Chapter 294: A Meeting Under the Plan
"Because the relationship between Yui-san and Yukino-san is basically a 'buy one, get one free' deal..."
Komachi replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
If Hikigaya Hachiman had to make a decision between the two, it would undoubtedly be a problem difficult enough to make one scratch their head raw without ever finding an answer.
But in the context of a harem ending, Yuigahama Yui wouldn't just be a source of trouble for Hachiman; on the contrary, once she was convinced, she would become a great asset in persuading Yukinoshita. After all, Yuigahama Yui's greatest wish was for the relationship between the three members of the Service Club to be maintained forever.
Conversely, Yotsuya Miko—the only one who isn't a member of the Service Club and shares no history with the other two—has instead become the biggest hurdle standing before them. It was true that Yotsuya Miko liked Hachiman, but whether she would be willing to accept Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui just because of that love remained an unknown.
"If only Yui-san were a fusion of herself and Hana-san..."
Thinking of Yotsuya Miko, the face of Yurikawa Hana, who was inseparable from her, immediately appeared in Komachi's mind. If Yotsuya Miko were compared to Yukinoshita Yukino, then Yurikawa Hana would undoubtedly be Yuigahama Yui; after all, both had the habit of sticking close to their counterpart.
"Onii-chan, how about you add one more?"
While thinking about how to handle Yotsuya Miko, Komachi teased Hachiman Hikigaya. If Hachiman could also include Yurikawa Hana in his "strike zone," then securing Yotsuya Miko would be a guaranteed success.
"Don't go around saying things like that."
Hearing this, Hachiman exasperatedly flicked Komachi's forehead. Three people were already causing him enough distress, and yet Komachi wanted to add another... Besides, Yurikawa Hana had no interest in him at all; the two only knew each other because of Yotsuya Miko.
"I was just lightening the mood," Komachi defended herself, pouting while covering her forehead. She naturally knew there was nothing between Hachiman and Yurikawa Hana; she would only say such things when it was just the two of them.
"Anyway, Onii-chan, just do your best to win over Miko-san first!"
.
.
.
"Do my best to win her over, huh?"
At the entrance of the train station, Hachiman Hikigaya recalled Komachi's words, a trace of bewilderment appearing on his face. Was this really something that could be resolved just by "doing one's best"?
And furthermore...
Hachiman raised his head and looked around at the crowd. Clearly, the one who was clamoring to go to Tokyo for fun yesterday was that person, so why hasn't she arrived yet? If she's just washing dishes, isn't it taking a bit too long?!
"Sakura, too, saying something about helping to wash the dishes..."
Thinking of the two who were clearly overdue, Hachiman felt a headache coming on. About a week had passed since the day he discussed things with Komachi. Although Komachi's plan was designed in great detail, no action had actually been taken. Not only that, but last night, Komachi also proposed that the three of them go to Tokyo for a trip, as if she had completely forgotten about the harem situation...
"If I keep waiting, the policeman over there is going to come over and 'greet' me."
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced toward the station entrance. The policeman on duty there was no longer hiding his gaze as he stared at Hachiman Hikigaya.
"I'll try giving them a call..."
The policeman's gaze made Hachiman feel like he had thorns in his back. After checking the time on his phone, he decided to call and ask where Komachi and Sakura were.
"Hikigaya... kun?"
Just as the call was dialing, a familiar voice suddenly reached Hachiman's ears.
"Yotsuya-san?"
Hachiman turned around in surprise and saw Yotsuya Miko, dressed in casual clothes with light makeup on her face, holding her phone and looking at him with a mix of surprise and confusion.
"Why are you here?" Hachiman was the first to ask. Even if they both lived in Chiba City, the probability of bumping into each other at the station entrance during summer vacation was far too low.
"Last night, Hana and I made a promise to go to Tokyo today... Why are you here, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Yesterday Komachi said she wanted to go to Tokyo, so..."
Hachiman froze halfway through his sentence. Strange. It was simply too strange. Not only did they meet at the same station entrance, but their reasons for coming were identical...
"Could it be Komachi's doing?"
Thinking of the long-absent Komachi, suspicion rose in Hachiman's heart. Right then, the call he placed to Komachi finally went through!
"Onii-chan, how does it feel?"
As soon as he put the phone to his ear, Komachi's laughter came from the other end.
"You did this, didn't you?"
With dark lines descending from his forehead, Hachiman acted quite helpless toward Komachi on the other side of the line.
"Of course~"
Now that things had progressed to this stage, Komachi, seeing no need to hide it anymore, generously admitted that she was behind it all.
"Onii-chan, you have to seize the opportunity today. It's rare for Miko-san to dress up so beautifully..."
"Are you nearby?"
Hearing Komachi's words, Hachiman immediately began looking around. However, the foot traffic near the station was enormous; Hachiman couldn't find a trace of Komachi in such a short time.
"It's not just me; Sakura is here too."
Sitting in a second-floor restaurant nearby, Komachi watched Hachiman looking around by the station entrance while she handed the phone to Sakura beside her.
"Onii-chan..."
"Sakura?"
"Good luck!"
"......"
Hearing Sakura's words of encouragement over the phone, Hachiman Hikigaya pinched the bridge of his nose.
At the same time, on the other side:
"You're suddenly not coming? Why so sudden?"
Yotsuya Miko had a look of astonishment on her face as she heard Yurikawa Hana's guilt-ridden voice over the phone. They had clearly already made an agreement; why was Hana suddenly backing out?
"Sorry, Miko, it's an emergency this time..."
Over the phone, Yurikawa Hana gave vague excuses for why she couldn't come. Finally, unable to think of a reasonable explanation, Hana simply apologized and hung up the phone.
"Hey, wait... wait a minute!"
Sensing that Hana was trying to slip away, Miko hurriedly tried to stop her.
However, the moment the words left her mouth, all she heard was the dial tone...
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