"Chosen by Hachiman..."
The ten fingers are connected to the heart. Ichinose Honami's heart was already in complete turmoil from having her hands played with freely by Hachiman. Hearing Hachiman say he had chosen her and liked her, her heart jumped violently, and she wanted to say something.
But upon hearing that Hachiman had arranged everything for her mother and younger sister, whom she cared about most, Ichinose Honami's throat instead became dry, her lips moved slightly, and she didn't know what to say.
Now she had already confessed her undercover identity to Hachiman, and Hachiman had forgiven her actions. In the future, it wouldn't be a problem even if she stopped gathering information about Hachiman and the Elf Princess for her Ichinose uncle.
But Hachiman was so good to her, doing so much for her. The friendship between her and Hachiman seemed about to change again.
"Eek? Karuizawa-san?"
Ichinose Honami, lost in melancholy, suddenly exclaimed in surprise. Subconsciously, she turned her head to look behind her and discovered that the sleeping Karuizawa Kei had already woken up and had just suddenly lifted her from behind and let her fall freely.
"It's not class time yet, Master can't just dote on Honami alone again~"
Karuizawa Kei grinned cheerfully and poked her head out from behind Ichinose Honami, pressing her hands on Honami's shoulders as she looked down at Hachiman, who was enjoying himself immensely.
Although when she arrived, the place was already in chaos, and she didn't know how Ichinose Honami had managed to climb onto Master's bed.
But it's fine. As Master's pet, she didn't need to know that much; she only needed to think about how to make Master happy.
Now, seeing Ichinose Ayano and the others trying so hard to please Master, she felt even more motivated to win over the socially anxious, introverted hidden beauty, Sakura Airi.
Since Ayano and Honami were being so proactive, she couldn't fall behind either.
It's just a pity that this was her first time having such thoughts, and she didn't know how to tempt Sakura Airi to become Master's pet with her. She could only build a good relationship with Sakura Airi for now and see if she could find an opportunity.
"Come in."
Seeing that Karuizawa Kei was also awake, Hachiman directly held Ichinose Honami and flipped over, swapping positions, then propped himself up on his arms.
Seeing this, Karuizawa Kei crawled into the space between Ichinose Honami and Hachiman. As she lay down, she put the silver shared sensation bracelets on her own and Ichinose Honami's wrists.
"Mmm!"
Ichinose Honami looked at Karuizawa Kei who was so close, stared at her fair face gradually becoming charming and flushed, and sighed inwardly.
She'd think about it later. In this current situation, she didn't know how to talk to Hachiman about those troubles that even she couldn't sort out.
Hachiman was so good to her; even if they were just friends, it would actually be her happiness.
Although, sometimes, indeed, it was a bit hard to bear.
As time passed bit by bit, gradually approaching Sobu High's class time, Ichinose Marika, Horigome China, and Ichinose Ayano also gradually woke up.
Although after the fact, coming to their senses, both Ichinose Marika and Horigome China blushed furiously at the situation, unable to resist covering their eyes, not daring to look directly.
But Ichinose Ayano was already accustomed to it and even wanted to step forward to get a share.
However, the time was indeed quite late now. Any later and they would be collectively late. Not to mention the discipline committee member Kotegawa Yui, even Kirisu Mafuyu would come to cause trouble.
Hachiman could only call Ichinose Ayano and the others to have some sandwiches and drink some milk to fill their stomachs a bit, then quickly change into their school uniforms and prepare for school.
Ichinose Ayano, Karuizawa Kei, and Horigome China were all students of Sobu High. They just needed Hachiman to take them and teleport them to any girl at Sobu High who had unlocked teleportation permissions.
Only Ichinose Marika had not yet transferred to Sobu High.
"Marika, you don't have classes today. Go back to your school first to handle the transfer procedures."
Hachiman looked at Ichinose Marika, who was brimming with a youthful, lively girl's aura after putting on her school uniform, patted her head, and instructed.
"I'll tell Tsubaki. Well, Tsubaki is the student council vice president, Rurikawa Tsubaki. After you finish the procedures at your original school, when you come to Sobu High, have Tsubaki help you with the transfer procedures."
Although Kaede could also do it, considering that Kaede had been losing repeatedly in front of him lately, even to the point of being "betrayed by all," her temper was very big.
It was better not to let Ichinose Marika risk crossing Kaede's bad mood.
"Mmm, Marika will listen to Master."
Ichinose Marika naturally wouldn't defy Hachiman's intention and obediently nodded her head.
Now that she was on Hachiman's boat, if she wanted to get off, she doubted Ayano would let her go.
Although she wasn't very keen on getting off either.
This feeling of making choices for herself behind her mother's back was very fresh, interesting, stimulating.
"Um... Master, tonight... will it continue tonight?"
Ichinose Marika watched Hachiman preparing to leave with Ichinose Ayano and the others, bit her lip, and suddenly asked.
"Not necessarily tonight... Wait until you transfer here. If you perform well after transferring, I will reward you properly."
Hachiman turned his head to look at Ichinose Marika, whose eyes showed both shyness and anticipation, and smiled slightly.
Although he slept very comfortably in Ichinose Ayano's bed, the most comfortable was still his own bed.
Besides, he had quite a few things to attend to today: the lead singer missing from Nijika's band, the succubus triplets who didn't dare to get close, the track team's ace Shino, the always amused Raphiel...
Aside from these matters, he also needed to consider the aid for Iris and the others, the training for the women's competitive swimming club, the customs activities of the discipline committee, and the daily club activities of the Servitude Club. He might not even have time in the evening.
———
Ding~ Dong~
"Whew! So close, so close!"
After the preparatory class bell had been ringing for a while, Ichinose Ayano, Ichinose Honami, Horigome China, and the others hurriedly trotted in from outside the classroom.
Ichinose Honami, holding her handbag containing books, plopped down into her seat. She watched as Kirisu Mafuyu, wearing a dark professional suit, a dark pencil skirt, her waist-length cherry pink hair flowing gently, walked in through the front classroom door in high heels. Her full chest rose and fell unevenly, her small mouth slightly open as she continuously breathed fresh air.
Hachiman had teleported them to Rurikawa Tsubaki, who was on duty on campus, to briefly discuss Marika's transfer and matters concerning her mother and younger sister.
But just as they finished talking, the preparatory bell rang. They had delayed too much time this morning, so even with teleportation eliminating commute time, they were almost late and had to jog to the classroom to avoid being late for class.
Hachiman, however, wasn't flustered at all. He kissed Rurikawa Tsubaki in an unmanned corner before unhurriedly walking with her to the Class 1-F classroom.
Ichinose Honami, and even Ichinose Ayano and the others, had a good student mentality, thinking that things like being late or leaving early, which violated school discipline, were like breaking a commandment, a huge deal.
Actually, if you thought carefully about the purpose of their studies, they wouldn't be so worried.
Being late would hinder a bit of learning, but it didn't have that big of an impact. They could just borrow notes afterward and study hard to catch up.
Besides, Ichinose Honami and the others didn't have great ambitions; the goals they wanted to achieve through studying had already been met. Now they should be enjoying campus life properly.
However, this was just his personal opinion, and he didn't plan to interfere with their current mindset.
Eating secretly under the teacher's gaze during class, being afraid of being discovered by patrolling discipline committee members for impure heterosexual interactions at school, the extreme training with sweat flying and exhaustion after school in club activities,... these are all parts of a wonderful youth worth cherishing in the future.
"Sorry, Kirisu-sensei, I'm back a bit late from duty."
Rurikawa Tsubaki stood at the classroom door, knocked, and looked somewhat embarrassed at Kirisu Mafuyu on the podium, speaking softly.
Outside, she was the noble young lady of the Rurikawa family, a resurgent old-line aristocrat, but in school, she was just a student, and she also felt that being late was very bad.
But, she couldn't just leave Hachiman behind and run over by herself like Ichinose Honami and the others did.
In Sobu High, where discipline management was very strict, Ichinose Honami and Ichinose Ayano needed to avoid suspicion, but she didn't, because her relationship with Hachiman and Kaede was indeed very good. Forcibly avoiding suspicion would instead seem suspicious.
If Hachiman wasn't going to run together, she could only accompany Hachiman and be late together.
"Mm, Rurikawa, come in and sit in your seat."
Kirisu Mafuyu glanced at class president Rurikawa Tsubaki, nodded, and didn't say any words of reprimand.
Rurikawa Tsubaki had excellent grades and was diligent in her work. Besides her duties as class president, she also held the position of student council vice president, and sometimes even patrolled with the discipline committee to maintain school discipline.
Kirisu Mafuyu felt it was understandable that the busy Rurikawa Tsubaki was occasionally late.
However... certain repeat offenders were different.
"And you, Hikigaya-kun? Why are you late too?"
Kirisu Mafuyu looked at Hachiman, who was still standing alone at the classroom door, her expressionless.
As a student just the same, Hachiman, this repeat offender who daydreamed in class and skipped school frequently, could not be let off easily.
"Well... I've been busy lately honing my skills as a house husband. I spent a bit too much time making breakfast this morning, which is why I'm late."
Hachiman thought about the reason for his lateness and explained to Kirisu Mafuyu.
If it were Hiratsuka Shizuka teaching the first period, that would be better. Hiratsuka Shizuka knew he was aiding Iris and wouldn't ask much.
But, even if it was Kirisu Mafuyu, it was fine. At worst, he could go with Kirisu Mafuyu to have tea at Hiratsuka Shizuka's place.
He hadn't been to the student guidance room much in the last two days either. If he found a few more students to go help Hiratsuka Shizuka clean the student guidance room today, Hiratsuka Shizuka should be quite happy, right.
"Honing house husband skills... spent so long making breakfast..."
"Forget it, Hikigaya, you go in and sit down too. No daydreaming in class, no disturbing the classmates around you, otherwise come with me to the student guidance room after class."
Kirisu Mafuyu looked at Hachiman, who was seriously explaining himself, her face growing colder. However, considering they were still in class, she suppressed the impulse to pull Hachiman to the student guidance room for a private lesson.
Although she also wanted to make Hachiman stand by the door during the lesson, lest he hara*s the innocent classmates, Miura-san, Ijichi-san around him during class, given Hachiman's personality, he'd probably just slip away while standing.
She could just as well lecture this problem child, Hachiman, after class without delaying everyone's class time.
"Thank you, Kirisu-sensei."
Seeing that Kirisu Mafuyu chose to avoid a dispute, Hachiman nodded, thanked her, walked into the classroom, and with a beaming smile, waved to the concerned Ichinose Ayano, Rurikawa Tsubaki, Ijichi Nijika, Yuina, and others, greeting them all the way back to his seat.
Unconsciously, he had become familiar with almost all the girls in the classroom, whether in the front or back rows, their relationships were all very close.
Hmm... except for Sugisaki Kasumi, who sat by the window wearing thick glasses, silently reading books both in and out of class, and the most cold and ruthless, extremely difficult to get along with, black-haired, straight-haired discipline committee member, Kotegawa Yui.
"Oh, and for this home visit, I will go with Hiratsuka-sensei. Hikigaya-kun, remember to prepare in advance."
Looking at Hachiman's relaxed and comfortable back, Kirisu Mafuyu, standing on the podium, suddenly said.
"Uh... understood."
Hachiman, sitting in his seat, looked at Kirisu Mafuyu who seemed to be warning him, blinked, and nodded in agreement.
Prepare in advance?
His parents had both gone traveling, so how should he prepare?
Save two spots for Kirisu Mafuyu and Hiratsuka Shizuka if they have a party at home?
However, Hachiman didn't plan to explain anything to Kirisu Mafuyu, because if he said that now, Kirisu Mafuyu would definitely think he was doing it on purpose.
He'd deal with it then. Anyway, with Hiratsuka Shizuka there, it would be hard for Kirisu Mafuyu to find fault with him.
Usually, the class president would hand out home visit registration forms to collect information. He hadn't seen this form before because he was always skipping class. Probably the class president, Rurikawa Tsubaki, directly filled out the home visit registration form for him but forgot to tell him.
Although having no elders at home made it difficult to receive the teachers for the home visit, he could always call Tohsaka Touka or the neighbor, Hayasaka Yuuko, to act as his older sister for a while.
He wasn't worried about this kind of thing at all; he would just thank them properly later.
Compared to Kirisu Mafuyu's home visit with a clear purpose, he was more concerned about the people around him: Miura Yumiko, Ijichi Nijika, and Tenma Gabriel.
Miura Yumiko wasn't very urgent either; she didn't have any special circumstances that needed resolving. Her two friends, Kitagawa Marin and Ijichi Nijika, were both getting deeper involved day by day, so the degree of Miura Yumiko's 'bullying' of him would only intensify.
For Ijichi Nijika's band, which lacked a lead singer, the solution was either to find the previously runaway Kita Ikuyo, or another student from another class who could serve as lead singer. Nijika was very reliable, so he didn't need to worry much, just help out a bit when she needed it.
As for Gabriel... she hadn't been coming to his house to cook much lately with Vignette, even though she lived right next door.
Especially after the elf-themed cosplay at the Rurikawa house, and drinking the life-force-rich Elixir of the Elf Spring with Kitagawa Marin, Leticia, and the others, she had almost become invisible. She didn't come to the Elf Forest tavern party, nor did she go to the mermaid songstress's concert.
[How late did you and Vignette secretly watch last night?]
Turning his head to look at the little golden-haired angel Gabriel, who was staring straight at the blackboard without looking sideways, Hachiman wrote a line in his notebook. Seizing the moment when Kirisu Mafuyu on the podium wasn't paying attention, he directly passed the notebook over.
[Don't slander me! It's not like I wanted to watch!]
Seeing the small notebook passed over by Hachiman, Gabriel's calm face instantly turned bright red. Indignantly, she refuted on the notebook.
But just after writing it, as Gabriel realized her mistake and tried to scratch out the line, Hachiman reached out and took the notebook back.
[Oh... so you really were watching. Who forced you? It wasn't Raphael again, was it? I've only seen Raphael a few times. You always say it's Raphael's doing, which is hard to believe.]
Hachiman looked at Gabriel's reply in the notebook, smiled with satisfaction, and silently wrote down his thoughts.
Although he didn't understand why Gabriel still wasn't considered fallen like this, it was clear that Gabriel's pure, unblemished angel wings had already been stained yellow by him.
Whether active or passive, Gabriel was indeed often watching him now.
Compared to the gacha angel, the current lewd angel was hard to say if it was better or worse, but it might be somewhat harmful to her health.
However, staying up late playing games was also harmful to health. At least the lewd angel didn't have to worry about not having enough living expenses.