Chapter 418. Five Loser Dogs
"If I ask them to stop... it won't work, right?"
Hikigaya Hachiman let out a dejected, bitter laugh. "How could the situation end up becoming like this? What even is this? There's clearly no need for me anymore."
"But the important thing is you as a person, Hachiman-kun, not whether you can help or not, nya. Even if Hachiman-kun suddenly became incompetent at everything, as long as your personality hasn't changed, Ferri-chan still wants to be friends with you and is willing to support you for the rest of your life, nya!"
Sensing his low spirits—and even a hint of regret about crossing over—Ferris shuddered and hastily spoke his true feelings to comfort him.
Then he added, "Actually, there is a way to get Lady Crusch and the others to stop, nya."
"—How about letting me explain that method, hm?"
A third party suddenly interjected, accompanied by incredibly light footsteps. Before everyone's eyes, she had successfully "smuggled" herself in using the meteors she had previously collected, appearing right beside Hikigaya Hachiman.
Anastasia wore a smile, her attitude very easygoing, but her mere proximity made Ferris's heart tighten. Just as he was about to call out for Lady Crusch—
Mimi had already reached his back. With a perfectly weighted hand-chop, she sent him into a dreamless sleep.
"Sigh." Hikigaya Hachiman sighed and held out both hands.
When he saw Mimi, he had already given up any thought of resistance. "Tie me up if you want. Just go easy on me; I'm afraid of pain."
Anastasia puffed out her adorable, youthful cheeks slightly and took the hand the Prime Minister had extended, making a counter-accusation: "That's so cruel, Mr. Prime Minister. In your eyes, am I really such an impolite person? I just wanted to have a chat with you, that's all."
"—"
Hachiman instinctively pulled his hand back, arching his back like a hedgehog, staring warily at this ambushing profiteer.
"I didn't reach out for you to... forget it." He backed away two or three steps, unable to do much against this merchant who was playing dumb. He simply pointed at the distant Ricardo and Julius. "Don't tell me those weren't the people you sent to snatch me?"
"I don't plan to deny that part, see."
Anastasia took two steps forward and one step back, tilting her head innocently. "But it's not what you think. Could you give me a moment to explain, hm?"
"Hey, hey, it's okay, right, Big Brother?" Mimi grabbed Hachiman's leg, looking at him piteously, acting both cute and pathetic. Hachiman had no choice but to listen to the explanation.
At the same time, he prepared to run at any moment.
"Because before, nobody knew we'd get the future memories, see... On the premise that Mr. Prime Minister knew nothing and recognized no one, of course it was finders-keepers. It would have been a huge loss not to act."
Anastasia spread her hands. "But it's different now. Mr. Prime Minister knows everything. In that case, regarding which house you want to stay in, we will certainly respect your own wishes, see."
"Once the Prime Minister's destination is settled, we naturally have no reason to compete anymore."
During this exchange, she remained very disciplined, standing in place without trying to invade his personal space. This allowed Hachiman to breathe a sigh of relief.
His preparation to flee wasn't because he was afraid of being caught by Mimi, but rather to avoid being touched by Anastasia. But now, it seemed this merchant knew exactly when to advance and when to retreat... on the surface, at least.
In short, Hachiman was inclined to believe this was an "open scheme" designed to improve his perception of her.
The trouble was, even though he saw through the trick, Hachiman couldn't stop himself from feeling a slight increase in affection for Anastasia... After all, who could hate a girl who thought of your needs at every turn?
"Even if I don't choose you?"
"No matter who you choose, I will respect your choice, see. But..."
Speaking decisively, Anastasia playfully put her hands behind her back and leaned forward, revealing a fox-like, cunning smile. "If you choose me, I'll be very happy, see. How about it? I won't be quick to get handsy with you; I'm not that easy, see."
Hachiman raised his left hand, turning it to cover his eyes—not to shut them, but to block out the view in front of him, lest he be swayed by Anastasia's adorable figure.
"I'm not even useful anymore, yet you all still value me this much. I really don't know whether to be happy or what."
"Regarding that, my thoughts are the same as Mr. Ferris over there, see?"
Even if he could block the view, he couldn't block the sound. Anastasia's words were far too tempting. Hachiman bypassed her directly and instructed Mimi: "Help me out and tell them to stop, okay? I've already decided where I'm going to stay."
Mimi blinked. "Actually, everyone has been paying attention to the conversation here all along, Big Brother."
The next second, as if to verify Mimi's words, Crusch and Emilia, Ram and Rem, Julius and Wilhelm—all of them stopped fighting.
Further away, the mercenaries and soldiers didn't know what was happening because they were too far off, but seeing their leaders cease fire, they followed suit and stopped.
Emilia, Crusch, and the others all gazed over expectantly, filled with longing and tension. Only Priscilla gave a mocking snort, her Yang Sword suddenly swinging to point brazenly at Hikigaya Hachiman, the threat in her eyes plain as day.
If he dared not to choose her, Hachiman would have to worry about his own safety—and the safety of the person he did choose.
This domineering subtext caused Hachiman to stare back defiantly. Without a trace of fear, he announced: "I'm staying at Reinhard's house."
Whoosh!
Almost within half a second, the instant the words left his mouth, everyone felt a blur before their eyes. A gentle breeze brushed past, and then they saw Reinhard standing right beside Hikigaya Hachiman.
Just as Anastasia had said, as long as the Hachiman with his memories made a decision, the others mostly wouldn't interfere.
And since the choice was Reinhard, Emilia, Crusch, and Rem all felt a mix of relief and loss—except for Anastasia, who had known he would choose this all along.
And the arrogant Priscilla.
Clang!
The Yang Sword struck down, only to be blocked by Reinhard raising the scabbard of the Dragon Sword. Priscilla's eyes narrowed as she launched a series of all-out attacks.
The intensity of her assault was terrifying, to the point where Reinhard, merely by defending, caused Priscilla herself to collapse from exhaustion within a minute, her stamina completely drained.
"I am truly sorry. I do not intend to deprive you of the opportunity to invite Hachiman as a guest; I simply wish to respect Hachiman's wishes. Forgive my rudeness, Lady Priscilla."
Finally, Reinhard's incredibly earnest apology became the last straw that broke Priscilla's composure.
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