Hikigaya's God Slayer Story

Chapter 16 – Aragaki Ayase is Komachi's Good Friend

In the living room, Hikigaya sat calmly, blatantly bullshitting in front of his little sister's classmate.

"So here's the thing. There's this guy I know," he said, taking a sip of his drink, smacking his lips, and continuing, "but he's really a piece of work. He used my name to scam people and nearly got Komachi hurt. Once I found out, I had someone give him a proper beating."

"There's such a person…?" Aragaki Ayase was shocked.

Then, she grew visibly angry.

"How could he do that? That's awful!" the girl bit her lip in frustration. "Onii-san, you definitely need to give him a serious talking-to."

"Ah, well… he's already been beaten up so badly by his creditors that he's in the hospital. I don't think a scolding is necessary anymore. But now there's another problem."

Hikigaya watched Ayase's expression carefully and continued:

"Those creditors were a bit… too extreme.

Even though that guy messed up, I'm not thrilled to see him beaten like that.

And those guys aren't exactly decent people themselves — more like gangsters.

They almost dragged Komachi into it, though she doesn't know. So now I'm wondering how I should handle this situation. Ayase, can you give me some advice?"

"Eh? Advice?" Ayase made a troubled face. Clearly, she found this very difficult.

"That guy you know was definitely in the wrong, but the others are at fault too..." she said, choosing her words carefully.

"Hurting others over dirty money is the worst!"

By the end, she was visibly fired up.

"And to think they almost hurt someone as sweet as Komachi! Onii-san, you have to call the police and get them all arrested!"

What the hell?! Calm down, girl…

"I'll protect Komachi myself!"

Protect your sister's ass! I said calm down, you psycho!

And who said you could start hitting on my sister!? I mean, yeah, she's an airhead, but that doesn't mean you can just start yuri-ing it up!

"Get a grip… and wipe your drool!" Hikigaya stared at the clearly hyped-up Ayase, feeling a mix of dread and horror.

Komachi is in danger! This pervert has her in her sights!

Forget the test — is this even necessary anymore?!

"Ah… sorry, Onii-san. I got a little too worked up, but I can't help it. Komachi's just so cute and thoughtful. I just want to smother her in affection."

"..."

Hikigaya began seriously considering whether he should call the cops himself…

"Let's get back to the real issue…" He forcibly pushed away the urge to sell Ayase to some gangsters in Africa and awkwardly brought the conversation back. "So, how do you think I should deal with these brain-dead gangsters?"

Then he saw that "I knew it" look appear on Ayase's face.

"Onii-san, I knew it, you've been hiding something.

You're not ordinary at all.

My father once told me that truly impressive people can project power just by sitting there. You totally give off that vibe."

She giggled.

"So I've figured out your secret. Komachi's so lucky to have a brother who's both powerful and kind! Ah… now I feel so shy~"

"..."

Hikigaya was speechless again.

This girl's hopeless… All her brainpower's going into seducing her female classmates — she's impossible to talk to!

As a future exam interviewer, Hikigaya thought, If I ever run an interview, this kind of ditzy idiot's getting kicked out immediately.

Without hesitation, he reached out and thumped Ayase on the head.

Watching her tear up and clutch her head in pain, he said seriously:

"Cut the act. Are you going to give me advice or not? I'm being completely serious here. This is important. You don't want Komachi to get hurt either, right?"

Come on, girl, take control of your own damn fate!

"Ow… okay. I'll be blunt, so please don't mind me, Onii-san.

I know you're really capable, and it's because of that I hope you'll use your strength wisely. So… punish those people a little, and then forgive them, okay?"

"If I do that, won't this happen again? One day, Komachi might really get hurt. You sure that's okay?" Hikigaya looked at her with a strange expression. "Your father's a politician — you should know that gangsters don't learn their lesson. Greed for money is eternal — that's been true forever."

"Yes, I know Onii-san's kindness might not be rewarded…" Ayase looked serious too. "But have you thought about what Komachi would want, someday? Isn't she the most important person to you?"

Hikigaya fell silent…

What Ayase said was exactly what he feared most.

Neither Yomi nor divinity could erase the emotions he had for his family.

During the hellish days after he crossed over, it was Komachi who stayed by his side.

He truly saw her as his little sister.

He wanted her to live happily, free of pain or fear.

He wouldn't let anyone hurt her — not even himself.

And that, unfortunately, might become inevitable.

He didn't want to admit it, but he knew that someday Komachi would learn the truth.

She might never understand what a God Slayer was or what the magical world meant — but she would realize her brother's hands were soaked in blood.

Just this time alone — returning to Japan, watching the Yukinoshita family fall, using it as bait, and then going on a killing spree — that would be far beyond what Komachi could accept.

Komachi was a kind girl.

She would never accept a brother like that.

And when that day came, Hikigaya would leave.

She would need a friend — a true friend — and right now, Aragaki Ayase was a qualified candidate.

So Ayase passed the test. Her family would be spared.

As for the others… well, tough luck.

If they dared to step onto the board, they'd have to be ready to lose.

Their blood would be the declaration: Chiba will not tolerate disorder. Anyone who disagrees, come find me.

Having reached a conclusion, Hikigaya smiled again and said to Ayase:

"Your advice helped. Thank you."

"Oh, not at all… If you're ever troubled, Onii-san, you can talk to me more. I might not be very helpful, but…"

"Don't be so modest. You've helped me a lot." Hikigaya habitually reached out and patted her head, just like he would with Komachi. "Now I need to take care of this. Can't keep you company. Let's go out and have some fun next time, okay?"

"Mmm…"

Ayase let out a weird little noise, her face bright red and totally adorable.

"Y-you're not allowed to pat my head…" she murmured shyly, but Hikigaya didn't even notice her expression.

His mind was too busy figuring out the best way… to wipe out an entire family.

Chapter 17: Do You Desire Power?

After seeing Arakaki Ayase off, Hikigaya closed the door, turned around, and returned to the living room. He sat back down and picked up the remote control, switching on the television.

He glanced at the TV for a while, then began playing a video game.

Only when the sky outside the balcony glass door had dimmed noticeably did he finally turn off the console and the TV. He took out his phone.

He scrolled through his contacts and dialed the number of Kushinada Mikumo.

Once connected, her deep, magnetic, and seductively charming voice immediately came through the phone:

"Do you desire power?"

"..." Hikigaya was silent for a moment, then said dryly, "Change that passphrase already…"

"But you're the one who came up with it, Hachiman-sama. If we don't confirm it with the passphrase, how else can we be sure your phone hasn't been stolen? You lose it at home all the time, don't you?"

"If I say it, you're just going to crawl into my bed again tonight, right? What the hell happened to your personality lately? Are you on something?"

"This is all your fault. Aren't you the one who trained me to be like this? Still, I didn't expect you to like women's breasts this much…" Mikumo's voice turned even lower and raspier. "Come now, if you're truly Hachiman-sama, you'll admit it—you desire boobs. No need to be shy. You're the king, after all. Only by being liked by you do these things have any worth. I'm quite confident in this area…"

Screw this! Don't make me come over and beat you up!

"Damn it! Try to act more refined, will you? Even if we're doing this passphrase thing, this is just outright giving the answer away!" Hikigaya shouted in frustration, interrupting her. He rubbed his temples and said, "Let's get to the point. We're making our move tonight. Everyone involved except the Aragaki family—whether they're tigers or mosquitoes—wipe them all out."

"Oh? So you've decided to spare them… Well, I suppose they are useful. But only if used by you."

"That's your job to arrange. Just get it done and let me know after."

He hung up the phone and let out a sigh…

Ever since they returned to Chiba, Kushinada Mikumo had been acting weird.

Her whole demeanor had changed dramatically, and for some reason, she'd started using code phrases.

He'd been an idiot to jokingly respond with one once, and ever since, every time he did, she'd use it as an excuse to crawl into his bed.

Not that it was a bad thing necessarily—but lately, his power had been changing drastically due to Di Jun.

Sometimes he even accidentally emitted fire. Otherwise, he would've already taken her.

She did have quite the impressive pair… Damn it, how vulgar! She must've corrupted him.

Thinking this, Hikigaya put away his phone, grabbed his keys, and left the house.

Time to go find Haruno.

Come to think of it, he'd recently discovered another use for Di Jun's power. Might as well take this opportunity to test it.

Though a bit dirty, that was the fault of Di Jun—not his. The choice was Haruno's.

He soon exited the residential district. He'd bought a house far from his own family.

It wasn't like the place the Aragaki family lived, which was reserved for the elite, but it was still a decent area, composed entirely of standalone villas.

It didn't take long to reach the villa.

As he arrived at the entrance to the district, the gatekeeper recognized him immediately and let him in respectfully—though, truth be told, this so-called gatekeeper was actually a Yomi warrior…

Since Hikigaya's return, the influence of Yomi in the Kanto region had begun to swell.

Especially in Chiba, where many high-level martial artists had gathered.

Hikigaya himself didn't care about any of this, but with One Shadow Nine Fists having submitted to him, and the Weapon Group constantly on edge trying not to offend him again, he was essentially the Lord of Yomi.

Like others of his kind, Hikigaya had no interest in running any kind of organization.

But for the sake of his family, he had tacitly allowed this structure to exist—and, whether intentionally or not, had acted as if he supported these warriors.

After all, he came from the world of Yomi martial artists.

He still referred to the Demon God Fist as his master, even though the guy could no longer teach him anything.

Perhaps Hikigaya Komachi didn't realize it, but she was now the most powerful woman in Japan.

Every day, numerous Yomi warriors secretly protected her.

Hikigaya had done everything in his power to shield her from the magical society.

No sorcerer was allowed anywhere near her.

"How have they been doing lately?" Hikigaya asked the Yomiwarrior walking beside him down the villa district path.

"My lord, they are well. However, Madam Yukinoshita seems unable to completely give up the drugs. It's not a physical issue—it's psychological addiction."

"Hmm. That's to be expected. What about her two daughters?"

"They're doing better. The elder daughter has impressive mental resilience. The younger one is slightly more fragile."

"So, no major issues?"

"On the surface, no. But I haven't had formal interaction with them, so I can't confirm the deeper situation."

"Hmm…"

Listening to the warrior's report, Hikigaya felt he had a decent understanding of the two sisters' current state.

As he had expected, the other two people were not suitable.

Without further words, they arrived at the villa.

"My lord, I will take my leave."

"Go ahead. Thank you for your work."

"You honor me. Serving you is our greatest privilege."

This Yomi warrior had a clear Chinese martial flair.

He cupped his fists in salute and quickly left.

But Hikigaya was sure this guy wasn't actually Chinese. Real Chinese people weren't this dark-skinned!

He approached the door, took out his key, unlocked it, and went inside.

It was a small villa.

The first room past the door was the dining room, followed by a connected living room.

Behind that was a staircase leading upstairs and a small door to the backyard. The bathroom was to the side.

As soon as he entered, he saw Mama Yukinoshita sitting dazedly at the table, her face flushed from excitement. An ashtray sat in front of her with a cigarette butt.

Hikigaya frowned and looked toward the living room. The TV was on, and Yukino was sitting there with her back to the door.

Only when she heard the door open did she turn around.

Her expression was extremely calm—maybe even blank—but once she realized it was Hikigaya, a light returned to her eyes.

"Hikigaya-kun…"

"Just call me Hachiman," he said as he changed into slippers and entered the room. "Where's your sister?"

"She's in the backyard."

"You don't look too well. Have you been eating and sleeping properly?"

"I… can't sleep…" Yukino shook her head. Ever since Hikigaya had entered, her eyes had been fixed on him with a heated gaze.

Hikigaya knew exactly what that look meant—this girl still hadn't given up on the idea of going berserk…

"It's getting late. After dinner, go get some rest. I guarantee you'll sleep well tonight," he said after thinking for a moment.

How could she not sleep?

Even a godslayer like him needed sleep.

"Okay. I'll wait until you arrive before I sleep," Yukino said sweetly.

Though her excessive docility was a bit unsettling, Hikigaya nodded, then headed toward the backyard.