Komachi saw that Asougi Shion was busy and didn't have hands free to talk, so she hesitated a bit and quietly asked into Hachiman's ear, "Hmm, do you know Tohsaka Sakura? Is she your classmate?"
Hachiman was stunned, turned around in surprise to look at Komachi.
"Wait, don't move! Turn back quickly!", Seeing Hachiman turn around, the scene that had just been blocked by her hair was exposed to her eyes again. Komachi hurriedly closed her eyes and covered in front of herself with both hands.
"...", Hachiman looked at Komachi, whose cheeks were flushed and eyes were avoiding him in embarrassment, and pulled himself away speechlessly.
'So timid yet loves to play, seriously.'
After she felt there was no more movement, Komachi quietly opened her eyes and saw that Hachiman had turned his back to her again, receiving Shion's scrubbing service. She let out a big sigh of relief.
However...
Komachi lowered her head and looked at her own hands.
Just now she seemed to have accidentally touched something, and there seemed to still be residual warmth...
Slap! Slap!
Komachi slapped her own cheeks hard with both hands to calm herself down, took a deep breath, gave herself a little pep talk, and continued massaging Hachiman's hair and scalp.
'It's just back scrubbing and hair washing, Komachi, you can do it!'
'Even Shion can do it, you definitely can too!'
"Komachi, you know Tohsaka Sakura?", Hachiman inserted his fingers into Asougi Shion's jet-black long hair. Feeling that Komachi behind him had quieted down, he continued asking.
He had just been thinking about going to find Ichinose the councilor, giving him a little warning while also asking for information on the Tohsaka family, but unexpectedly Komachi and the others actually knew Tohsaka Sakura.
"Mm, Tohsaka Sakura is in the same class as me and Shion, but her personality seems a bit introverted. She often sits alone in a corner. At least Shion had a childhood friend before. But Tohsaka Sakura really doesn't have a single friend at school. Even when others talk to her, she barely responds," Seeing that Hachiman and Asougi Shion both didn't seem to notice her awkward state earlier, Komachi nodded and answered softly.
"Then does she have a sister named Tohsaka Rin?", Hachiman felt that Asougi Shion seemed to pause in her movement for a second, but after he gently patted her head, she resumed normally and continued helping him wash his body.
"Yes, compared to the introverted younger sister, the elder sister Tohsaka Rin, who's one grade above, is more lively. Although she doesn't seem easy to get along with either, she's very popular at our school," Komachi didn't dare look that way, completely unaware of the small gestures between Shion and Hachiman, and continued explaining, "Even though they're sisters, their personalities and popularity are vastly different."
It felt like the Tohsaka sisters were like the twins next door. Although the elder sister Suzu didn't talk much either, she wasn't very introverted. Tohsaka Sakura seemed really gloomy and withdrawn.
"Hmm…", After hearing Komachi's words, Hachiman couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Although the Tohsaka sisters being in junior high wasn't unexpected for him, their personalities were just like in the original story, yet both were still surnamed Tohsaka, this confused him.
'Could it be that this world really doesn't have the Holy Grail? Is it a modified world that only seems similar on the surface?'
That wouldn't be so bad. At least this way, he wouldn't have to worry about a gas explosion.
"Onii-chan, do you know the Tohsaka sisters?", Komachi saw that Hachiman seemed very concerned about the Tohsaka sisters and couldn't help but ask curiously.
Obviously, she had never even told her brother the names of the Tohsaka sisters. At most, she had referred to them as a gloomy introverted beauty and a perfect outstanding young lady. How did her brother know about students from her school?
"Not really know, I just saw a mother and daughter pair surnamed Tohsaka today," Hachiman shook his head. He was also very surprised when he encountered Tohsaka Touka today. But now he couldn't be sure whether only they had appeared, or if even the magi and the Holy Grail existed.
"Oh… That lady is probably their mother. I heard the Tohsaka family is a single-parent household. Apparently, there's also an older sister in university," Komachi suddenly realized and glanced quickly at Asougi Shion, who still seemed busy. She didn't continue on the topic or ask if her brother was interested in the Tohsaka sisters. Instead, she picked up the showerhead and rinsed the foam off her brother's hair.
Back when she was picking potential matches for her Onii-chan, it wasn't just Shion, the aloof black long straight girl with no friends, she had also considered Tohsaka Sakura, who had even fewer friends.
Although Tohsaka Sakura was also beautiful, because of her gloomy and withdrawn personality, Komachi didn't dare introduce her to her brother. After all, her brother already had a twisted and gloomy personality. If the two were put together, she wouldn't be able to live in this house anymore.
Moreover, Tohsaka Sakura had a mother and a younger sister. It wasn't possible for her to leave them and come take care of her brother.
Only the broken and lonely Shion was suitable for her brother to take advantage of, and support her brother's dream of being a househusband in the future.
Although now it seemed like Shion and her brither's relationship had gotten too good, to the point where she felt a little excluded, just a little bit depressed.
"Since she's your classmate, you guys can hang out with Tohsaka Sakura more in the future. You could even bring her home to play. She's a pretty nice girl."
Feeling that the bath was about done, Hachiman let out a soft breath and stood up, "Alright, let's soak a bit more and then we should head out."
"Still want me and Shion to soak with you? Not happening!"
Komachi was about to ask how her brother knew Tohsaka Sakura was a good girl, did he hit on her when she wasn't paying attention? But seeing him stand up, she quickly pulled Shion and ran out of the bathroom.
Asougi Shion didn't even have time to give her opinion, nor did she finish rinsing off the white foam on her body.
"...Is it possible I just wanted Shion to keep me company?", Hachiman looked speechlessly at the two who fled in panic, bent down to pick up the towel Shion dropped, placed it aside, then lay alone in the bathtub and closed his eyes to enjoy the warmth.
Although his physical condition was very strong now and he was abnormally full of energy, soaking in a bath like this still made him feel warm and comfortable.
The only downside was the bathtub at home was too small. It was already a tight fit when he and Iris or Shion got in together, let alone three people.
But even if he wanted to change to a larger bathtub, he couldn't, the bathroom space was only so big. A bigger tub would mean less space elsewhere.
Hmm… Once Rurikawa Tsubaki finishes taking over the Poiman family's assets, he'll talk to the landlady about renting a few more rooms, connect them together, renovate a bigger room, that way he could always go next door to enjoy a large bathtub.
When girls came over, he wouldn't need to worry about them going home late at night. They could stay next door.
Hachiman thought for a while in the tub, then got up, drained the hot water, gave the tub a quick scrub, dried himself and his hair, and left the bathroom.
In the living room, Asougi Shion had changed into a light home outfit and was sitting on the sofa. Her snow-white slender legs looked dazzlingly radiant under the lighting.
"Where's Komachi?", Hachiman walked to Shion's side and lay down, resting his head on her springy lap. But after lying down, seeing his view partially blocked, he shifted his position a bit outward again.
Hmm… Shion's bosom wasn't small either. Though she was still young, she was already showing promise. In a few years, she might be like Tohsaka Touka, all big-bust Yukino-types.
"Komachi went to her room. She seemed a bit embarrassed," Shion reached out, took the snacks left by Vignette on the table, and gently brought them to Hachiman's mouth, saying a bit bashfully.
Actually, this was the first time letting Komachi witness their intimate mode, so she was also a little shy. But seeing that Komachi was even shyer, she relaxed a lot more.
She and Hachiman-oniisan had experienced so many wonderful things beyond words, probably things Komachi would never know in her whole life.
"Heh, Shion, you've learned to be a little mischievous too? Actually pulling Komachi in to help wash my back," Hachiman opened his mouth and bit down on Shion's finger, slowly swallowing the pastry, lightly smiling at Shion's cheek.
"No, I just thought that we're so close, it might make Komachi feel left out or uncomfortable, and then… I accidentally said the wrong thing. I didn't expect Komachi to actually agree," Shion shook her head and glanced toward the stairs as if afraid Komachi might hear, speaking in a small voice.
"Really not because Komachi questioned you and uncovered our secret, so you felt ashamed and deliberately got revenge on her?"
"Really not. If I were that bad, then let Hachiman onii-san hold me again in front of Komachi to punish me…", Shion's cheeks grew even redder, and her voice became smaller and smaller.
'Punishment from Hachiman onii-san, that kind of thing…'
Actually wasn't that different from a reward. The only difference was whether she behaved or not.
If she behaved, there would be a reward. If she didn't, there would be punishment.
"Looks like it really isn't. You can even say such embarrassing punishments out loud," Hachiman looked at the pure and shy Shion who had now not only gotten used to his punishments but would even bring them up herself. He couldn't help but smile and gently pressed her body down a bit with both hands.
"Mm…", Shion, sensing Hachiman's intent, blushed deeply and quickly looked toward the stairs. Seeing that Komachi still showed no sign of coming out of her room, she lowered her head and let her silky black waterfall-like hair fall to cover the shameful act.
Even though just one glance from Komachi would be enough to understand what they were doing, she still subconsciously used this ostrich-like way to escape reality.
She felt like she was becoming unlike herself. The former her had cold words and a stiff smile, would absolutely never do such bold things. Even the daring act today of pulling Komachi in to wash backs, she managed to do it subconsciously.
Even though she had already done even more outrageous things with Ailith, this was her first time being so proactive.
Every time she thought of her own bold behavior, she couldn't help but blush with shame.
But… she was also fascinated by this feeling that seemed to be etched deep into her body, her soul.
Even knowing there were so many excellent girls around Hachiman, she still couldn't help wanting his affection, wanting Hachiman to reward her, or punish her…
'Thank you, Komachi. Thank you for bringing me from that broken home to this place, for bringing me before Hachiman onii-san,' Asougi Shion sincerely thanked Hachiman sister, Komachi.
———
[Ichinose politician's house]
"Info on the Tohsaka family?"
"Yes, I know the Tohsaka family, but the data isn't complete. I'll have to gather it before I can give it to you."
"No problem at all. I will absolutely handle this matter myself!"
After respectfully finishing the call, Ichinose politician placed his phone on the table. Looking at Hachiman's name in his contacts, his expression instantly darkened.
'It got resolved that peacefully?'
The head of the Poiman family, that guy hasn't been killed off by Hachiman yet? His relationship with the Elf Princess should be quite good. Why didn't he get the Elf Princess to help eliminate the Poiman head?
Originally, as a politician, he was also supposed to attend the Poiman family's banquet tonight to network, but sensing that Hachiman and the Elf Princess might cause trouble, he used poor health as an excuse to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
But what he didn't expect was that the banquet was calm, nothing happened, and only news came out about a multifaceted cooperation between the Rurikawa family and the Poiman family.
Those who attended the banquet didn't know what actually happened. Why did the Poiman family suddenly decide to cooperate with the declining Rurikawa family? Even he, the one feeding info to Hachiman, had no clue.
Logically speaking, with the Elf Princess involved, Hachiman wouldn't let Rurikawa Tsubaki get oppressed by the Poiman family. Could it be that Hachiman had the Elf Princess choose the Poiman family as their representative?
Otherwise, how could the Rurikawa family qualify to cooperate with the Poiman family?
But even though he had doubts in his heart, faced with Hachiman not planning to explain anything yet still calling him to request a family's information, he didn't complain at all, instead, he acted even more cautious and respectful.
As a county-level politician, he indeed couldn't compare to the wealthy, well-connected, and politically powerful Poiman family.
If the Poiman head really surrendered the moment the Elf Princess came to cause trouble, then the Elf Princess could easily abandon him and support the much stronger Poiman family instead.
'Damn it… the Poiman family head… that guy was already hard to deal with. If he gains the Elf Princess's support, won't he become even more formidable?'
Though the grudge between them wasn't deep, it was just that he had been humiliated by the Poiman head before, and that guy didn't even take a county politician seriously, probably didn't even remember him.
But just thinking that his own enemy's power might grow stronger because of his own actions, Ichinose politician was furious.
'No! The Poiman head must be eliminated! I have to make the Elf Princess reconsider supporting me instead.'
With such a good opportunity, how could he miss out on a super-strong connection like the Elf Princess.
He had to help gather info on the Tohsaka family, and also find other ways to build rapport.
Ichinose politician suddenly looked up, his eyes staring straight at Ichinose Ayano, who had quietly appeared in front of him at some unknown time.
"Father…", Ichinose Ayano had actually been standing there for a while already, but seeing her politician father's dark expression, she hadn't dared to speak. Only now that his gaze landed on her did she finally speak up.
"How was it, playing with the Elf Princess and the others today? Did you figure out her preferences, get any clue on how to build a good relationship with the Elf Princess?", Ichinose politician looked at his good-for-nothing daughter and asked slowly.
He knew his daughter was going out to hang out with the Elf Princess and Hachiman's group, but he didn't stop her, in fact, he fully supported it.
After all, even the daughter of the Yukinoshita family was going. If his daughter didn't go, wouldn't they be losing out to the Yukinoshita family?
"Today… I only found out the Elf Princess. seems to especially like Hachiman," Ichinose Ayano lowered her head and softly said. When they went out to play, she barely had any presence, everyone just treated her as background, only occasionally talking to her.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y