"Oni-chan, are you planning to switch sister-in-laws?"
During dinner, Komachi looked at Hikigaya across the table with a cheeky smile.
"Don't let your imagination run wild."
"Hehe, Ai-chan's eyes practically have heartstrings attached when she looks at you. It's clear she's got a romantic interest in you—Komachi knows these things."
"Your sister-in-law will only ever be Yukinoshita." Hikigaya stood up after finishing his meal and headed toward the door. "I'm heading out. Make sure you lock up."
As she watched her brother leave, Komachi couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted.
"Yukino-nee, you're amazing, no doubt. But Ai-chan... I really wish she could be my sister-in-law too. An idol for a sister-in-law—how cool would that be?"
As a genuine fan of Hoshino Ai, Komachi naturally hoped she'd become part of the family.
Just as Komachi was lost in her daydream, her phone suddenly rang.
She pulled it out—Hoshino Ai was calling.
"Hey, Ai-chan~" Komachi answered enthusiastically.
"Hi, Komachi. Sorry for calling out of the blue—do you have a moment?"
"No worries, I just finished dinner and have nothing going on. What's up?"
"Well, I forgot to tell you earlier—I've got a live show coming up in a few days. If you're free, I'd love to invite you to come watch. Front-row seats, of course, for my favorite little sister~" Ai's voice was sweet and playful.
"Eh?! Really?" Komachi's eyes sparkled with excitement. Then, a bit embarrassed, she added, "But if it's free... isn't that a bit much?"
She'd only ever watched Ai on TV before. Getting into one of her live shows was near impossible—tickets were both hard to get and expensive.
"Hehe, I already consider you like a little sister, so it's totally fine. I'll take care of everything," Ai said with a chuckle.
"Ai-chan... I mean, sis..." Komachi said excitedly.
"Huh?" Ai was delighted by the title, though she laughed teasingly, "I'm not your brother's girlfriend yet, you know."
"Ugh, my hopeless brother's such a blockhead. Ai-chan, you're such a catch... sigh," Komachi said, frustrated on Ai's behalf.
"Well, let's not dwell on that now," Ai laughed. "Oh, and you can bring a friend or two if you'd like. I'll make sure to reserve extra seats for you."
"Friends, huh...?"
None of her friends were really into idols... As she thought about it, Komachi's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Ai-chan, how about I bring my brother?"
"Your brother? Doesn't he dislike that kind of event?"
"Too bad! If he doesn't come with his adorable sister, I'll just stop cooking for him—hmph!" Komachi declared proudly.
"If Hikigaya-kun came to the show, that would be amazing. I'd give my absolute best performance."
"Really? Then it's settled! I'll definitely make my brother come see his future sister-in-law perform!" Komachi said enthusiastically.
Ai giggled. "Komachi, you're too sweet. But I'm not your sister-in-law yet."
"Well, Ai-chan's already my officially appointed sister-in-law~" Komachi grinned.
"Ai-chan, you absolutely have to come visit our house more often. I'll make sure my brother treats you like a queen."
"No problem. I'll be coming by more often—especially in the evenings."
"Evenings, huh... emmm…"
Komachi paused thoughtfully.
Since they usually locked the house up tight at night... maybe she should just give Ai-chan a spare key?
After all, Ai-chan was a good person—she'd already earned Komachi's full approval as a future sister-in-law.
---
Meanwhile...
Hikigaya had no idea his little sister was already halfway "sold" to Hoshino Ai.
His current concern was how to deal with Sayuri.
A few minutes later—
He arrived at the park and found Miura and Sayuri already there, both dressed in sportswear, chatting and laughing.
As soon as Sayuri saw him approaching, her attention immediately shifted to him, her smile lighting up as she greeted him:
"Hikigaya-kun, I'll be relying on you again tonight~"
"..."
That devilish grin made Hikigaya's scalp tingle. He had no choice but to nod silently.
"Make sure to take good care of Sayuri-san," Miura reminded him.
"Miura, how's your body holding up?" Hikigaya asked instead of responding directly.
"Huh?"
Caught off guard, Miura's face instantly flushed. She glared at him.
"Why are you so... so concerned about me?"
"Aren't we friends?"
"Even if we are, that's not something you should be asking so casually!"
"Anyway, are you feeling better?"
"A lot better. I can handle more strenuous activity now," Miura muttered, turning her face away.
Hm... a lot more resilient than Yukinoshita.
He remembered Yukinoshita was still struggling with her period today, practically curled up in pain.
"Hehe, you two are such a cute couple. Poor me, just the third wheel auntie," Sayuri teased with a gentle smile.
"Wha—Auntie, I'm not...! Who said I'm with this guy? I'd never have feelings for someone like Hikigaya!" Miura stammered, her face crimson. Caught in Sayuri's teasing gaze, she blurted, "I-I'm going for a run!"
With that, she bolted off.
Leaving just Hikigaya and Sayuri in the open space.
"That girl definitely has feelings for you," Sayuri said with a knowing grin.
"She likes someone else. Not me," Hikigaya said calmly.
"Ah, Hikigaya-kun, you really don't understand women at all." Sayuri shook her head with a sigh, then added playfully, "Anyway, enough about Yumiko-chan. Let's talk about... your Auntie Yuigahama~"
"Eh?"
"Fufu~"
As Hikigaya instinctively stepped back, Sayuri's smile deepened into something almost seductive.
"You were with Auntie Yuigahama just now, weren't you? How did it feel? Was Auntie better? Or is Yuigahama's technique more to your liking?"
"Wha—?" Hikigaya's face turned red. "There's nothing going on between me and Mrs. Yuigahama! We're innocent!"
"Oh? You haven't done it yet?" Sayuri raised an eyebrow.
"I would never do that with Mrs. Yuigahama—"
"Ohhh, so Asuna-chan's still holding out? Makes sense, she's a bit more traditional... scared to take the plunge, huh? Well then, guess Auntie will just have to keep you company again tonight," Sayuri said with a playful glint in her eye, gaze locking onto Hikigaya like a hunter.
Hikigaya stiffened.
"Auntie, I still need to exercise!"
"Hehe~ Working out with Auntie is a kind of exercise, you know~" Sayuri said, looking at the boy with a hungry gleam.