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

A week had passed since their so-called workplace internship ended. While other students from Soubu High were still being overworked and treated like free labor, the three members of the Service Club were living a life even more relaxed than an actual vacation.

What's more, while the rest of the students struggled to impress their temporary supervisors in hopes of earning a good evaluation, the trio simply handed in glowing reports already filled out by the site manager to Ms. Hiratsuka.

"Aaah, now we can just laze around and wait for summer break to start," Yui said, stretching with a big yawn.

"Got any plans for the next two months?" Hachiman asked casually.

"Eh... not really." Yui thought for a moment but came up blank.

"Maybe you ate too much cantaloupe and all the sugar's rotted your brain."

"Huh?! Hikki, that's so mean!" Yui puffed her cheeks angrily. "What about you two? Any plans, you and Yukinon?"

"Not really. I'd rather just stay home with Komachi and enjoy the air conditioning. That's peak summer living for me," Hachiman replied without hesitation.

"That... actually fits your vibe perfectly," Yui yawned again and slumped in her seat.

"You tired?" Yukino asked, noticing the sleepiness in her voice.

"You guys aren't? We stayed out so late last night..." Yui mumbled, wiping tears from her eyes as she struggled to stay awake.

Hachiman stood up and took a can of coffee from the cabinet, tossing it to the sleepy girl to help her wake up a bit.

"Meh, I'm alright," Yukino said, though the slight weariness on her face said otherwise.

"I just didn't think Saki would be working that hard," Yui added, reflecting on their late-night part-time shift.

"Everyone has their own struggles," Hachiman murmured, staring at the floor. "Anyway, let's not talk about that right now."

"Back to summer plans then," he continued, turning toward Yukino, who had her eyes closed and was resting her head on the desk.

"Mm? What is it?" Yukino opened her eyes, her dark navy pupils shimmering like a spring lake.

"Got any plans for the break?" he asked gently.

"Not sure. Don't forget, I usually spend most of summer cooped up at home," she replied in an equally soft tone.

"Eh?! So neither of you have anything planned?" Yui looked surprised. "It's summer vacation! Two whole months!"

"Speaking of plans," Yukino leaned closer and whispered near Hachiman's ear, "What about that girl? Have you figured out how to handle her?"

"You mean Rumi?" Hachiman frowned. "I haven't decided yet."

Yukino thought of the girl from her dream the one who resembled herself in more ways than one and felt an inexplicable unease.

"It's okay. I'm here," Hachiman said as he gently pulled her into a hug, stroking her head to comfort her.

"Also, Hachiman... I have a feeling. My mother might contact you soon."

Yukino looked up at him, her eyes filled with worry. Her mother's intimidating presence had left a lasting impression on her, and she couldn't help but fear how Hachiman might fare under that pressure.

"It'll be fine. I don't think your mom's that unreasonable," he said softly. "Besides, we have Haruno too, right? I'm sure she'll help us."

"My sister, huh... I'll call her later and ask," Yukino said, still unsure.

As the two whispered back and forth, a soft snoring sound came from beside them. They turned to find Yui had already drifted off, sound asleep.

"Haa..." Yukino sighed as she looked at Yui's peaceful sleeping face and couldn't help yawning too. "Hachiman, I'm getting sleepy as well."

"Want to nap for a bit? We still have time."

"Mm." Yukino leaned her head against Hachiman's shoulder, letting her body rest gently against his. As she breathed in his scent, her expression slowly relaxed, and soon she, too, had fallen into a peaceful sleep.

"Onii-chan... are you seriously going to spend the whole summer just lounging around at home?" Komachi asked while clipping her toenails, dressed only in a T-shirt and striped blue-and-white shorts.

"Mmhm," came Hachiman's half-hearted reply as he lay sprawled on his bed, scrolling through his phone.

"Are you even listening?" she asked, annoyed. In protest, she stomped on his face and started rubbing her foot against his cheek.

Without a word, Hachiman calmly stuck out his tongue and licked the sole of her foot. Komachi shrieked and yanked her leg back.

"What the hell, Onii-chan?! That's so gross!" she squealed, pretending to be angry as she kicked him lightly.

"Why would I go out and suffer in the heat when I can stay home and nap with my adorable little sister under the AC?"

Hachiman licked his lips, savoring the moment.

"Eww! You're such a weirdo... But hearing that makes me kinda happy." Komachi giggled. "Still, aren't you going to hang out with Yukino-nee during break?"

Instead of answering, Hachiman grabbed her freshly trimmed foot, placed a towel between her toes, and began carefully applying nail polish.

"What happens between me and Yukino isn't any of your business," he said with a frown.

"Aww... I was just trying to help. I mean, it's the first time someone's ever liked you," Komachi pouted, feeling wronged.

Hachiman blew gently over the fresh coat of polish to help it dry.

"This nail polish kind of sucks," he said. "I'll take Yukino shopping tomorrow and get you a better one."

"Hehehe, as long as it's from you, Onii-chan, I'll be happy," Komachi chirped as she hugged him tightly and rubbed her cheek against his.

"Ugh, you're making it hot in here. Get off," he said, pushing her away.

"Uuu... Are you abandoning me now, Onii-chan? You used to say you'd marry me, but now that Yukino-nee's around, you're tossing me aside like yesterday's news!" she fake-cried dramatically.

Hachiman twitched at the corner of his mouth but didn't bother responding to her antics. Instead, he pulled out his phone and sent Yukino a message.

Got time tomorrow? I promised Komachi I'd get her some better nail polish.

Tomorrow? I'll just bring it over. I've got plenty of unused cosmetics. Komachi can have them all.

That's not right. They're yours. At least let me pay for them.

If you mention money again, I'm kicking you.

It's settled. I'll bring them tomorrow.

Hachiman sighed, feeling mentally exhausted. Having a girlfriend who was basically a rich princess sometimes made him feel like a freeloading pretty boy.

"Komachi, come here for a sec."

"Huh? What is it, Onii-chan?"

She cheerfully leaned in close.

Hachiman reached out and began squishing her cheeks with both hands.

"Ugh! What are you doing?!"

Ignoring her complaints, Hachiman let out a long, contented sigh.