At the Fireworks Festival

"What's wrong? Why do you still look half-dead?" Hachiman tapped Komachi on the head, teasing her despite already knowing the answer.

"Ah, Onii-chan, you're so mean. I'm not talking to you anymore."

Komachi angrily turned her head away, her little cheeks puffed up like steamed buns.

Hachiman burst out laughing as he looked at Komachi, who had stayed up all night finishing her homework the night before last and yesterday morning.

"Who told you to wait until so late to do it? I reminded you so many times."

Yukino added another blow.

"Waaah, Sister Yukino, you too? I don't want to live anymore."

"All right, stop fooling around. Hurry up, eat, and go to school."

Hachiman said this to Komachi, who was sprawled across the table pretending to be dead.

Komachi gave a cold snort and silently ate her breakfast.

"How's the new school?" Hachiman asked Rumi beside him.

"Mm, it's all right."

Little one answered indifferently.

"What do you mean, 'all right'? Is it the same as before?" Hachiman pressed with concern.

"...No... I'm just not used to it yet." Rumi spoke somewhat bashfully.

"What aren't you used to?"

"Ah, well... yesterday, two people suddenly came to me and asked me what I liked."

Little one stammered.

"I see. Then I can rest easy."

Hachiman nodded, understanding the situation.

"Were they boys or girls?"

Hachiman suddenly asked out of nowhere.

"Huh? They were both girls. What's wrong?"

Little Rumi answered, baffled.

Yukino rolled her eyes helplessly when she heard Hachiman's question.

"Nothing, nothing. Hurry up and eat, or we'll be late."

Hachiman brushed it off casually.

After the four of them finished eating, they successively got into the car that had previously driven Yukino around.

On the way, Komachi and Rumi got out of the car one after another.

How many lifetimes would I have to work before I could afford a car like that?

Masami Nakajima, who rode her bicycle to and from work every day, thought this as she watched Rumi gracefully step out of the luxury car.

"Good morning, Teacher!" Little Rumi called out. She pattered through the school gate, took the hands of the other two girls who had been waiting there for quite some time, and walked on with them, chatting and laughing.

"Let's go."

Only after he could no longer see Rumi did Hachiman give the driver his order with a smile.

"Feeling relieved?" Yukino leaned against Hachiman and asked softly.

"Aren't you worried?" Hachiman held Yukino's slender, pale hand.

"Worrying wouldn't help. The key still lies with her."

Yukino casually traced her fingertips across Hachiman's palm.

Feeling the faint tickle in his palm, Hachiman lowered his head and looked at Yukino's lovely face.

Her snow-white, delicate face was without the slightest blemish, carrying a faint, healthy blush. Her petite cherry lips and exquisite nose adorned it, while her slightly parted mouth revealed several jade-like teeth.

Her long lashes trembled faintly beneath her lowered eyelids. Her dark-blue eyes were like a pool of spring water—quiet, gentle, and deep.

Her slender neck and delicate collarbones formed a breathtaking picture, while the faint kiss marks that had yet to completely fade added a touch of wanton beauty.

"How have you been feeling lately?"

"Feeling how?" Yukino asked, puzzled.

"When it comes, does it still hurt?" Hachiman leaned beside Yukino's ear, his hot breath brushing against it.

"Eek... W-why are you asking that?"

Yukino's face grew even redder.

"I'm just asking. Otherwise, how would I know whether the two months of treatment I gave you worked?"

Hachiman sounded completely justified.

"It... It doesn't hurt anymore, but it still hurt a little last time."

Yukino was so embarrassed she could barely stand it.

"Then we still have to continue. Your feet are still somewhat cold."

Hachiman pondered.

"Really?"

"Don't you feel it yourself? It'll probably get worse in winter."

"So no iced water, ice cream, or anything with cooling properties."

Hachiman continued laying down strict rules for Yukino.

"Mm, all right."

Yukino sounded unwilling, but inside, she felt sweetly happy at Hachiman's concern.

"Young Master, Second Miss, we've arrived."

Yukino's almond-shaped eyes widened as she stared at the driver who had interrupted them for the second time.

Hachiman began to wonder whether the driver had done it deliberately, but when he saw that they had indeed arrived in front of Sobu High School, he could only let it go.

He took Yukino's hand as they got out of the car and strolled along slowly.

Ignoring Shizuka Hiratsuka, who was also walking through the school grounds, Hachiman led Yukino on a small detour to avoid her gaze.

"Why are we avoiding Teacher Hiratsuka?"

Yukino asked in confusion.

"Come on, what do you think would happen if she saw us walking hand in hand? It's better not to provoke her."

Hachiman curled his lips.

As Shizuka Hiratsuka walked along, she gave a small sneeze, rubbed her nose, and said, "Could it be that I've been exposed to too much air-conditioning?"

Hachiman and Yukino parted ways on the stairs and headed toward their respective classes.

The day passed with unusual tranquility. No one had come to the Service Club recently, so the three of them spent club time somewhat bored.

"All right, tell me."

Yukino sat on the sofa and looked at Hachiman like a queen.

"Tell you what?" Hachiman blinked in confusion.

"About you and Yui being caught red-handed by my sister at the fireworks festival."

Hachiman paused and organized his thoughts before slowly recounting the story.

Chapter 47: At the Fireworks Festival

At noon, having just finished eating, Hachiman held the sleepy Rumi while watching television on the sofa. Beside him, Komachi stroked Kaa-kun while reading a girls' magazine.

Yukino, meanwhile, had just finished washing the dishes and wiping the water from her hands as she walked over.

The girl let out a soft sigh. Without even removing her apron, she lay down beside them, draping her two long, pale legs over Hachiman's shoulders and pressing her tender soles firmly against his face.

"What's wrong? Are you tired?" Hachiman asked softly, feeling the faint coolness against his face.

"What do you think? I've never washed dishes at home before."

Yukino spoke grumpily.

"I don't care. I'm not doing it tomorrow."

Yukino hooked her toes around Hachiman's ear and gently dragged them back and forth.

"All right, all right. I'll do it tomorrow, okay?"

Hachiman had no way to deal with Yukino when she acted like such a spoiled little woman.

"No. You're doing it all next week."

Yukino was still dissatisfied.

Hachiman nodded in agreement.

"Hey, Onii-chan's cooking tomorrow? Then I need to think about what I want to eat."

Komachi raised her head and rested her chin in her hands, pondering seriously.

"If you want to eat something, make it yourself."

Hachiman said this impatiently.

"What do you mean, Onii-chan? Aren't I your own little sister?" Komachi sat up and kicked Hachiman in the calf.

Hachiman said nothing. He slowly picked up Little Rumi, who was lying there like a corpse, and walked toward the bedroom.

After tucking Rumi in and covering her exposed belly with the blanket, Hachiman turned the air-conditioning up by two degrees, afraid his daughter would get cold.

When he returned to the living room, Hachiman wordlessly pulled Komachi over and gave her a hard smack on the butt.

"Waaah! Onii-chan, what are you doing?"

Komachi covered her butt and asked Hachiman with reddened eyes.

"Do you get to choose what we eat?" Hachiman glared. Komachi shrank her head in fright, and even her ahoge drooped limply.

Komachi gave a cold snort, covered her raised backside, and walked back to her room on her long, pale legs.

"Why are you treating her like that? Just buy her whatever she wants to eat."

Yukino stood up for Komachi.

"You can't spoil that girl. If you're too nice to her, she'll think she can conquer the heavens."

Hachiman waved his hand, indicating that it was no big deal.

"Just wait and see. She'll come out again soon."

Hachiman clearly understood his little sister.

"Fine, fine. You're right."

Yukino curled her lips.

"Heh heh."

Hachiman smiled and pulled Yukino into his arms.

"What are you doing?"

Yukino cried out in surprise.