Author's Note: Here's Chapter 4. This chapter is mostly Kodaka and Kobato's stay at Sena's place. I originally wanted to have Kodaka visit the club in this chapter, but I will leave that in Chapter 5.

I am still thinking of ways that will cause Kobato's anger to build up since the events in Chapters 2, 3, and 4 are not sufficient to make Kobato explode, my intended goal.

I am also thinking of ways to incorporate other Neighbor's Club members since it's been mostly Kodaka, Kobato, and Sena.

Published 5/26/2014

Chapter 4:

Premier Choice for Lodging

It is finally the end of another day at school. As Kodaka heads towards the bus stop, waiting for the next bus to arrive, someone unexpectedly grabs him. It is none other than Sena, who wants to tell him something in secret.

"Huh? Sena, what is it? We're going to the clubroom anyways so what do you want me for?"

"Shh… Don't tell anyone about this, especially Yozora. You know… the other day… when Stella and Stan came over to your place and took photos?"

"Yes… and?"

"Well, the construction crew met papa yesterday. They are ready to start renovating your house. So… papa wants you to start packing."

"What? Today? Plus, where will I stay while my house is being renovated."

"Umm… Papa wanted you to stay at my place."

"What?" Kodaka freezes as he thinks to himself. "What kind of idea is that man thinking? Why his place? It must be some sort of joke!"

"Umm… Sena, isn't there like some sort of hotel or apartment I can stay in?"

"That's what papa decided," Sena gives quiet reply and then thinks to herself. "Umm… I wanted to be with Kobato-chan and Kodaka so I asked for this."

"Sena, what did you want to say?"

"Well… just keep it a secret OK?"

"OK!" Kodaka agrees. Then, he looks at his watch. "Oh Shit, we're going to be late for the club."

Kodaka and Sena continue the day with no unexpected events. As promised, Kodaka begins packing the following night, preparing to move to Sena's place. Hoping not to upset and scare Kobato about Sena, Kodaka focuses his explanations with respect to the renovation. He tries to explain about the additional amenities that they will get. Kobato rejects the idea, suspecting that Kodaka may be doing it just to please Sena.

After a week, the construction crew arrives at Kodaka's place as expected. The first person to meet Kodaka is Stan.

"Good morning Stan, I am all set to move."

"You're on time as usual. I already have the moving van here. By the way, how is your little sister doing? I haven't got to meet her yet."

"She's great. Hey Kobato, greet the construction worker."

"Hrmph… I don't wanna. It's just another monster."

"Come on Kobato, he's not a stranger."

"I don't wanna leave. You're only doing this for Sena the monster."

"Kobato. Don't worry. It's not just for Sena. It's for you too. Your room will be larger and you can put more baggage in it." Kodaka tries to convince Kobato one more time, but Kobato's suspicions only grow.

"Let me help you, Kodaka." Stan easily convinces Kobato by explaining all of the improvements to her bedroom. He notes many improvements that Kobato will enjoy. In return, Kobato slowly gives in until she sees the unwanted figure at the door.

"Kobato-chan! Your big sister has already picked out all of the designs for you. I also prepared a nice bath and a comfortable bedroom right next to mine."

"Sena!" Kodaka cuts Sena off. He knows that her appearance will expose his lies.

"An-chan's an idiot. You lied to me! You only cared about that evil monster. Go away." Kobato runs up the stairs and tries to hide. However, Sena is discouraged by Kobato's insults and tries to look for her. Meanwhile, Kodaka asks additional questions for Stan.

"Hey Stan, please tell me what the finalized design looks like?"

"Can't do. That is a secret. The Kashiwazakis want to make this a surprise for you." Stan smiles at Kodaka. "You will see it when it's done."

"I hope it is good…" Kodaka expresses his doubts. He is not too fond of Sena's galge style and fears that Sena will add galge-themed motifs to his new home. Sena's galge games are usually rated R-18 (CERO: Z and ESRB: AO).

Kodaka and Kobato's items are quickly being loaded into a moving van. Most of the items will be moved to a storage unit and stored there until the construction is complete. A smaller van arrives on the scene and will be transporting the rest of the items to Sena's place. Along with the smaller van is Stella's limousine. Stella gets out of the car and greets.

"Good day, Kodaka-sama. Is everything all set?"

"Umm… We have one problem. It's about my sister."

"Ah! No worries, Kodaka. Kobato-chan is here." Kodaka turns around and finds Sena holding onto a strangled Kobato. Kobato is trying to break herself free from Sena's arms, but is too weak to do so.

"Umm… Sena, you might want to loosen up. Kobato looks like she's suffocating."

"But… she's too cute to let go. I want to cling onto her even more."

"Madam, it looks like you are choking Kodaka-sama's sister. Why don't you drop her off here?"

"Oh! That's great." Sena drags Kobato into the back seat of the limousine. Once inside, Sena locks the doors to prevent Kobato from running away. Kodaka also chooses to sit in the front seat next to Stella to eliminate the need to open the back door and create an escape path for Kobato. Before Kodaka leaves, he waves goodbye. As everyone leaves in Stella's limousine, they watch the construction crew begin their work. The front door is quickly ripped apart and the workers begin to survey the land around Kodaka's house. Watching the demolition makes Kodaka excited. He is still concerned about the finished product though and hopes that Stella and Pegasus's influence have normalized the final design.

At the Kashiwazaki's estate, Stella guides Kodaka and Kobato into their prepared rooms. Unlike the guest room that they have slept in before, their new bedroom has more amenities such as a larger TV set with games and some books for them to read.

"Kodaka-sama, on behalf of the Kashiwazaki's, I will present to you this welcome gift."

"Ugh! I don't feel comfortable about this."

Kodaka opens up the box and finds chocolate. Next to it is a note.

"For my dear fiancée Kodaka. I made this with all my heart so you better appreciate it.

Love Sena."

"That's typical of Sena." Kodaka puts it away and continues to unpack. Kodaka mostly brought light novels and comic books with him. As for Kobato, she brought almost all of her Kurogane no Nercomancer items with her. Sena tries to offer her help to Kobato and give her some of her Nercomancer items, but Kobato constantly refuses. Stella eventually drags Sena out of Kobato's room to give her some privacy.

"Milady, Kobato-sama does not seem comfortable with living here yet so let's give her some time to adjust. After that, you can do whatever you want with her."

"Great, I can't wait to show her my collection of Kurogane no Nercomancer. You just wait Kobato-chan!"

The following night, Sena tries to feed Kobato dinner, but Kobato turns around and refuses to eat. Sena also tries to invite Kobato to watch a movie with her. Then, Sena offers to play some games. Kobato keeps refusing.

Finally, Sena asks Kobato to sleep with her.

"Kobato-chan! Please sleep with your sister. My room is filled with Kurogane no Nercomancer items too. I also have bedsheets and pillow cases of your favorite anime. Please? Please?"

"No! I am fine. I will sleep alone."

"Please Kobato-chan… Your big sister is going to cry. Sob… Sob…" Sena tries to grab Kobato, but Kobato slaps Sena's hand.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! You hurt your big sister's hand." Kodaka finds that Kobato has gone overboard and decides to intervene.

"Hey Kobato! What was that for? Sena has prepared so much for you. What's with that slap? Pay her respect and sleep with her. It's rude to treat a host like this."

"Do I have to?"

"Ko… ba… to… How many times do I have to teach you about manners? You are acting like a spoiled child again."

"If my other half says so… then…"

"Oh that's great Kobato-chan! Thank you Kodaka. Now, off we go Kobato-chan." Sena quickly drags Kobato into her bedroom.

As Kodaka watches Sena drag Kobato upstairs, Kodaka prays and hopes that Kobato will come out alright next morning. He stood up for Sena out of respect for the Kashiwazakis for financing their renovation and letting Kobato and him stay at their mansion. Kodaka also hopes to make a good impression on Pegasus, who is also Hayato's best friend.

Kodaka's decision backfires the next morning when he wakes up and feels something heavy on both of his arms. On the right side is Sena sleeping next to him. On the left side is Kobato. Kodaka freaks out and quickly rolls out of bed.

"Aughhhhhhh!" Kodaka's scream wakes up both Kobato and Sena.

"Ugh… Good morning An-chan."

"Good morning Koda… Umm… Wait, why are you here Kodaka? You didn't do anything crazy with me last night."

"I should be asking you the same thing. Why are you in my bed let alone in this room?"

Sena blushes and explains. "Kobato-chan ran out my room last night. I was lonely so I searched for her and found her here sleeping you Kodaka. I got sleepy and just wanted to take a short nap here. I didn't know I ended up sleeping all the way through."

"Are you OK Sena? Were you too hard on Kobato? I told you to be gentler with Kobato. If you keep doing this, Kobato will hate you more."

"I can't help it. Kobato-chan's just too cute." Sena then changes. "Well, you better remember to keep this a secret from everyone else, especially the witch Yozora and everyone else in the Neighbor's Club."

"Ok! OK! I got it… Please keep your voice down in the morning."

It is too late. Stella easily heard Sena's voice through Kodaka's bedroom and opens the door. She walks in and pretends that nothing happened.

"Milady, Kodaka-sama, and Kobato-sama. Breakfast is ready." All of them panic and stare at Stella as she slowly closes the door.

"Huhu… I guess they really are an excellent couple." Stella walks off and prepares the dining table. As everyone gathers together, Pegasus makes a startling message to Kodaka.

"It seems like you've adapted to my household quickly, Kodaka-kun. Everything going well?"

"Yes, Chairman," Kodaka then thinks to himself. "Everything going well? Wait, don't tell me that Stella mentioned everything to Pegasus. This is going to be bad if it did happen. Pegasus will just spread more rumors at school, even clamoring about the success our proposed engagement."

Pegasus's next sentence gives Kodaka a relief. "That's nice to hear. How about Kobato?"

Kobato gives a frown, refusing to utter anything. "Well, I guess Kobato needs some more time to adapt," Kodaka responds for Kobato.

"That's fine. I hope my daughter is treating her well," Pegasus smiles.

"NO! Sena's a monster. I wanna go home now! An-chan!"

"Kobato, it's only going to be a couple of months. It shouldn't be too bad. Plus, Sena isn't intending to harm you in any way. She really wants to help you out."

"Hrm…" Kobato continues to object. The following night, Sena gets a private bath from Stella. Kodaka tries to comfort Kobato by convincing Sena to have Kobato bath separately. Sena accepts. In the bath, Stella tries to talk to Sena about her recent progress with Kodaka.

"Milady Sena-sama, about this morning, I found you in Kodaka-sama's bed. How do you feel?" Stella's question shocks Sena since it is an embarrassing topic to discuss. Sena continues on.

"Well… I guess I feel alright."

"I am happy that your relationship has been improving. Master will be happy to hear this."

"Don't say it like that. It was just an accident."

"I understand. However, I can tell from your gestures that you are thinking of something else."

"No I am not!"

"Lady Sena still has a lot to learn," Stella thinks in her mind.

When it is Pegasus's and Kodaka's turn to bath, Pegasus discusses with Kodaka about the same event. Apparently, Stella did tell Pegasus about the event, confirming Kodaka's suspicions.

"Yo, Kodaka-kun. I hear that your relationship with Sena is going well, yes?"

"Umm… Yeah I guess." However Kodaka expresses his doubts in his mind. "I knew it. I knew Stella was going to misinterpret it. If this gets exposed, my life will be in chaos. Yozora, Rika, Yukimura, Maria, and the others will hate me for being unable to address their concerns and wishes and my image will look even bad."

"You may say that it is going well, but you don't act like it, Kodaka-kun."

"What? Why?"

"You're moving awkwardly. That's fine. You were just like your father when he first met Airi. Like father, like son. Sena may seem selfish and arrogant, but the more you know about her, you will understand she has a kind heart."

"Yeah…" Kodaka makes more thoughts in his mind, "Well, she still likes to proclaim herself as perfect and bothers Kobato in a scary way."

"Umm... Chairman, can I make one request? Please don't tell anyone about this at school, not even Kate. The last time you spread a rumor like this, I went through a whole day of hell."

"Yes I can."

Over the next few weeks, Kodaka tries his best to comfort Kobato. He no longer forces Kobato to sleep with Sena and do activities with her. As a result, Kobato locks herself in her bedroom all the time. Kobato also tries to get Kodaka to play games with her, but Kodaka is too busy helping out Sena. As much as Kodaka is fully accustomed to living with the Kashiwazaki's, Kobato's temper is boiling slowly.

The next day, Kodaka gets dragged out into the hallway during breaktime by Yozora.

"Hey, Kodaka, I have something to tell you. What's going on with Meat and you?"