AN: Yo, I'm revamping the chapter because I saw the problems in it. I was just too excited from the growth and so I uploaded too quickly. I appreciate the positive reviews and the critical reviews. I will say that I'm keeping to some plans, so I apologize to those of you who wish for a different timeline/themes/etc, but they just aren't happening.

Those girls that I showed will still come, but will be introduced in a more gradual manner. Oregairu canon will be altered to my liking because retreading canon is boring! I hope to balance out Oregairu girls and Danmachi girls' involvement although I have my obvious favorites. Maybe you guys can guess them! I'll give you a hint, not all of them have showed up yet!

One more thing, with technology, I can't be bothered to remember every piece of tech that Danmachi has, so the elevator was an oversight, however, in the future if Danmachi has access to something like a toaster powered by magic, I don't care. It shouldn't have a whole lot of technology in my opinion and it doesnt make sense for it to exist! Sorry for that rant.

I'd like to thank Aerex for helping out. Check out his DxD story, Cry Havoc, if you want. It's amazing! Same with XenoTime39's Go-Toubun no Hanayome AE. Both helped with this chapter!

Discord: [discord . gg / yARsw4UtaC] Please give your feedback in the reviews? Is this a welcome change? I'd be hesitant to change this chapter.

Ryuu Lion is an irritating person. She's blunt, coarse, and I never know what that mind of hers is thinking. Over my years with her, my friendship with her has resulted in only my worsening understanding of her… and her getting used to being around me.

Exhibit A: "May I sit behind Hikigaya-kun, Hiratsuka-sensei?" Ryuu asked casually after her introduction.

"Oho? That's a very interesting request," she said, her eyes drifting over to me with killing intent showering out of her gaze. "Since no one is sitting there, sure. I would ask you, Hikigaya, to raise your hand, but I don't think it'll be necessary."

"Indeed it won't. We are acquainted," she said walking down the aisle, momentarily making eye contact with Ais before finally sitting down in her seat.

"I see," Hiratsuka-sensei said, before leading into her lecture.

Thankfully, classes had to start, so Ryuu's relationship with me could not be further investigated. Instead, the regular activities of school resumed.

My heightened cognitive abilities allowed me time to think as I didn't really need to pay attention to class.

First Ais, now Ryuu. Who's next? Mama Mia? All jokes aside, as much as Ryuu arriving into this world is very much troubling, she's probably the best source of information regarding the nitty gritty details with world travel.

Ais is… well Ais. She's willing to give all the information she can, but more than likely it'll be difficult for her to distinguish what's important and she's already told me everything she's deemed important. A quick glance at the girl of my thoughts shows her drifting off into sleep. Discreetly, I tapped her to get her attention.

She woke up a bit, looking over to me to see why I tapped her. I pointed ahead to the teacher and she didn't understand.

I couldn't help but let out a big sigh at Ais' denseness. I tried to get her to pay attention by paying attention myself. Lead by example.

While I was intent on taking in the teacher's lecture, my senses quickly brought up my hand behind my back, catching something. It was a piece of paper, obviously thrown by Ryuu. These quick motions couldn't be caught by the teacher, but it looks like it did distract Ais.

Ais was now looking at me, I assume wondering what the note says. I am curious about its contents too, so naturally, I take a look.

"What exactly am I supposed to be doing? Just sitting here I find myself dozing off into an eternal sleep. - Ryuu" Oh believe you me, Ryuu, I feel the exact same… or at least I used to. My understanding has increased, so everything is just easier for me.

Anyway, on to her question, quickly I write up a quick explanation of note taking for remembering important topics to test on them later. Before I gave it back, I noticed that I was writing in Koine, Orario's written alphabet. I must've switched because of Ryuu's note… That's kind of dangerous if anyone else sees that. Actually, Ryuu probably doesn't know any of the Japanese writing systems. I guess I'll also tutor her in Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana, as well as the other subjects.

Throwing back the note discreetly, my senses quickly reacted again, catching another note. It read, "Also, what's the point of this educational institution at this age? I've already been functioning as an adult for a long time in Orario." These mindless questions were aggravating to say the least. I don't know why you're asking me Ryuu. I wasn't the one who went across worlds, transferring in to another person's class just for the heck of it. If I were her, I'd try to get a job instead of attending school.

Of course, that has problems attached to it considering that she looks young, wouldn't have a high school degree, and barely has any sense of normal in this world. I wrote a short explanation of how she needs an educational degree to blend in with society and then I threw the note back.

Another note came.

This is going to be a long class and from Ais' stare, she's not paying attention either.

(-)

In between classes, I decided to lay down the law.

"Ais, you need to pay attention in class if you want to succeed." I warned.

"Writing in Japanese is hard though," Ais said.

Right, she's still learning it too. Yesterday, I managed to teach her the basics, but despite the developmental edge we get thanks to the falna, it's still a slow process. "Writing the characters more and more will help you learn it faster. We'll work on it after school again."

"As for you," I said, turning to Ryuu, "Can you knock it off with the questions? Half of those were debating your own decision to come here."

Ryuu turned away from me as she said, "I was just questioning this world's logic. I see nothing wrong with that."

"Yes, perhaps there's nothing inherently wrong with that, but you know as well as I do that during class is not a good time for that!"I snarked a reply. Sighing, I continued, "I'll have to work with you too after school."

Ryuu looked stunned by that last comment before she shook her head and said, "S-sure. Fine by me."

Is she embarrassed by the thought of studying together? How lewd of you Miss Gale. Of course, nothing is going to happen, other than studying that is.

Before I could ask about her living situations, the bell rang, signalling another class. I would have to keep my more pressing questions until lunch.

(-)

A large thud sound could be heard from the teacher's lounge, where Hiratsuka-sensei was scolding some certain people. "Miss Lion, would you please explain to me why you were bothering Hikigaya during class?"

When Ryuu first met Hiratsuka-sensei's gaze, she was unfazed by her. However, when she leaked her killing intent, Ryuu expressed some wariness for her actions. "U-um, I was trying to best learn the material by asking Hachiman for help."

"By writing some scribbles on a scrap sheet of paper," Hiratsuka-sensei asked, showing a piece of paper with Koine writing. On it was a sarcastic remark about how applicable math was for life. As a fellow student who pronounces that math is- was the bane of my existence, I'm obligated to agree.

Of course, I stay silent while watching this happen. It seems that Hiratsuka-sensei didn't know what to do, so she turned to Ais and asked, "And Ais, why were you staring at Hikigaya?"

Ais simply said, "Class was boring, but Hachiman is not." Admittedly, I was feeling some heat rise to my face and if my eyes weren't deceiving me, Ais' face blushed as well.

Hiratsuka-sensei let out a mixture of a sigh and a snicker. Afterwards she turned to me and said, "I'm going to leave everything to you. Take it as a request for the Service Club," she said, winking at me. "I don't want to hear any complaints from your teachers about your engagement in class. Be good," She said, directing the last bit to a pouting Ais. "Now go on to lunch."

Ais and Ryuu turned to leave and I did too, but a hand that grabbed my arm stopped me. "If you need any help, I'm there as a resource if you need it," Sensei whispered into my ear.

I whispered back, "I'll keep that in mind, but I'll most likely keep them both after school to teach them some things. Are you okay with picking up Ais at my house?"

"That's fine by me. Just stay fresh, alright. You don't want to give yourself too much responsibility?"

Ah, what good advice if only I wasn't an isekaied to a world well not being responsible could mean in someone's death. Hell, if it wasn't for the mysterious magics that be, I'd still have my scars. "Will do," I said, curtly before leaving.

Catching up to the two, Ais gave a smile as she said, "I can come over today and see Komachi?"

"Well, you heard sensei. It seems like you will get that chance today," I replied.

Ryuu, on the other hand, was stuck on another piece of information. "Who's Komachi?"

(-)

"So, that's the name of your sister," Ryuu said with some happiness after eating a bite out of her store bought sandwich.

"Mmhm. You'll get to meet her after school today. Be sure to not get too caught up in her… energy." I warned.

"Energy? What's that supposed to mean?" Ryuu asked.

I sweatdropped as I shrugged off her question. "Don't worry about it. Anyway, I thought we should get down to business," I prefaced as I took a bite of the bento I made for myself.

"Hnmm? What did you want to ask?"

"Well, where are you staying for starters?"

Ryuu blanked out at that, looking very nervous about the question. "Uhh, I stay at a maid cafe."

That answer almost made me spit take my drink out. "A maid cafe? How'd you end up in that situation?"

While Ryuu tried to formulate her answer, Ais stared at Ryuu before tilting her head and asking, "Homeless?"

"I'm not!" Ryuu said, firmly. "When I first arrived here, I was confused by all the things called vehicles which I later learned, but I noticed that a girl was about to get hit by a truck I think and so I saved her. After that, I got introduced to the girl's mother who turns out to be the owner of a maid cafe. And so as long as I work when I'm not at school, I'm allowed to stay there. I also get a wage for my work."

"So, the same work as the Hostess of Fertility?" Ais asked.

That caught Ryuu off guard. "Yes, actually. I hadn't thought of it like that."

Trying to calm myself from how complicated Ryuu's situation was, I rubbed my temples as I asked, "Is it fine for you to study after school with us if you have work?"

Ryuu put a hand to her chin to ponder the question before saying hesitantly, "It should be fine as long as I notify the owner beforehand."

"Alright, we'll be sure to swing by the restaurant then." Ryuu gave a blank look at that, but I ignored it. "Would you mind telling me a little more details about the preparation for traveling to my world? Ais here, left out a lot of details," I said, ruffling Ais' hair.

Ryuu scooted closer to me as she said, "It was explained to me like this: you're a campfire in that the closer you are, the warmer I get, and that would be how I'd find you."

Ryuu paused in her speech as she grabbed her head, thinking it through. "The actual details of the transfer is very hard for me to recall. There was a lot going on then as you can imagine, but from what I remember, they said that they could break a few rules since the final floor was cleared. Their divinity allowed us passage into your world, but since the rules can't be bypassed forever, our passage to your world is a one way trip."

"Tsk. That doesn't leave much explanation on my end. Heck, I don't even know how I came to Orario." Was it Freya? No, couldn't be. She would've hung that fact over my head the past times we've met. Maybe it was just a strange bit of magic.

"Really? That's very strange. You'd think with how much contact you've been with the gods, one of them would've pointed it out. Very strange indeed," Ryuu commented.

"It was on my mind the entirety of my stay in Orario. Whatever, it's behind me now. We should probably pay attention to more pressing matters, like teaching you two the inner social workings of this world."

Ais scooted away from her seat. "Ais," I said, "You're going to have to learn through these study sessions."

"Tiring and boring. Like school," she said.

"Well, that's life in my world. Better get used to it," I said, sardonically. "By the way, how're you handling your transformation into a pseudo elf/human now?"

"Eh?" her usually quiet yet firm face is now tinted with red. "It's… different to say the least. My hearing doesn't seem to be affected, but it's like I've lost a limb when in reality, it's only a little bit of my ears. It's not something I like to dwell on, but it's very strange to process."

Putting my hand on her shoulder, she twitched a little bit, but didn't brush me off. "The extent of the changes to your body is probably minimal with the magic altering people's perceptions of you. No one's even questioned if you're citizens or not!" I said with a snort.

Checking my phone, I saw that it was almost time for lunch period's end. "We better leave now. Also, sitting at my secret lunch spot might be a bad idea to do every time, so unless we have something Orario to talk about, we'll eat lunch in the classroom."

"Got it/ok" Ryuu and Ais replied, respectively.

(-)

Class was in session and there was some change now that I've gotten to talk to them. Ais was actually trying to pay attention now and Ryuu wasn't throwing notes to me. All was well in class for right now. A quick scan of the room and I noticed that a certain someone was looking over at me again.

Yui Yuigahama was yet again staring at me.

Or at the very least, glancing at me. Seriously, what's her deal? Well, despite that, I'm content with the circumstances.

It leaves me with room to think for myself. Concerning them coming over, I am pretty worried about Komachi's suspicion on me knowing Ryuu. As far as she knows, I was alone all of my middle school days. If I keep it simple, she shouldn't have any problems with Ryuu. A tutor-student relationship should just be all that's displayed here.

Ryuu… should respond well to Komachi. She seemed excited at the prospect of meeting my sister and seeing my house. I'm glad that she's been opening up more and more. She seems to be finally past all her past trauma with her familia. Dealing with that was a pain, but it was important for her.

She's just been through a lot and while I wouldn't call our relationship one of acquaintances, with her trauma, she closed off completely to me initially and would only talk through Syr. Mama Mia was really the one who forced Ryuu out of her comfort zone, spurring on her recovery. I hope that… Ryuu will gain more goals in life. I'm not blind to see her affection for me, but she needs something more than me.

Ais getting interested in Kendo is exactly the same kind of thing that Ryuu needs. Maybe for her the archery club would work? That might be too much considering her job. In any case, I'm confident that we can get things to work out for her. She's definitely trying now to live her life, so that's a step up from in the past.

For some reason, I'm really not worried about Ais. Maybe it's because of everything we did yesterday, but her striving for life now just supersedes any doubts I have. Although she does have to learn how to function in modern society now…

I didn't even notice when the bell had rung.

(-)

"Hikigaya." Yukinoshita said, expectedly.

"I'm helping out Ryuu now as well as Ais. Is that going to be a problem?" I said curtly.

Yukinoshita looked taken aback from my tone and instead replied, "No, that's not a problem. Although you should be mindful of the rumours that are circulating from your seemingly connection with recent transfer students."

"Rumours? What're they saying about me?"

Yuigahama and Yukinoshita looked uncomfortable from the question. Yui was the one to answer though. "Something along the lines of you s-seducing all the transfer students and then blackmailing them to not interact with anyone else."

Really? The student body took Ais's awkwardness and Ryuu's antisocial nature as me blackmailing them? I knew it was going to be ridiculous but really? That's the best they could do? Well, it'll blow over as long as they adjust to the school and make friends. No need to worry. Scoffing out loud, I said, "Pft, ridiculous."

Ryuu added, "That is quite the imagination."

Yukinoshita gave a cautious glance as she commented, "Well, Lion-san, the way I see it, this whole circumstance could be avoided if you tried to talk with your other classmates."

Ryuu frowned and responded, saying, "The way I see it, you should mind your own business."

Yukinoshita frowned at her words and it was as if there was a spark between the two, signalling a feud. For what reason? No idea.

"U-um," Yuigahama interjected, "We shouldn't fight over this. Anyway, it's not just Lion-san that could help with the rumours. Wallenstein-san could help as well."

Ais perked up from her name being mentioned, but her face only spoke of boredom to the average eye. "What can I do?" asked Ais.

Yuigahama looked intimidated by Ais's straightforwardness, but she said, "Maybe you could try to make friends outside of Hikki and Lion-san?"

"How about I become friends with you two?" Ais said. Ais' social awkwardness might not be that big of a deal since she's recovering and can use it to her benefit. I mean, I doubt that Yukino would be that receptive to Ais' request, but Yuigahama will at least become Ais' friend.

Yukinoshita cleared her throat as a blush tinted her cheeks. "While I appreciate the offer, Wallenstein-san, we barely are acquainted with each other. It wouldn't be right for us to become friends just ye-"

"But don't people become friends to learn more about each other?" asked Ais with her head tilted.

"Uh, while that may be true in some cases," Yukinoshita started.

"I'll become your friend, Wallenstein-san!" said Yuigahama, interrupting Yukinoshita's sputtering. Grabbing her hands, Yuigahama said, "Since we're friends now, you can call me Yui-chan and I'll call you Ais-chan, right?" How did Yuigahama go from nervousness to excitement so quickly? Is this the power of a nice girl? Making friends with someone you were intimidated by in the span of seconds? How terrifying.

"Yui-chan?" Ais said lethargically, tilting her head the other way.

"Mmhm! That's right, Ais-chan!" Yui said, happy from making friends with Ais.

"U-um," Yukinoshita stuttered, that's right, I said stuttered. "If it's fine with you, Wallenstein-san, I think that we can grow to become something like friends, eventually."

A smirk came over my face at the sight of Yukinoshita being weak to Ais' social awkwardness. If memory serves, I extended my hand to Yukinoshita, asking to be friends when I was joining this world. I probably wouldn't get very close to being her friend if I hadn't isekaied. Now that Ais is supporting Yuigahama in opening Yukinoshita up, it seems like maybe we could become friends.

"Wipe that slimy expression you have on your face." Yukinoshita barked out, embarrassed by my expression.

Ais walked over to me and put a hand over my mouth. "Wah-" uttered Yuigahama at her action.

Ais turned around to Yukino and said, "His smile isn't slimy. What were you talking about."

Yukinoshita blushed at Ais' statement of fact. She doesn't like being treated like an idiot, but Ais takes a lot of things literally unless told otherwise. "U-uh, Hikigaya was giving me a look and I didn't like it."

"Why didn't you like it?" Ais, bluntly asked.

Yukinoshita put her hands in a defensive manner around her body as she said, "I could sense the lecherous look he was given."

I snorted and Ryuu was the one to bite back with her saying, "I got the impression that you were embarrassed by Hachiman's looking to tease you."

Yuigahama exclaimed. "Hikki? Tease? That doesn't sound like him?"

Ryuu looked over at Yuigahama and muttered, "He mixes in a partial insult or another, but Hachiman teases rather often."

I didn't like Ryuu spreading this information about me, so I tried to put an end to it. "That's not quite tru-"

"Ah! That does sound like Hikki!" exclaimed Yuigahama. Wait, no. Stop!

"Like I was saying, I more point out the obvio-"

"Hachiman definitely likes poking fun at people. Although I don't dislike it when he does it with me," Ais commented.

Hold up Ais. That's some rather private information that you should not be sharing with everyone! I may be older than Yukino and Yuigahama mentally and thus, more mature about some things, but embarrassment is something that a Hikigaya of all ages will be inflicted with!

I tried one more time to reel back the conversation. "I really don't think you all know what you'r-"

"I haven't experienced that side of Hikigaya yet and frankly, I wouldn't have thought that of him when I first met him, but now, that visual does seem probable in occurring," Yukinoshita added.

I give up.

(-)

We really didn't get anything done in the Service Club. There just hasn't been any requests from anyone yet. I thought Hiratsuka-sensei was directing people to us? Where are all those people?

Anyway, Yukinoshita concluded club activities fairly quickly when it became apparent that we had nothing to do. I said my goodbyes to her and Yuigahama and left, leading Ryuu and Ais behind me.

There were some students who were roaming the halls that gave me dirty looks. Heh, maybe those rumours are actually circulating more than I thought they would. Anyone who listens to it is an idiot, but from an outsider perspective, something is obviously going on with Ais, Ryuu, and I. Something that the normal person will never understand, or at least believe.

"So, we're going to your house?" Ryuu asked.

"Yes?" I said questiongly, "Was that not obvious?"

Ryuu's expression shifted to a tad of frustration as she muttered, "I was just clarifying. I have to prepare myself."

For what? What could she possibly be preparing herself for?

"Meeting your sister of course! Hachiman, you don't have to know every detail of everything!" Ryuu responded. Oh wait, did I just say that last thought aloud? I must've for her to respond in the manner that she did. I'll have to be careful and not do that again in the future.

"Hachiman, you're still talking aloud," Ais commented.

Well that's troubling. During my time in Orario, that habit of mine would always get me called out for either insulting myself or someone else. One of these days, I'll get rid of this habit!

"That seems rather unlikely given your trouble with keeping your mouth closed even now," Ryuu pointed out, making me cover up my mouth to stop it from happening completely.

Well that was embarrassing.

To escape total embarrassment, I decided to switch the topics. "Ryuu, since you're the one who knows where this maid cafe of yours is, you should probably take charge on this."

"Very well, I will," said a flushed Ryuu who was probably dreading showing us this place.

After a few minutes of walking, with my bike on my side, and the girls on the other, Ryuu finally interjected with "It's right here." Giving a glance to what structure she was pointing at, my eyes laid on a cutesy decoration of streamers and bright lettering. Hm, so this is a maid cafe.

"I'll go in alone to explain the situation. You guys wait out here."

"Hm, fine."

Ryuu went in quickly to perhaps get this over with as soon as she could. But in a few minutes, a lady in a maid outfit went out of the restaurant with Ryuu who had a kid attached to her leg. The lady walked up to Ais and I and looked us over before crying as she said, "I'm so happy that Ryuu-chan has friends. Yes, you can go study with them. I just needed to see your friends for myself."

Ryuu looked extremely embarrassed. "Shio-san, can you please get Aki-chan off my leg."

The lady who Ryuu called Shio-san gave a teasing smirk as she said, "Oh you know she's just very attached to you. You did save her life after all. You can't blame her."

Ryuu's pale face grew brighter red as she pleaded, "Pleeease Shio-san."

"Fine, fine," She consoled her child on Ryuu's temporary time away from her and addressed Ais and I. "Please take care of Ryuu-chan for me, alright?"

I gave her the best reassuring grin I could give and said, "Will do ma'am."

Ais nodded, agreeing with me and that seemed to have appeased the lady as she grabbed her child and let us go on our way.

Within seconds of walking away, I decided to comment, "So, you seem to be close."

Ryuu's normally blank face was red for a while after that.

(-)

Casually, I walked up to the door, announcing, "I'm home," to all who were in the house, meaning only Komachi.

"Welcome home Onii-chan! Should I be expecting any visi- Oh, Ais-chan is here!" Komachi said, excitedly. She gave Ryuu a glance as she said, "And who are you? Are you going to Onii-chan's room as well today?"

Ryuu seemed taken aback from Komachi's bubbly nature, probably comparing her to me.

"Her name is Ryuu Lion." I said, introducing her to Komachi.

"It's nice to meet you, Ryuu-chan! I hope you'll take care of him. He can be a handful!" Komachi said, bubbly.

"Very cheeky of you," I commented.

Ryuu seemed to be contemplative, confusing Komachi before a hand started rubbing the top of her head, causing ecstasy. "Hachiman, you have a good sister."

Why am I getting a strong sense of Déjà vu? This better not be a trend for everyone meeting my sister. Surely Yukinoshita and Yuigahama wouldn't react the same, right? Right? Walking ahead of Ryuu patting Komachi's head, I said, "Stop messing around. We've got studying to do."

Ryuu sighed, "You're right. Let's get to work." A hand leaving Komachi's head as she followed after me.

"See you later Komachi-chan!" waved Ais as she followed after I and Ryuu.

"Bye bye Ais-chan," waved back Komachi.

I closed the door to my room behind Ais who had just entered and then I said, "Finally, let's begin."

I faced my bed and desk where Ais and Ryuu were sitting, respectively. Clearing my throat I started, "Since Ryuu had so many questions about this, let's start with social norms. Now, since you both are students, what's expected of you is that you're learning all this material to succeed in a future job area. Like the many business owners, craftsmen, and blacksmiths in Orario, we also have our own job selection here."

Ryuu sharply interrupted, saying, "Isn't this all stuff we could've figured out on our own? It's not like this is a secret or anything."

Shifting my gaze directly towards her, I said, "I think the extent of your knowledge with these things are limited. School is supposed to lead you to college which will lead you to some sort of job supposedly. Those are the very basics of most students' paths and while the scholars of Orario do show a similar path, it's a different situation here, trust me."

"That seems more difficult to learn than the other study session we did," Ais commented.

"Social norms aren't easy to learn. Mannerisms and social cues are intricate and very much a part of people's everyday lives. Orario is just that much different from this world. But don't worry, I'm going to teach you two everything I know and then some."

Taking out some school materials out of my bag, I show them off to them and say, "First off, what you see here is my compiled notes from the teacher's lectures. You're still learning how to write, so don't worry so much about that, but try to retain the information through writing as that will help both your writing skills and your ability to retain the information."

Ais looked confused and Ryuu was focused on my lecture.

This is going to be tough to explain, but I think that I can somewhat clear up and fill in the gaps that they have.

(-)

After an hour or two of straight teaching the basics of being a student while setting them up to know where in society they want to be, I also taught them the conventional subjects of school, trying to catch them up to speed. They're making progress quickly even though they haven't seen this stuff in Orario before. If anything Orario taught them how to be an adventurer and basic biology for first aid, not much else. For Ais at least, she wasn't in charge of the finances so math is a wash for her, but she's making progress. Ryuu's having trouble with learning English and Japanese simultaneously which I can sympathize with.

All in all, their weakest subjects are English and Japanese which isn't surprising. Thankfully, their development in Orario allows for an exponential growth of understanding there. Their progress has already improved to that of a grade schooler's which is impressive. We eventually had to call the study session as Hiratsuka-sensei had pulled up in front of the house with her car, waiting for Ais. After a few words of farewell, Ryuu and I saw her off.

From then on, it was only Ryuu and I and seeing how she had to get home, I decided to walk her home.

"Your tutoring sucks,"

"I think that just shows how poorly prepared you were to come to my world," I simply replied.

"Maybe that is true," she said, turning away from me. "How do you think Ais and I did?"

"Extremely well for people who had no idea what was going on in class today."

Ryuu cringed as she said, "You knew that we didn't know anything?"

"I assumed as much," shifting my head forward, I said, "Considering how little Orario utilizes anything beyond adventurer skills, I guessed as much and noticed a little of my own complications when I came back."

"That's interesting…"

There wasn't much to say, at least not much to say at this moment. The day was done and I was simply exhausted. After a few minutes of walking, the maid cafe was in sight.

"See ya tomorrow at school," I said.

That seemed to spark something in her as I could tell with her eyes having a glimmer in them. "Mmm," I heard from her before the feeling of a hug came over me. Ryuu was hugging me and as quick as it came, it went as fast. She didn't say anything afterwards as she went into the shop, but in those few seconds of her embrace, I felt a lot of happiness finally overcoming the grief.

I

Onii-chan is different. As his sister, it's been very apparent to me, although there's not really an appropriate way to talk about it to him.

How do I know? Well, it's simple really. His whole person seems more… complete if that makes sense. He's slouching a little less and his attitude seems to be more grounded. He doesn't seem as self conscious as he used to be (even if he would tell you differently!). Onii-chan also seems more receptive to my requests in some way, it's strange. Usually, he would groan and moan, making me have to put more work into convincing him through my advanced skill of pleading. Nowadays, it only takes a few requests and he'll do it although with a snarky response.

But that's not the strangest part. I had heard from him that he had been forced to join the Service Club. I had thought at the time that maybe he would be able to make some friends thanks to being in a club. Two girls out of nowhere now follow Onii-chan into his room to study for hours on end. My Onii-chan, studying with 2 beauties!

It makes my little sister heart proud that he's finally becoming somewhat popular, however, somethings off about those two. They seem to know Onii-chan on a level that seems far more than a few days, so I doubt it's people from his club, but then where is Onii-chan making these friends and how?

Honestly, it's slightly scary how much that Onii-chan has changed. How did it happen and when did this happen? I've only noticed this a few days ago, but it feels as if I've missed out on a huge portion of his life. What happened to Onii-chan!

Maybe it's me being self-conscious about him finally growing up a bit from the anti-social dork he was. Don't get me wrong, I loved him all the same, but I was really worried about his school life.

He did sacrifice a lot of his time to take care of me after all.

While mom and dad have been working hard for our sake, Onii-chan has been the one to help me out with my homework, to advise me on how to handle things, and he even played games with me. By the time he got into high school, I was mature enough to not need him all the time, but he didn't make friends. He'd tried to reassure me that everything was going great for him, but I could tell differently.

When he told me about his club, I thought things would change, however, I never thought it would change as much as it did.

"Good morning Komachi. Is breakfast ready?" Onii-chan said, walking out from his room, strangely awake. Usually, I'd think he'd be tired waking up this early.

"It sure is, Onii-chan. Be sure to eat it up as it's filled with all my love. Oooh! I bet that was worth a lot of points!"

Onii-chan smiled at my words and smirked. His expression seemed to contain so much… relief in hearing my words. He's always been happy to see me, but to this extent? Why is that? "Maybe you'll get more points if you're good."

Putting on a pout, I said, "I'll be good, but you gotta be too! Ais-chan is waiting outside for you, so you better eat fast!"

Onii-chan's expression hearing this again seemed less freaked out than the first time it happened. His whole attitude seemed too in control than what was normal for him. "Fine, fine. Tell her that I'll be ready in five minutes."

I complied with his request and quickly went outside to talk to Ais-chan. Ais-chan was just a bombshell beauty that made this whole mess with Onii-chan even messier. Why would she be sticking around him? How does she see Onii-chan's worth like I do? Opening the door, I said to the expectant Ais, "Onii-chan said that it'll be five minutes before he'll be ready to leave!"

Ais nodded her understanding of what I said, saying nothing in response. How would Onii-chan even meet a person like this? Wouldn't he find such a person annoying? Oh, uhh not that I find her annoying. She patted my head when she first saw me. She must be a good person!

"Do you want to come in while you wait? I'd hate to leave you out here."

Ais shook her head as she said, "I don't have to wait long, and it'd be rude of me to intrude."

She seemed weirdly determined to not enter the house, so I decided to drop the subject and instead focused on my own affairs.

Yelling out into the house, "Onii-chan, be sure to lead Ais-chan to school properly and I want to hear about Ryuu-chan later, alright?"

I heard a "fine" come from his room, and that was good enough for me. I was already in my uniform and had my things together, so I just went on.

I had to give Onii-chan a chance to be alone with Ais-chan of course. He may be more confident now, but he's still the Onii-chan who struggles to ask someone out!

I should know, I'm his sister!

Omake: Sword Princess

I… have trouble with words.

Even expressing the barest thoughts and feelings is difficult for me. It's not as if I don't try to express them, but unfortunately, I think that I get misinterpreted a lot.

I think it was when I reached level 2 when everyone started treating me weirdly. More people stared at me and tried to talk to me. I didn't know what to say so I never responded. Riveria would usually wave them off away from me.

Maybe they were interested in my strength?

I thought that my strength wasn't something to be envied. My sword was only for revenge after all. So consumed in hatred from monsters because the One Eyed Black Dragon stole my mother. I didn't consider myself a hero even though many did.

I mean, what hero can't swim?

It was during a fight with a boss monster where my life would be changed forever. It was some type of tentacled creature with a dozen heads and three tentacles to match each head. My sword was dulling due to the amount of tentacles to cut through. Oh? Did I not mention that the tentacles regenerated? It was quite bothersome and it was getting dangerous at points.

Having enough, I used my Avenger to break through the mass of tentacles. I breezed through the dungeon, racing past the other adventurers battling other tentacles. I jumped above the entire monster, ready to slice the monster's heads off all at once when he came.

He came in and grabbed me out of the air. He was clad in a dark cloak covering most of his body but I caught sight of some lighter armor underneath it all. I barely saw his face through it all.

At first I was angry. Why did this person push me out of the air when I was about to kill the monster? But I looked to where I was before and my eyes couldn't believe the sight. That particular spot had been targeted by one of the heads and a spew of toxic slog had been spat at. This person, he had saved me.

"You need to watch yourself. If you don't make sure that you're safe when you're going on the attack then you might not be able to go on the attack again. Then who would fight the monsters?"

While I don't remember him having a large part in defeating the monster from there, his words… stuck with me.

I may not consider myself a hero but others do so my victories against monsters matter.

I didn't see him until a long while after. When I saw him, before I knew it I was in front of him. He was surprised by my presence.

"Y-yo," he said. I didn't know how to respond, so instead I studied his features. He was lithe, rouge-like, but with a degree of muscle on him. His eyes were somewhat like fish-eyes funny enough. It made me giggle which caught his attention.

"Wait, you're that girl I scolded a few months back. What're you doing here giggling at my looks?"

Ah. he noticed. I tried to communicate that I wanted to know more about him, but the words wouldn't come out.

Somehow though, he knew. "What's my name? Uh, Hikigaya, Hachiman, that is my family name first and my given name last."

Hm. Hikigaya Hachiman. If he gave his name that way, does that mean he's from the far east? His features do look similar to-

"And no, I'm not from the far east or whatever so you can stop thinking that!" His spot on deduction made me freeze up. How did he know?

"You're an open book you know?" I'm easy to read? I thought others didn't think that way though.

I didn't realize it at the time, but having someone that could somehow read my intentions and thoughts made me drawn to him. It was to the point where Loki offered him a place in her familia for him, but he refused.

My relationship progressed with him every meeting we had. His presence was calming for me where I didn't need to worry about saying anything. Even if he wasn't perfect about reading my thoughts, he did the best out of anyone I met.

And soon enough, I found myself yearning his presence more and more. Years roll by and I feel the same now.

And the best part of it all is when I defeated the One Eyed Black Dragon, I was no longer driven by revenge, but out of love for my mother. He changed me to care for myself more even though he himself is bad about this. I told him my goals and he said to apply it differently. To make it about my mother and not about the One Eyed Black Dragon.

So when I saved my mother, I was a hero instead of an avenger.