Chapter 21: Big Sister Brought a Man Home!

"Is that your friend?" Walking on the way home, Kawasaki Saki couldn't help but ask as she glanced at the expressionless Hachiman Hikigaya beside her. "What did you say?" Hachiman Hikigaya showed a puzzled look on his face. Kawasaki Saki looked carefully, and after confirming he wasn't lying, shook her head. "Never mind. I was just curious why that girl would call you ..." "Maybe she recognized me? After all, people like me are everywhere..." Shrugging his shoulders, Hachiman Hikigaya said casually. He didn't know that girl; their only interaction was a chance encounter this morning at school. "That makes sense." Kawasaki Saki didn't refute Hachiman Hikigaya's words. With his backpack and hunched posture while walking, if he changed into a work suit, no one would think he was a high school student. Plus those fish-like eyes that seemed almost rotten, he looked exactly like a corporate drone bossed around, pulling several days of all-nighters without overtime pay. "Hey, I feel like you're thinking some very rude things!" Suddenly, Hachiman Hikigaya turned his face seriously toward Kawasaki Saki beside him. The slight curve at the corner of her mouth just now definitely meant she was thinking bad things about him and couldn't hold it back, right?! "You're overthinking..." Knowing that Hachiman had guessed what she was thinking, Kawasaki Saki quickened her pace a little. "That's definitely what it is, okay?!" Seeing Kawasaki Saki's pace visibly speed up, Hachiman Hikigaya hurried to catch up. . . . In front of a very old-looking house, Hachiman Hikigaya and a miniature version of Kawasaki Saki locked eyes in a staring contest. "Alright, Keika, don't block the doorway, let us in..." Seeing the little girl, Kawasaki Saki showed a gentle smile and used a soft voice completely different from her classroom tone to signal her to move aside. The little girl called Keika didn't immediately understand Kawasaki Saki's words and didn't move to let them in. Instead, she curiously pointed at Hachiman Hikigaya and asked Kawasaki Saki: "Who is he?" "Hello, little one, I'm your sister's classmate," Hachiman Hikigaya crouched down, wearing what he thought was his friendliest smile as he greeted Keika Kawasaki. "Hmm, hello, I'm Kawasaki Keika. What's your name?" Hearing Hachiman Hikigaya's words, Keika nodded politely, then asked for his name. "Keika, huh? That's a name that really suits you. I'm big brother Hachiman Hikigaya. Oh, by the way! This is a gift for you guys!" Saying this, Hachiman Hikigaya handed over the cake box in his hand. "Heave!" The cake box, which was slightly small in Hachiman Hikigaya's hands, looked huge when it was passed to Keika Kawasaki. After receiving the cake, Keika turned around and waddled shakily into the house. Watching Keika struggle with the cake but not asking for help from either him or Kawasaki Saki, Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh: "Really a good kid..." "That's obvious!" Hearing Hachiman Hikigaya's compliment, Kawasaki Saki rolled her eyes but spoke with pride in her tone. However, at that moment, a sudden shout came from inside the house. "Brother, sister brought a man home!" Hachiman Hikigaya: ...... Kawasaki Saki: ...... A few minutes later, in the Kawasaki family's living room. Hikigaya Hachiman sat on the tatami mat. Nearby, Keika Kawasaki was looking longingly at the already-opened cake on the table, while in the kitchen, Kawasaki Saki was preparing tea. As for the brothers Keika mentioned, one was upstairs in his own room doing homework, and the other hadn't returned yet. "Do you want some?" Seeing Keika staring longingly at the cake, Hachiman Hikigaya couldn't help but ask. "I want to wait until everyone comes back to eat together..." Though her eyes were filled with reluctance toward the cake, Keika shook her head at Hachiman Hikigaya. Hearing Keika's words, Hachiman Hikigaya's gaze softened even more. She really was an extraordinary child. So cute, so gentle and sensible, she'd definitely have many boys chasing her in the future. "Please have some tea..." Just as Hachiman Hikigaya was about to chat more with Keika, Kawasaki Saki came out carrying a tea tray. She knelt beside Hachiman Hikigaya, distributed the tea, and then said to her younger sister: "Keika, sister has something to talk to big brother about. You go upstairs first." "Okay!" Keika nodded after hearing Kawasaki Saki's words. Waving goodbye to Hachiman Hikigaya, she then ran out of the living room. "You better rein yourself in!" Seeing her sister had already left, Kawasaki Saki warned Hachiman Hikigaya, who reluctantly lowered his arms. "Ahem..." Picking up a cup of tea from the table, Hachiman Hikigaya coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment, then asked Kawasaki Saki: "So where are those phantoms you mentioned?" "I don't know..." Kawasaki Saki shook her head with a troubled expression. "All I know is that they're active inside this house, but I'm not sure exactly where..." "Is that so?" Hearing Kawasaki Saki's words, Hachiman Hikigaya lowered his eyes and stared thoughtfully at the tea in his hands. In terms of danger level, the grudges inside this house were naturally weaker than the malicious spirits of Yotsuya from yesterday — probably just a few low-level evil spirits. Dealing with them wouldn't take much effort. The only problem now was not knowing where those spirits were hiding. But that problem was no match for Hachiman Hikigaya. 'System, scan for evil spirits in this house.' Muttering this silently, after agreeing to deduct 100 spirit coins, an invisible wave quickly swept through the entire house. At the same time, several red dots appeared on the map in front of Hachiman Hikigaya. 'One, two... a total of five evil spirits?' Looking at the red dots marked on the map, Hachiman Hikigaya felt a bit relieved. As expected, the ones targeting the Kawasaki family were just a group of low-level evil spirits. For someone like him, an advanced exorcist, handling these spirits would be a breeze! "How is it?" Kawasaki Saki nervously looked at Hachiman Hikigaya, who suddenly lowered his head and said nothing, then suddenly smiled weirdly. This made her wonder if he was possessed by a ghost. "It's nothing, just a bunch of small fry. You'll be fine soon..." Seeing Kawasaki Saki's nervous look, Hachiman Hikigaya smiled at her. Then he stood up and, in front of Kawasaki Saki, summoned his Demon-slaying sword.