"Finally home." I muttered as I reached the gates, still not sure about what to say to my little sister. "I'm home." I announced as I entered our house. Walking towards the kitchen, I saw Komachi chopping some vegetables. She looks serious about it.

Is she still mad at me?

Our eyes met after I asked myself. I can confirm that she's still angry, but then her eyes softened when she looked at my arm.

"What happened to you Onii-chan?!" Worry filled her face as she came closer to inspect my arm. I still sense some anger but it's mostly worry at this point. I wouldn't recommend this but, the best way to dispel any tense relations is to make them worry about you. Proven and tested.

"I saved Kawasaki's little sister from getting hit by a car yesterday. It got broken as a result."

"This was yesterday and I didn't know!?"

"What do you mean you didn't know? That bug didn't tell you?" Her brows furrowed at that. I don't know if it is because I called Kawasaki's little brother a bug though.

"He told me his little sister almost got hurt, he didn't tell me anything else." She then embraces me. "I'm glad you saved Kei-chan, but that's not an excuse to get yourself hurt Onii-chan. Think about those who're worried about you!" She's crying.

I've really been a bad person. But making Komachi cry? I think I've hit the lowest of the low now. I tried to comfort her, even though I don't know how to. I tried patting her head as she cried while hugging me. "It's okay Komachi, everything turned out to be fine anyways."

"But it's not fine that you got hurt!" Komachi continued to sob. I rubbed her back as she calmed down, until she stopped sobbing.

"Shh... Don't cry now Komachi, I'll feel bad."

"You should be, dummy, nincompoop, Gomi-chan!" She answered.

"Sorry for making you worry, Komachi." I said. She tightened her hold on me before muttering something.

"You should treat me somewhere, Onii-chan..."

"Hai hai, let's eat somewhere on saturday." I broke off our embrace. "What are you cooking?" I asked as she went back to chopping.

"Curry!" She joyously answered.

"Save it for Mom and Dad, I'm eating out for dinner tonight."

"Do you have a date Onii-chan!? Who's the unlucky girl that's treating you?" Komachi asked enthusiastically, like she didn't cry earlier.

"Kawasaki said her parents wanted to meet me. They invited me for dinner."

"Kyah! Onii-chan is meeting Saki-nee's parents already! How long till the marriage?" What is this girl thinking? Marriage?

"You're reading too much shoujo mangas." I proceeded to go and change my clothes. After making myself presentable, I went back down. "I'm off Komachi, make sure to feed Kamakura dinner."

"Hai Onii-chan! Take care!" With that, the deteriorating relationship of ours is slightly fixed. Though I still need to take Komachi out on saturday.

Walking towards Kawasaki's place, my thoughts drifted to the oncoming event. The Christmas event is nearing, yet we're still stuck on the planning phase. If this continues, the Christmas Event will be a bust. And with the looks of things, I need all the help I can get.

My thoughts dwelled on the Service Club again. When I asked that I wanted something genuine, I was hoping that it will mend whatever rift is forming between us. It did the opposite, making the status quo tense and forced. It feels like Hayama's clique now that I think about it.

*Ring*

The ringing sound detached me to my thoughts, I instinctively pulled up my phone to see if it's mine.

But Hachiman, you don't have friends when you were on Middle School, why do you have the instinct to check your phone?

It's normal to check your phone if you hear something ringing, it might be an emergency! Just because I had no friends back at middle school, doesn't mean I won't check my phone!

It's Kawasaki calling.

"Hello."

"Haa-chan!" Keika?

"What are you doing with your sister's phone?" I asked.

"Saa-chan said that you'll come for dinner, but it's dark and you're still not here! I asked Saa-chan to call you for me!" I can feel the joy in her voice. Kids really are joyful.

"Well I'm near your home, you don't have to worry about me. Can I talk to your sister?" She replied with a reluctant yes.

"Hello, Saki here speaking. Keika wanted to know where you are."

"Yeah I knew that. I'll use the doorbell when I'm there." She answered with okay before hanging up. After walking for 5 minutes, I've reached the gates of the Kawasaki household.

Pressing the doorbell, I instantly saw the doors open as a little kid ran towards me. "Haa-chan!" I wish Komachi is this happy when she sees me.

"Kei-chan!" The voice of Kawasaki was heard. "Good evening Hikigaya." With Kawasaki unlocking the gate, she motioned me to enter.

"Good evening Kawasaki."

"Call me Saki, everyone will look at you if you call me that." She explained.

"R-right, Good evening S-Saki." I stuttered. I'm still not comfortable calling other people their names.

"Haa-chan! Come inside, dinner is almost ready!" With Keika pushing me towards their home, I have no choice but to get pushed on.

"Pardon the intrusion." I respectfully said.

"Is that Nii-san?" I heard the bug say. Then, more kids came to see me.

"Woah, is he your boyfriend, Nee-san?" A kid younger than Keika asked.

"Boyfwend? What's that?" The other one asked. I looked at Kawasaki's reaction, it seems she is getting red for a reason. At least clarify the misunderstanding here!

"Ah, no. I'm Hikigaya Hachiman, I'm your sister's classmate." I introduced to the two.

"My name is Aki, nice to meet you Onii-chan!"

"I'm Kouki, nice to meet you Hachi-nii-san!" the youngest introduced.

"Welcome to our home Nii-san! Is Komachi alright?" This bug is already asking about Komachi. Should I be proud that Komachi's cuteness is appreciated by everyone? Or should I be angry at this bug?

"She's at home studying." I chose not to get angry.

"Ara, who are my kids flocking into?" A new voice announced. I instinctively took a glance at the source of it and saw a woman with the same color as Kawasaki's hair. "Are you Saki's friend, perhaps her boyfriend?" The red Kawasaki turned even redder.

"I'm Hikigaya Hachiman, nice to meet you Ma'am…" I wanted to say her name but I don't know it, so I trailed off the last part.

"Ara, where are my manners? My name is Sakaki, you could call me Sakaki-san, or Mother if you like." I heard a Kaa-san come from the red Kawasaki. She then proceeds to go back to the kitchen. "Sit tight Haa-chan, dinner is nearly done!"

"Your mother is an eccentric one." She nods in agreement.

"She acts like a teenager sometimes." Kawasaki replies. "So, would you like to play some games to pass time?" She pulls up a bunch of video game titles for Nintendo 63.

"You know my arm is broken right?" I reminded the silverette.

"It's fine, your hand is not broken, you'll find a way to play games with your Vita-chan anyways." This woman. How does she know about my Vita-chan? "How about Super Smash Bros.?" I just nodded in agreement.

As she sets up the console, I tried to remember who I used to play when me and Komachi played. I think it's Mario? Or is it Samus? I think I played Samus because she's wearing a cool looking armor. Still surprised the moment they unveiled the Zero Suit she wears.

"So, you ready?" Kawasaki asked as she handed me a controller. I tried it, trying to find myself comfortable playing with a broken arm. As I got comfortable, I answered her.

I selected Samus from the character selection. She chose Link, what a straightforward person she is.

"Let's Smash!" ( ͡ ͜ʖ ͡)


"Dinner is ready, come and eat!" Kawasaki's mother shouted. That stopped us from playing the game as the kids' stomachs grumbled.

"That was fun Haa-chan, let's smash again next time!"

"Keika!" The red faced sister reprimanded.

"It's fine, she doesn't know what it means. Let her be." I assured her. We spent almost an hour battling as the Kawasaki siblings mashed buttons hoping to push the others of the edge. In that time, Kawasaki's dad came home, looking tired. I was surprised that he looked energized when he saw the kids.

Though I think he's a bit intrigued as to why am I in their home.

With the Kawasakis settled down, we then started to eat.

"So Hikigaya-kun, what's the reason you're at our home?" Kawasaki-san asked. I think he was trying to intimidated me. Shouldn't he know why am I here? Didn't they invite me in the first place?

"I was told that you invited me here, because you guys are curious about Keika's savior." I replied.

"So you're this "Haa-chan" my daughter keeps talking about." He hums in relief. "Thank you for saving my Keika yesterday." He bowed as he spoke. There's no need to show that much of a gratitude, Kawasaki-san.

"Haa-chan, thank you for saving me again! You're so cool that I felt like time slowed down before boom!" Keika motions her hands to emphasize the boom. As she continued, her younger siblings looked in awe, partly because of me, but mostly because of what Keika told. The dinner continued with Sakaki-san talking about Kawasaki's younger days, and Kawasaki-san talking about the tiresome job of his.

"Oh, remember the time Taishi slipped and pulled a woman's skirt down?" I swear I heard an ufufu at the end there, Sakaki-san.

"Kaa-chan! Don't tell Nii-san that!" Good, now I have blackmail material to keep him in check. Thanks for indirectly helping me, Sakaki-san! The family laughed at the bug's misfortune.

"That reminds me, isn't Keika performing for the school play this Christmas Eve?" Kawasaki opened up. This got the two adults interested.

"Really? I wouldn't want to miss that!" Sakaki-san said, though she deflated as she continued. "Sadly, my work schedule is tight for the coming week. I'm sorry if I'm not able to be there Keika."

"Me too as well." Kawasaki-san also said. Ah, the woes of being a corporate slave. I understand your feelings Keika, I understand it.

"Don't worry Kaa-san, I'll record it so you and Tou-chan can watch it." Kawasaki said. "So what's the plan with the play, since you're helping the council right?" Way to put me in the spotlight Kawasaki.

"Honestly, I'm not helping that much. We haven't made that much of a progress, as we're still stuck in the planning and decision phase." I can feel sympathy coming from the two adults.

""I know how that feels, having no progress as the deadline approaches."" It's so scary how synchronized Sakaki-san and Kawasaki-san said it. "So Hikigaya-kun, is your arm fine?" Kawasaki-san asked.

"Nothing that a painkiller can't fix." I answered. The dinner continued with small talks about their daily interactions. After the dinner, Kawasaki washed the plates, which I offered to help with.

"It's nice that you guys eat together." I said to her.

"I guess you guys don't then?"

"When my parents get home, both me and Komachi's already asleep." I said as I wiped the plates. After a few minutes, we were done with the dishes.

"Thank you for helping my daughter, Hikigaya-kun! I hope that's not the only thing you help her with!" I sense a big mischievous energy from Kawasaki's mother.

"Kaa-san!"

"Why not? I'm fine with Hikigaya-kun calling me mother!" This woman, I swear she's too mischievous for her age.

"Go away Kaa-san!" Kawasaki shoos her mom. We were back to their couch. "ah, I forgot to give Aki her medication!" She exclaimed. Is her little sister sick? "Please wait here, Hikigaya." Kawasaki ran towards the kitchen to get the medicine.

"Hikigaya-kun, can we have a talk?" Kawasaki-san approached. I think he just came out the bath. As evidenced by the towel hanging on his neck.

"Sure." He motioned me to follow him, we walked towards their front porch.

"I sense something that's bothering you." He started. "Would you mind humoring a stranger?"

Should I? I think I'll learn a thing or two from Kawasaki-san. I could use another adult's opinion. So I told what happened to the service club, from the Kyoto incident to where we are right now. Kawasaki-san just hummed in response.

"Hmm… you're in a bind huh." He lights a cigarette. "But I think you're doing fine. Sometimes, it's all we could do, get swept by the waves."

"That's right."

"I should berate your self-sacrificing nature, but I think you know the consequences of it." He started again. "If you want this "genuine" thing, then I think you should act upon it. Don't expect others to be openly genuine. It's you who should act first. Be real with them, communicate with them. It's the cornerstone of every good relationship." He takes a whiff of said cigarette. "That's how I got Saki's mother." He coughs as smoke comes out his mouth. "God that woman, Saki's a carbon copy of her. She's cold and uncaring on people she doesn't like, but warm, teasing and playful for those she cares about." I hardly believe what Kawasaki-san said. Those two are polar opposites.

"Thank you, Kawasaki-san."

"Ryuto, call me Ryuto. After all, you're close to my children already." So that's his name. Sounds like a name of a Yakuza member.

"Thank you, Ryuto-san." I stood up. "I should probably go now. Thank you for your hospitality, Ryuto-san."

"Say goodbye to my children at least, especially Saki."

"Will do, Sir." I walked back to the living room. Kawasaki looked panicked.

"There you are! I thought you already left." She ran up to me.

"Your father and I had a talk." She then asked about what we talked about. "Nothing you should worry about."

"That makes me worry more." She sighed. I bid farewell to her and her siblings, with Sakaki-san saying I should come anytime I like. Again, I thanked them for the hospitality they showed.

As I walked towards my home, I suddenly had the urge to drink Maxx Coffee. So I walked towards the nearest convenience store for a fresh, cold can of Maxx. As the cashier punched the item, I heard a woman grumbling about something.

"Why is Ryota-san not picking up?!" She angrily said. I thanked the cashier, before walking out of the said store.

"Hey young man, do you know where I would find Tsukamoto Apartments?" Strange, isn't that the apartment where Yukinoshita lives?

"Yes I do, it's right there." I point the general direction of the said building.

"Would you mind if you accompany me towards it?" She asked. Now that I take a closer look, she's wearing a purple Yukata with flower design on it. Her hair is tied up in a bun, and her light make-up accentuates her facial features very well. She could be a model if she wanted to.

"Okay" I said in agreement as it is dangerous to let a woman this beautiful roam the streets alone. You never know what's in the streets at times like this.

As we were walking, she started asking me about the place. She also asked me about my philosophies. I didn't take her to be philosophical.

"What you do think of the world, Mr… I don't know your name." She giggled.

"My name is Hikigaya Hachiman."

"So Hikigaya-kun, I assume you're a high school student. What do you think of the youth?" She asked. My view about the youth haven't changed a bit.

"Youth is a lie." She got intrigued, so I continued. "The idea of you changing just to fit in, where you wear masks, just to satisfy others. I hate that. You fall to peer pressure, just because as I said, you wanted to fit in. You shun your friends for the cooler friends who are riajuus. Riajuus should just blow themselves up." I finished rambling.

She laughed, hard. So hard that I think her prim and proper façade is not present. After a solid minute of laughing, she stopped.

"That's funny honestly, you're the first person who made me laugh that hard since my husband years ago."

"What's funny about it?" I inquired. She straightened herself up.

"You're… too cynical for your age." She said. "I think changing for the better is good for a teenager, especially if you're preparing to enter adulthood." Strange, it feels like I had this conversation before.

"You should accept who you are before changing. If you change first, then you wouldn't be able to accept and love yourself." I replied.

"But isn't that just running away?" I really think I've had this conversation before.

"But changing yourself isn't?" Our talk was halted as we reached Tsukamoto Apartments. She thanked me for accompanying her and giving her a good laugh. She reminds me of Yukinoshita, a mix between the older one and the younger.

I walked back towards my home. When I arrived, the house was dark, which means mom and dad are already sleeping. I went to the bathroom for a quick shower, then I lied down after drying my hair.

"I wish tomorrow is a good day." I muttered before closing my eyes.


A/N: Sup! Here's a new chapter for you guys!

Now time for some replies to reviews:

ThePrinceVonGhost: I wish you finish your fic! Thanks for reading mine.

Guest (3): While I agree about your sentiments, I am not that good yet to completely write long texts. I'll try to keep that in mind for my future fics though. Thanks!

Roccus: I might've read that fic that you mentioned, but that's not what I had in mind when writing chapter one. It just kinda happened. I'm referencing my other story, Two the Same, where a time travelling Hachiman saves Haruno from getting hit by a truck. Thanks for the feedback mate! Can we have a new chapter for My Tutoring is Unexpectedly Wrong? I wanna know what happens to Yumiko.

Thanks for reading! Leave a review if you have something in mind. I'll try to answer that on the next A/N.Keep safe as always!

-Jasserru out!