Diary Of Service Club, Helping The Elf Princess

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"President…"

Saki Hayase stared blankly at Hikigaya, who turned and waved as he left, her eyes full of confusion.

The president caring about her was nice.

Though the stern-faced president gave a strong sense of security, she had to admit that the imposing aura he gave off sometimes made her hesitant to approach him.

She still preferred this kind and gentle president who showed concern for her.

But why exactly had the president come to find her today?

It wasn't to ask her to help him vent, nor to eat together. He even bought snacks and drinks but didn't eat a single bite before leaving…

Standing at her front door, Saki Hayase pondered for a long time without figuring it out. Only then did she carry her things into the house, taking the perishable food back to her room and locking the door.

Her room wasn't much different from the average girl's room, all in a cute style.

The only thing that might not match the girly vibe was probably the few open servant-themed color manga lying on her bed.

Blushing slightly, Saki Hayase tidied up the spell-casting materials on her bed and hid them in a corner of her wardrobe. Suddenly, she noticed a buzzing vibration coming from the bed.

She picked up her phone, which she had left on the bed, and saw a bunch of unread messages.

"Tonight, Miwa and two second-year students were brutally killed in an alley near the school? And they died right in front of Keita-san?"

Lying on her bed, Saki Hayase clicked on the message sent by her childhood friend. She froze as she read the content.

"But at the scene, there were only a baseball bat and a sack with Miwa's fingerprints on them… Because the alley had no surveillance cameras and was interconnected, just like when Keita got beaten up yesterday, there's no way to find the culprit who killed Miwa…"

"Kieta is at the police station giving a statement now, and he can only leave when the student guidance teacher comes to pick him up?"

Saki Hayase glanced at the class group chat and found many were also discussing Miwa's tragic death. Everyone was speculating whether Miwa, who always had a bad reputation, had offended someone he shouldn't have, leading to him being ambushed in the alley.

At this moment, Saki Hayase finally thought about why the president had suddenly come to her house, expressed concern, and then left.

'The president seemed to have said he would handle Miwa so that I won't have to worry…'

'Could it be that the president did this for me…'

'Hmmm…'

Saki Hayase tightly hugged her blanket, burying her flushed face in it, recalling the sensation of the president stroking her hair.

———

"You're back, Onii-chan!"

As soon as Hikigaya returned home and opened the door, Komachi's voice came from the corner of the living room.

"Are you guys hungry? Hmm? Komachi, did you cook? Didn't you say you'd wait for me to come back and cook?"

Hikigaya had just changed his shoes and hadn't even reached the living room when he smelled the aroma of food wafting through the air.

Since he had been running around a lot this afternoon, dinner was later than usual. Hikigaya had been wondering if Komachi would eat too many snacks and then refuse to eat dinner.

Unexpectedly, they had already prepared dinner themselves.

"Shion knows how to cook, so we didn't wait for you to come back, Onii-chan~"

Wearing an apron, Komachi walked out of the kitchen with a cheerful smile, looking at Hikigaya, who had just returned.

Usually, she would at most help with housework or lend a hand. Dinner was typically prepared by her brother, who aspired to be a stay-at-home husband.

But from today onward, it seemed someone else might be taking over.

"You made her cook as soon as she arrived? That's way too rude."

Hikigaya walked into the living room, looking at the black-haired girl's back busy in the semi-open kitchen. He turned and pinched Komachi's cheeks, pulling them to the sides.

"It wasn't me who asked. Shion volunteered."

Komachi could only mumble her defense, her cheeks stretched out.

"You just let her, huh?"

Hikigaya rolled his eyes at his mischievous sister before heading to the kitchen.

"Hello, Komachi's brother. I'm Asogi Shion, Komachi's classmate. I'd like to stay here for a few days. Sorry for the intrusion, and I sincerely apologize."

The long-haired girl in the kitchen, who had already noticed Komachi's family returning, put down what she was holding, turned around, and bowed slightly to Hikigaya.

At the same time, the familiar system notification rang in Hikigaya's mind, just as he expected.

[Character card detected—Asogi Shion]

[Role mission triggered—The Homeless Neighborly Tribute]

[Asogi Shion has encountered family upheaval: her mother had an affair, embezzled funds, and left home. Her father, mentally unstable, transferred his resentment towards her mother onto Shion. Facing domestic violence, Shion chose to escape. However, without the ability to live independently, Shion is at a crossroads, uncertain whether she should return to what was once a warm home]

Looking at Asogi Shion's refined features, fair skin, and serene, cool expression, Hikigaya quickly pieced everything together.

'So, it's her…'

Though Asogi Shion wasn't very famous, her tragic experiences in the original work left a deep impression on him.

Domestic violence, exploitation, treated as a tool to earn money by her father…

It could be said that this outstanding and well-behaved girl was about to have her life ruined by her family.

"You don't have to apologize. If anything, I should be the one to apologize for letting you cook as soon as you got here," Hikigaya shook his head, glancing at the kitchen behind her. "Is the food ready? I'll handle the rest."

"It's all done; we can eat now," Asogi Shion said quickly, relieved to see Hikigaya's easygoing demeanor.

"I'll help serve the food then. Komachi, come help too."

Hikigaya called his sister, who stuck out her tongue and giggled, then scurried off to get the bowls and help serve.

Asogi Shion also joined to assist.

She wasn't very close to Komachi and didn't have many friends. Being invited to stay at Komachi's house worried her a lot, fearing rejection or annoyance from Komachi's family.

However, it seemed her worries were unfounded. Komachi's brother appeared friendly and harmless.

"I'll start eating now."

After getting everything ready, Hikigaya sat down. Komachi and Asogi Shion sat across from him. After a simple pre-meal ritual, the three began eating.

"Komachi, how long is Asogi planning to stay here? Did she bring all her things over today?"

After eating for a while, Hikigaya noticed the somewhat heavy atmosphere at the dining table. Asogi Shion barely said a word and just silently ate her food. Thinking about it, he decided to ask.

"She's brought all her change of clothes. As for the quilt, I have an extra one I can lend Shion. But I'm not sure how long Shion plans to stay—probably three or four days, or maybe four or five days. Once her parents stop fighting and make up, she should be able to go back."

Komachi swallowed the food in her mouth, stuck out her tongue to lick her lips, and looked at Asogi Shion, who appeared somewhat gloomy.

"I see…"

Hikigaya observed Asogi Shion, who sat beside Komachi, and responded ambiguously.

It seemed that Asogi Shion hadn't told Komachi the real reason she needed to stay here.

Based on the character mission content, at this point, her mother's affair had been exposed, and she had run away with money. Even her father had started losing his sanity, resorting to domestic violence. Instinctively, she chose to escape her home.

However, such matters are indeed difficult to talk about openly.

"I'm just temporarily staying here for a few days. I'll leave soon."

Asogi Shion secretly observed Hikigaya's expression. Seeing that he remained silent in thought, she hurriedly explained.

"Shion, you misunderstood. I didn't mean to suggest kicking you out. I was just considering how much food to buy for the next few days." Hikigaya shook his head. Noticing the faint nervousness on the face of the reserved Asogi Shion, he smiled and asked, "Oh, by the way, can I just call you Shion? You can call me what Komachi does—Brother. Of course, there's no need to call me Oni-chan or anything like that."

"...Call you Brother directly?"

Suddenly being asked this kind of question, the friendless Asogi Shion hesitated and looked at Komachi, unsure how to respond.

"Don't worry! Oni-chan isn't just being polite. For a pretty girl like you to be willing to be his sister, even if it's just temporary, that's his good fortune~"

Komachi glanced curiously at her own brother and nodded cheerfully at Asogi Shion.

She was quite intrigued as to why her laid-back brother suddenly became so proactive, even asking to call a girl by her name.

Although Shion was indeed very beautiful, her brother wasn't the type to act impulsively out of attraction. Previously, he had even proudly declared that he wouldn't make a move on middle schoolers.

However, as her brother's exceptionally considerate younger sister, whether he wanted to flirt or even become a playboy, she would unwaveringly support him.

"Good evening, Brother…"

Asogi Shion glanced at Komachi beside her, then at Hikigaya, who wore a warm smile across the table. After hesitating, she softly called out.

"Shion, welcome to your new home."

Seeing Asogi Shion actually call him Brother, Hikigaya nodded in satisfaction.

"Although I don't know how long you'll be staying, during the time you're here, treat this place as your home."

Mediation in family disputes is notoriously difficult.

As a stranger meeting her for the first time, even if he knew her situation, he couldn't recklessly interfere in her family affairs. He didn't want to end up being taken advantage of again by playing the good guy.

However, if Asogi Shion felt safer staying at his house, he could find a way to rescue her from her collapsing family environment.

Although Asogi Shion didn't formally acknowledge Hikigaya as her brother and only changed her way of addressing him to match Komachi, calling him "Brother," the atmosphere at the dining table noticeably improved after the change.

Hikigaya watched as Asogi Shion's expression became less tense and Komachi actively tried to liven up the mood by cracking jokes. He nodded to himself in approval.

Having a sister was truly a blessing—especially one who thoughtfully played wingman. Otherwise, as a complete stranger, he would have had no way to comfort Asogi Shion, who was grappling with the trauma of her family upheaval.

After the three finished their meal harmoniously, Asogi Shion got up to clear the dishes, but Hikigaya also stood up to stop her.

"If Shion cooked, then I'll do the dishes. You should rest for now; moving your things today must have tired you out. Go take a bath first. Komachi, help her with the hot water."

Hikigaya noticed the faint worry on Asogi Shion's delicate, somber face and instructed Komachi beside him.

Because baths used up a lot of water, they typically cleaned themselves first before soaking in the tub. The bathing order was based on family importance and age hierarchy, with guests taking priority when they stayed over.

Since their parents had a different daily schedule, they usually split bathing times between morning and evening. In the evenings, Komachi always bathed first, followed by him.

Hmm… While it was technically based on age hierarchy, in terms of family importance, Komachi clearly ranked higher.

"This…"

Asogi Shion instinctively looked at the only familiar person present, Komachi.

She knew about the custom of letting guests bathe first, but she felt uneasy about it.

After all, her relationship with Komachi wasn't that close. Being allowed to stay at her house was already a huge favor, and enjoying the privileges of a guest while inconveniencing others didn't seem right.

"In this case, you just need to respond, 'Thank you, Oni-chan~!'"

Seeing Asogi Shion look at her again, Komachi blinked and flashed her an adorable smile, showing her little tiger teeth.

"…Thank you, Brother."

Asogi Shion pursed her lips and softly thanked Hikigaya.

"Shion, go grab your clothes first. Komachi, go run the water."

Hikigaya nodded and turned to clean up the dishes.

"Shion, don't rush—take your time. You can wash your hair too."

"Mm, okay…"

Komachi ran to the bathroom to prepare the water. After filling the tub, she watched Asogi Shion enter the bathroom with her clothes before quickly running to the kitchen.

"Oni-chan? Did you really fall for Shion?"

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

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