A sharp click echoed through the apartment, distracting him away from the manga he'd been reading. The door swung open to reveal Ai, not the person he'd been expecting to return to the apartment first.

"Hachiman?" Ai tilted her head, blinking at him as the door shut behind her. Placing a hand on the wall as she balanced on one foot to take off her shoes. "You're here early. Miyako let you in?"

"Hmm, she left to pick up the twins." It hadn't been that long since the lady had left but it was surprising Ai had gotten back before them. "My class got cancelled so I came over, didn't have anything better to do." He shrugged.

"Aww, did you miss me Hachiman?" Considering the fact that he saw her just the day before, not really. If anything he should be getting sick of her.

Not that he actually said that. She was probing for a reaction, that's what hyperactive idiots like her did. The only sensible thing to do when dealing with these types of people was to not interact with them when they got like this.

Best case they would stop their crusade to annoy you and no longer have to deal with them. Worst case, they don't stop pestering you but at least this way they'd also lose since they're wasting their own time and not gaining any satisfaction since you didn't engage with them. It'd be mutual suffering at that point, and he would be satisfied with that.

Ai of course was not. She bounded over to the couch and sat a smidge too close for what was considered appropriate.

"I bet you did~." Then proceeding to lean on him. "Look, it's okay to be honest, Hachiman. I promise not to make fun of you. I mean, it's only natural to be attracted to my sheer aura. I don't think anyone could blame you for wanting to see more of-"

Laughter flowed out of Ai's lips as he shoved her off of him. Bringing an end to her inane and egotistical ramblings before he got a headache. The ability to praise oneself this much was absurd. Years of being praised by her sycophantic fans had seemingly justified this narcissistic behaviour in her eyes.

She bumped her shoulder into his. "Don't try to avoid the truth just because it bothers you."

"Nothing is bothering me except this mosquito that won't leave me alone."

"Shoot, that must be really annoying." Her obnoxious tone was definitely taxing his energy. "Well if you don't want to be honest. I'll do it for both of us. I know I definitely missed you~"

The ease with which she says cheesy things like that is terrifying. The worst part was the fact that he struggled to tell if she was serious at times. Even worse was the fact he wasn't sure how he'd feel if she actually was serious.

Thankfully, she decided to ease up on his torture. Stretching her whole body and groaning lightly while her eyes were shut. She propped her feet up on the couch and laid her head on a pillow.

"You okay?" He asked, moving away slightly to give her more room for her legs.

"Just a bit sore, nothing I can't handle!" The thumbs-up she sent his way did not instill confidence. "We've just got this new set we're working on and I want to nail it before our next big show."

"Don't overwork yourself. Also go to your bed if you want to rest."

"I'm great, not even tired." She got up scooting closer to him. "If I go to my bed I'm probably gonna sleep and I don't wanna do that right now." Then Ai pinched his cheek lightly. "Are you worried about me Hachiman~"

"Yes." Seeing her teasing grin get wiped away was so satisfying. Blunt honesty was a truly effective weapon against Hoshino Ai. "If you don't watch yourself then I get more problems to deal with."

"O-oh," That surprised expression didn't last long as Ai adjusted her face back to normal. "Well don't you worry 'bout that! I've been doing this for years, a little extra work isn't going to stop me. I can take care of myself."

"It's hard to believe that with how you act."

Grinning at him. "In that case, you'll help me out won't you? Since you're so worried."

"Hmm, probably."

"Then I think it'll be alright." She found his shoulder a more agreeable place to rest her head than the pillow she used.

Ai dropped silent except with the occasional humming of some song he didn't recognize. Glancing to his side, Ai was scrolling through some social media site, done with bothering him for now.

Since she wasn't being an irritating gnat, he would graciously allow her to use him.

He grabbed his manga, continuing from where he left off. This was somewhat relaxing, it was rare that Ai would actually shut up. Why couldn't she be like this more often?

Then as if she'd heard his thoughts. He barely got through a few pages before the calming silence was shattered.

"What you reading?" Ai, no longer interested in her phone, choosing to focus on what he was doing instead.

"What's it look like?" He deadpanned. "It's a manga."

Bumping her leg into his. "Idiot. I'm asking what it's about?"

"Action fantasy."

"That's the genre right? Could I have some more details maybe?" He flipped the page. "Hey wait, go back." Ai sheepishly grinned at him while turning the page back herself. "There, just give me a sec."

"Do you mind? Could I read in peace?"

"Can't we read it together?" She said without looking away from the manga.

"Why?"

"You're going to have to be a bit more specific, Hachiman. Why what?"

Would it be rude if he just snapped the manga shut and chucked it back into his bag? Maybe he could forget this had ever happened. The urge to bury his face in his hands to remove Ai's everything from his view was hitting him strongly right about now.

"Why," Grunting the word out. "Do you even want to read this?"

"Why not?" Ai finally turned the page. He really hated when she used those words. "Alright I'm bored okay."

He sighed, she made everything such a pain. "If you're bored just go ego-surfing or something."

"But Hachiman, aren't you the one who always says to me that mindlessly scrolling on my phone is bad?" She smiled innocently. "I'm pretty sure I remember you saying that I should pick up a book sometime in my life so that I would, and I'm quoting you on this, 'finally gain some braincells to compensate for my uncultured ass.' or something like that."

That… her imitation of him was not accurate at all. Also he did not say those words… well maybe something similar, but really she was just twisting whatever he'd said for her own agenda.

"Do that in your own time." Averting his gaze away from her. "I doubt you even like this type of manga."

"Well considering the fact I've never read a manga before, even I wouldn't know what I'd like." What? "So how exactly would you know Hachiman?"

"Hold up, you've never read a manga?" She wasn't serious right? That felt like it should be illegal.

"Hmm, well maybe 'never' is a bit of an exaggeration. I know I definitely read one to prepare for a role I got on a show." Ai looked pensive, cupping her chin while her brows furrowed. "But I don't really remember any other time outside of doing it for work."

"Not even as a kid? No childhood favourites?"

"Nah, I didn't have a lot of money when I was young." She shrugged nonchalantly. "I wonder if my mother would've even bought that kind of stuff for me?" Grimacing at her words.

"Anyway, by the time I got my hands on some money from being such a cute idol~" Ai winked but the smile she had didn't reach her dim eyes. Not shining like they usually did. "I didn't really know what to spend it on, so I chose to save it. Manga wasn't even on my mind at that point. Then the twins came into my life and well…"

Ai harshly released the breath she'd been holding. "I guess I just never got the chance but it never really bothered me."

"You have the chance now." He blurted out, getting up. He held the manga out to her. "Here, read it if you want."

Ai blinked at him, before smiling and pulling his arm down. "Read it with me?" She had a brighter inviting look to her, something that was more suited for her.

"Fine, but let me go make coffee." Her hand on him relaxed. "Also start from the beginning, don't join halfway. You're going to be completely lost if you do that."

"Alright. Make some for me too?" He nodded causing her to hum lightly.

He tried to settle his mind in the kitchen. While letting his body go through the motions.

He felt like such a fool now for asking about her childhood. It's not like he didn't know it hadn't been great. She didn't tell him everything but he got the broad strokes. The picture she painted of her mother from the little she'd revealed, it wasn't pleasant to say the least.

Ai wasn't mad or upset with him, even if she should be. But that didn't mean she was happy about it. She would act fine, yet things like this did bother her. He'd… he'd have to find a way to make it up to her.

He did learn something new about Ai, so that was one positive? Just another thing to add to his growing list of facts about her. The little details, that's what helped him get a clearer look behind the larger than life idol.

He turned back to the living room, carrying two mugs of hot coffee, one black like Ai preferred. Pausing at the sight of Ai's scrunched up face and narrowed eyes that roved over the page slowly.

It was cute. He stared at her for a while until he realised she'd been on the same page for a while. "You can go a bit faster." Holding out a mug as she jumped slightly at his voice.

"Ah, well." A bashful look appeared on her face, grabbing the offered drink from him. "I'm kind of confused? It's hard to tell what's going on and I don't get it."

Sitting next to her, now having the pleasure of being the one to intruding on her space. "I see. This is an action page, the panelling of the images can make it a bit hard to catch what's happening."

"Panelling?" Ai turned her gaze away from him and focused back on the book. "Um, what's that?"

Trailing a finger along the outline of an image. "Each image has a defined border you see. Well for the most part but don't worry about other cases. This counts as a panel. Action in manga at times will use a lot of smaller panels, this is to imitate motion and speed. For less astute readers thought it can cause difficulty."

"Is that a fancy way of saying you think I'm dumb?" He smirked at her.

"Maybe." Doing his best not to squirm as she dug her elbow into his side.

"Jerk." Ai stopped, handing the book to him. "For that, you need to hold it while I read." Pulling up her feet to the couch, tucking her knees to her chest as she sipped her coffee obnoxiously loud.

"Fine." He held the book as she found rest on his shoulder again.

She shifted her head occasionally, moving to take sips of her drink. "Turn the page Hachiman."

"Can't even do that yourself?"

"Yep, do it for me please!" He sighed as he did as she asked.

He got through the page and had to resist the urge to turn the page again. Ai's eyes were still going over the page at a snails pace considering the minute amount of text. He pulled out his phone, trying to pass the time but Ai had other plans.

"Put that away. We're here to culture ourselves, Hachiman." She was cruel to still use his own words against him.

"This is a unique form of torture you're trying to put me through." Her body shook against him. "Laugh if you want but it's true. You're agonisingly slow at reading."

"Deal with it."

Slipping his phone into his pocket. "The kids are going to be back soon. At this pace we'll be lucky to finish even a single chapter."

"Flip the page." She ignored him.

He took a calming breath, telling himself to not flip out on her. There wasn't a point anyway, he'd signed up for this when he handed the book to her. So he sat still as they slowly got through the manga, occasionally becoming a robot that was programmed to turn the page at Ai's command.

"We're home Hachiman!" Thankfully, his saviour had arrived. Praise the hero Ruby who burst into the apartment, ready to rescue him from her evil mother who employed inhumane torture on an innocent person. She was followed behind by Miyako and Aqua. "Mama's here too!" The girl ditched her school bag on the floor rushing towards them.

He scooted away from Ai, realising that the closeness of their positions was a bit compromising. Not quickly enough considering the smirk Miyako had.

"Welcome home Ruby!" Ai hugged her daughter, as the girl sat between him and Ai.

While Ai exchanged greetings with Aqua and Miyako, he shoved the manga back into his backpack. They'd barely gotten through half the manga before being interrupted. He'd have to ask Ai if she wanted to finish it herself later.

He turned back as someone tugged on his sleeve. Ruby was frowning at him.

"Hachiman, listen when I'm telling you about my day." Ai chuckled at him.

He was doomed, it went from one troublesome girl to the next with him. Ruby was no saviour, she was just another cute girl that couldn't help themselves when it came to messing with him.

"That wasn't so bad."

It was dark out now, the apartment dimly lit. They'd already put the twins to bed earlier, Miyako leaving them be to head home herself. He too should've been leaving, he was quite looking forward to his date with his bed. Somehow though, he got roped by Ai into finishing the manga together rather than his plan to just hand it off to her.

Covering his mouth as he yawned. "For you, I'm just glad it's over."

"Oh relax, we didn't even take that long." She cupped her chin. "You're just a fast reader, Hachiman."

"We were reading a manga Ai." He deadpanned. "It isn't a novel, there's not even enough text for me to read to be considered fast."

"You don't need to be so mean." Ai frowned at him. "You should be thanking me, instead of all this sass you're sending my way."

"For what exactly should I be thankful?" He drawled out, turning back to meet her eyes.

"A cute and pretty girl like me showing an interest in something you like? What's not to be thankful for?"

"You did it because you were bored."

"I still did it though~ So c'mon, thank me for it and show your gratitude. People would kill to have me do this kind of thing for them you know."

"Thanks." Speaking the words as monotone as he possibly could. "Happy?"

"Delighted in fact! That wasn't so hard for you now was it? Just because you seem so grateful, I shall be gracious enough to thank you as well for sharing the experience with me."

"How kind of you." Speaking in a sarcastic manner.

"No problemo Hachiman!" Too much energy…

"Hey seriously though." He felt her fiddle with his shirt, the fabric sliding over his skin. "Um did you really dislike it that much?"

"It was fine."

"That's it?" Softly Ai spoke, she was a real pro at making him feel bad.

He huffed, glancing up at the ceiling as he leaned back. She was so needy. "It was nice to read with you. I had a decent time."

She gave him a smile, still gripping his shirt scrunching it up. "That's good, it wouldn't be fair if I was the only one who was having fun." Eh, he wouldn't go that far. But he'd let Ai believe what she wanted to believe. "I actually liked it, you know. I don't know why you thought I wouldn't."

Narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "Really? What exactly did you like?"

"Um, I think the art was neat."

"And?"

"T-the panelling was good? I liked how the characters looked too." He pinched the bridge of his nose while closing his eyes.

"If you don't like it just say so." Ai raised her hands in a placating manner, wide-eyed as she looked at him

"Hey that's not it. I really liked it! I mean uh…" She scrunched her face, deep in thought. "The main character! Yeah, the boy with the big sword! I liked him for sure. He's sort of an ugly duckling character right? Not fitting in with everyone else since he doesn't have magic. But I like that he never gave up, still working hard to get his wizard job." She had a smug look to her, as if stating that was some big win for her.

"At least something made an impression…" He sighed "But Ai, if you didn't like it, that's okay."

"You like this kind of stuff right?"

"Yeah, but I don't-"

"Then I like it too." She stated matter-of-factly.

He sighed in exasperation again. "You don't need to like it for me." Ai slouched at his words, melting into the couch.

"But I did have fun!" Ai whined out grabbing his shirt again. "I liked it, reading with you. Just…" She looked up at him, an uncertainness to her features. "I don't know, maybe the story wasn't that good?" Glancing back and forth between him and her lap.

It was clear to him now that Ai couldn't have cared less about the manga, even if it was a different story he doubted it would've mattered to her. What she'd truly enjoyed was the experience.

Ai could've just told him straight what she wanted but nope, she had to be weird about it. At least he knew her well enough by this point to get the gist. And maybe it was better she didn't vocalise her desires, that… it would've been slightly mortifying.

"Well it doesn't really matter if you liked it or not. You don't really have a good judge of your own tastes anyway. You're kind of pathetic, an idol of your calibre not even reading manga."

Ai chuckled. "Maybe I am, no one's ever called me out on it so I doubt it matters that much."

"True, but it's still a tragedy. You should really educate yourself on these kinds of things." Glancing down at her. "So if you want, I can bring over some of my other manga. You can read them, try to find one with a story you actually like."

He would've done this part anyway despite what she wanted. Ai might genuinely not like a single manga, he doubted that though, but at least in this scenario he could give her the chance to choose for herself.

"I guess that's fine with me." She shrugged.

"Then you don't mind if I join you right? It's been a while since I've gone through some of them, so I might as well go over them again."

Spending his time like this for her was the annoying part. But he already spent an unhealthy amount of time with this family anyway, so really what was a couple more hours in the grand scheme of things anyway? Plus he did need to make it up to her somehow and this was easy enough.

Ai wrapped her hand around his waist, pulling him closer as she hugged him. "Sounds fun!"

He forced himself to not push away from her. Trying to not think too hard on how small she felt against him. "You better at least put some effort into this by the way. Try and find something you'd actually like. I don't want to do this and have it be a waste of time."

Humming into his shoulder. "Roger that." She giggled. "Guess this is another thing you'll be my sensei for huh?"

"I guess so."

"This is more shonen, like the one from the other day." He said while pulling out a few of his favourites from the box he brought over. "I know you didn't like it, but there could still be something you like."

"I told you I liked it. Why won't you believe me?" He waved Ai off, she was trying to be kind but the lie just felt derisive at this point.

Moving on to pull out a few more manga to place them on the dining table. "These are romance manga. Some are less serious and fall more into rom-coms, some lean towards slice of lifes, and there's a few that are full blown love stories."

"Eh? Hachiman, you read this kind of thing?" Ruby spoke up, looking at him with a surprised look.

"Shonen is expected for someone like him. Romance on the other hand is completely off base." Aqua reached out to grab one of the rom-com manga's. Also what did the brat even mean?

Ai giggled at his side. "It is strange to think of you as a romantic."

His right eye twitched. Did they all have to gang up on him? He would rather have not done this with the twins all things considered. But it was impossible to not attract Ruby's attention when he entered the apartment with a random cardboard box.

Still, what was so wrong with him enjoying a romance story everyone now and again? Even he dreamed sometimes.

"There's nothing romantic about it. It's just wish fulfilment, projecting yourself onto the characters to try and live through them. Probably the least romantic thing you could do."

Ai rested her chin on her hand. "But you do that cause it'd be nice right? To have your own love story?" She had a wistful look to her, tilting her head to smile at him. "I know I'd want one."

"It's only natural. The need to find genuine romance is something everyone has. Searching for someone that will understand and accept you…" Clenching the cardboard

He let out a sharp breath as he shook his head, clearing unwanted thoughts away. It wasn't good to dwell on the past.

"Love well, it's something like a dance. In fiction, the characters perform the motions of the dance fluidly, in a way that can be considered perfect, that's what makes it pleasing to watch. Stories are planned, and at the end everything would wind up how the writer envisioned it to make for a grand performance." Glancing at Ai, she had a smile that was unnerving him.

"Reality isn't so convenient. Only the fortunate are able to find their dance partner in the first place, and even then things aren't straightforward. People don't follow a script like in a story, that makes things complicated and things can get in the way. Love is… it's a messy thing. Something only a few get the chance to have."

It was uncomfortable with all three Hoshino's staring at him with mixed expressions. He'd only spoken what he believed.

Life really wasn't as simple as fiction. Circumstances in real life were as a whole simply unpredictable. Even if by some way you were lucky enough to find what you wanted, it wasn't easy to secure it.

"So that's how you look at it huh?" Ai tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, tapping her finger on the table.

Then a kick to his knee caused him to jump. "Jeez, you're so gloomy Hachiman! Be more hopeful dummy. Everyone can find love. It can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime!" He blinked at Ruby who had a defiant look to her, seeming to take offence from his words.

"I'm sure it'll happen to you too. You just need to be a little more hopeful, then you'll get a girlfriend! If you don't try, you've already lost." The girl grinned from ear to ear. "In fact, I'm sure you could date-" Ruby didn't finish her sentence. Letting out a grunt as she had a pained expression. Shifting to glare at Aqua, who glared back.

"I don't need nor want a girlfriend." He said, ignoring the byplay from the twins.

Ai coughed lightly, drawing all their eyes. "Well I don't think Hachiman having a girlfriend really matters. At the end of the day you proved our point. If you can say all of that with a straight face then you're a pretty romantic guy."

"I'm not." Ai smirked.

"Aqua, Ruby, your opinions?" He really should've done this without Ai having her two little helpers here to embarrass him.

"I agree with mama!" Ruby said while Aqua hummed in agreement as well, not turning his gaze away from the manga he was focused on. Aqua was oddly invested in it and no one was pointing that out. Why were these two girls hyper focused on him?!

"It's three to one not in your favour." Ai patted him on the shoulder. "Too bad Hachiman, but you are now officially declared as a romantic. You should be glad though, girls find that kind of thing attractive y'know so in a way it's a good trait to have as a guy."

"What about you mama, do you like romantic guys?" Aqua stared daggers at Ruby but the girl either didn't notice or couldn't care.

"Ah, well…" Ai cupped her own cheek. "That's a secret!" Ruby slumped in her seat as Ai covered her mouth, failing to hide her laughter.

"Mama," Ruby whined. "Can't you just tell us please. I mean it's pret-

"Hachiman, what's the rest of these about?" Aqua gestured to the remaining manga he'd brought out, cutting his sister off who frowned.

He blinked at the question, slightly in a daze as he moved his gaze away from Ai. "The rest of these are just random manga I liked, no specific genre but there's a wide enough spread that there should be something you like if you manage to get through them."

"I don't see the point in all this Hachiman. Can't we just watch a show or something together?"

"No one asked you to read Ruby." Aqua chimed in to poke fun at his little sister. "I think you've done enough."

"W-well if all three of you are going to read, I don't wanna be left out." If she were closer and not across the table this would be the time where he patted the girl's head.

Ai had no problems getting up to do just that though. "No one will leave you out of anything baby. It's okay if you don't want to read Ruby." Ai stroked her daughter's hair. "Truth is I don't want to either, but Hachiman is bullying me into it. But don't worry, I'll protect you from him." Ai winked at him out of view of Ruby.

"Then I have to protect you too mama!" Ruby tried to glare at him but she couldn't keep the look steady between her giggles.

"If only that were possible Ruby. Hachiman begged me to do this for him, he was so sad when I didn't give him a straight answer. Just this once, I think I have to take one for the team to keep him happy."

"So terribly sad." Dryly he said to Ruby.

Ai clapped her hands together. "So how about this Ruby. You and Aqua go find something for us to watch today? Me and Hachiman will join you two in a bit."

"We'll find something good!" Ruby got off her seat pulling a reluctant Aqua to follow her. "C'mon onii-chan, we've got a job to do." Aqua harshly whispered to Ruby as the pair ran along.

Ai sat back down next to him. "You brought a lot, you know." Gesturing to the spread of books on the table.

There had only been like a dozen-ish volumes in the box. It really wasn't that much, he'd brought over most of the manga he had at his apartment.

"Well for someone of your capabilities maybe it is." He caught her hand before she carry out whatever act of violence she intended on him making Ai pout. "But speed doesn't really matter here. Just take your time, this stuff was collecting dust back at my place anyway so it can stay here for as long as it takes."

Pulling her hand out of his grip. "Well you'll be there with me right, like you said?"

"Yes Ai. I'll be there." Couldn't she just take him at his word the first time?

"Then it's no problem, we'll get through all of this in no time together."

"Yeah sure." He scoffed. "That's for another day though, so we'll see." He moved to start putting the manga back into the box.

To be honest he was a bit glad they would watch TV today, reading with Ai in front of the kids… a recipe for disaster. Especially if she got close to him like he knew she would. They'd have to make this a night activity, for after the twins were asleep.

He noticed Ai picking up one of the manga. "I wonder if he would've liked this kind of thing." She whispered.

"What?"

"Ah," Ai glanced at him. Looking like she'd forgotten where she was. "Sorry, just thinking to myself. It's nothing really." Ai had a thin smile as she held the manga out to him.

He gave her a questioning look, but Ai faintly shook her head. Sighing as he reluctantly took the manga from her and placed it into the box.

There was an urge to push, to ask who she was talking about and get it out of her. But she wasn't ready, and he couldn't force her. He turned away to pack the box properly.

It was fine. Ai could tell him on her terms. If it was important he'd find out. If it wasn't then it didn't really matter. Letting her take things at her own pace seemed best.

He was caught off guard when a warm sensation pressed on his cheek. Startled, he jerked in his seat causing the chair to scrape on the tiles as he moved away from Ai. The dastardly woman just had a sly look as he stared at her in a daze, still befuddled at the feel of her lips.

"W-what was that for?"

"I'm just trying to show my thanks, Hachiman!" Leaning towards him, he did his best not to flinch but she thankfully only raised a hand to rub his cheek. "It's nice of you to do all this. It makes me really happy. I just wanted to share a bit of my pleasure with you~"

"You don't have to thank me like that ." He didn't even do anything special. "It gives the wrong idea when you do that kind of thing. So please stop doing it alright."

Ai hummed, cupping his cheek now as she looked at him with a glow to her purple starry eyes and a gentle smile. "And what idea is that Hachiman?"

Ai was too dangerous with that type of expression, and also horribly bad for his fragile heart. The organ was working overtime right now and he pitied the poor thing. The way blood rushed through his body made him thankful he was sitting down for how dizzy he was, her hand on him not helping either.

He couldn't believe it though, Ai wanted him to say it. Trying to make him be the one that damned them both. Screw her, he wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.

Getting out of the chair, and more importantly away from her. He grabbed the closed box and held it out to her. "Keep this somewhere for now."

Ai got up and took it from him, still with that heart damaging smile. Not minding that he'd avoided her query. "I can put it in my room."

"Alright." The box slipped in her hands before she adjusted her grip, struggling with the weight. "Give it back here, I'll do it."

She backed away from him. "No no, I've got this. Be right back!"

He settled back in his seat still flustered at… he groaned in frustration. Ai really needed to stop doing that, she'd been doing it more and more since… summer he guessed?

At least he could soothe himself by checking off one thing on his mental list. He had fully locked himself as Ai's reading partner in manga. Now whether that was a good thing or not he wasn't so sure.

He really did hope Ai would actually find something she likes. She really needed to find more joy in her life outside of her kids. It would be good for her.

It need not be said that he should not be included as a form of enjoyment. He resented that idea completely despite the fact that Ai would probably, no, definitely consider him as one.

"Hachiman! Mama! We found something to watch, hurry up!"

For now though, he guessed it would be fine. It's not like it was a bad thing to be happy with your family.

I don't really know how I feel about this chapter, on one hand I liked some parts a lot but on the other some parts just feel a bit off. I rewrote this like twice because I wasn't happy with how it kept ending up, for some reason the words weren't cooperating.

Anyway, this chapter is pretty much purely Hachiman and Ai. I had a ton of fun writing the last scene in the last chapter so I went into this mainly to write fluffy interactions and banter between these two. Kind of harder than I imagined though. Keeping two complex characters like these two somewhat in character is still really tricky for someone like me.

Thanks for all the support too, it means a lot. So hope you all continue to enjoy reading.