Chapter Forty-One: Yukino and the Dog

Although he claimed not to care, Hachiman could still hear a trace of loneliness in Rumi's tone.

Well, by the time your little sister is born, you'll probably be as old as I am now.

The little one smiled at the word "sister," but quickly reined it in and put on a cold expression again.

Don't learn that from your Mom. What's so good about acting cold?

Hachiman seriously lectured Little Rumi.

What did I do? Sister Yukino suddenly walked in from outside.

Nothing... I was praising your cooking and telling Rumi to learn from you.

Hachiman spoke awkwardly while also winking at Rumi.

Really? Yukino suspiciously studied Hachiman's strange expression.

Did he really say that just now? Yukino asked Little Rumi.

Rumi nodded lightly.

All right, come eat quickly.

Yukino happily called out to the two of them.

Seeing that Rumi had helped cover for him, Hachiman sighed in relief and carried her toward the dining room.

Ha~ Good morning, Onii-chan.

Komachi rubbed her eyes, yawned, and greeted Hachiman.

Hachiman carried Rumi out and saw that Komachi looked half-asleep, even her ahoge drooping. He asked, "Did you not sleep well last night?"

Hehe, I accidentally played until too late yesterday.

Komachi scratched her head and spoke sheepishly.

Be more careful. Even though it's summer vacation, you still shouldn't stay up so late. You're still growing, too, so you especially can't lack sleep.

Hachiman reminded her.

I know, I know. Onii-chan, you sound like an old housewife.

Komachi said impatiently.

You brat, I'm just worried about you. Look at Sister Yukino—she never sleeps properly, and that's why she ended up underdeveloped.

Hachiman tapped Komachi on the forehead, though he said the latter half in an extremely low voice.

Hehehe, Onii-chan doesn't need to worry. I've been drinking milk every day lately.

Wait? Why is Onii-chan concerned about that? Eh, don't tell me...

Komachi suddenly covered her chest and looked at Hachiman warily.

What are you thinking? Do you really think there's any part of you I haven't seen?

Hachiman spoke exasperatedly.

That's true... No, wait, wah~ It's over! Komachi will never get married now! Onii-chan has defiled Komachi!

Komachi wailed.

All right, stop fooling around.

Yukino came out and set the plates in front of the three of them.

Hehehe, ever since Sister Yukino came here, our three meals have become so much more sumptuous.

Komachi praised her sincerely.

Huh? But your brother cooks much better than I do.

Yukino spoke bashfully.

You're kidding, right? Onii-chan cooks better than Sister Yukino? Komachi looked astonished.

I'm just lazy.

Hachiman fed Rumi her breakfast. As he watched the little one snuggle in his arms and gobble down her food, his heart filled with affection.

What about you, Komachi? Have you done your summer homework? I've seen you having fun all this time.

Hachiman asked.

Ah~ There's still plenty of time! I'll do it at the very end.

Komachi forced a dry laugh.

Suit yourself.

Hachiman shrugged and spoke casually.

He then turned around and focused on feeding his daughter again.

Chapter Forty-One: Yukino and the Dog

Hachiman felt as though he were dreaming, because four pairs of long, fair legs were swaying in front of him.

The reason there were four pairs was that the Hikigaya family's pet—Yuihama Yui—had come running over first thing in the morning.

Early that morning, Yukino and Hachiman were wiping the floor when they suddenly heard the doorbell.

Hachiman was about to get up, but Yukino stood up first.

I'm closer. I'll get it.

Hachiman nodded, then continued wiping the floor with his towel.

Hello. Whom are you looking for? Yukino asked as she opened the door.

When Yukino saw who was standing outside, she and the visitor both let out a small cry.

Yui, what are you doing here? Yukino asked in a panic.

I was about to ask why Little Snow was here, dressed like that.

Seeing Yukino in home clothes and wearing a hat made from folded newspaper, Yui looked puzzled.

Huh? Oh, I was just cleaning... Yukino's voice grew quieter and her face turned redder.

Why are you here? Yukino seemed to remember something and stared suspiciously at Yui.

Hehehe, don't look at me like that. I'm not going to steal Hikki from you.

Yui gave a mischievous smile.

I... That's not what I meant.

Yukino now wanted nothing more than to find a hole to hide in.

Relax~ I came to see Hikki about something.

Yui raised the bag she was carrying.

What's in there? Yukino saw that the bag in Yui's hand was still trembling and asked in confusion. Is it alive?

Ta-da~ Yui imitated the sound with her mouth as she opened the bag in her hand.

What do you think~ Cute, right? Yui held Sabure up and showed her to Yukino.

A... a dog? Yukino's voice trembled slightly.

Yep, yep~ What do you think? Cute, right?

Yui held Sabure out a little farther.

Sabure cooperated unusually well, wagging her tail and barking several times at Yukino.

D-don't come any closer.

Yukino slowly backed away, her movements wary.

Huh? What's wrong? Isn't she cute? Yui stroked Sabure's head and asked Yukino in confusion.

Hehehe, Little Snow, do you want to hold her? Yui said as she tried to stuff the dog into Yukino's arms.

Hachiman!

Seeing Yukino scream and stumble as she fled into the house, Yui was completely baffled.

She carried the dog inside as well, slipped off her sandals, looked around, and, finding no slippers, stepped barefoot into Hachiman's home.

So, you're saying you want to go out and have fun, but you're worried that no one will take care of your dog, so you want to leave her at my place for a week?

Hachiman gently stroked Sabure's head, and she wagged her tail in bliss.

That's right, that's right~ I've prepared the dog food and everything. You only need to walk her a few times a day.

Yui handed Hachiman the bag she had been carrying on her back.

What are you doing?

Hachiman asked Yukino, who was cowering behind him.

I... Yukino looked at the dog in Hachiman's arms, then immediately shrank back again.

Huh? Little Snow, what's wrong? Yui asked, unable to help wondering about Yukino, who had seemed strange from the very beginning.

Her? She's afraid of dogs.

Hachiman said flatly.

What! You're kidding, right? Yui cried out in shock.

N-no... It's true... Yukino tugged at Hachiman's clothes and spoke embarrassedly.

Why? She's pretty cute, isn't she? Yui said as she looked at Sabure in Hachiman's arms.

How about trying to touch her, Little Snow? My Sabure is very well-behaved.

Yui snatched Sabure from Hachiman, but unexpectedly, the little one seemed unwilling to leave him and struggled to rub against Hachiman.

Hey! What's with you? You're my dog, you know.

Yui held Sabure as she continued struggling and complained unhappily.

N-no... I refuse.

Yukino pulled her head back behind Hachiman and did not dare look at the dachshund.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. I can't believe it. Little Snow actually has something she's afraid of.

Yui clicked her tongue in amazement.

Hachiman suddenly gave an evil smile, picked up Sabure as she displayed her belly, and walked toward Yukino.

Do you want to try touching her? Her fur is really nice.

Hachiman walked toward Yukino with a chuckle.

W-what are you doing? D-don't come any closer.

Yukino trembled in fear.

Fine.

Hachiman put the dog down and let her wreak havoc on Kamakura.

What are you doing? Hurry and bring Kaa-kun back!

Yukino watched Sabure chase Kamakura around and urged Hachiman on anxiously.

If you're worried about him, go get him yourself. I'm not helping.

Hachiman spread his hands with an evil grin.

Yui~ Seeing that her boyfriend was unreliable, Yukino turned to plead with her best friend.