Life As Hikigaya Hachiman

Chapter 586: Grandpa, I'll Do My Best to Give You a Great-Grandchild

Unexpectedly, Senzaemon actually said something like that, causing Hachiman to raise his eyebrows in surprise.

In Hachiman's mind, achieving a harem ending was bound to involve dealing with the parents of the girls, who were undoubtedly major hurdles. Among them, Yukino's mother and Senzaemon were the bosses to conquer.

However, as Hachiman grew stronger, one of the bosses, Yukino's mother, no longer posed a threat to him.

After all, the Yukinoshita family's influence was limited, and with the resources and power Hachiman had amassed, he could easily crush them.

But Hachiman wouldn't resort to such measures.

After all, this was still Yukino's family.

All he needed was to make her mother compromise.

Once that happened, getting Yukino would be a natural progression—and perhaps even a two-for-one deal.

While the Yukinoshita family was no longer a concern, the Nakiri family was a different story.

This was one of the top four families in Japan—far from being as easy to sway as the Yukinoshitas.

Finding a way to make Senzaemon relent had always been a headache for Hachiman.

Yet, to his surprise, what should have been the hardest challenge was resolved so easily?

"Grandpa, are you really okay with this?" Hachiman asked with some hesitation.

"Of course. I have no reason to deceive you," Senzaemon replied with a hearty laugh. "As long as Erina and Alice don't mind, I naturally won't have much to say."

"But whether it works out or not depends on your abilities, young Hachiman."

Given the Nakiri family's current stature, there was no need for Erina and Alice to engage in any kind of political marriage.

Senzaemon's stance on his granddaughters' marriages was simple: "As long as they're happy." If both of them were willing, then why not? Even if it meant the two of them serving one husband together.

Public opinion?

In the face of overwhelming capital and influence, what could a few idle remarks possibly accomplish?

Not to mention, the Nakiri family, being one of the top four families in Japan, held enough power to make it perfectly legal for someone to have multiple wives. Would that really be difficult?

Senzaemon had long been prepared for Erina and Alice to marry Hachiman together.

He had even spoken privately to Alice before, encouraging her to spend more time with Hachiman.

Judging by today's developments, it seemed to be working quite well.

With that thought, Senzaemon spoke again.

"Hachiman, you should spend more time with Erina and Alice. If possible, I'd love to hold a great-grandchild in my arms sooner rather than later."

A great-grandchild… Grandpa, you're really open-minded, huh.

Hearing Senzaemon's words, Hachiman's expression turned a little odd.

"Well, in that regard, I'll do my best."

After all, he hadn't even gone that far with Erina yet. Alice, on the other hand, might be a possibility.

There was no way Senzaemon could have anticipated that Alice, the "backup option," might overtake Erina in this race.

"Haha, then work hard, Hachiman. I look forward to becoming a great-grandfather soon," Senzaemon laughed heartily.

In truth, his anticipation was genuine. Beyond seeing Hachiman as a promising young man, there was another layer: Hachiman was a hero.

What kind of extraordinary lineage would be born from the union of a hero and the bearer of God's Tongue?

Hearing Senzaemon's words, a peculiar thought arose in Hachiman's mind.

Does this count as a royal decree to reproduce?

Got it. I'll make my move on Erina later.

If she resists, I'll just tell her that her grandfather already gave his approval.

While Hachiman's thoughts were spiraling into absurd territory, Senzaemon spoke up again:

"Well, that's enough chatter. I won't take up any more of your time. Go and nurture your relationship, Hachiman."

"Alright then, Grandpa, I'll… go and give it my best effort," Hachiman replied before leaving.

After leaving the study, Erina and Alice weren't waiting for him as Hachiman had anticipated.

They were probably taking a bath, he thought.

With that in mind, Hachiman decided to head over to Erina's room for a look.

After all, with Senzaemon's approval in his pocket, if he happened to catch Erina bathing, sharing a bath with her wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Thinking this, he made his way to Erina's room.

Having visited the Nakiri residence several times before, Hachiman naturally knew where Erina's room was.

However, as he approached her door, he noticed it was slightly ajar and not fully closed.

From inside, he could hear faint sounds of conversation.

The soundproofing in the room was excellent, but by straining his ears, Hachiman managed to catch the content of the conversation.

"Erina, what do you really think about Hachiman?"

A dignified voice came from the room—it was Erina's mother, Nakiri Mana.

Hearing her mother's question, Erina responded in a somewhat evasive tone.

"Mom, what are you trying to say?"

"Don't try to dodge the question, Erina. Be honest and tell me—do you like Hachiman?" Mana's tone carried an authoritative edge.

Though she hadn't spent much time with her daughter, as a mother, she understood Erina's personality well. Erina was a classic tsundere, a trait that had remained consistent from childhood to now.

"W-Well… I…"

Caught off guard by her mother's direct question, the usually composed Erina stammered and struggled to form a coherent response.

Seeing her daughter's flustered demeanor, Mana let out a sigh.

"This won't do, Erina."

"You must understand that the more exceptional a man is, the more likely he is to attract the attention of other girls."

"Although I hate to admit it, back in the day, Azami was also exceptionally outstanding. Naturally, he was surrounded by a crowd of girls, but that guy was such a blockhead that he paid no attention to any of them."

"If it hadn't been for me—uh, I mean, your mother—taking the initiative back then, you wouldn't even exist right now."

"..."

Hearing her mother's words, Erina's face darkened with disbelief.

"Mom, why are you telling me all this?"

Looking at her clueless daughter, Nakiri Mana clicked her tongue in disapproval.

"What I'm saying is that you should take the initiative. While Hachiman doesn't seem as oblivious as Azami, given how outstanding he is now, the number of girls attracted to him won't be any less than back then."

"I won't even mention the distant ones. Just look at Alice—today, she was far more proactive than you."

"Men, as much as they're all ungrateful scoundrels, need a little sweetness every now and then. Otherwise, they'll grow tired, lose interest, and eventually abandon the relationship altogether."

Although Mana's words sounded reasonable, Erina's expression grew increasingly strange.

Sweetness? Does Hachiman really need sweetness?

Dear mother, do you even realize how much your daughter gets bullied by that guy on a daily basis? He's taken full advantage of me in every way possible, except for my body.

Like today, he made me do such an embarrassing thing, and I couldn't even resist him!

However, seeing the look on Erina's face, Mana assumed her daughter was taking her advice to heart. She continued speaking with earnestness.

"Erina, don't forget—Hachiman is still a hero."

"And have you ever seen a hero without a few close companions by his side?"