52 To Put It Bluntly, Hikigaya Hachiman Doesn’t Care (End)

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We managed to secure permission from the principal. Shizuka-chan who had been opposed to it looked exceptionally excited at the prospect of riding my car. She asked me if she could drive it, but I bluntly said no. She got mad and demanded her cigarettes and lighter that I had stolen. I told her if she didn't smoke during the entire trip, I would let her drive. She immediately went docile and looked at me with a childish smile.

The clubroom remained quiet even after she left, but our exchange managed to lighten up the mood. The club hour ended not long after. We immediately packed our things and got out of the clubroom without much exchange. As I was about to offer the girls a ride, Shinobu told me that she would take the girls back with her limousine. The girls seemed surprised but didn't say anything. Shinobu must have something to discuss with them.

I nodded and bid them farewell which they returned awkwardly. As I walked through the corridor, I asked Komachi if she wanted to have dinner outside. A second later, she told me she was ready. I quickened my pace and immediately drove home after getting my car. Upon arriving at our house, a ready-to-go Komachi greeted me giddily. I patted her head with a chuckle and told her to wait for a moment because I needed to change clothes.

When I was ready, we immediately got into the car and headed to a newly opened French restaurant in Chiba called L'Amour Partagé. Bloggers had been reviewing it for the past two weeks, so I was curious how good it was. It might be the biggest mistake I had ever made, but I was prepared. I had already prepared an alternative restaurant that would satiate our hunger and demolish our disappointment. I still hoped it wouldn't come to that point, though.

When we arrived, our car attracted many people's attention. I was already used to it, but Komachi still felt uncomfortable under people's curious gaze. Therefore, as soon as we stepped out of the car, she immediately scurried over and hugged my arm. I smiled lightly and led her inside. We were immediately greeted by the hostess, so I asked her if they still had any private tables. She said they did but would charge me extra since I didn't reserve it.

I agreed, prompting her to lead us to our table. As soon as Komachi picked up the menu, her eyes swirled in confusion. The menu had a Japanese translation but still confusing since all of them were French cuisines. Komachi gave up with a shrug and then asked me what I ordered. I responded to her by calling a waiter.

[We will order a 5-course dinner. As for the menu, give us the best your restaurant has to offer. For the aperitif, replace it with a mocktail that even soda-loving kids like.]

The waiter looked at me awkwardly. "I can't speak French, sir," he said in Japanese.

"Oh, sorry. You look French, so I thought you could," I apologized sincerely.

"Well… I am French, but my mother never taught me French. She hates my father so much that she is afraid she will hit me if I start speaking French because we look alike."

"Both of your parents are French, right?"

"Yeah…"

I gave the waiter an awkward smile and he returned it with a wry one. His mother was a nutjob, but I made sure not to comment. I repeated my order in Japanese and let him notify the kitchen. Komachi bombarded me with questions about my French skills. She didn't know I could speak it, so she wanted to hear me speak in it more. Being the good brother I was, I acquiesced.

The sentences she asked me to translate ranged from 'I want to eat' to 'Marry me, my love.' It was quite a bewildering experience, but it didn't matter because Komachi was happy. Our mocktails arrived not long after. The waiter introduced them as Sumac and Saffron Refresher. Komachi took a sip of it and then widened her eyes. She said it was very refreshing.

"You know, Onii-chan, I just realized that we have been hanging out less these days. You would tutor me whenever you are at home but rarely ask me out," Komachi said softly while fiddling with her glass. "Komachi is happy that you can socialize and have a job that pays well but can't help feeling lonely a little. I know Onii-chan doesn't mean that way, but Komachi feels like she is no longer needed." Her eyes widened. "Oh, no. Sorry for dampening the mood!"

Komachi showed me her silly smile, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. I mused about her words. Most of the time I spent with Komachi was during breakfast and dinner. Even then, we always had dinner with Shinobu. Whenever I had a day off, I either spent it with Shinobu or by myself. She was so accepting of it that I didn't notice how much we had drifted apart. No matter how cheerful she was, she could still feel lonely.

I have a good sister.

I had been taking care of Komachi ever since we were children. Our parents were busy with their job, so it had always been me and her. Thinking about Komachi leaving the house and forgetting about me made me uncomfortable. Unfortunately, it was a reality that I had to accept sooner or later. I forgot that the feeling was mutual, so Komachi must be feeling it now. My eyes sweated slightly as Komachi's pure feelings stabbed my heart.

"Come," I motioned to my lap. "Onii-chan only realizes now that he misses you."

"E- Eh…it's embarrassing. I don't want to," she sputtered, contradicting her action.

As soon as she sat on my lap, I enveloped her in a hug. My little sister was still small—she protested that I had grown bigger—which relieved me slightly. I was not a siscon, but thinking that she had to cater to a bug someday made my heart bleed. I needed time to slow down, so I could slowly watch her grow. I didn't know how I would react if she brought a boy home someday. I might be on the news the next morning.

Hah! As if I am stupid enough to get caught.

I put my chin on Komachi's head, thinking about what I would do to the bastards who dared to hurt her. Komachi squirmed in my embrace as if she could tell what I was thinking. I cut off the thought and looked down. She decided to look up and meet my gaze at that moment. Her gaze only lasted a few seconds as she immediately looked down. I had seen a glimpse of pink dusting her cheeks but didn't comment.

"Stupid Onii-chan. Why does it have to be you?"

I heard her mumbling too but pretended I didn't.

***

[Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade]

I felt like killing someone right now. Thinking about that lovable clueless bastard made me want to choke him to death. Alas, I wouldn't be able to do it because I would melt as soon as he looked at me with his eyes that were filled with his intense love. My body shivered even thinking about it.

I sighed for the umpteenth time today. Thinking about his intense gaze made me think about what he said in the clubroom in the afternoon. His tasteless joke was troubling the minds of the two young girls sitting across from me at the dinner table. He did love the two of them, but not in the way they imagined. He took care of them like his sisters because they were helpless on their own. Unfortunately, they couldn't tell the difference as they were already too smitten by him.

"I am sorry for my boyfriend's loose mouth. His joke is dryer than Mars, but he never realizes it and always takes pride in every joke that comes out of his mouth," I said calmly, lowering my head.

The girls looked at me uncomfortably. They were trying to act cool, but I could see their hostile glare.

"So, it's true," Yui mumbled. "Heh…I have honestly expected it. You and Hikki are always together, after all."

"Was he joking about those words?" Yukino asked sternly.

"Which one?"

"The one where he said that he loved us."

"No. He loves all of you but will never ask any of you to share. He doesn't want to hurt you, so if any of you asks him out, he will reject you," I explained. "Though, if you are not averse to the idea of sharing, he will have a hard time rejecting you." I guess my sense of humor had also gotten drier since I could laugh at those words.

"Really? What about you, Shinobu-chan?"

"Huh?"

I looked at Yui apprehensively. She had never sounded so serious and I was afraid to answer her. I turned my gaze to Yukino to see if she could somehow fix her friend but found myself meeting the same expression Yui sported. I gulped dryly as my heart beat faster. I had always felt safe since I was the one striking first. I had always thought I was the winner, but their expression made me feel threatened.

"You won't be strong enough to be in that kind of relationship," I sagely said, deciding to face the challenge head-on. "My boyfriend doesn't fool around, so I trust his judgment. Of course, I still have to see first if these women truly love him as he is."

I mentally screamed when I saw their determined look. I wanted to retract my words. I already regretted my decision. He always said that I should think more before doing something. I had always brushed him off and now I was paying the price. I needed him by my side. I wanted to cry on his chest. I wanted him to apologize to these girls and said I was just joking.

Fuck my pride!

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Honorary Mention:

Venerable Immortal Bowzr

Venerable Immortal JayJonnaJamison