Click—
With the twisting of the key, the door was pushed open from the outside.
Having returned home from school and changed out of her uniform into casual blue home clothes, Komachi Hikigaya stopped teasing the rather plump white cat in her arms and looked toward the entryway to see who had come back.
"I'm home."
Placing the shopping bag in his hand on the umbrella cabinet in the entryway, Hachiman Hikigaya dropped the shoulder bag he was carrying directly onto the floor and began changing his shoes.
"Welcome home, Onii-chan."
Komachi poked her head out from the living room, looking toward the entryway to greet Hachiman. The white cat named Kamakura, who had been in Komachi's arms, started to crawl out, wanting to hide.
Because Hachiman's parents came back late from work, most of the time it was just Hachiman living with his biological sister, Komachi.
Although they were biological siblings, Hachiman and Komachi's status in the family was worlds apart; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say one was flying in the sky and the other was crawling on the ground.
As the younger sister, Komachi's status in the family was very high, receiving the love—or rather, the doting—of their parents.
As the older brother, Hachiman's status and treatment in the family were rather pitiful. It could be said to be almost the same as his status at school before—at the very bottom.
"Komachi, Onii-chan bought you dessert today."
Hachiman picked up the shopping bag placed on the cabinet and waved it.
As the older brother, Hachiman didn't complain about the vast difference in status between him and his sister. On the contrary, he was an extreme sis-con who also doted on Komachi.
This was also the reason why he specifically went to the dessert shop Ren recommended today to get takeout. Since his friend recommended it, he wanted Komachi to try it too.
"This sentence earns Onii-chan lots of points in Komachi's book."
"But where did Onii-chan get spare money to buy Komachi dessert?"
Knowing Hachiman bought dessert for her, Komachi laughed happily, then asked Hachiman the reason.
"Well, a friend treated me."
Hachiman scratched his cheek and made up a reason with some embarrassment.
Tell his biological sister he earned an errand fee by running to buy drinks for a friend?
Something that damaged his dignity in front of Komachi couldn't be done. Hachiman decided to push the responsibility onto Ren.
Bought with Ren's money—wasn't that essentially Ren treating him?
Having figured it out, Hachiman convinced himself instantly.
"Eh! Friend??? Onii-chan made a friend at school?"
Compared to the fruit cake Hachiman had unpacked and placed in front of her, Komachi was more surprised that her brother actually had a friend—and one he admitted to personally.
Komachi, who also cared about Hachiman, knew how awkward her brother's personality was. She was often troubled by her brother's behavior and personality.
It had only been two days since school started...
Hachiman, who had been alone since high school started, suddenly told her he had a friend. How could Komachi not be surprised?
"Y... Yeah... probably..."
Asked by Komachi, Hachiman replied somewhat uncertainly.
To be honest, he wasn't sure if he and Ren counted as friends now. Perhaps it was just his wishful thinking unilaterally considering Ren his friend, just like when he was little...
Today, Ren actively approached Hachiman to talk, plus everything experienced in the class—Hachiman still felt like he was dreaming.
Aside from family, no one had ever introduced themselves so solemnly to make friends with him, and then made noise with him like good friends afterward.
In Ren's heart... do I count as his friend?
Hachiman began to hesitate in his heart.
He was so ordinary, so common. Hachiman didn't understand why Ren wanted to help him.
"This dessert is so delicious!"
Cutting a small piece of cake with a small spoon and putting it in her mouth, Komachi's eyes lit up, and she sized up her brother carefully.
They used to always go to "Indulge" to buy desserts. Since when did her brother not find it troublesome to switch to another dessert shop?
"Onii-chan, was that dessert shop recommended by that friend of yours?"
Komachi's words interrupted Hachiman's internal conflict. Startled awake, Hachiman hurriedly replied, "Y... Yeah."
"Considering Onii-chan made a friend without Komachi's help and even brought back such delicious dessert for Komachi... Komachi decides to add another fifty points to Onii-chan in her heart!"
"May I ask what the full score for Onii-chan is in Komachi's heart?"
"Let's tentatively set it at one thousand points!"
"Ha?"
With Komachi's interruption, Hachiman threw the thought of whether Ren recognized him as a friend to the back of his mind and began tasting the dessert with Komachi.
Why care so much? What does it matter if Ren recognizes me as his friend or not? As long as I recognize him as my friend in my heart, that's enough.
Enlightenment sometimes comes in a flash of thought.
After finishing the dessert, Hachiman slouched on the sofa like a lazybones (Ge You slouch), waiting for the digestion process.
He had to admit, Ren's taste was really good... The dessert was just as delicious.
"Komachi, where is Kamakura?"
Hachiman mentioned it, realizing he hadn't seen Kamakura since coming home.
"Kamakura? He was just here. Maybe he hid because Onii-chan came home."
"After all, Onii-chan always bullied him."
Thinking of how Hachiman used to pose Kamakura in various weird positions when Kamakura was little, causing the cat to no longer be close to her brother, Komachi wanted to laugh.
"No way, wasn't I just playing with him?" Rubbing his nose awkwardly, Hachiman's expression was a bit unnatural.
Perhaps like owner, like pet. Kamakura, who was raised by Hachiman when he was little, developed a personality just as awkward as Hachiman's.
He was very close to Komachi and their parents, but exceptionally disdainful of Hachiman.
Picking up Kamakura, who was lying by her feet, into her arms, Komachi stroked this large white ball and asked curiously.
"Onii-chan, can you tell me about your friend?"
Komachi was genuinely curious about her brother's friend. She wanted to know what kind of person would make friends with Hachiman and change her brother so quickly.
As for why Komachi wouldn't think it was Hachiman who actively made friends...
One can only say that family knows family best.
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