Chapitre 131: [131] Alice's Change of Mood

Chapter 131: Alice's Change of Mood

It was 8 in the morning, and gradually, the girls began to awaken one by one. Yui had slipped back to her room during the early hours, and the morning kiss remained a secret shared solely between the two of them.

After Yui's departure, Hachiman roused himself and initiated the preparation of breakfast, as if he were in the familiar comfort of his own home.

"Mmm, it smells so delicious, Oni-chan."

Detecting the tantalizing aroma, Komachi too made her way to the kitchen.

"Oh, you little hungry cat, it'll be ready shortly. How about you go wake up your sisters?" Hachiman skillfully maneuvered a spatula and offered a warm smile.

"Alright!"

The young girl replied enthusiastically and scampered up the staircase.

Before long, the girls began descending the stairs one by one.

"Hachiman-kun, allow me to assist you."

Observing that Hachiman was the sole occupant in the kitchen, Kotonoha expressed her desire to lend a hand.

"It's alright, Kotonoha. Breakfast will be ready shortly. Please, have a seat." Hachiman politely declined her offer.

"Very well, then do let me know if you require any assistance." Kotonoha gracefully returned to her seat, refraining from insisting further.

In the blink of an eye, breakfast was prepared.

"Time to dig in."

Upon hearing Hachiman's announcement, the girls, already enticed by the delectable aromas, eagerly straightened up.

"Kid, what's on the menu for breakfast?" A ravenous Shizuka couldn't contain her curiosity.

Seeing her unreserved enthusiasm, Hachiman couldn't help but smile.

Yet, her carefree and audacious demeanor held its own charm.

Meanwhile, Hachiman approached with two plates of breakfast, each adorned with sliced sandwiches boasting runny egg yolks, their appeal undeniable.

"Here you go, bacon and egg sandwiches, accompanied by a side of fruit salad and milk."

"Hmm, is that all?" Shizuka playfully pouted, feigning dissatisfaction.

"It's best not to overindulge at breakfast. Focus on maintaining a balanced diet." Hachiman placed the plate in front of her, accompanied by a trace of exasperation.

"And besides, you're a teacher. It's not entirely proper to rely on others for sustenance."

"Pfft, what do you mean relying on others? If it weren't for keeping an eye on you, I wouldn't even be here. It's much more comfortable to stay in my apartment with the air conditioning on."

"Furthermore, you're not exactly at a loss either. You've had the privilege of seeing me in a swimsuit, so you should consider yourself fortunate. My figure is impeccable; shouldn't that be compensation enough for you?" Shizuka bantered as she picked up half of the sandwich.

She wasn't wrong; Shizuka indeed possessed a flawless figure – a generous bosom, a slender waist, and silky thighs. With her regular exercise regimen, her skin remained firm and smooth. Particularly her midsection, while lacking defined abs, showcased two alluring lines that were the envy of many.

Sigh... it's a pity she can't find a husband.

"Huh? Why do I get the feeling you're gossiping about me?" Shizuka cast a somewhat suspicious gaze at Hachiman as she held the sandwich.

"How could you think such a thing?" Hachiman replied with a subtle smile, deploying his acting skills adeptly.

"I suppose you wouldn't dare." As she spoke, Shizuka took a bite of the sandwich, a look of contentment spreading across her features.

The harmonious blend of the omelet's sweet core, the lightly crispy bacon, and the toasted, fluffy slices of buttered bread brought her profound delight with each mouthful.

The girls savored their breakfast, with even Erina, who typically had discerning tastes, appreciating the simplicity of the meal.

However, there was one exception among them, and that was Alice.

At this juncture, Alice hadn't touched her food, and her visage bore faint signs of dark circles, a clear indication of a sleepless night.

"Miss Alice, are you feeling alright?" he inquired, his tone laced with genuine concern, as he noticed the troubled expression etched across her face.

"I'm fine," Alice replied, returning to the present moment upon hearing her name. She looked up, locking eyes with Hachiman's caring gaze, which offered her a measure of comfort.

Involuntarily, she recalled the image of Hachiman performing artificial respiration on her the previous day. That scene had replayed relentlessly in her mind throughout the night, robbing her of precious sleep.

Sigh, that was my first kiss. I wonder if Hikigaya-kun has a girlfriend...

Wait, what am I even thinking?

Alice shook her head briskly, attempting to clear her mind and expel the intrusive thoughts.

Observing her sudden headshake, Hachiman voiced his concern once more, "Miss Alice, is there something troubling you? If you're not feeling well, please don't hesitate to inform us. I can take you to the hospital if necessary."

"Yeah, Alice, you didn't experience any lingering effects from yesterday's near-drowning, did you? If you did, please don't tough it out," Erina added.

"I truly am fine; it's just that I didn't get much sleep last night. If I were feeling unwell, I wouldn't hesitate to speak up."

Sigh, Hachiman is so considerate...

Hmph, that Ryo-kun wouldn't care for me like this; he's solely focused on cooking.

"It's a relief that you're okay. If you ever feel uncomfortable physically, don't hesitate to reach out to me anytime," Hachiman reassured, relieved that the girl was genuinely unharmed. A bright smile adorned his face.

It's worth noting that ever since Hachiman had attained the prestigious rank of a fifth-degree Sword Master in kendo, he seemed to exude an aura of transcendence, a quality shared with Chiba Shigetsugu.

This aura bestowed his already somewhat handsome countenance with an added allure, as though it had acquired an extra charm attribute.

Upon witnessing his winsome smile, Alice's cheeks took on a subtle flush.

Wow, Hachiman-kun looks rather handsome up close. Despite his somewhat unusual eyes, he's certainly more attractive than that Ryo-kun.

And he's quite strong too...

As she observed the well-defined yet not overly muscular physique of Hachiman, deeper thoughts began to swirl within her, intensifying the shade of her blush.

"Thank you, Hachiman-kun," Alice murmured softly.

Hachiman didn't dwell on it, simply acknowledging her gratitude with a nod and continuing to savor his breakfast.

However, Erina, seated nearby, couldn't help but mutter discreetly.

"Hachiman-kun?... When did these two become so close?"

Due to her hushed tone, Hisako, sitting beside her, struggled to discern her words clearly and inquired with some bewilderment.

"Erina-sama, did you say something?"

"N-nothing at all."

Hearing Hisako's inquiry, Erina briefly panicked and promptly dismissed it, taking a sip of her milk.

I have to admit, this guy's culinary skills are quite impressive, marginally surpassing my own.

Just a tad.

But mark my words, I will surpass you eventually. Next time, I'll defeat you, no doubt.

With that determination in mind, Erina took another hearty bite of her sandwich.

Ah... it's truly delicious!

commentaire Commentaire 9

Voter

Chapitre 132: [132] The Wall Slam In Elevator

Chapter 132: The Wall Slam In Elevator

After breakfast, Hachiman had intended to continue with the dishes, but he was intercepted by Yui, Kotonoha, and the others.

In their words, while their culinary skills might not measure up to Hachiman's, they assured him they could handle the dishwashing.

Watching these capable girls at work, Hachiman felt a sense of contentment. His gaze then shifted to Shizuka, who was lounging on the sofa like a boss after her meal, and he couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

Why was there such a stark contrast among people?

Once the dishes were cleaned, Komachi approached Hachiman.

"Onii-chan, what should we do today?"

"What should we do? Let me think..."

In reality, there were only a handful of activities one could enjoy by the seaside: swimming, playing in the sand, and maybe some beach volleyball.

"How about all of you head to the beach for a while, and I'll explore nearby stores to find some games we can all play together?"

"Sounds great! But, Onii-chan, are you going alone?"

Upon hearing Komachi's question, the nearby girls' eyes sparkled with anticipation. This was an excellent chance to spend some one-on-one time with Hachiman.

Sensing a few pairs of eyes on him, Hachiman let out a small sigh and cast a gentle glare in Komachi's direction.

Yet, Komachi remained entirely unfazed, merely sticking out her tongue and playing the cute card.

Taking a deep breath, Hachiman shifted his attention to the other girls and inquired, "Who would like to accompany me?"

"How about having Yui come with you? What do you think, Hikigaya-kun?" Yumiko suggested before anyone else could voice their opinions.

"Yes, that's a good idea. Yui, you'll go with Hikigiya-kun, and make sure to grab some drinks for me," Hina chimed in from the side.

The advantages of having allies were now clear. Some matters were simpler to address with the support of your friends.

Utaha and Kotonoha, who hadn't had the chance, couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment.

Kotonoha was content with the arrangement; her personality didn't incline her to demand much, and merely being able to stay by Hachiman's side sufficed.

However, Utaha held a different sentiment; being denied the opportunity to be alone with Hachiman left her with a slightly somber expression.

Hachiman remained indifferent to the decision, open to having anyone accompany him. He turned to Yui and inquired, "I'm okay with it. Yui, what do you think?"

"I'll pass this time. Let Kotonoha-san go with you, Hikki."

Yui, instead of joining Hachiman, shook her head and chose to give this opportunity to Kotonoha.

She had learned about Hachiman's feelings earlier that morning and wanted to provide him with more time to discuss things with the other girls.

It's fair to say, young lady, you're quite trusting.

"Yui..."

Yui's decision took Yumiko and Hina by surprise. They had put in a lot of effort to secure this chance, only for Yui to offer it to someone else. Naturally, they were perplexed.

Even Hachiman found himself a bit astonished, but he didn't protest. Instead, he directed his attention to Kotonoha, who was nearby.

"Kotonoha, what do you think?"

"Of course, I can. Hachiman-kun, wait for me. I'll go change my clothes."

Kotonoha readily accepted Hachiman's invitation and headed upstairs to change her outfit. Hachiman, on the other hand, saw no need to change, as he had already donned beach shorts and a short-sleeved shirt earlier that morning.

"Is there anything you'd like from the store while I'm out?" Hachiman inquired of the girls.

"Could you grab me some snacks, Onii-chan?" Komachi requested.

"Oh, and there's no beer in the fridge, kiddo. Could you buy some beer for me?" Shizuka asked.

"Then, Hikigaya-kun, please pick up some drinks for us."

"...Certainly."

Taking note of their requests, Kotonoha descended the stairs, now clad in a pristine white dress with transparent crystal sandals gracing her feet.

Her innocent countenance, combined with the immaculate white attire, bestowed upon her the aura of an angel. However, her curvaceous figure was undeniably alluring, especially her ample bosom, which swayed enticingly with each step, drawing the gaze of onlookers.

"Apologies for the wait, Hachiman-kun," she said, offering a radiant smile.

"No need to apologize. Shall we proceed?"

Hachiman nodded, and the two of them left the villa, embarking on a journey to a nearby store.

During their leisurely walk, they engaged in conversation and shared laughter. Hachiman's conversational prowess proved valuable, eliciting smiles from Kotonoha along the way.

Before long, they reached a nearby department store.

As it was a holiday, the mall was bustling with people. Hachiman naturally took Kotonoha's hand, ostensibly to ensure they wouldn't get separated. She didn't object, and they proceeded together through the crowd.

Walking hand in hand, they eventually entered an elevator.

To avoid making Kotonoha feel cramped, Hachiman extended one arm and pressed it against the elevator wall, creating some extra space for her. However, their current positions seemed a bit...

Seeing Hachiman's arm braced near her ear and the less than a foot of distance between them, Kotonoha's cheeks flushed with a subtle shade of red.

Is this... the renowned "wall slam"? Isn't this a pose typically reserved for confessions or kissing scenes in manga?

Could it be that Hachiman intends to...

Their posture unintentionally led Kotonoha to reminisce about the romantic manga scenes she had come across, causing her thoughts to meander aimlessly.

In that moment, she could almost hear the nervous rhythm of her own heartbeat resounding in her ears.

"Kotonoha..."

Hearing Hachiman suddenly call her name, the girl was taken aback.

Could it be that Hachiman truly...

"Kotonoha, we..."

"I agree..."

Before Hachiman could finish his sentence, the girl spoke first.

"Huh? You agree with what?" Hachiman looked puzzled upon hearing her words.

"We should leave the elevator."

"Huh?"

At this point, Kotonoha also snapped back to reality, realizing that the elevator had already come to a stop, and other people had begun to exit.

"Um... let's go, Hachiman-kun."

After all that, it turned out she had misinterpreted the situation. Kotonoha blushed with embarrassment, and ultimately, she allowed Hachiman to lead her out of the elevator, hand in hand.

"Snacks, beer, drinks..."

The girls had essentially completed their shopping, and now it was time to choose a game. When it came to games suitable for multiple players, tabletop games were the preferred option.

With the girl by his side, they made their way to the board game section.

Hachiman immediately noticed a game box prominently displayed in the center.

"Life Simulation Monopoly?"

Seeing the title, Hachiman's eyes lit up.

This is an excellent choice. It has no player limit and is ideal for a large group to play together.

"Kotonoha, what do you think of this?" Hachiman inquired of the girl at his side.

"Sure, I'll go along with whatever you decide," but at that moment, Kotonoha still appeared somewhat dazed from earlier events and simply went along with Hachiman's suggestion.

"Great, let's go with this one."

After making the purchase, they retraced their steps toward the beach.

At that precise moment, a black car was slowly approaching the stretch of beach that Hachiman had reserved.

commentaire Commentaire 27

Voter