January Arrives, and a Timely New Gadget

Hashiba Hikaru dragged her suitcase, a smile on her face.

"... Oh well."

Upon hearing this, Ichinose Honami did not insist further and turned to lead the way for Hashiba Hikaru.

"Does Brother Hashiba want a little sister?"

Ichinose Miu's face as she asked the boy a question.

"Yes."

"Then, Brother Hashiba, just treat me like your little sister. Anyway, you and your sister are a couple."

"No problem."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded. Ever since meeting the other party, he had maintained a gentle demeanor. After all, the other party was his girlfriend's family, and they might even be living together in the future, so it was natural for him to take the initiative to be closer to them.

As they continued walking, Hashiba Hikaru kept chatting with the girl next to him. Because of his talkative personality, he quickly became friends with Ichinose Miu.

However, during their conversation, Hashiba Hikaru, with her remarkable observational skills, noticed something else—although the girl beside her looked clean and tidy, her clothes must have been worn for a long time.

Both her down jacket and trousers showed signs of wear and tear, indicating that she hadn't bought new clothes in a long time.

Hashiba Hikaru recalled the family situation that Ichinose Honami had previously explained. Although her girlfriend's tuition and living expenses were waived after she entered high school, her mother still had to support her younger daughter, so the pressure of life was still considerable.

Money is the foundation of this material world; it is the starting point of everything.

The boy's mood suddenly became somewhat heavy. Since he had decided to take on the responsibility for the other person's life, these issues had to be considered together.

Although he and Ichinose Honami have a lot of Private Points, that's not the way to exchange them for money. If they want to get more money, they need to think of new ways.

"Brother Hashiba, what are you thinking about?"

Noticing the change in the boy's expression, Ichinose Miu leaned closer and asked.

"I haven't thought about anything. How about Miu and I open the presents together later?"

"Okay, I'm really looking forward to it!"

"I won't let you down."

After walking for about ten minutes, we finally arrived at Ichinose Honami's house.

Located on the third floor of a rather old-fashioned residential building, the house is accessible via an old iron staircase that creaks underfoot. From the outside, it appears to be a rather simple residence, but the gray-white door panels are very clean, suggesting that the owner is a hardworking person.

"Mom, I brought my sister back!"

Ichinose Miu called out from the doorway.

A few seconds later, the sound of slippers stepping on the wooden floor came from inside the room. When the door opened, a woman wearing an apron appeared before Hashiba Hikaru Hashima.

The other woman had the same hair color as the two sisters, and her beautiful and elegant face was still very charming. She exuded a mature aura, but because she worked for many years, her eyebrows and eyes looked somewhat tired.

"Mom, I'm home!"

Ichinose Honami immediately rushed to the woman's side, who immediately smiled gently and hugged her daughter, intending to shower her with affection. However, she caught a glimpse of another figure standing beside her.

He was a handsome young man, whose tall and upright figure made him very noticeable. When Ichinose Keiko saw his face clearly, she was immediately taken aback.

"Who is this...?"

"Hello, Auntie. My name is Hashiba Hikaru, and I'm Honami's boyfriend. I apologize for the intrusion, but I hope you'll take good care of me."

"... Oh, then come in quickly, don't stand outside."

Mrs. Ichinose paused briefly before letting the three of them go inside. Although Ichinose Honami had called ahead of time, Ichinose Keiko was still very curious about Hashiba Hikaru.

As a mother, she wanted to know what kind of person her daughter had fallen for.

This is something that must be done.

438

Chapter 438 January arrives, and new props arrive just in time.

Upon entering the house, Hashiba Hikaru became even more certain of her earlier assessment. It was a small apartment with only two rooms. Although it was decorated cozy, many details revealed the family's financial difficulties.

"Hashiba- kun, may I call you that?"

Ichinose Keiko was wearing an apron; she had just been preparing a meal, as her eldest daughter was coming home and she needed to prepare some dishes.

"Of course, you can call me whatever you like, Auntie. I'm fine with it."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly and, led by Ichinose Honami, sat down on the sofa in the living room.

"That's good. I was just cooking, please wait a moment."

"Let me help you, Mom."

As Ichinose Honami smelled the aroma of food as soon as she walked in and immediately volunteered to cook.

"You just got back, you can rest for a bit. Besides, we have a guest coming over today, aren't you going to keep him company?"

"No need, I've already rested in the car anyway. Let me cook with my mom, it's been a long time since I've experienced this feeling."

Ichinose Honami gave Hashiba Hikaru a look, expressing her longing.

"No problem, I'll keep Hashiba company!"

Ichinose Miu suddenly interrupted the mother and daughter's conversation, sitting down next to the boy with a joyful smile on her face.

"I have no objection."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly.

Hehehe.

"Eh... Miu?"

Ichinose Keiko was taken aback. Logically, this girl should be meeting her sister's boyfriend for the first time, so how could she be so close to him so quickly?

"... Okay then, let's go make some food."

Ichinose Honami urged her mother, who was standing beside her, to hurry up. As they headed towards the kitchen, she glanced at the two sitting on the sofa, who seemed to be unwrapping gifts.

"Wow, it's Lego!"

Ichinose Miu stared at the gift she had just unwrapped. She knew it was expensive and popular among students. It was not only versatile in its gameplay but also offered a lot of customization options, and players could enjoy the sense of accomplishment after assembling it.

"So, do you like it? I spent a long time choosing it."

Hashiba Hikaru picked up the instruction manual, glanced at it, and then offered, "Miu, would you like to assemble this with me tonight?"

"Yes, yes, I want to build Lego with Brother Hashiba!"

An excited blush spread across the little girl's face as she stroked the toy in her hand, feeling very happy.

"Okay, but we should eat first."

Hashiba Hikaru sorted through the individual bags inside the Lego gift box, because there were so many pieces that assembling it would be quite difficult.

About half an hour later, lunch was ready at the Ichinose family's house. After the pink-haired girl and her mother came out carrying the dishes, Hashiba Hikaru immediately went to lend a hand.

After the food was laid out, the four of them took their seats.

During the meal, Ichinose Honami kept serving food to Hashiba Hikaru, a scene that caught the eye of the lady next to her, making her even more curious.

Because she was very familiar with her eldest daughter, Ichinose Keiko could see clearly that the girl's movements as she put food into the other's bowl were very practiced, as if she had done it many times before.

"Um, Hashiba- kun, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you. I was wondering if it would be convenient for you?"

Ichinose Keiko, and finally decided to speak up. After all, as a mother, she felt it was necessary to find out what kind of person her daughter's boyfriend was.

"Mom, can we chat after we finish eating?"

Ichinose Honami was somewhat reluctant, "I haven't had a proper rest from just the car ride."

"It's alright, Auntie, you can ask me anything. After all, your daughter and I are dating, so it would be a lie to say you're not curious."

Hashiba Hikaru shook her head at Ichinose Honami and said with a smile, "After all, chatting is a way to increase understanding."

"Hashiba- kun is indeed very good at talking. In that case, I'll just ask directly."

Ichinose Keiko was satisfied with Hashiba Hikaru's answer, and a smile appeared on her lips as she began to ask questions.

"Um."

The boy nodded slightly.

After hearing this conversation, the Ichinose sisters, who were sitting on either side of her, naturally turned their gazes over, both curious about what would happen next.

"How long have Hashiba- kun and Honami been dating?"

"Well, we've been officially dating for about four months."

"So how did you two meet?"

Ichinose Keiko noticed her daughter had placed her hand on her arm. She gently touched the little hand without stopping asking questions.

"Because Honami and I are classmates and deskmates, we gradually became friends."

Hashiba Hikaru's answer was fluent and without any hesitation.

"That..."

Ichinose Keiko moment, then spoke again, "Is this Hashiba- kun's first time dating?"

"Yes, this is my first time dating a girl, and Honami is probably the same."

Hashiba Hikaru looked at the girl's face; this was the truth.

"I see."

Ichinose Keiko, then seemed relieved. "That's great. I bet Hashiba- kun and Honami's relationship is very sweet."

"Uh, it's alright."

"I've finished asking my questions, Honami, there's no need to be so nervous."

Mrs. Ichinose patted her daughter's little hand and smiled, saying, "It's just asking some basic questions. Don't you have much confidence in your boyfriend?"

"Of course not, I just think Mom is a little too anxious."

Ichinose Honami could sense that her boyfriend wasn't angry, and the tension in her heart gradually dissipated.

"It's alright, we have seven days anyway. I believe your aunt will gradually understand me."

"I'm really looking forward to it! Welcome, Hashiba- kun, to our home this time!"

"It's my pleasure."

After dinner, Ichinose Miu finished building a Lego together, and then Ichinose Honami up the quilt on the living room floor for her boyfriend.

Although the two had done everything, they naturally couldn't stay together when visiting each other's homes, since Ichinose Honami and her sister shared a room.

"Why don't you rest here today? You shouldn't have trouble sleeping here, right?"

Ichinose Honami was somewhat worried.

"No, it's fine here."

Hashiba Hikaru didn't really care where he slept. He glanced at his girlfriend, who seemed hesitant to speak, and couldn't help but tease her, "I'm just worried about someone sneaking up on me at night. That would be too much of a hassle."

"I would never do that!"

Ichinose Honami blushed slightly. Actually, she really wanted to sleep here with Hashiba Hikaru, but considering that her mother was still in the next room, she decided it was better to keep it under control.

"Okay, that's good. Go back and rest now."

"OK."

After Ichinose Honami returned to her room, Hashiba Hikaru picked up her phone and browsed the School Forum, waiting for the new month to begin.

Time ticked by, and as the numbers on the phone reached midnight, a new message notification finally popped up in the System Bar.

[A new month has begun; the items in the Trading Shop have been refreshed. Please check your inventory.]

[Stock Analyzer: 1000]

[Fashionable Women's Clothing: 3000]

[Ring of Vows: 20000]

[Investment and Wealth Management (Master): 250,000]