Hikigaya Komachi sat idly at her desk, surrounded by the chatter of her classmates, none of which registered in her ears.
The older brother who had always been a source of worry since they were young had now beco soone she worried about even more.
Especially two years ago.
That day, disaster suddenly struck their family.
Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly no longer recognized anyone.
His personality changed completely.
The lifeless, dead-fish eyes were gone, replaced by a gaze that looked at everyone with cold unfamiliarity.
His eyes were filled with suspicion and distrust. When family tried to approach, his coldness was chilling.
The doctor concluded that he may have suffered extre ntal trauma and lost part of his mory.
But despite the family's desperate efforts, they couldn't figure out what had triggered it. Up until that mont, Hachiman had been living his life as usual.
It happened so suddenly, just after a normal night of sleep.
Fortunately, with the family's efforts, he eventually accepted them again—including Komachi.
But many things had changed.
Komachi didn't want to admit it, but her brother no longer seed to need her the way he once did.
Especially after he disappeared again for half a year about a year ago, this feeling only beca stronger.
He still cared for her, but the dynamic between the one depending and the one being depended on had flipped completely.
Two years later, Hikigaya Hachiman had beco a completely different person.
More and more unfamiliar people appeared around him—especially beautiful girls. They just kept showing up.
Was this really all from learning martial arts?
Komachi wanted to doubt it—but she was afraid. Afraid that if she truly dug into it, she might lose even this small connection they still had.
It made her uneasy.
She felt like soday, her brother might completely disappear from her life.
Just like this ti—he vanished again for over a month, and when he returned, he was surrounded by a group of ridiculously intimidating people.
And that silver-haired oneesan... Komachi couldn't help but feel her brother's gaze toward her was different from normal.
It made her feel miserable...
Sigh...
Letting out a long sigh, Komachi buried her face in her arms.
"What's wrong, Komachi?"
A gentle voice reached her ears.
It was her close friends, Aragaki Ayase and Kosaka Kirino.
To Komachi, Kosaka Kirino was the epito of a kind-hearted girl—not only was she stunning, academically successful, and a sports all-rounder, she was also a regular model for a fashion magazine.
Despite all that, she wasn't arrogant in the least.
Instead, she was always caring, with a radiant smile like the sun. She was a goddess admired by the entire school.
Ayase was the sa—also a model for the sa magazine as Kirino.
She was cheerful, kind, and although a little stubborn, it was completely overshadowed by her good qualities. Just looking at her was healing.
She'd heard Kirino had a brother too—though she never talked about him much.
But having a sister like her? That guy had to be super lucky!
Back then, Komachi's brother used to be soone who could be happy just having a sister like her, too!
Ugh! So frustrating!
Komachi lifted her head, teary-eyed, and looked at her surprised friends, choking back a sob as she said, "It's nothing, really..."
"No way it's nothing!" Ayase widened her eyes. "Were you bullied or sothing?"
"Exactly!" Kirino looked angry. "Tell us! Who would bully soone as cute as Komachi? That's trash-tier behavior! Let's have my dad arrest them or sothing!"
What none of them realized was that behind them, Hikigaya Hachiman was glaring with eyes blazing with fury.
Damn it! I knew soone was bullying my little sister! Komachi, just say who it is, and your big bro will beat the crap out of them right now!
"No, no..." Komachi sniffled. "It's my brother... He's acting super weird lately..."
Setting aside Ayase and Kirino's reactions, Hachiman, standing at Komachi's other side, was dumbfounded by the sudden plot twist. His anger vanished instantly.
"Your brother?"
Ayase and Kirino exchanged a look, both showing a wry smile.
As her friends, they knew full well that although Komachi wasn't exactly a full-blown bro-con, she cared deeply for her "trashy brother."
Especially during his amnesia and disappearance phases—Komachi had been practically crying every day, and they had spent ages trying to comfort her.
Her saying he was "weird" was probably just because she felt like he didn't need her anymore and was sulking over it.
"Komachi, your brother's a high schooler, you know? He can't depend on you forever," Ayase gently reasoned.
"You should be happy he's changed," she added.
"You don't get it, Ayase! Ever since he lost part of his mory and disappeared, he's totally beco a different person. He said he learned martial arts, but I swear he's totally being kept by a sugar mama!"
"NANI!?!"
The two girls were floored, while Hachiman... was about ready to spit blood!
He wanted to do a Uchiha Itachi-style thud against the wall and lecture his dumb sister on the spot.
Ti to leave, Hachiman thought.
What a waste of emotion—this whole thing turned out to be just his sister being dramatic.
Shaking his head, he turned to leave.
But then, he heard the black-haired girl say:
"Then how about this, Komachi—this weekend, we go to your house and have a talk with your brother?"
WHAT!?
Hachiman whipped his head around in disbelief.
The black-haired girl looked completely serious, not joking in the slightest.
Why is this turning into a house visit arc all of a sudden?!
My sister being a clown is one thing—but now even you're joining in? I'm busy this weekend, okay?
Busy... sleeping.
"Oh, going to Komachi's house? I wanna co too!" said the ponytailed girl, charging over with chaos in her eyes.
Hachiman finally couldn't take it anymore and walked away.
Well, whatever. At least she hasn't actually been led astray.
As for her classmates coming over to visit?
Tch. I'm a godslayer.
Like I'd be afraid of a few middle schoolers.
Besides, if I really wanted to nap sowhere else, that's not hard at all.
And with that, Hachiman walked out of the school and headed ho.
What a complete waste of my ti. Might as well go back and play that classmates ga this afternoon.
Oh right, and Yukinoshita—her situation should be dealt with soon. Better contact Ena when I get back.
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