-blackened face.

What's wrong? Yui asked in confusion.

Yukino, who had finished her own work, said nothing. She simply found a small mirror and held it in front of Yui's face.

Whoa~ What is this?

Yui cried out when she saw her blackened face in the mirror and rubbed at it with her hand.

Don't rub it. You'll only make it dirtier. Go wash your face.

Yukino reminded her.

Oh! After hearing that, Yui hurried to the faucet and washed her face.

After Hachiman finished feeding Rumi one bite at a time, Little one finally jumped down and returned to her territory.

Yukino waited for the right moment, then moved close to Hachiman and whispered.

I've already spoken with her parents. After summer vacation, she'll transfer to the school near my house.

That fast? How did you handle it?

Her parents spend most of their time away and don't have time to look after her. Once they heard what I told them and learned my surname, they agreed immediately.

I see. Then that's fine.

Hachiman nodded.