Diary Of Service Club, Helping The Elf Princess

'Staying long-term at someone else's house would surely make Shion uncomfortable, right? From this perspective, helping Shion rent a room to live independently is indeed a great choice.'

'As expected of Hachiman, who founded the Service Club, his consideration is quite thorough.'

"This apartment was rented for me by someone else, so I haven't had direct contact with the landlord. I'm not very clear if the other rooms in the apartment have been rented out, but the price shouldn't be too high."

After thinking for a moment, Vignette suddenly gave Hachiman an awkward smile.

As an intern demon sent to the human world from the Demon Realm, they were only provided with a place to live and study by the Demon Realm before being sent to find their way. She wasn't very familiar with the details of the apartment.

When she first moved in and visited her neighbors, some didn't answer the door or respond. She wasn't sure if they were on night shifts or had other things to do, so she couldn't guarantee anything.

Of course, she knew about the rent. This old apartment's rent wasn't very expensive, and their living allowance from the Demon Realm included the rent.

"No problem. Do you have the landlord's or the apartment manager's phone number?"

Hachiman didn't plan to get too much information from Vignette. Since she had just moved to this old apartment next door, he could handle the rest.

"I do, but I haven't met the landlord yet. I'm not sure what kind of person they are, only that they sound like a relatively young woman."

Vignette nodded repeatedly and took out her phone to give Hachiman the landlord's number. But as she spoke, she seemed a little embarrassed.

Since transferring schools, she had been taken care of constantly. Now that there was finally something she could help with, she couldn't offer much assistance.

"Don't worry about it. As a neighbor, I don't know much about the apartment next door either. Having the phone number is enough. I'll call tomorrow to check if there are any cheap and decent rooms available. If not, we'll have to look for something farther away. I don't have much money right now, so I'll have to save as much as I can."

Hachiman jotted down the landlord's phone number and smiled at Vignette.

Passing by the apartment next door, he noticed there wasn't any contact information for the landlord on the bulletin board. Otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically come to find Vignette; he could have called directly.

"Isn't it for Shion to rent? Why are you paying for it?"

Vignette suddenly seemed surprised. She had thought Hachiman was just helping Shion find a place to live, but it didn't seem that way now.

"Shion's money was taken by her mother, and her father probably gambled with borrowed money. How could she have money to rent a place to live?"

Hachiman shook his head. If Shion had money and could live independently, the tragic events in the original story wouldn't have occurred—she would've escaped long ago.

"Do you have enough money? I can help pitch in," Vignette offered after some thought.

She had only moved in recently, and her living expenses were still sufficient.

She had been to the supermarket yesterday to check the prices of goods. After roughly calculating her daily expenses, she realized she could save tens of thousands of yen each month if she didn't spend recklessly.

"Thank you for your kindness, Vignette. I don't feel much pressure in the short term."

Hachiman shook his head, smiling at Vignette.

For an ordinary high school student, bearing the rent, living expenses, and tuition fees for someone else would undoubtedly be a huge burden. But he wasn't an ordinary high school student; there were plenty of ways for him to make money.

He just hadn't decided which method to use yet.

Still, Vignette's initiative to help financially made him sigh.

"Even though this matter has nothing to do with you, you're so enthusiastic about helping. You're so kind... I really think I might like you."

"Hey, Hachiman, stop joking like that. I'm not as good as you say, nowhere near your level."

Hearing Hachiman express his affection even more directly this time, Vignette blushed to the tips of her ears and shyly lowered her head.

Previously, she thought Hachiman's constant compliments hinted that he might like her, but now she didn't think so.

Hachiman didn't seem to have feelings for her in that way. He was genuinely kind and eager to help.

She couldn't imagine herself spending so much money on someone she barely knew. What connection did her classmate Shion have with Hachiman anyway? Renting a place was no small expense, especially for a long-term arrangement.

Even knowing Hachiman was joking, Vignette still felt utterly embarrassed.

"Sigh... As expected, no one believes the truth."

Seeing Vignette's shy expression, Hachiman shook his head in exasperation.

He wasn't joking. He truly liked kindhearted girls like Vignette.

In his eyes, Vignette was genuinely kind, while he wasn't as selfless as she imagined.

After all, he believed that spending some money to get a reward from the system was well worth it.

He could save a girl's life and receive a reward from the system. Why wouldn't he do it?

———

"Big brother…"

In the living room, Asougi Shion sat on the sofa watching TV with Komachi and Kaede's younger sister, occasionally sneaking glances toward the semi-open kitchen.

Hikigaya Hachiman and Vignette were cooking together, shoulder to shoulder, whispering to each other. The two of them smiled, occasionally lowering their heads shyly, leaving Shion feeling dejected.

In this home, it seemed there was no place for her.

As a younger sister, she couldn't match Komachi, who was obedient, sociable, and well-liked.

When it came to cooking, both her brother and the neighbor could handle it. Even when she wanted to help, there was no extra room for her.

Previously, Komachi had subtly hinted that her brother didn't have a girlfriend. She even said she'd be heartbroken if her brother remained single and lonely for life.

But before Shion could prepare a delicious dinner for her brother, she found him bringing several beautiful girls home, and the neighbors were also adorable girls.

Her brother might not have a girlfriend, but there were far too many girls around him for him to notice someone as unremarkable as her.

The only thing she could boast about was her decent academic performance.

But what good was that now? She had no money—not to mention the expensive tuition for university; she was currently freeloading at Komachi's brother's house.

She even considered dropping out of school to start working. However, given her age, not many employers would hire her…

The more Shion thought about it, the more bitter she felt.

"Huh?"

Komachi noticed Shion zoning out again beside her and blinked.

'Shion has been spacing out a lot today. She even seemed distracted during classes at school. Is she still dwelling on her family issues?'

Now that Shion had no parents to rely on, it was indeed difficult for her. It was impossible to fully focus on studying without any worries.

But there wasn't much Komachi could do. Letting the homeless Shion stay at her house was already the limit of what she could offer. As an ordinary middle schooler, she couldn't do anything about Shion's terrible family situation.

When Komachi invited Shion to stay over, she hadn't intended for Shion to permanently occupy her room. She had hoped that living under the same roof as her brother would spark some development between the two. Then, Shion could move into her brother's room.

After all, her brother's room didn't have much stuff. If Shion and her brother became a couple, sharing the same bed wouldn't be a problem.

If Shion and her brother got married, their parents would surely support Shion in continuing her studies.

Once Shion graduated from college and started working, her brother could stay at home as a homemaker. The two of them would probably become a loving couple, with her brother managing the household while Shion handled their careers.

However, things seemed to have taken an unexpected turn.

Her brother no longer despised the tsundere Kaede, who was prone to physical outbursts. He was even taking the initiative to show some romantic gestures toward her—though Kaede hadn't yet realized what was happening.

At school, her brother seemed to have made quite a few friends and even brought some close female friends home to hang out in his room.

Komachi wasn't sure if she should keep trying to pair Shion and her brother.

Though she had thought about supporting her brother even if he turned into a playboy, she'd rather he didn't actually become one.

Komachi glanced at the deeply troubled Shion and then at the quiet Kaede. Kaede was also looking at Komachi and Shion.

The boisterous Kaede was oblivious to the silent exchanges between Komachi and Kaede. She lounged on the sofa, watching a variety show on TV, as if this were her own home.

Before long, the enticing aroma of the food wafting from the kitchen became even stronger, distracting Kaede from the TV.

"Dinner's ready! Go wash your hands and eat!"

Hearing Hachiman's voice, Kaede jumped up from the sofa and rushed to the kitchen eagerly.

"Let me see, let me see! What delicious food did you make?"

"Put on your slippers first, will you? Are you that hungry?"

Hachiman turned to see Kaede running over barefoot, smacked her outstretched hand, and picked up a pair of chopsticks, feeding her a small piece of tamagoyaki.

"Mm… dealing with student council matters is so draining. I haven't eaten anything since I got back… Also, that one, that one! Give me a piece too."

Kaede, unbothered by his scolding, opened her mouth and bit into the tamagoyaki. Chewing as she pointed at the fragrant grilled saury nearby.

Though tamagoyaki was an ordinary home-cooked dish, she had always liked it.

However, the grilled saury also looked delicious, with its crisp skin and tender, juicy flesh.

"All you do is eat without helping. Go back, put on your slippers, and come help carry the dishes. Don't slip and fall."

Hachiman rolled his eyes at Kaede, cut off a piece of the saury for her, and pinched her cheek before sending her back to the living room. He then divided the dishes into six portions, leaving the one Kaede had tasted for himself.

At home, he and Komachi weren't too particular about sharing food, but since there were more people now and their relationships weren't as close, using a serving system was better.

"Mm~"

Despite having her cheek pinched again, Kaede didn't mind. She happily munched on the fish while running back to put on her slippers and then returned to help.

Shion and Komachi also got up to wash their hands and help carry dishes to the dining table.

In addition to the tamagoyaki, grilled saury, and the essential miso soup, there were other delicious dishes tonight, such as miso-glazed eggplant, fried tofu balls, and creamy baked macaroni.

The Hikigaya family's dining table wasn't very large. Two people sat on the long sides and one on each short side. With six people, it was just the right fit.

They sat down together to enjoy a harmonious dinner.

"Ah! I'm so full. Vignette, your cooking is amazing."

Kaede, who had been the first to sneak bites in the kitchen, was also the first to finish dinner. Leaning back in her chair, she rubbed her slightly rounded belly and sighed contentedly.

"It's not that amazing. Hachiman's cooking is really good too," Vignette said modestly, though it was clear from her tone that she and Hachiman got along very well.

"Don't be so humble. Your cooking is excellent, Vignette."

Hachiman glanced at Kaede, who had ignored his cooking skills despite eating his food, and smiled at Vignette.

Vignette's culinary skills were indeed impressive—slightly better than his. It was evident she cooked often and hadn't just picked it up recently.

"I'll wash the dishes," Shion offered quietly after everyone had finished eating.

Since Vignette had already helped cook dinner, it was only right for Shion, who was freeloading, to do some chores.

"I'll help too," Vignette said, quickly getting up to assist.

Hachiman didn't say much but glanced at Kaede, who had already grabbed a drink and was lounging on the sofa. He walked over and lightly kicked her pale, slender leg.

"Kaede, stop lazing around. Go help too."

"You said you'd be a homemaker in the future. Can't you just do it? The kitchen can't fit that many people anyway," Kaede replied lazily, sipping her mango-flavored drink from the fridge.

Before dinner, she had been hungry. Now that she was full, she was sleepy and didn't feel like moving.

"You eat my food, drink my drinks, and still dare to order me around?"

Hachiman narrowed his eyes at Kaede, who was treating his house like her own. Slowly, he stretched out his hands toward her.

"Have you forgotten that you still owe me a favor?"

"Huh? What do you want to do?"

Seeing Hachiman suddenly reaching out toward her, the previously relaxed Kaede instantly snapped to attention. She hastily raised her hands to shield her chest and curled up her legs, her face flushing as she glared at him.

"We agreed during our bet that the request can't be too much."

Did Hachiman think she was that easy to bully—that she'd agree to some outrageous demand? That'd be underestimating her way too much.

"Did I say I was going to do anything? Everyone's here right now; why would I pick this moment?"

Hachiman glanced at Kaede's curled-up legs and the revealing scene from her flailing skirt. Annoyed, he rolled his eyes at her for jumping to conclusions.

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