Hiratsuka’s car eventually came to a stop in front of the somewhat weathered apartment building where the Hikigaya family lived.
The engine died, and a brief quiet settled inside the vehicle.
“We’re here.” Hiratsuka turned her head to look at Hikigaya in the back seat, his expression still complicated, his arm wrapped in bandages.
The teasing look on her face had receded somewhat, replaced by a more earnest tone.
“Hikigaya…
you did good today, judging by the outcome.”
She paused, her gaze falling on his injured arm, her voice dropping a few degrees.
“But no next time.
Remember—before you play the hero, think about your own safety first, and think about the people who care about you!
Don’t always go charging in recklessly all by yourself.
That personality of yours, it really…”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but Hikigaya understood the worry and admonition in those unspoken words.
Hikigaya was silent for a moment, then nodded.
For once, he didn’t deflect anything, and simply answered quietly, “…Got it, Shizuka-sensei.
Thank you for driving me home.”
Watching this rare display of “obedience,” Hiratsuka couldn’t help smiling again—part exasperation, part a faint, barely perceptible relief.
“Alright, hurry on back.
Your sister must be getting worried.
Remember to change your bandages on schedule.”
Hikigaya opened the door and got out.
He watched as Hiratsuka’s headlights cut through the night, her car slowly pulling away before finally vanishing around the street corner.
He stood in place, letting out a soft breath.
Only then did he turn and walk toward his front door.
He raised his right hand, about to knock, but the door clicked open from the inside before he could.
His little sister’s face appeared behind the door—full of her usual energy, but tinged with a hint of reproach.
“Onii-chan!
You’re finally back!
Why are you so late today?
You didn’t even reply to my messages.
Komachi was just about to call—”
Her words came to an abrupt halt.
Her eyes had sharply caught the conspicuous white gauze and bandages on Hikigaya’s left arm.
“Onii-chan!
You—you’re hurt?!”
Komachi’s expression instantly changed.
With a cry of alarm, she hurriedly grabbed Hikigaya’s right hand and pulled him inside.
She leaned in close to his arm, anxiously inspecting it.
“Is it serious?
What happened?
Does it hurt?”
She circled around him like a startled little rabbit, her eyes brimming with worry.
“It’s nothing.
Just a small wound.
It’ll be fine in a few days.” Hikigaya tried to soothe her with a light tone.
“‘A small wound’?!
It’s all wrapped up like this!” Komachi puffed out her cheeks, clearly not buying his explanation.
She fixed him with a scrutinizing glare.
“Spill it!
What really happened?
You went and did something dangerous again, didn’t you?”
Under the threatening gaze of his little sister—one that clearly said “you’re not eating until you explain yourself”—Hikigaya had no choice but to give her a concise rundown.
He told her about the Service Club taking on the request, investigating the situation at the elementary school, discovering the child was in danger, his unavoidable intervention, and how he’d ended up getting cut.
Of course, he omitted some of the more excessively dangerous details, and…
certain emotional upheavals.
Even so, after hearing him out, Komachi’s brow furrowed deeply.
She raised her little fist angrily and thumped Hikigaya lightly—though not too lightly—on the back.
Fuming, she scolded him.
“Stupid Onii-chan!
Playing the hero!
I know you wanted to help that kid, but!
Next time you do something like this, could you please, please be more careful with yourself?!
I…
Komachi and Mom and Dad would all be so worried!”
Seeing her eyes rimmed faintly red, equal parts anger and concern, Hikigaya’s heart softened.
He reached out and ruffled her hair.
“Alright, alright.
I get it.
I’ll be more careful next time.”
“Hmph!
That’s more like it!” Komachi sniffled, forcing her tears back.
Then, as if resolving herself to something, she planted her hands on her hips and made a proclamation.
“In light of my injured Onii-chan’s ‘heroic’ performance today, tonight’s dinner shall be prepared by yours truly, Komachi!
You go sit obediently at the table and wait!”
With that, she didn’t wait for Hikigaya to respond.
She bounced off into the kitchen and started bustling about with a clatter and clang.
Watching his sister’s energetic back, Hikigaya shook his head in resignation and walked over to sit at the dining table.
He lifted his head and looked at the old pendant lamp above, its warm yellow glow spilling softly across the tabletop.
“This day…
a whole lot really did happen, huh,” he murmured to himself.
From accepting the request, to investigating at the elementary school, to impulsively charging into danger, getting injured, going to the hospital, and…
finally, that completely unexpected development outside Yukinoshita’s apartment door—something that had entirely exceeded his capacity to comprehend, let alone handle.
Every single event was like a stone hurled into a calm lake, sending ripple after ripple spreading across the surface of the peaceful, solitary daily life he had been pursuing.
No—not ripples.
Tidal waves.
Just as his thoughts were spiraling, that familiar, icy mechanical voice resounded inside his head once again, without any warning.
Ding—!
[Detected Host has completed Major Destiny Node Intervention: “A Rider’s Salvation.”]
[Action Summary: At a critical moment, relying on courage (partially inspired by system) and (barely passing marks of) wisdom, successfully prevented a violent crime targeting a minor, and to a certain extent altered the destiny trajectory of key figure Aikawa Ren.
Though the process was somewhat reckless, and the ending saw you bloodied and somewhat pathetic, the spirit is commendable, and the outcome satisfactory.]
[Overall Evaluation: A-]
[Distributing Rewards…]
As the system’s words faded, Hikigaya felt a cool stream of air pour in through the top of his head, instantly flowing through his entire body.
The slight weakness brought on by blood loss and pain vanished completely.
His mind became exceptionally clear, his thoughts seeming to move noticeably faster.
His body, too, felt lighter, as if brimming with inexhaustible energy.
[Basic Rewards: Minor increase to Intelligence attribute.
Minor increase to Physical/Motor Ability.]
[Special Reward: Due to the Host displaying (perhaps unconsciously) a protective will and emotional resonance during the event, additional special attribute granted—Minor increase to “Motivation.”]
[Explanation: “Motivation” is an internal force that drives action and unlocks potential.
It is tied to willpower, determination, and even certain deeper emotions.
Raising it may, perhaps, when facing future “troubles,” cause you to complain a little less and have a little more…
well, you know.]
[Message: Congratulations on taking a solid step forward on the path to your (probably even more troublesome) youth story!
Keep up the good work, and continue your back-and-forth leaps between romantic battlefields and heroic dramas!
This system has high hopes for you~ (￣▽￣)~* ]
The light screen slowly faded, along with that “message” dripping with obvious teasing.
Hikigaya: “…”
The corner of his mouth twitched.
He couldn’t help complaining inwardly.
‘What the hell is this “Motivation” boost even supposed to mean?!
And what’s with that emoticon?!
Was this system designed by some programmer with a twisted sense of humor?!’
Still, griping aside, he could genuinely feel the changes in himself.
Thinking through things seemed more organized now.
Thoughts that had been vague before, he could now grasp their core more quickly.
Was this the effect of the Intelligence boost?
As for “Motivation”…
he didn’t feel anything special for the time being, aside from the fact that his energy levels did seem remarkably high—hardly what you’d expect from someone who’d just gotten stitches.
“Onii-chan, the noodles are here!” Komachi’s voice broke through his thoughts.
She came over carefully, carrying a large bowl.
Inside was steaming hot ramen, topped with a soft-boiled egg, slices of chashu, bamboo shoots, and nori.
It actually looked surprisingly legit.
“This is Komachi’s special ‘Get-Well-Soon Full-of-Energy Ramen’!
Hurry, try it!” Komachi set the bowl in front of Hikigaya, pressed her hands together, and looked at him with sparkling eyes, her face full of anticipation and a little bit of pride.
Hikigaya looked at the rather presentable bowl of ramen before him, then at his little sister’s face—which practically had “praise me” written all over it.
A warm current flowed through his heart.
He picked up his spoon and took a sip of the broth first.
The flavor was unexpectedly rich and full-bodied.
“Mm.
It’s really good,” he offered his sincere assessment.
“Yay!
Awesome!” Komachi beamed happily and sat down across from him, propping her chin in her hands as she watched her brother eat.
As Hikigaya ate the warm food his sister had made with her own hands, feeling the dull ache still emanating from his arm and the seemingly boundless energy surging through his body, his mind once again, beyond his control, drifted back through everything that had happened today.
Yukinoshita’s eyes, glistening with tears, and that brief embrace…
Yuigahama gripping his hand tightly, her worried plea…
Hiratsuka-sensei’s words—teasing on the surface, yet laden with concern…
Komachi’s puffed-up anger, yet so full of heartache…
And that little boy he had saved, whose eyes had lit up with hope once more…
All of it was so far removed from the peaceful, solitary “drop-dead-you-riaju” daily life he had wholeheartedly yearned for.
‘What’s my daily life going to turn into from now on…’
He quietly chewed on this question.
The steam rising from the bowl fogged his glasses, and left him feeling a trace of bewilderment about the future—along with…
a tiny, barely perceptible flicker of anticipation, something even he hadn’t fully recognized yet.
Something the system had called “Motivation.”
Perhaps…
these noisy, troublesome days weren’t entirely unacceptable after all?
Comment it and let me know.