Chapter 48 – Ayase Aragaki's Regret
The Black Prince slipped away with ease, while Hikigaya cleaned up the aftermath with far less ease. Fortunately, though Luo Hao was seething with anger, Voban and Doni had enjoyed themselves immensely. In the three-on-one situation, they managed to pacify Luo Hao somewhat. Finally, after Hikigaya pinched his nose and called her "sister" several times, this ancient girl reluctantly left.
The departure of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had already stripped her of any interest in this land.
Afterward, Hikigaya also saw off Voban and Doni, who both looked satisfied and declared, "That was fun! Let's play together again next time!" Then, he summoned the Committee members to clean up.
In Hikigaya's eyes, the Committee had become no different from a neighborhood committee.
And this time, the "neighborhood committee" magi were going to suffer. In fact, every magus who arrived in Nikko wore a vacant look, and when one flew up into the sky and saw the vast, utterly transformed land below—along with the countless survivors scattered among the crisscrossing ravines—he was so terrified he nearly fell out of the sky.
If in the past the magi still looked at Hikigaya as if he were a living being, now their eyes were nakedly filled with the awe one reserves for a ghost or god.
Under such gazes, Hikigaya—for once—felt guilty. Without even pretending anymore, he slipped away back to his old nest in Chiba.
When he once again returned to the skies above Chiba, he felt as if he'd been reborn.
Teaming up with multiple God-Slayers to wage chaotic battle against deities—the peril involved was beyond words. Honestly, he didn't want to experience it again, even if the gains had been enormous.
Before going to meet the Black Prince, he decided to stop home first and check whether his foolish Komachi had been diligently studying and making progress these past days—especially whether she had continued practicing the "calisthenics" he had taught her.
If not, then he would make sure she understood just what "your brother isn't that strong" really meant.
Traveling on the wind, Hikigaya first entered an empty alley, where he restored his fleshly form and stepped out.
He looked up at the sky, then asked a passerby the time. Realizing Komachi should still be in school, he walked toward the campus.
Arriving at the school, he greeted the gate guard he hadn't seen in a long time, then made his way to the teaching building.
The playground was lively. Many students sweating away their youth noticed Hikigaya—the celebrity teacher who had been away on official duties. They all politely greeted him.
This pleased Hikigaya greatly, making him feel they were still adorably moe.
Inside the teaching building, even more people greeted him, many with obvious flattery—clearly because exams were approaching, and they wanted hints on key points.
The problem was… that kind of "pretend-to-be-a-good-student" act might work on other teachers, but on Hikigaya, it was useless.
On the contrary, those thick-skinned ones who didn't even bother pretending felt more genuine to him. He looked forward to them scoring zeroes and then being subjected to parental "mixed doubles" at home.
If their parents couldn't bring themselves to do it, Hikigaya felt that if he were in a good mood, he might personally offer home-visit assistance.
Daring not to cram for exams overseen by this lord? Young man, you're in dire need of having your backside smoothed down!
Line up properly for it!
It seemed to be break time now—the hallway was packed with people, filled with the smell of hormones.
This made Hikigaya worry that Komachi might not be studying properly and might instead stray into the evil path of early romance.
Should he just convert the school into an all-girls' academy?
Entertaining such thoughts, Hikigaya finally reached Komachi's classroom. Peeking in from the doorway, he saw Komachi surrounded by her friends.
Her classmates weren't the same group from the first time Hikigaya visited—after class reshuffling, many had ended up in different homerooms. But that hadn't hurt Komachi's friendships. From the way they clung to each other, they seemed inseparable.
It made Hikigaya really want to barge in and, as an authority figure, deliver an after-the-fact commentary.
"Ah, Hikigaya-sensei!" Students at the doorway had already spotted him and greeted him.
Everyone liked this teacher.
Ever since this mysterious yet comical teacher arrived, going to school had become fun.
History class was all mythological tales, PE was martial arts practice, and the best part was that he controlled the exam content. If possible, the students wished he could handle all their courses, even the college entrance exams.
The male students respected Hikigaya even more than the girls did—where else could you find a teacher who, after class, would discuss dirty jokes or the professional skills of girls in certain establishments?
The female students weren't far behind in affection—though for reasons involving part-time jobs that shouldn't be disclosed.
Either way, everyone was delighted to see him back at work again. Since he'd left, things had been unbearably dull—the jokes didn't flow, the jobs weren't exciting.
"You all look in good spirits," Hikigaya smiled, greeting them as he walked over to Komachi's desk. He ruffled her hair first—earning a glare for messing up her hairstyle—before saying, "Komachi, why don't you say something when you see your brother?"
"Sen! sei! Hello!"
Puffed cheeks—so cute.
"Have you been studying hard while I was away?" Hikigaya teased, tapping her nose.
"Hmph! I'm not telling you!" Komachi huffed as she fixed her hair.
"Oh? So that means you haven't?" Hikigaya's face stiffened. "Then today after school, you're coming home with me."
"Eh? But I promised my friends I'd go to work!"
Work!?
Hikigaya's expression instantly shifted from human to primordial beast.
"Who told you to work? What work? Students should just go home after school and do homework!"
Foolish Komachi! Do you realize how dangerous the word "part-time job" is in Japan? Didn't you see the boys' eyes lighting up already!?
Hikigaya glared ferociously, and the group of boys instantly dropped their heads in fear.
Damn it, those guys were the class clowns—if they targeted a girl, how could she possibly do a normal part-time job!?
Just as he was thinking this, a gentle voice sounded by his ear.
"Please don't worry, big brother. We only want Komachi to audition. Mr. Sawada saw her last time and thought her image was very good."
Hikigaya turned toward the voice—and immediately felt his teeth ache.
Wasn't this the yandere girl with the kitchen knife?
Audition? Wasn't your group specialized in swimsuit… no, wait, in LoL commercials? Don't you know every guy in this school already has a copy!?
"Aragaki-san…" Hikigaya looked at Ayase Aragaki with a mournful expression, patting her shoulder as she stared at him in confusion. "Not everyone has your talent. Cameras aren't suitable for Komachi… By the way, which Mr. Sawada are you talking about?"
Clearly this gentleman had grown weary of life. No problem—helping others was Hikigaya's motto.
If he wasn't satisfied with the pose, they could redo it! Resurrection unlimited!
"Mr. Sawada is… eh? Big brother, why is your expression so strange?"
Ayase Aragaki had just begun to answer when Hikigaya's expression startled her. She swallowed the rest of her words. Her maiden's intuition told her it was best not to reveal Sawada's contact details or office location.
"Oh no! I almost forgot—not every adult can accept the kind of work Kirino and I do…" Ayase regretted it silently.
Her original idea was that if Komachi joined her and Kirino's work circle, their bond would grow closer.
She had even thought about inviting Hikigaya to watch from the side, but now that seemed impossible.
Big brother really was a proper man! A bit old-fashioned, but righteous!
That teacher had been right! While it was important to show goodwill to friends, one couldn't be too hasty!
Ayase once again felt regret. Because of that teacher last time, she had mistakenly thought he was preying on Komachi, and had slashed him with a knife… Ayase Aragaki! How could you judge people by appearances!?
What? You ask why she had a knife? Isn't it common sense in girl-world for a delicate young maiden to carry the kitchen knife from home for self-defense?
Really now—if you lack such common sense, please don't talk to her! You'll get pregnant!
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