Those Matters Concerning a Second Child

You've got some nerve, Hachiman. How dare you take advantage of your own daughter? Are you even human? Yukino scolded him softly.

I'm innocent! I didn't do anything.

Hachiman protested aggrievedly.

You're still claiming innocence? Are you saying Rumi was lying? Yukino raised her lovely willow-shaped brows, her dignified, dark-blue slit pupils fixed intently on Hachiman.

No... I mean... Hachiman faltered.

Just say it. Did you lick Little Rumi's feet or not?

Yukino cut him off.

Well... yes, but it wasn't my fault! Hachiman said helplessly, feeling that he would never be able to clear his name today.

Huh? It wasn't your fault? Could she have taken the initiative herself?

Yukino stood up and bent down until her eyes were level with Hachiman's. With one hand, she pointed behind her at Rumi, who was grinning mischievously at Hachiman.

When Little Rumi saw Hachiman looking at her, her large, dark eyes spun slyly. She leaned close to Komachi's ear and whispered something.

Komachi turned her gaze toward Hachiman. Her face reddened slightly, but she nodded and agreed to whatever Rumi had said.

For some reason, Hachiman felt that there was a trace of... pity in Rumi's gaze.

Not knowing why Rumi was looking at him that way, Hachiman suppressed his confusion and spoke to Yukino.

I'm telling you, she really did take the initiative. I nearly suffocated when she tried to shove that little foot of hers in there.

Hachiman solemnly stated the facts.

However, in Yukino's eyes, Rumi had always been a well-behaved and beautiful daughter. Upon hearing Hachiman's words, she merely sighed in exasperation.

Rumi, tell me what happened.

Yukino turned her head and motioned for Rumi to speak.

I... sob... I was at home... playing my PSP. After Dad came home and saw me, he suddenly pounced on me and started by touching my thigh.

Then... then... Rumi sobbed, pretending to look frightened as she glanced at Hachiman. She hesitated, as if she wanted to speak but could not.

Go ahead and tell me. Mom's here. He won't dare do anything.

Yukino pulled Rumi into her arms and comforted her.

Rumi wriggled in Yukino's embrace, rubbing her little head against Yukino's small chest. She wiped away a tear she had forced out before continuing.

Then... Dad grabbed my foot with his hand. He sucked it, licked it, and even bit it.

Rumi spoke pitifully.

And... and he also said he wanted me to take off my clothes. He said he wanted to check my physical development.

The little one put on an innocent expression, but her words were shocking enough to stop a heart.

The moment those words left her mouth, Hachiman felt like swallowing gold and killing himself.

Yukino nearly fainted from anger.

You... Yukino pointed at Hachiman with a trembling finger, but for a long while, she could not say a word.

Clutching her chest, Yukino finally seemed to catch her breath after quite some time.

Hachiman, are you still planning to deny it? Yukino demanded furiously.

Um... can Komachi say something? Komachi, who had been watching the show, suddenly spoke up.

Go ahead.

Yukino waved weakly.

Komachi, hurry and help prove my innocence.

Hachiman looked at his sweet little sister hopefully.

Hehehe, actually, Onii-chan licked Komachi's feet too. It felt pretty good, though.

Komachi narrowed her eyes and delivered the finishing blow.

In an instant, Hachiman felt that he had lost all hope of living. He flopped onto the floor and slammed his head against it repeatedly.

Yukino was too angry to speak. She merely stared coldly at Hachiman.

Komachi, go pack your things with Rumi.

Yukino no longer looked at Hachiman. Instead, she turned directly toward the two behind her.

Huh? Why are we packing? Komachi blinked in confusion.

From today onward, the two of you will live with me. There's enough room for two more people at my place.

Why?

I'm worried that this scumbag will harass you two.

After saying that, Yukino turned and walked away.

My little ancestor, what are you trying to do? Hachiman ran in front of Rumi and wailed.

Pineapple cakes.

The little one answered without changing expression.

You're going this far just because I forgot to buy you pineapple cakes? Hachiman said frantically, looking at his little daughter, who was acting like a tiny demon.

Hmph. The fact that Dad licked my feet is true.

You were the one who offered them to me, weren't you?

No way.

Little ancestor, can we stop messing around?

Pineapple cakes! Rumi repeated, unable to forget them.

Two boxes. I'll go buy them right now, all right?

The little princess nodded in satisfaction, but made no further response.

You should go explain things to Yukino. I have a feeling she's about to call the police.

Hachiman shuddered violently as he imagined being arrested and imprisoned for molesting a minor.

Hehehe, Onii-chan, don't worry. Sister Yukino won't do that.

Komachi spoke with a bright smile.

And you! Why did you have to join in? Believe me, I'll spank you later! Hachiman glared viciously at his troublesome sister.

Waaah~ Onii-chan, I'm sorry! At worst, I'll lick you again.

Although Komachi claimed to be apologizing, she showed no fear at all. Instead, she extended her pale, tender little foot toward Hachiman.

...Hachiman took a deep breath and suppressed the urge to kill someone. Why are you still standing around?

Yukino spoke unpleasantly as she held a travel bag in her hand.

Mom, I have something to tell you.

Little Rumi pattered over to Yukino, stretching out both arms to ask her to pick her up.

So... this was all because Hachiman didn't buy you pineapple cakes? Yukino asked in utter astonishment.

When she saw Rumi nod, Yukino suddenly did not dare look at Hachiman.

The next morning, a police car blocked the entrance to the Hikigaya Residence. Someone had called the police, claiming that the cries of at least three girls had continuously come from the Hikigaya Mansion the previous night, leading the neighbors to believe that Hachiman was trafficking people.

Chapter 40: Those Matters Concerning a Second Child

Quite some time had passed since Yukino and the other two had interrogated the wrongfully accused Hachiman. After dealing with the police called by her idiot neighbor the next day, Yukino returned to her apartment and brought over some luggage.

That night, Hachiman began his shameless, dissolute life of living alone with three beautiful women.

As the culprit who had wronged Hachiman, Little Rumi was pinned down on the bed by her sham parents and given a combined beating from both a man and a woman. She did not get out of bed for two whole days.

Even eating and going to the bathroom required Hachiman to carry her.

Because of that, Yukino once quietly asked Hachiman, "Do you think we hit her too hard?"

You believed her? We only spanked her. It was lighter than a caress. She was pretending the whole time.

Lying on the bed, Hachiman glanced at Rumi at the foot of the bed. She was wearing only a tank top and shorts, leaving large areas of her fair skin exposed. He curled his lip disdainfully and spoke to Yukino, who was leaning against his shoulder.

Ugh, why does everything sound so lewd when you say it?

Yukino's face was full of disgust.

What had I even said? Hachiman was extremely displeased at being inexplicably looked down on.

Hmph. Think about what you did. You nearly choked me to death a few days ago.

Yukino pinched Hachiman's soft flesh with a flushed face.

Was that my fault? Hachiman shamelessly shifted the blame.

So you're saying it was my fault? Yukino increased the force of her pinch.

Stop pinching me. Don't you feel that the flesh here is harder than elsewhere?

Little Rumi glanced sidelong at her unusually affectionate sham parents and turned her back on them in great displeasure.

Then she suddenly turned around and threw herself onto Yukino.

Mom, I'm hungry.

The little one spoke in a childish voice.

Knowing his daughter's personality well, Hachiman immediately realized that she was about to cause trouble. He bared his teeth and quietly watched the show.

Are you hungry? Yukino held Little Rumi and kissed her forehead.

Then I'll go cook. Remember to come out and eat later, you two.

As soon as Yukino walked away on her long, fair legs, Rumi immediately burrowed into Hachiman's embrace, twisting around until she was comfortably settled.

My little ancestor, why did you send Yukino away?

Hachiman affectionately pinched Rumi's little nose.

You two were all over each other first thing in the morning. It was disgusting.

With her nose pinched, the little one's voice sounded muffled.

We were not.

Hmph. You were like that from the moment I got up.

Feeling that her father had been claimed by someone else, Little Rumi spoke jealously.

Sensing the sourness in his daughter's words, Hachiman felt a terrible headache coming on.

Why did both of them like getting jealous so much? What would he do if they had another child in the future?

Why does Dad need to have another daughter? Rumi, now in high school, had grown into a beauty comparable to Yukino in her youth.

However, her eyes were vacant at that moment, and she held a machete in her hand.

Dad already has me, doesn't he? As she spoke, she swung the blade viciously at Hachiman.

Hachiman shuddered and shook the impractical fantasies from his mind.

He picked Rumi up and adjusted her body so that she faced him. Looking at the puzzled Rumi, Hachiman put on what he thought was a gentle smile.

Ugh, that expression is so creepy. What are you planning to do to me? Mom's right outside.

Although Rumi had been lifted high into the air, her tone carried a hint of anticipation.

Ahem, what are you thinking? I just wanted to ask—if Yukino and I had a daughter of our own someday, would you mind? Hachiman asked carefully, afraid that his little ancestor might suddenly turn evil.

Oh? What does that have to do with me? Why would I mind? Rumi blinked her large eyes, completely puzzled.

Is that so?