The Hikigaya Couple’s Youth Romantic Comedy Is Just as Expected

"Ehh? So you're saying next week we're going to the beach with Yukino-nee and that pink-haired onee-san?"

Komachi's surprised voice echoed as she listened to her brother recount what had been decided today with Yukino and Yui, right after he got home.

"Yeah, that's the plan."

Hachiman lounged lazily on the sofa, one leg draped over the armrest, eyes fixed on the TV as he spoke casually.

"And what do you mean by 'pink-haired onee-san'? Just call her Yuigahama. Though I'm pretty sure she'd prefer if you called her Yui-nee."

He reached out and flicked Komachi on the head, scolding her half-heartedly.

"Ugh, ow! What was that for, Onii-chan? You're gonna knock the smarts outta me."

Komachi pouted, rubbing the spot he flicked as she looked up at her brother with teary puppy-dog eyes.

"Quit the act. I barely touched you."

Hachiman, long used to his sister's habit of acting cute to get her way, didn't even flinch.

"I seriously wonder how someone with Onii-chan's level of emotional intelligence managed to score someone like Yukino-nee. She's gorgeous."

Suddenly, Komachi lunged into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and looking up at him, mischief dancing in her eyes.

"Gorgeous, huh?"

Hachiman glanced down. Komachi was lounging around the house in just a tank top and shorts. Her porcelain-white thighs and a flat, toned stomach were exposed to the air. Because of the loose fit of her tank top, the soft curves of her chest peeked through. The rest, still hidden under the thin fabric, teased at being just out of sight.

Her smooth shoulders and delicately shaped collarbones were in full view. But this wasn't anything new. Hachiman had already declared long ago that a sister's underwear was just cloth, and even seeing her naked wouldn't faze him. He had long since become immune.

He adjusted the hem of her tank top, which had ridden up when she threw herself into his lap, smoothing it back down before responding.

"She's okay. Pretty much on par with you."

"Ohh? You were just saying your EQ is crap and now you're out here trying to flirt with Komachi? Still, even if you're teasing, it makes me super happy to hear that."

Komachi grinned from ear to ear, her trademark fang poking out, while the cowlick on top of her head twitched with delight.

She was clearly overjoyed, unaware that Hachiman hadn't actually meant it as a compliment. As her cowlick brushed his chin, tickling slightly, Hachiman looked down and saw it bobbing in time with her movements.

He reached out to press it down.

But the moment he lifted his hand, it sprang back up again.

Hachiman, now amused, started a little game of whack-a-mole with her cowlick. Komachi, meanwhile, swatted his hand away with a smack.

"Stop touching me! So annoying! If you're so desperate to touch someone, go find Yukino-nee!"

Despite her words, Komachi didn't move from his lap. On the contrary, she scooted back, pressing herself even closer against him.

Hachiman wrapped his arm around her waist and gently lifted her long, pale legs onto his lap. Reclining back into the couch, the two of them settled in to watch TV.

They had only been watching for a while when a soft meow sounded. A striped cat with patches of gray, black, and white peeked out from the side of the sofa, watching the siblings closely.

"Kamakura, what's wrong? Are you hungry?"

Komachi leaned forward, tilting her head at the cat.

As she did, Hachiman caught a glimpse of her lower back her pure white panties peeking out above the waistband of her shorts. He reached out instinctively to pull her shorts up, trying to shield the exposed fabric from view.

But just as he tugged at her waistband, Komachi whipped around.

"O...O...Onii-chan! What are you doing?! Why are you suddenly trying to take my pants off?!"

Her face turned bright red, and her voice stammered in shock.

"You've got underwear showing. I was just fixing your clothes. No need to freak out."

Hachiman ignored the clearly suggestive parts of her protest, responding with deadpan indifference.

"I...I see."

Komachi lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

Her cowlick, now drooping like a wilting flower, trembled slightly as she sat still.

"So, did you get a swimsuit yet? Don't forget we're going to the beach. If you're not going in the water, what's the point?"

Hachiman smoothly changed the subject, pulling Komachi's thoughts away from the awkward moment.

"Swimsuit, huh? I'll get one when I have time."

She looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Still haven't decided what style to get."

Then, with a teasing grin, she turned to her brother.

"Hehe, what kind do you like, Onii-chan?"

"You? What else would suit you besides a school swimsuit?"

He glanced at her flat chest and petite frame, delivering the jab with a straight face.

"Ugh, that's so mean! Is Komachi really that childlike? I can totally wear a bikini, you know!"

Pouting, she tugged at her tank top and peeked down at her own chest, then glanced at her brother's unimpressed expression. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Hehe, want to try touching them, Onii-chan? They're not bad, you know?"

"I've been drinking a lot of milk lately. I might not catch up to Yui-nee, but I'll definitely outpace Yukino-nee one day!"

She giggled, grabbing Hachiman's hand and pulling it toward her chest.

But before he could make contact, Hachiman recoiled as if electrocuted.

Watching her brother retreat like that, Komachi looked triumphant. But just as quickly, Hachiman reached out and lightly tapped her head.

He pulled back all the force at the last moment, turning it into a gentle pat.

Komachi closed her eyes and leaned into the touch, clearly enjoying it.

Just as the siblings were soaking in this quiet moment, Kamakura meowed again from beside them, clearly not wanting to be left out.

Hachiman reached down and picked the cat up, placing it on his lap. He scratched behind its ears, under its chin, and along its belly.

Kamakura stretched out contentedly, purring in approval. Hachiman smiled.

"You look pretty cozy. What's wrong, jealous of Komachi or something?"

Right on cue, Kamakura let out a soft, begrudging meow.

"Oh? You actually admit it? You little furball planning to become a spirit or something?"

Hachiman poked at Kamakura's belly, and the cat nipped lightly at his finger in protest.

Then it flipped over and leapt off his lap, sauntering toward its bed.

"See, Komachi? Kamakura's just as tsundere as you are."

As Komachi sprawled out across his lap, Hachiman reached out and poked her cheek.

Instead of responding with a quip, Komachi simply took his hand and placed it on her face, silently asking him to continue stroking her cheek.

And so the two of them sat there quietly, watching television. At some point, they both drifted off to sleep.

Hachiman's hand remained resting on her soft cheek.

The only sounds in the room were the hum of the TV, the gentle whoosh of the air conditioner, the soft breaths of two people asleep, and Kamakura's rhythmic purring.

Other than that, the quiet of the night remained undisturbed.

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