"Who knew Iroha dressed so boldly in private…"
After leaving the student council president's office, Hikigaya couldn't help but take a sharp breath, still shaken from the scene he had just witnessed.
Though Iroha had fled to the bathroom clutching her behind, sparing him from the worst, Hikigaya knew full well—there was no way that girl would let him off the hook.
"She's already got little devil vibes, and now she's awakened her queen complex too? Man…"
He sighed and made his way toward the library.
Study mode: activated.
Midterm exam prep was in full swing.
Before he knew it, the day had flown by.
---
"Don't forget about our date tomorrow, Hikigaya-kun~"
At the station, Yukinoshita reminded him sweetly.
"I know."
Hikigaya nodded at his girlfriend, fully aware they had plans for tomorrow.
Sigh.
Another brutal battlefield ahead.
After seeing Yukinoshita off, Hikigaya headed home.
"I'm home."
"Onii-chan~ Welcome back~ I made dinner already, come eat!"
"You're unusually proactive tonight."
"Hehe, it's so we can hurry up and go see Ai-chan's concert!"
"…"
Hikigaya was speechless. His little sister's obsession with idol Hoshino Ai was... a bit much. Guess I'll just show my face and endure it.
Tonight, Hikigaya had no plans to stop by the park—instead, he was going with Komachi to see Hoshino Ai's performance.
Honestly, if it weren't for his sister begging relentlessly, he would never have agreed to go.
After all, Hoshino Ai was dangerous.
Dinner finished.
Hikigaya and Komachi set out for the concert venue.
Along the way, Komachi chattered non-stop about how amazing Ai-chan was and how she hoped her brother would be a little more proactive.
Hikigaya had a splitting headache and could only halfheartedly respond.
Before long—
They arrived at the venue.
Even before stepping inside, Hikigaya spotted numerous fans with "Hoshino Ai" emblazoned on their shirts and holding all sorts of flashy merchandise.
These were Ai's diehard fans, and they were constantly gushing about their idol. Their passion was so intense that Hikigaya was sure they'd murder anyone who dared badmouth her.
See, this is why I, Hikigaya Hachiman, want nothing to do with idols.
With a weary sigh, he allowed himself to be dragged into the venue by Komachi.
Of course—
They didn't have tickets yet. So Komachi led her brother straight to Hoshino Ai's dressing room.
After a roundabout journey, and only after revealing their identities, they were finally let into Ai's private room.
Random people were strictly forbidden from entering. If they hadn't arranged it in advance, there was no way they would've been allowed in.
The moment they stepped inside—
They saw Hoshino Ai chatting and laughing with a blue-haired girl.
As soon as Ai noticed them, her gaze shifted from the girl to Hikigaya and Komachi.
"Komachi, Hikigaya-kun—you're here!"
Ai greeted them with a bright smile.
"Ai-chan~"
Komachi tugged her reluctant brother along and eagerly walked over to Ai's side.
Today, Ai looked different from usual. She wasn't in her casual clothes, but full idol mode—makeup, outfit, everything. Her unique charm was on full display.
Even the usually composed Hikigaya found his gaze lingering on her for a few extra seconds.
This woman… is kinda stunning.
"You look beautiful today, Ai-chan~"
Komachi couldn't help but compliment her.
"Thank you~"
Ai smiled sweetly, then turned her gaze to Hikigaya and asked:
"Hikigaya-kun, what do you think?"
"Very… elegant."
Hikigaya quickly turned away, avoiding her eyes.
Before Ai could respond, the blue-haired girl stepped forward and curiously examined him. "So this is the Hikigaya-kun you've been talking about?"
"Mhm."
Ai nodded with a smile. The girl's curiosity only deepened as she looked him up and down.
Who's this blue-haired one now…?
"She's Shōko Toyokawa—my bestie~ She goes to Haneoka Girls' Academy."
Ai introduced her cheerfully:
"Shōko, this is Hikigaya-kun, and this is his little sister Komachi. They're both students at Sōbu High. You three will be sitting together later, okay?"
"Nice to meet you, Shōko-senpai~"
Komachi grinned and nudged her brother.
"Y-yeah, nice to meet you."
Hikigaya forced a smile.
Haneoka Girls' Academy, huh?
Wait—didn't Iroha mention wanting girls from that school to perform at the culture festival? Something about their school being big on band culture…
"Nice to meet you too, Komachi, Hikigaya-kun. That's okay to call you, right?"
Shōko Toyokawa smiled warmly, instantly giving off a friendly, approachable vibe.
"Of course~ Then I'll call you Shōko-senpai!"
Compared to his pre–second-year self, Hikigaya had definitely improved socially—but against Komachi, he was still leagues behind.
Before long, Komachi and Shōko were chatting like old friends, laughing and bonding.
Hikigaya trailed behind them like a bodyguard, silently following.
"Hikigaya-kun, what song are you looking forward to hearing Ai-chan sing?"
Shōko suddenly turned to him with a curious smile.
Whoa whoa whoa!
Can't you just ignore me?!
"Uhh… I'm looking forward to…"
Hikigaya smiled awkwardly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"My brother's got a bad memory—he never remembers song names. Shōko-senpai, please go easy on him~"
Komachi jumped in to cover for him.
Heh. Komachi, you really are the best little sister ever.
"Huh? No way! But as a student at Sōbu High, I'd think Hikigaya-kun would be super smart. Doesn't that mean good memory too…?"
"In some ways, my brother is completely useless."
"..."
Somehow, the two girls' conversation drifted off-topic—to Hikigaya himself.
Weren't we talking about Ai?!
Why are you talking about me now?!
Hikigaya wanted to complain, but seeing how lively the two girls were, he could only accept his fate. When girls are chatting, guys really shouldn't butt in.
---
A little later, the group made their way to the seating area.
Hikigaya sat in the middle—Komachi on his left, Shōko Toyokawa on his right.
The concert hadn't started yet. Komachi leaned over and whispered in his ear:
"Onii-chan, I think Shōko-senpai might like you. What do you think of her?"
"!!"
Hikigaya shot a glare at his airheaded little sister, then instinctively glanced at Shōko. Just then, she happened to look back—and when their eyes met, she smiled at him gently.
He had no choice but to return the smile.
Huh? Was it just me, or… did that smile feel kinda dangerous?
Meanwhile—
At the very back of the seating area, a brown-haired girl was silently staring at Shōko Toyokawa.
From time to time, her gaze flicked—expressionless—toward the boy sitting next to her: Hikigaya.