Hmm... If Shion lived alone, she might want to save on electricity bills by not using the air conditioner. But that wouldn't be a problem; she could always come to his house to enjoy the air conditioning, whether in his room or Komachi's room—it was up to her to choose.
"Shion, most of the apartments here are 1LDK layouts. If you're living alone, it would be just right. Do you think this will work for you?"
Asou Miyuri took out a large set of keys from her bag, unlocked the room next to Vignette's rented apartment, let everyone take a look inside, and then smiled as she asked.
A 1LDK refers to a one-bedroom apartment with a living room, dining room, and kitchen, where the living room and kitchen are separated. The area is usually at least 13 square meters. [T/N: You must have seen '1LDK' in some rather interesting *cough* *cough* videos titles.]
In Asou Miyuriu's apartment building, each single unit was about 30 square meters, which was quite a good size. However, the rent was relatively high—even though this was an old building, the rent was more expensive than that of smaller apartments.
Only now did Hachiman understand why so few people rented apartments in this building. People who opted for such an old building were usually strapped for cash. The environment wasn't great, and while the rooms were large, they were less appealing to singles compared to smaller but cozier apartments.
"This…"
When asked for her opinion, Asougi Shion looked hesitantly at Hachiman.
The apartment was actually quite nice. The kitchen and bathroom were well-equipped. A bit of cleaning and moving her luggage in would make it livable.
However, because it was so nice, the rent was bound to be higher.
She felt it was unnecessary to live alone in such a large space, especially since all the money came from her "Brother Hachiman."
Her initial plan was to find a smaller 10-square-meter room. After all, she'd be at school during the day and only come back to sleep at night. Most of the time, she could stay at her "Brother Hachiman's" place and help with housework.
"If you feel it's okay, let's rent it. You can check if there's anything else to note while I talk to Miss Asou about the rent."
Hachiman patted Asougi Shion's silky black hair to reassure her before stepping out with Asou Miyuri.
It was natural for Shion to feel apprehensive about burdening others, especially since she was still financially dependent and hadn't gained full confidence in this new home.
Still, a larger apartment wasn't an issue. He could always come over to stay with her if needed.
Besides, he would soon earn some money from Ichinose's father. As a diligent "househusband," he hoped Mr. Ichinose would be generous; otherwise, he might have to dig up dirt on the politician himself.
He wondered if Yukinoshita's faction might have some useful intel on Ichinose. If Yukinoshita ended up paying him, would it count as using her money to support "a mistress"?
The thought crossed Hachiman's mind unexpectedly.
"No need for deposits or key money. Mr. Hikigaya, you've lived next door for so many years, and I trust you," Asou Miyuri whispered as they reached the corridor outside the room.
She had observed the young Shion and Komachi. From what she'd gathered, Hachiman was supporting Shion entirely out of his own savings, without any help from his family.
Faced with a girl forced to leave her home, she couldn't remain indifferent. Encouraged by Hachiman's kindness, she decided to waive both the deposit and key money. After all, she didn't really need the money.
"Uh… Miss Asou, are you saying I only need to pay the rent?"
Hachiman hadn't even negotiated yet when Asou Miyuri offered to waive the deposit and key money.
Deposits could be refunded eventually, but key money was essentially a non-refundable "thank you" payment to landlords. Key money alone could cost a month's rent, so saving it was naturally welcome.
Otherwise, between key money, a month-and-a-half's deposit, and the first month's rent, his savings could have been drained all at once.
"Isn't waiving the deposit and key money enough? I can't reduce the rent further, but I'm willing to let you pay later if you ever run short."
Seeing Hachiman's hesitant expression, Asou Miyuri raised her slender index finger and wagged it gently, smiling kindly.
Kindness wasn't free, after all. While she empathized with his situation, she had her principles and couldn't offer unlimited concessions.
[Ding~]
[Task triggered: 'Landlady's Bottom Line]
The kind-hearted landlady doesn't want to see a runaway girl homeless, but she has principles and won't waive the rent entirely]
[Because kindness has its limits]
[Please use your sincerity to break through the landlady's bottom line]
"Uh…"
Hearing the familiar system notification, Hachiman felt increasingly perplexed by the Love Life System.
Sincerity? Bottom line? What the hell?
It wasn't like he was broke.
"Little landlord—cough, I mean, Miss Asou, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just surprised you waived both the deposit and the key money."
Hearing the system notification, Hachiman couldn't help but show a slightly awkward and helpless smile toward Asou Miyuri.
After training, corruption, and discipline tasks, the Love Live System had issued another task that crossed the line. Of course, he wouldn't be tempted by this shameless system.
He wasn't in such dire straits that he needed to sell his body.
If he ever had to rely on someone, he'd rather cling to the elven princesses, Iris and Aegis. Why would he surrender to the little landlord just for some rent?
Of course, if the little landlord wanted to date him, he wouldn't refuse either.
"Really? If you don't have enough money, I can give you a month or two of grace."
Asou Miyuri was still somewhat hesitant.
She had just visited the Hikigaya household and seen how the place was set up. It didn't seem like the family was wealthy enough to give their son much pocket money.
"Don't worry. If I wasn't prepared to pay, I wouldn't have come to you, Miss Asou."
Hachiman looked at Asou Miyuri's innocent and adorable face, smiled, and shook his head.
"But I can't promise about the future. Please be lenient with me then, Miss Asou."
"Hehe, of course. If you have any difficulties in the future, just let me know. Don't be shy, and I'll help you out."
Seeing that Hachiman was quite decent in his attitude, Asou Miyuri nodded secretly. They then signed the rental agreement outside the hallway.
Since there was no key money or deposit involved, Hachiman didn't bother inspecting the house's equipment. After confirming that the terms were fine, he signed the contract and paid the rent.
The landlord was so accommodating that he felt there was no need to overthink it. Besides, if there were any issues, he could always talk it out with her later.
"Well, I still have some errands to run, so I'll leave first. Mr. Hikigaya, here's your key. Please take care of it. I'll come by next month to collect the rent."
Asou Miyuri pocketed the month's rent, handed him the key, waved, and was about to leave.
As a leisurely landlord, she didn't need to work. However, as she was getting older, she had to maintain herself often; otherwise, she'd lose her looks.
Today, she had arranged to meet a few ladies for beauty treatments. Now that she had finished dealing with the rental, she was headed there.
"Alright, see you, Miss Asou."
Hachiman watched as the little landlord walked away gracefully with her handbag. Shaking his head, he turned and went back into the room.
The bottom-line task involving the landlord lady sounded promising, but there was no need to complete it specifically. It'd be better to deepen their relationship over time through natural interactions.
Although completing the task would yield system rewards, he wasn't short on money. There was no need to compromise just for rent.
Moreover, aside from rent collection, he and the landlord didn't have much interaction for now. Approaching her purely to avoid paying rent would be too disgraceful.
Inside the rental apartment.
Yuina, along with the two gyaru girls, Gabriel, Shion, and Komachi—six people in total—rolled up their sleeves and picked up rags and brooms to clean the place.
Although the room was relatively clean to begin with and not too cluttered, it hadn't been rented out for a while, so dust had accumulated everywhere.
However, while there was a lot of dust, there were more of them.
Before long, the thirty-square-meter room was sparkling clean. Once aired out, dried, and furnished with luggage, it'd be ready for living.
"Phew! Finally done!"
Minami wiped the sweat off her forehead with her arm and threw the rag in her hand aside.
"Hey! Don't just toss it like that! Go wash it first!"
Rin narrowly avoided getting hit by the flying rag and angrily kicked Minami.
"I'll handle the rest. Thank you all for helping clean up."
Asougi Shion put down the things in her hands and quickly expressed her gratitude.
Originally, she had planned to clean the place with just Komachi and maybe ask Hachiman-nii for help.
She hadn't expected all the girls Hachiman-nii brought back to pitch in as well. Even though cleaning had nothing to do with them, they worked harder than she did.
"It's no big deal. We were just here, so we lent a hand."
Yuina smiled warmly, waved it off, and urged Minami and Rin to finish up.
"Everyone's so kind…"
Gabriel watched Yuina and the others help out so eagerly and nodded to herself.
She used to think Minami, Rin, and even Yuina had feelings for Hachiman and suspected he'd end up caught in a love triangle someday.
But seeing how enthusiastically they helped Hachiman's little sister without any tension between them, she began doubting her judgment.
At school, when Gabriel asked them about Hachiman's type, they hadn't shown any jealousy and had openly shared their opinions.
Now, they even came over to help clean his place together.
She had to admit that, while Yuina could be mischievous, Minami a bit dense, and Rin somewhat blunt, they were all genuinely good people. Interacting with them was straightforward and comfortable.
Meanwhile, Komachi found herself troubled as she watched her brother's female classmates.
All of them were great. Despite being gyarus, they were kindhearted and quite attractive.
Especially the petite and cute blonde Gabriel, whose healing aura was irresistible. Even though her figure was a bit lacking—perhaps smaller than Komachi's—her cuteness made Komachi want to hug her.
"Thank you, everyone. Take a break now. I'll cook dinner for us. Let's eat together before you head home."
Hachiman looked at the exhausted group and offered.
It was time to show off his househusband skills.
"Wait, you can cook, too?"
Rin was surprised.
"Didn't I mention I wanted to be a househusband? How could I not know how to cook?"
Hachiman gave her a puzzled look.
"Uh…"
Yuina, Minami, and Rin exchanged awkward glances.
On their way back, they had learned a bit about the misunderstanding with Gabriel.
Apparently, Hachiman wanted to be a househusband because he believed effort didn't matter anymore, so Gabriel tried to help him regain his motivation by introducing him to a potential girlfriend.
It all sounded absurd—more absurd than them tricking Miura Yumiko into bullying Hachiman.
They had assumed it was just a ploy by Hachiman to make Gabriel care more about him. After all, they knew Hachiman liked Gabriel and even trained himself to become a more attractive guy for her.
According to Gabriel's logic, the best way to motivate Hachiman to get back on track would be to become his girlfriend herself.
But now they realized Hachiman really could cook.
Maybe Gabriel wasn't lying after all.
Could Hachiman truly be giving up and aiming to be a househusband?
While Gabriel believed his claim about giving up on her, Yuina and the others thought his effort wasn't the issue—it was the fact that he couldn't catch up to her.
The more exceptional Gabriel became, the less chance Hachiman had, so his despair was understandable.
Yuina, Minami, and Rin exchanged silent glances and felt a bit of sympathy for him.
Poor Hachiman. Gabriel didn't even realize she was the girl he liked and was instead trying to find someone else for him.
"Isn't this a bit much? There are so many of us…"
Hearing that Hachiman wanted to cook for them, Gabriel hesitated. While she didn't mind helping others, she felt bad imposing on someone else.
[T/N: This novels is now also available in https://www.clownandco/org website. You can buy singular chapters now instead of tiers too]
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