"We're heading in the direction for Strawberry Pro." Was Hoshino's first words in a while, since she requested to see her children for moral support.

The girl looked at Hachiman impassively, turning around on the front seat of the car, expression weird in how she didn't seem to be able to decide whether she was mad, sad, or something in between. She still very much didn't want to give up her request, that much was evident. So Hachiman had no other choice but to come clean and risk Hoshino trying to talk her way out of this.

"I called Saitou before and"

"Ichigo-san?" There was a note of concern in Hoshino's voice, like she'd have flinched in any other circumstance. Which made Hachiman ignore the fact that he had been interrupted in his explanation that Hoshino was too distracted to even ask for.

"No, Miyako-san."

"This way of addressing people of yours is annoying." Hoshino stated, little to no inflection to hint that she was joking or just stating an opinion.

It made Hachiman cringe inwardly. No wonder her fellow idols didn't trust her; she talked like she didn't care for people's feelings.

It was a front that Hachiman knew very well.

"He's just being respectful, y'know." Hayama didn't need to intervene, sitting beside Hachiman on the back, it made for an uncomfortable exchange as Hoshino regarded him for a moment before deciding that her attention was better spent analyzing Hachiman instead.

"It's confusing." Was all that Hoshino said in return, already disregarding looking at Hayama.

"I called her before we were picked up, while you took your distance to keep appearances." Hachiman refused to give in here. Not only was Hoshino being unreasonable, but she was also not fully herself. So there was no point arguing or even acknowledging this part of the conversation, for it'd lead them nowhere. This was better reserved for later, maybe as banter or a casual conversation with Saitou herself present. "And I agree with what she said. It'd reflect badly if you missed your meeting while Shijo was present."

Not only would it show that the company had Hoshino's back and was willing to throw everyone else under the bus… Which they were, and they would. But that was of no concern for Hachiman. What he cared about was people's opinion of Hoshino. Because the girl was already in the negative in whatever equivalent to Komachi points everyone else had. And she desperately needed other people to talk and learn from.

If she only had Hachiman… Well, that was a pretty sad fate. For anyone, if he was honest with himself. No one deserved that kind of solitude.

"Shijo?" Hayama parroted, furrowing his brows and turning to look at Hachiman dubiously.

"Ari-chan?" Hoshino's voice became a little more dangerous, and it suddenly felt like she and Hayama would team up to bully Hachiman if he replied in the wrong way.

"Yeah?" Hachiman didn't have enough willpower to be logical here. He turtled up, getting defensive under the inquisitive gazes that besieged him. They were all tense, so of course Hachiman would react this way. But it was still a ridiculous point to start a fight over.

"You're bumping elbows with a Shijo now?" Hayama was the first to tone down the weird vibe permeating through the car, giving Hachiman a way out. A question, however rhetorical, for the conversation to move on. This had always been something the blond exceeded at, and was now the only hail Mary that Hachiman had given that Hoshino was pretty unreasonable by default. "Since when?"

"Why do you care?" Still, Hachiman couldn't help getting even more defensive. Shijo had expressed a very strong opposition to being called by her family name. Hachiman hadn't fully understood it, and wanted to fight back against her choice. But here and now, it felt like he began to understand the reason for it.

Just like Hoshino was only "Ai-chan" to everyone around her, it felt like the moment Hachiman mentioned "Shijo", Hayama had jumped to a conclusion that had nothing to do with the girl that Hachiman had met.

"No, no. I'm just surprised." Hayama put out his arms as if to pacify Hachiman.

"Is she really that impressive?" Hoshino eyed Hayama, quickly jumped at the opportunity to learn a bit more about her group-mate.

It'd be fine. Except that she seemed to refuse to ask questions directly to the girl herself. This… Was something that Hoshino would have to grow out of by herself.

"Well, I don't know who it is." Hayama clarified while scratching the side of his face. "But the Shijo are very powerful. Only the Shinomiya have more influence; and the Shinomiya are… Basically the de facto rulers of a few services and some law-related stuff… But you didn't hear the later from me."

"Don't worry, I don't understand what you're implying." Hoshino nodded seriously. Seemingly having time to accept Hayama's implicit request and making an 'ok' sign with her hand.

"Cool. Thanks, Ai-san." Hayama smiled at her, nodding along with a bit of relief.

It annoyed Hachiman greatly. But he didn't know whether it was because they had all but ignored Shijo herself and started talking about her family instead, or because Hoshino had so easily taken Hayama at face value and had managed to come to an agreement with the guy right off the bat. There was neither tension or warmth between them, but some sort of "gentlemen's agreement" that had the join hands as necessary but otherwise they seemed to just… Ignore the other.

How did Hachiman's life come to this? What did he do to deserve seeing this?

Would it warp his opinion of Hoshino?

Hmmm… Probably. But he wasn't sure if it was a bad thing, so it just gave him complex feelings. Unable to process them.

"Anyway. Point is, Shijo got hurt." Hachiman looked at Hayama making a pained expression for a moment. Again, jumping to the family name instead of caring for the girl that they were talking about. "And she is there. You can't just not show up."

"I don't think I'm in the right mindset to face the girls right now." Hoshino admitted, sitting properly to hide her expression from him. "I haven't prepared at all."

"If it's something that your boss is going to discuss with everyone, it's serious." Hayama interjected. Sounding oddly understanding of the situation. "But, from what I've heard, not so serious that running away is an option. If you feel me."

"I…" Hoshino lifted her chin. Moving in her spot a bit before hitting the side of her fist on her other palm in an 'oh, I get it' sort of motion. "You're probably right."

Was he? What the hell were they talking about?

"If the boot was inevitable, then you might as well save yourself the trouble and run for it." Hayama elaborated, turning to Hachiman when he saw the guy's confusion. "But if it isn't, you should still save yourself the trouble… And not make it worse, that is."

"You work somewhere in the industry?" Hoshino turned to look at Hayama for a moment.

The blond chuckled, honestly amused.

"I have strict parents."

"Oh, I see." Hoshino sat properly again. "I guess it kinda counts."

Hayama made a face, acknowledging Hoshino's words. But not asking about it or caring to give her a follow up question.

Hachiman looked away, through the window. Wanting to get off this place and stop thinking about how easily Hoshino accepted her situation after this brief exchange.

"Hachiman-san." Hoshino spoke up again, after a moment of uncomfortable silence. "Are you going to keep me company?"

It wasn't a request or an order. Not implicit in her tone or otherwise. Even when Hachiman turned to look at her, Hoshino remained giving him her back. Waiting.

Expectant, obviously. But keeping her emotions to herself. As she probably did so far.

Hachiman sighed.

"Of course I will." He stated tiredly, turning to look through the window again to try and appear unbothered. "You won't be alone anymore."

Through the corner of his gaze, he saw Hoshino stealing a glance in his direction.

Her expression was uncomfortable. Not in the way that she felt discomfort. But it was uncomfortable for Hachiman to witness, instead.

"No take backs, okay?"

Hachiman scoffed.

"As if."

He heard Hayama scratching himself, probably on the neck.

"Ummm, can we hurry up?" He awkwardly asked the driver, making a sound between a sigh and a chuckle afterward. Like he felt like he stood out like a sore thumb.

Hachiman smiled at the thought of the Hayama Hayato, ex-star of Sobu High, feeling like he was the third wheel in his own vehicle.

Hachiman would (not) treasure this moment for the rest of his life.

Hoshino entered the company building first, as Hayama had their driver park a block away from it. Taking the initiative in something that Hachiman had no idea how to ask about. He didn't want her to think that he was trying to run away, but her common sense seemed to cover this particular part well enough. She knew that they couldn't go in together, so he was left alone with Hayama while he waited it out. Letting Hoshino talk to her mom to help Hachiman get in without suspicion.

"Are you taking your classes seriously?" Hayama asked while he got his cone of ice cream from the counter, as they entered a store while they waited.

It'd have helped Hachiman's mood if Hayama left him alone, but it seemed like he took his "mission" pretty seriously. So he was stuck with the riajuu for the time being.

"Sure."

"Aren't exams coming? It's usually around this time so…"

"I'm taking my studies seriously." Hachiman insisted.

"Well, if you say so." Hayama licked his treat while thinking.

"Why do you care anyway?"

"I'm just making conversation, Hikigaya-kun." Hayama scoffed. "Although I do think that, if you were indeed taking things seriously, you wouldn't be…"

"I thought you didn't care about this." Hachiman gave the blond an annoyed glare.

"True, true." Hayama stopped talking. "Ah, you were pretty alright at school. Maybe I shouldn't snoop after all."

"Yeah." It went without saying, but his grades and ability to study went a lot better after he started dating. For his girlfriend had been, still was, a pretty smart and dedicated woman.

His ex-girlfriend, that is. But neither Hachiman or Hayama brought that up.

"How's class? Still filled with people you don't like?"

"Hah. It's worse now. There's something about literature-related studies that bring in a lot of pretentious people." Hachiman scoffed.

"Makes sense." Hayama chuckled while giving Hachiman a side glance. "Some guys just feel like hot stuff because they've read overseas books."

"With you too?" Hachiman sounded a little surprised, and he actually was.

"Yeah. There's this weird overlap between law and Greek philosophy that I just don't get." Hayama shook his head, still looking rather amused. "Not only that, but with the Romans too. Like, I'm pretty sure there was far too much stabbing in the ruler class for us to genuinely care about those civilizations outside of the historical context of how laws have been made, improved, and enforced."

"I see…" He would probably find it funnier if he knew what Hayama was talking about. But, honestly? Hachiman didn't really care all that much. There were more pressing matters at hand, and it felt disingenuous to try to relax now.

And with Hayama of all people.

"Yeah, yeah. But it's a private school, so it's filled with rich kids that have gone overseas. So it's kind of its own thing." Hayama continued his train of thought effortlessly. "There is this air of elitism that permeates everything, y'know."

"You sound…" Hachiman ignored the conversation, focusing on the blond eating away at the cone of ice cream without a care in the world. "Looser, I guess."

"If I was a girl, I'd have slapped you." Hayama pointed out.

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm doing really well, thanks for asking." Hayama smiled politely at Hachiman. "Things are easier when you don't have people breathing over your shoulder at all times. And I feel good about it."

That was… More information than Hachiman had gotten since it was revealed that the Hayama and Yukinoshita knew each other since before their children had met. But in a way that just oozed "don't ask about it" from the guy that Hachiman had learnt to tolerate. Rather than actively dislike.

He just nodded, looking to the outside and wondering whether Hoshino was already safely in her father's "fort" or not.

"Isn't Haruno-san a pain to deal with?"

"Not really. She just asks for favors sometimes for using her place." Hayama shrugged. "I'm not that 'interesting', so she doesn't bother being annoying… Unless she needs something."

"That…" Hachiman thought back about what Hayama had revealed to Hoshino. "You said we were friendly enough, but you participated in quite the nasty prank."

Hachiman balled his fist tightly, trying not to make a scene in public.

"I didn't know." Hayama sighed, sounding more serious than before. "Not even a bit. I was given no warning or hint. If I had, you'd have woken up to a very pissed off Yukinoshita-san. Because this is the kind of thing that her mom would actually treat Haruno-san like an idiot for."

Hachiman was about to ask something else, but Hayama's words gave him a reason to just… Pause.

"Does Yukinoshita-san not know?"

"I think she doesn't." Hayama shook his head. "Otherwise, she'd have paid you a visit already."

Hachiman pursed his lips before smiling dumbly.

"That lady is cute like that, I guess."

"What?" Hayama gave Hachiman a suspicious look.

"Don't mind me." Hachiman cleared his throat. "I'm just now realizing that I have one card to play in all of this, if things go south."

"I'd advice against trying Haruno-san's patience, but you probably know better than me by now." Hayama sighed. "Just… Don't be too rash, okay?"

"Who do you think I am?" Hachiman was about to add 'Hoshino?' but stopped himself in time. Catching himself remembering that Hayama had no context for the joke, or even knew who Hachiman would be referring to.

"No comment." Hayama replied.

The guys scoffed at the same time. And for a moment everything was just right. That is, until Saitou sent a message to get Hachiman to move.

"I'll go with you." Hayama stated. "See you to the door."

"Go to hell."

"Nah."

The two walked side by side, not talking or trying to change the last things they said. There was no need for that, their relationship didn't require that sort of sensibility. Instead, Hachiman just saw Saitou Miyako standing at the front of Strawberry Pro and pointed at her with his thumb, letting Hayama know that he should get out before he got roped into things more.

The blond nodded silently and stopped walking, seeing Hachiman off with the same stubbornness as before.

Whatever, not like Hachiman cared.

"A friend of yours?" Saitou eyed the blond, a little over half a block away. Treating this with the seriousness than it required.

"Nah." Hachiman parroted the carefree way that Hayama had spoken, getting himself ready for whatever fiasco waited for him inside. "Just an annoying guy with nothing better to do."

"I'm hoping that you're right." Saitou gave him a tag for him to hang around his neck. Sounding a little worried about yet another random guy being in Hoshino's periphery.

Hachiman thought about it for a moment.

"I'm pretty sure that if you bring Hoshino up with him, he's gonna groan in annoyance."

"Huh." Saitou furrowed her brows. It seemed like Hachiman's description didn't fit well with whatever image of Hayama she made from seeing him in the distance.

Coming to conclusions seemed to be a reoccurring thing in this company.

Or, rather, in this industry. Not that it surprised Hachiman one bit.

"…If it comes down to it, I'll take responsibility." Hachiman mumbled after they entered the building and Saitou led him through the corridors wordlessly. "I'm sure it won't come to this, but…"

"Not that I don't believe you." Saitou cut through his words coldly. "But I don't know how you'd be able to handle things better than we could."

Hachiman had an idea. He could play the role of the bad guy, let Hayama be the "hero" of the story. Spinning it around so that Hoshino was only the target of events, rather than part of the perpetrator.

"I have my ways." He sighed, dispersing the thought. It was something that he wasn't meant to think about. He already knew that taking the hit would come at a great price… But, well, he implicitly trusted Hayama enough. He didn't like him, of course. But the way their relationship worked did not need such warmth or care.

Pure understanding. Maybe that was the right definition for it, and thus Hachiman felt comfortable thinking about the 'what if' scenario for Saitou's peace of mind.

"Would it upset Ai, I wonder?"

"It would." Hachiman confirmed with a heavy heart. "But it won't happen, so you don't have to worry about that."

"Oh? But if it does, because we can never be sure of anything in this life, who is going to mend Ai's heart?"

Hachiman cackled for a moment, startling a couple of workers passing by the two.

"That's what family is for." Hachiman did his best not to hiss or sound annoyed, but he didn't quite manage to.

"…Of course." Saitou looked down for a moment, before schooling her features. "It still annoys me that you treat your connection to Ai so carefreely."

"It's because I'm serious that I have thought this far." Hachiman did let himself sound annoyed here. "It's my way of taking responsibility for all the things I've done to her."

"That you have 'done to her', huh…" Saitou turned to look at Hachiman with a raised eyebrow. "It'd be comforting if you took responsibility in the right way."

Hachiman frowned now, staring back to try and discern Saitou's meaning in her wording.

"What?"

"Well, for one," Saitou looked amused while she spoke. "Try to win over the twins, okay? And you have to treat her like the princess she is. And you have to be attentive, kind, spoil her a lot, and"

"You're making fun of me." Hachiman took a step back.

"I'm being completely serious." To her credit, Saitou's expression was indeed completely flat. With no more hints of amusement or anger, or any other emotion. "This is important, Hikigaya-kun. You have to treat our girl right. Understood?"

Hachiman looked away, even more annoyed and not embarrassed in the slightest.

"Your… Your words could be taken out of context if someone overheard you."

Saitou scoffed.

"Hikigaya. She's an idol." Saitou took a quick glance around to make sure no one was close to hear her. But she still lowered her voice a little. "I want to make sure that you know that she can't do things like buy protection for you, understand? You have to up your game or we are going to have a problem. You get me?"

Oh, okay. Now Hachiman wanted to die. To have the earth open up and swallow him whole.

What the absolute fuck, woman?!

"I-I-I…" Hachiman turned away, crossing his arms and trying his best to look pissed off. All at once, and succeeding in nothing in particular. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Do I seriously have to tell you about the bees and the birds?" Saitou raised her voice, an implicit threat that had Hachiman spinning around and facing her.

"…I have some idea of what you're saying." He was shaking now, balling his fists and trying to bottle up his words even though he had turned tomato red from just a few words by Saitou.

No wonder Saitou Ichigo was such a deadbeat man. His wife had too much power, she was too strong. He probably had no possible chance defeating her, so he just allowed himself to become no-good and let her taking command of everything (?), just like Hoshino seemed to have some level of control over her work and team.

"Good boy." Saitou Miyako straightened her back, satisfied.

Dangerous. So utterly dangerous… Oh, man. What if Hoshino learnt more from her? Was he finished? Would he become a no-good man that did as she wanted and nothing else? Was that different from becoming a house-husband? Perhaps his path to it started here, so Hachiman wasn't too sure whether it was a good thing or not. Although he did question whether he'd be able to endure the twins realizing that he was a complete pushover and just doing whatever they wanted in spite of him and…

Wait, no. Concentrate! This isn't Hikigaya Hachiman and the Path to House-husbandry! This is about Hoshino's safety. Her job, and the well-being of everyone in B-Komachi was at stake.

Get your shit together, Hikigaya Hachiman!

"We're here." Saitou stated after a moment, like she hadn't just said some outrageous nonsense seconds ago.

Hachiman wasn't in his right mind, so he just entered after her without saying anything. Regarding the girls in the room as Saitou (Ichigo) was cut through his words when the two entered.

"What is he doing here?"

"Wait is onii-chan doing here?"

Komachi and one of the idols, Takamine from what Hachiman remembered, stared at each other when their voices overlapped. Glaring but not moving from their spots, like they couldn't agree to fight or just be passive-aggressive.

"Ah, Senpai-san." The idol with short light hair, standing between Shijo's legs as she sat on top of one of the tables on the corner of the room, waved at him nonchalantly. Like she wasn't literally being sandwiched between someone else's thighs.

"Senpai-san?" Hoshino murmured, standing next to her dad and eyeing her fellow idol but doing nothing else. She had her arms clasped in front of her, and stood very still like she was trying to become invisible. To no avail, since everyone could just look at her.

"She's making fun of me." Isshiki rolled her eyes, sitting on the same couch as Komachi did. With the two girls locked together behind them. "And someone has been being naughty. I wonder why."

"Y-Yeah. I wonder…" Hachiman had a bit of a hard time ignoring both of Hoshino's and Ishiki's glances (read: almost-but-not-quite-glares) so he just regarded the girls that got the attention on him. "Kamei…"

Hachiman thought back about his exchange with Hayama.

"Arisa." He finally stated, and the girl surrounding her fellow idol with her thighs looked a bit surprised.

"Hachiman." Shijo smiled softly. Not quite mentally there, but still awake enough to greet him back. "Came to check on your sis?"

"Sure." Hachiman walked up to Komachi, who was glaring at him now.

No need to do this later, he needed to show his determination and come clean with his sister first and foremost.

"Is he required to be here, though?" The idol with the curly pigtails, Watanabe maybe, asked with crossed arms. She stood behind the couch opposite to Komachi and Isshiki. And had Takamine and Kyun sitting in front of her. The idol that spoke had her back against the wall, one foot over the other like she would push herself off the wall and balance all of her weight on that one foot. A strange stance, all things considered.

"Well, given that Ai-chan and Ari-tan are calmer now…" Kyun pointed out, but Takamine pinched her on the cheek.

"Their mood isn't affected by this guy!"

"I…" Shijo spoke up, holding Kamei a little tighter for some reason. "I'm actually a little happy that he's here."

"Me too." Hoshino added almost immediately, trying to smile as she usually did. But missing a step, making it look hollow. "It makes me feel safe."

"I… I'm just here to make sure that my sister is safe." Hachiman coughed on his fist, a little red on the face.

It… It was probably due to the nonsense Saitou had told him before entering! Yeah, that sounded about right. No other reason whatsoever. Not the glance that Hoshino gave him, or the smugness that Kyun irradiated while smiling at Takamine, or the annoyance that Isshiki and Komachi gave him. Nope. Not at all.

"Sit down." Komachi growled, pulling from his shirt while Isshiki made way so he would sit between them. "And make sure you have money on you."

"What?" Of course, Hachiman did as instructed. But was still quite puzzled by his little sister's words.

"Yui-san was pretty mad." Komachi locked gazes with Watanabe, still glaring but keeping her voice even. "Miura-san is with her right now, so it's fine. But you have to make it up to her."

"I…" Hachiman closed his eyes a little more. "What did I do?"

The room fell silent, and every set of eyes was on him for far too long for his comfort. Judging him.

Ah…

"…I will." Hachiman finally conceded.

Of course, his actions weren't free of consequence. He was there when Nino went nuts, so of course someone as kindhearted as Yui would worry more than the others. Of course, his actions would hurt the people that he cared about. Just as he had been telling Hoshino, he had failed to make sure to tell everyone that he was fine and only tangentially related to this. Focused on Hoshino's well-being almost entirely.

"…I'm sorry." Hachiman murmured. And he wasn't sure he meant this for Komachi, Isshiki, or for the girls that weren't here. Komachi and Isshiki had seen it happen; they were with Hachiman and Hoshino when Kamei picked Shijo up. But for Yui?

Miura also knew, so keeping her company while she worked… Damn. Saitou was really stretching the limits of what was acceptable with her, huh. Because both Miura and Yui were their employees and nothing else. They didn't have to go this far.

"I'm sorry…"

The meeting moved back on track as Saitou Ichigo told them about Nino's health, resuming the main point afterward.

Hachiman stayed silent for the remaining time in that room.