Chapter 278 - Hoshino Ai: Turning the Tables

In the Hikigaya living room, Hikigaya, Komachi, and Hoshino Ai were seated on the sofa.

Komachi blinked curiously and turned to the beautiful girl next to her.

"How did you and my brother meet, Ai-chan?"

"Hehe, it was one evening. If it hadn't been for your brother, I might've been attacked by some thugs..." Ai gave a brief version of their first encounter.

"Whoa, my big brother's actually capable of something like that? Took down bad guys?!"

Komachi was genuinely surprised. Then she beamed at her brother, who sat across the sofa.

"You're kind of amazing, onii-chan."

Hikigaya silently drank his hot milk, clearly troubled by how casually his sister had brought Ai into their home.

"He was really brave that night," Ai chimed in playfully. "He said all sorts of kind things to comfort me."

"Really? Like what?"

"Well, that night, Hikigaya-kun told me—"

Hey, hey, hey! Stop saying that kind of stuff in front of me!

Watching the two girls bond so quickly, Hikigaya was utterly mortified and wanted nothing more than to sink into the floor.

"If this were a drama, it'd be like a prince saving the princess," Komachi commented with a suspicious grin.

Wait a second, are you hinting at something here, Komachi?!

"Yes, if only…" Ai glanced meaningfully at Hikigaya and sighed.

"Ah, that's right! Ai-chan already has a boyfriend! Sorry about that," Komachi said, suddenly remembering, clearly having been about to recommend her brother.

Ai giggled. "Boyfriend? Oh, that was just a cover story. I don't actually have one right now."

"Huh? Fake news?"

"Mhm. Just to keep people from bothering me."

As she spoke, Ai subtly glanced at Hikigaya, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Of course, fake news can always become real—if someone would just get a clue…"

Hikigaya coolly sipped his milk and ignored the loaded gaze.

Komachi blinked, looking back and forth between her brother and Ai. Her heart began to thump with an odd excitement.

"What a shame, really. If my brother didn't already have a girlfriend, it'd be perfect. Honestly, I've always wanted an idol sister-in-law~" she said with a wistful look toward her brother. "Not that Yukino-san isn't great too, of course…"

"Yeah, it really is a shame," Ai echoed with a sigh, her eyes falling again on Hikigaya.

"I've always wanted a cute little sister like you, Komachi. Having such an adorable sibling must be one of life's greatest blessings."

"Really?"

Komachi blushed. "I'm not that cute…"

"No, Komachi, you're the cutest little sister I've ever met~"

"Aw~ Ai-chan…"

Hey! Don't fall for her tricks, Komachi! This woman is scheming!

Komachi beamed. "I wish I had a big sister like Ai-chan… Too bad I only have a dopey older brother who annoys me every day."

"Hehe, if you want, I'd love to be your big sister," Ai said, gently patting her head.

"Really? Can I call you—um, onee-chan?" Komachi started to say something else, but caught Hikigaya glaring and quickly changed it.

"Of course, Komachi~"

"Yay! Now I have an idol for a big sis~" Komachi rubbed her face against Ai's arm like a spoiled kitten.

"And now I have a little sister too~"

Ai chuckled, gently pinching Komachi's cheek.

The two of them had gotten incredibly close in no time at all.

Of course, Hikigaya sat nearby with a growing sense of dread. The moment Ai threw him a knowing smile, he felt a chill run down his spine.

Good grief.

In just a few minutes, she had completely won over his sister.

If he didn't already have Yukinoshita as his girlfriend—and if Komachi didn't get along so well with her—Hikigaya had a terrible suspicion that his own sister might've started calling Ai "sister-in-law" on the spot.

"It's getting late. I have to prepare for my next performance, so I'll be heading out now, Komachi~"

"Ehh? You're leaving already?"

Komachi clung to her, clearly reluctant.

"Why don't you stay for dinner?"

"Komachi, don't trouble Hoshino-san," Hikigaya finally spoke up. "She has work to do. Let go already."

"It's okay, Hikigaya-kun." Ai gently patted Komachi's head. "Komachi, how about I visit again sometime?"

"Really? Promise you'll come often! I'll make you lots of yummy food!"

"Of course. As long as I have the time. Though it might be pretty late…"

"That's fine, that's fine. The door's always open for Ai-chan at night!" Komachi said earnestly.

Wait! Komachi! That came out way too dangerous-sounding!

Don't just go inviting girls over at night like that!

"Onii-chan, Ai-chan's leaving. Don't just sit there—go walk her out, you dummy," Komachi huffed.

"Huh? Why me?"

"Obviously because it's proper for a guy to walk a girl home! You really are clueless…"

With his sister's scolding ringing in his ears, Hikigaya reluctantly stood up to walk Ai to the door.

"It's fine, Hikigaya-kun, just to the door is enough."

"Be careful on the way back," he said as she stepped out.

"Hehe~ You really are sweet, Hikigaya-kun~"

Ai turned to him with a radiant smile, leaning slightly. From this angle, her figure looked effortlessly elegant, her posture just enough to draw attention—but Hikigaya pretended not to notice.

"I'm just doing what I was told."

Ai giggled, then turned to leave.

And just before she stepped into the night, she flashed a sly grin and touched her stomach ever so lightly.

She had already won over his little sister.

Getting into his heart—and maybe his room—would be the easy part.

One quiet night, a little twist of fate, and everything could change.

Ai was confident. A guy like Hikigaya-kun? All she needed was the right moment—and he'd be completely hers.