Chapter 262: Black Lace
Time flew by, and the three days of workplace visits quickly came to an end.
As Hachiman expected, when Mrs. Yukinoshita found out that Yukino hadn't interned at the place she arranged, she was furious.
However, when she discovered that the girl had gone to a company under the Totsuki banner, she fell silent.
After all, she couldn't directly poach people from the company under Totsuki; wouldn't that be a direct slap in the face to Totsuki?
When an arm can't twist the thigh, the Yukinoshita family's wealth, compared to top-tier conglomerates like Totsuki, is merely a slightly larger ant. It doesn't even qualify as a bothersome little squirrel in their eyes.
Not only Mrs. Yukinoshita but even Haruno was quite surprised. She didn't expect her younger sister's resistance to come so quickly, and the fact that the girl went to a company under the Totsuki banner this time made her ponder.
Her sister was absolutely unlikely to have any dealings with a behemoth like Totsuki. Reflecting on the information she had collected during this time, she quickly identified the target.
It was Hachiman.
Although Haruno hadn't interacted much with Hachiman, she had investigated his background before. Moreover, she participated in last year's beach trip and knew that Hachiman had a good relationship with the daughters of the Totsuki family. So, if Hachiman was involved, her sister could indeed end up visiting a company under the Totsuki banner for a workplace visit.
But this made her more suspicious. Why would Hachiman help her sister? Could it be true, as her mother had previously speculated, that Yukino and Hachiman were already a couple?
As a sister who cares deeply, she had to clarify this.
Hachiman, of course, was unaware that Haruno had set her sights on him. At this moment, he was having dinner with Komachi.
Suddenly, while eating, Komachi thought of something, "Onii-chan, the club you're in now can provide assistance to others, right?"
"Hmm?" Hachiman raised his head and looked at his little sister.
"Yeah, why do you suddenly ask about that, Komachi?"
"Hehe, actually, a friend of mine has some troubles recently and wants to seek help from someone, so I thought of you, Onii-chan." Komachi scratched her cheek, a bit embarrassed.
"Hmm? A friend, is it a guy or a girl?" Hachiman frowned slightly.
He didn't want Komachi to be deceived by some inexplicable person; after all, his little sister was still in junior high.
"It's a guy, but we're just ordinary friends."
Seeing his expression, Komachi couldn't help but know what her Onii-chan was thinking.
"Don't worry, Onii-chan. I really have no intention of dating right now. My focus is solely on getting into Soubu High."
This was the truth. Soubu High was Komachi's targeted high school, and it wasn't an easy one to get into. Currently, she was determined to focus on her studies and had no time or inclination for romantic relationships.
"That's good," Hachiman sighed in relief.
"So, does your 'ordinary friend' have any troubles that need help?"
Hearing him emphasize "ordinary friend," Komachi felt a bit helpless.
Her Onii-chan was truly an irredeemable sister complex.
But that wasn't a bad thing; after all, Onii-chan had always been very caring towards her.
Thinking of this, Komachi's face brightened.
"Well, it's actually the sister of my friend who's been acting a bit strange lately. She comes home very late every day, and sometimes she even stays out overnight. He's worried that his sister might be turning into a delinquent."
"So, he's troubled and wants to talk to someone about how to get his sister back to her old self."
"I see."
After hearing Komachi's words, Hachiman rubbed his chin; he felt this plot was somewhat familiar.
Oh, right, isn't this the plot of Saki Kawasaki from the original story?
So, Komachi's friend must be Saki Kawasaki's brother.
"Hey, hey, Onii-chan, can you help him?" Komachi looked at her brother hopefully.
As a devoted brother, Hachiman naturally wouldn't refuse his sister's request.
"No problem. How about this? Tomorrow, after school, bring your friend to 'Angel Café.' I'll also call Yukino and the others, and we can all discuss it together."
"Really? Thank you, Onii-chan!" Komachi smiled happily.
Watching her joyful expression, Hachiman shook his head with a smile.
"Alright, let's eat quickly."
"Yeah!"
...
The next morning, on the way to school, Hachiman encountered Kotonoha.
Naturally, they walked to school together. Although their communication was not extensive, both of them enjoyed the comfortable feeling between them.
As they approached a corner not far from the school, Hachiman leaned in, softly kissing the girl's lips.
Kotonoha, though initially surprised and a bit shy, quickly responded. However, given the public setting, their kiss was brief, and they soon separated.
"Sorry, Kotonoha. I don't usually have much time to spend with you," Hachiman apologized, a hint of regret in his tone.
Since leaving the kendo club, the most time he could spend with Kotonoha, Maki, and Saeko was during weekend practices at the Saeko residence's kendo dojo.
Before he could say more, Kotonoha gently shook her head.
"It's okay, Hachiman-kun. As long as I can stay by your side, it's enough. Not just me, even Saeko-neechan won't mind."
Hearing this, a faint sense of warmth surged in Hachiman's heart. He gently embraced the girl.
"Believe me, Kotonoha, soon we'll be able to be together."
Resting her head on Hachiman's chest, feeling their heartbeats merging, Kotonoha cherished the moment.
As for Maki, in three months, her father invited me to come to their clan, and he would have time to get closer to her at that time.
At first, Hachiman was confused about how her father treated him when he was teaching last year after he became the youngest swordmaster. After a little time, he realized that her father wanted me to marry Maki, Hachiman thought.
After a brief tender exchange, the girl gently pushed him away.
"Alright, Hachiman-kun, it's almost time for class. Let's head to school."
"Sure."
Hachiman nodded, and the two walked towards the school, one after the other.
Second-year Class F.
As Hachiman entered the classroom, Yui greeted him.
"Yahallo, Hikki."
"Good morning, Yui." Placing his bag on his seat, Hachiman nodded towards the girl.
"By the way, Hikki, there's a small test coming up. So, Yukinon and I decided to have a study session after school today. Would you like to join?" Yui invited with a smile.
"A study session? Sure, why not."
Even though he didn't need extra tutoring, he wouldn't decline.
"That's great."
Yui smiled happily at his acceptance but then looked a bit troubled.
"However, where should we hold the study session, in the clubroom?"
At this point, Hachiman also thought about what Komachi mentioned yesterday and suggested, "How about going to a café? I know a good one, Angel Café, and we can also enjoy some desserts."
"Sure, sure!"
The girl's eyes lit up at the mention of desserts, nodding eagerly.
"Alright, let's go with that." Hachiman smiled and nodded.
Just then, a soft voice reached their ears.
"Ah, a study session? Can I join?"
Turning around, they saw a somewhat silver-haired, delicately featured young boy, even more refined than some girls, standing beside them.
It was their classmate, Saika Totsuka.
"Oh, Saika, good morning!" Yui greeted happily.
Hachiman also nodded, "Good morning, Saika."
"Yeah, good morning, Yui, Hachiman." Saika greeted them.
"About the study session you mentioned earlier, can I join?"
"Of course, you can join, Saika. You're our friend too," Yui warmly welcomed.
"Yeah, you're welcome to join, Saika," Hachiman added without hesitation.
Saika's face lit up with a happy smile upon hearing their words.
"Thank you, Hachiman, Yui," Saika expressed his gratitude.
Just then, the bell for the next class rang, prompting Yui and Saika to return to their seats.
The first class was Shizuka's Japanese literature session. Despite her rough exterior, Shizuka had a knack for making the class engaging. She sprinkled amusing examples into her explanations, often eliciting laughter from the entire classroom, creating an atmosphere where time seemed to stand still.
Unfortunately, Hachiman found it challenging to concentrate on the textbook. His gaze lingered on an empty seat, the usual place where Saki Kawasaki sat.
Today, she was absent.
As the class concluded with the ring of the bell, Hachiman lazily rested his head on the desk, resembling a dried-up salted fish. Next to him, Gabriel, now a lazy angel, adopted a similar posture.
Observing the duo, Shizuka felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. Before she could reprimand them, a tall figure entered the classroom.
A girl with a model-like figure, light blue hair tied into a ponytail, and matching blue eyes. Despite a hint of weariness, a teardrop-shaped mole beneath her right eye added a touch of unique charm.
[Image]
It was indeed Saki Kawasaki, the student who had missed the first class.
"Ah, it seems there are quite a few troublesome students in this class," Shizuka sighed upon seeing the girl enter.
"Saki Kawasaki, late again?" she asked, used to Saki's habitual tardiness.
Accustomed to Shizuka's remarks, Saki nodded apologetically and continued toward her seat.
As she passed Hachiman's position, a gentle breeze lifted her skirt, and in Hachiman's line of sight, a glimpse of black lace materialized.
"It's actually black lace..."