Chika slowly opened the door. Her parents stood there looking utterly distraught. They both let out a sigh of relief when they saw she had stopped crying.
"I'm sorry too," Chika said softly. "Let's talk properly downstairs."
Back in the living room, Chika prepared to explain the logistics, but her father held up a hand.
"Before we talk business... tell us about this Hikigaya-kun."
Chika blinked, surprised, but realized that was the better place to start. She began to tell them everything she knew about him. Her parents listened in rapt silence.
"...And so," Chika concluded with a proud smile, "he's the future president of Soleil, and a genuine hero!"
"I see... so he's the one from that incident..." her father murmured.
"He sounds like a truly remarkable young man," her mother added.
Seeing how happy Chika looked while talking about him, the pieces began to click into place for them.
"Wait," her mother said, "I remember Kaori-chan coming over here once and crying her eyes out."
"Oh, yeah," Chika laughed. "That was over Hikigaya-kun. She was a mess, wailing about how they'd finally made up only for things to get complicated. But look at her now—she's a receptionist at his company and she's never looked happier."
The parents exchanged a knowing glance. Her father leaned forward. "Chika... are you in love with Hikigaya-kun?"
"Huh?"
The question caught her completely off guard. She went quiet, her mind racing.
"Me? With Hikigaya-kun? With all those other amazing women around him? No way, no way... but, I mean, if I imagine it..."
A small, dreamy smile flickered across her lips as she imagined standing by his side. But she quickly shook her head and looked her parents in the eye.
"It's impossible for someone like me. He's surrounded by incredible people. But... I'll say this: if he were to ever join this family, I know for a fact I'd be the luckiest girl alive. But don't get the wrong idea! It's more like... adoration. I look up to him. That's all."
"I see," her father said.
Her tone wasn't that of a girl crushing on the boy next door; it was the reverence one might have for a legendary figure. It was enough to convince them.
"So, what's the verdict?" Chika asked.
"Well," her father smiled, "tell them we would be honored to accept the contract."
"Really?!"
"Of course. We'll have to put our best foot forward to live up to a hero's expectations," her mother said.
"Dad! Mom! Thank you!"
The following day, Chika's phone rang. It was an unknown number, but she had a feeling she knew who it was.
"Hello? Um... this is Hikigaya. Am I speaking with Chika Nakamachi?"
Hachiman's stiff, overly formal tone was too much for her. She burst out laughing.
"Pffft—! Ah, sorry! Long time no see, Hikigaya-kun. You sounded so professional I couldn't help it. I'm sorry!"
"Yeah, yeah. I get that a lot," Hachiman sighed through the phone.
"You do?"
"Yeah. So don't worry about it. Even I think I sound a bit too polite when I'm talking like this."
"Haha!"
Hachiman cleared his throat, getting down to business. "About the greenery installation—I was hoping you could come by and scout the location. Do you have any time today?"
"Oh, definitely! I'll just have my mom watch the shop. I'm free whenever."
"Great. I'll send Kit to pick you up. Just hop in when he arrives."
Chika's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her cool. "Wow, I haven't seen Kit in ages! Thanks, what time should I expect him?"
Chika began her preparations a full hour before the scheduled time.
"Chika, isn't it a bit early to be getting ready?" her mother teased.
"It's fine! I'm meeting the future CEO of a massive company. I have to look the part!"
"Right, right. Well, don't worry about the shop. Just go have a good time."
"It's not like that! It's work!"
"Sure, honey. Work."
Chika ignored the teasing, showered, and spent an inordinate amount of time on her makeup and outfit—exactly like a girl heading out on a first date.
"Not this one... no, maybe this? Kaori liked this one. But Kaori likes everything I wear..."
After much agonizing, she settled on an outfit and waited out front. Right on the dot, the sleek black car pulled up.
"Chika, it has been a long time. Are you well?"
"Kit! You still look so cool. I'm great! It's been a while since Kyoto, hasn't it?"
"Indeed. It is good to see you in such high spirits. Is this lady your mother? Pleased to meet you. I am Kit."
"M-My goodness, such a polite car..." her mother stammered.
Chika hopped into the passenger seat with practiced ease and waved as Kit pulled away.
"That Hikigaya-kun is even more impressive than we thought," her mother murmured, watching them go. "And Chika... she's gotten so confident. I haven't seen her dress up like that in years..."
"So, Kit, are we going straight to Soleil?"
"No. We must pick up Hachiman first. Our destination is the Survivor School."
"Oh, right! That makes sense."
"You look very lovely today, Chika."
Chika nearly hit her head on the roof. She didn't expect a car to be capable of flattery. "Kit, I didn't know you could give compliments!"
"I do not possess a 'flattery' function. I simply process various data points and state my conclusions based on objective observation."
"I see... well, coming from you, that actually makes me really happy."
"I am glad to hear that."
When they arrived at the school, a familiar face ran up to the car as Chika stepped out.
"Chika! Long time no see!"
"Asuna!"
The two girls embraced, laughing.
"How have you been? It's been so long since Kyoto!" Asuna said.
"I'm great! Honestly, I'm so grateful to Hikigaya-kun. He just handed my family a huge job. I don't even know how to thank him."
"Haha, that sounds like him. Where is he, anyway?"
"He should be here any second. He's on cleaning duty today."
"Cleaning duty? He's as diligent as ever, I see."
Just then, Chika spotted Hachiman walking toward them from a distance. He was flanked by three friends, and behind them, a literal crowd of students followed at a respectful distance.
"Um... Asuna? What's with the parade behind him?"
"Oh, that?" Asuna laughed nervously. "Just ignore them. It happens every day."
"Wait, seriously?"
"Yeah... don't worry about it, just call out to him."
"Okay..." Chika took a breath and waved her arm. "Hikigaya-kuuuun!"
The moment the words left her mouth, a collective gasp went through the crowd of students, and dozens of pairs of eyes turned to fixate on Chika simultaneously.
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