Ryuji comes to Sakuta's house.
After pressing the doorbell, someone immediately came to open the door.
That's Sakuta.
"Welcome."
Ryuji entered the room and saw a shivering creature hiding behind the sofa.
Oh, it turns out it wasn't a strange creature, but a girl wearing pajamas.
"Kaede, stop playing hide and seek and come out and greet the guests," Sakuta said.
He had told Ryuji about his little sister's situation beforehand and gave him a wink to tell him not to scare him.
Ryuji smiled and said, "Hello, my name is Hyakki Ryuji, and I am Azusagawa's classmate."
"…My name is Azusagawa Kaede, please give me some advice…" Kaede blushed and spoke in a voice so low it was almost inaudible.
As a stay-at-home girl, Ryuji is the first person Kaede has seen besides Sakuta in three years.
He didn't know what to say for a while.
Seeing Kaede's gaze, Ryuji thought of his little sister.
Izumi Sagiri is also a stay-at-home girl.
How does he say it, the two are so similar!
Standing in front of a stranger like this, Kaede had mustered up great courage and would probably run away in the next second!
At this moment, a warm big hand covered her head, and a sense of security that she had never felt before appeared in her heart.
Her older brother also often did this kind of thing, but this time it felt different!
"Kaede is very sweet, you will definitely be very beautiful in the future," Ryuji said with a smile.
"...Yes," Kaede nodded carefully, enjoying this feeling.
Ryuji is Alaya's spokesperson in the real world and has a strong interest in primates.
Therefore, a Hikikomori girl like Kaede who met him for the first time would not reject him.
Sakuta on the side was shocked and looked at Ryuji with strange eyes.
This man actually doesn't have any special powers for women, right?
He suddenly regretted it, afraid that Ryuji would kidnap his little sister.
Less than ten minutes after the meeting, Kaede was no longer as careful as she was at first, and was slowly able to handle Ryuji's topic.
Ryuji's impression of Kaede is as a cute little sister. No wonder Sakuta had a happy look on his face when he said her name.
"Are Hyakki-san and Onii-chan good friends?" Kaede asked.
"Of course."
"Great, I was worried that Onii-chan wouldn't be able to make friends at school because of his quiet personality!" Kaede said happily.
Sakuta was hit hard.
"I better go cook," Sakuta went to the kitchen.
Ryuji and Kaede were left alone in the living room, and the girl became nervous again.
Ryuji took out the gift he had prepared for Kaede.
"I don't know what you like, so I just bought it."
There are only a few things that girls like, candy, stuffed toys and beautiful clothes.
This is the convenience brought by the ability of money. Ryuji will not hesitate to buy anything, but wants everything!
"Wow, that's a lot of prizes!" Kaede shouted in surprise.
There are cute little teddy bears, Puffs and candy which are very popular with girls, and pretty clothes.
Sakuta peeked into the kitchen and realized that these things might cost him a month's salary.
"This guy won't let me pay for it in the future, right?" Sakuta thought worriedly.
In that case, he might only be able to eat instant noodles for the next month...
"Is it okay to give me so many gifts?" Kaede asked timidly.
Ryuji smiled, "Of course no problem."
Ryuji and Kaede have a good friendship.
For Kaede who has never interacted with anyone other than Sakuta, Ryuji's existence may be like a light in the darkness.
"It's time to eat," Sakuta said.
"Good, today's lunch will definitely be delicious!" Kaede smiled.
"Why?" Sakuta asked.
"Because Hyakki-san is here!"
Sakuta felt like big brother's halo had been taken away!
As a family man, Sakuta's cooking was delicious, at least not bad.
*Jingle Bells!*
Kaede's phone rang, and her expression changed.
Sakuta immediately picked up the phone, the person calling was his father.
"Yeah, it's been fine lately."
"Kaede's condition has improved, but she still can't get out."
Sakuta and his father reported the situation at home.
Kaede's situation is special, except for Sakuta, even her parents would be scared.
Sakuta's mother separated from the two of them because she couldn't accept this reality.
Sakuta who is still in high school, has an unbearable burden for a child his age.
"Then let's do this now," Sakuta hung up.
Kaede lowered her head, "I'm determined to leave the house, but I'm afraid of phone calls... I'm so useless."
Kaede's goal was still too far from her now.