Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

The bathroom was suffused with the scent of youth—both male and female.

Kasumigaoka reclined on the toilet lid, propping herself up with her hands. Sweat glistened on several parts of her body, and a faint mist lingered in the air.

Faced with the sight of this captivating woman, Hikigaya pressed his lips together and took a deep breath.

"That was... way too close! We almost got caught by Sawamura just now," he said.

Kasumigaoka chuckled lightly, her melodic laughter echoing softly.

"But we didn't, did we?" she teased, her silken, stocking-clad foot playfully nudging Hikigaya's leg.

Hikigaya swatted the mischievous foot away, his expression serious.

"Stop being so reckless!"

"And what if we were caught?" Kasumigaoka replied, brushing her hair back with a smirk.

"I'm actually curious about Sawamura's reaction. That girl has quite the fondness for you, you know? After my little chat with her earlier, she might even confess to you this weekend."

"You're underestimating a tsundere," Hikigaya muttered, shaking his head.

"It's just helping her with a game. Nothing will happen between me and Sawamura this weekend."

"And what if it does?"

"I've already said, I won't do anything to betray Yukinoshita again! You… are the only exception."

"Oh my," Kasumigaoka replied, her mood visibly lifting as she beamed. "The sole mistress, huh? That actually feels pretty rewarding."

"You..." Hikigaya was at a loss for words. Rewarding? What was this, some kind of competition?

He sighed, choosing to ignore her as he turned to leave.

But Kasumigaoka wasn't done.

"By the way, Hikigaya~ between me and Yukinoshita, who do you think... is better?"

"!!"

Hikigaya froze, his body tense.

"Don't make me compare!" he snapped.

"Is it me?" Kasumigaoka teased with a mischievous smile. "You were like an adorable newborn baby just now~"

"?! Don't use weird analogies like that!" Hikigaya exclaimed, his face flushing.

"I-I haven't done anything like that with Yukinoshita yet," he stammered.

"Really?" Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Yukinoshita's still quite conservative," Hikigaya admitted, scratching his head. "It's... embarrassing for her."

"Ah, a conservative girlfriend," Kasumigaoka mused, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "You know, conservative girls often struggle to keep their boyfriends interested. They hold back in so many ways, and before you know it, all the excitement in the relationship is gone..."

"What are you getting at?"

"Hikigaya, let me ask you this. Would you and Yukinoshita ever do... this sort of thing at school?"

Hikigaya's face turned crimson. "That's impossible!"

"Exactly. So boring," Kasumigaoka said, shaking her head dramatically. "You're supposed to be a couple, but you can only wait until the weekend to do anything meaningful? You're missing out on creating precious memories together here at school."

"This is a place for studying!"

"Mm, a place for studying~" Kasumigaoka repeated with a suggestive gleam in her eyes.

Unable to bear her gaze, Hikigaya quickly changed the subject.

"Time's running out. We should go. Sawamura and Katou might start getting suspicious..."

Kasumigaoka smiled wickedly.

"Hikigaya~ I still..."

"Huh?!"

A chill ran down Hikigaya's spine as he took a step back, trembling.

"Didn't we agree on this?!"

"Hehe, seeing you all flustered and weak just makes me want to bully you more," Kasumigaoka said, licking her lips as she crossed her legs like a queen. She was clearly enjoying his discomfort.

"...Fine! I surrender!" Hikigaya sighed in defeat. "Just spare me this time, please!"

"Alright, alright," Kasumigaoka replied with a coy smile. "Since you're being so pitiful, I'll let it slide. But first... lower your head."

"For what?"

Kasumigaoka suddenly stood, cupped Hikigaya's face, and kissed him deeply.

"Mmph!"

Hikigaya's eyes widened in shock. He struggled for a moment before ultimately giving up, reluctantly closing his eyes as he surrendered to Kasumigaoka's whims.

A few minutes later, Kasumigaoka wiped her lips with satisfaction.

"Let's go, useless Hikigaya~"

"...Right."

Hikigaya followed her out of the bathroom, his head hanging low. On the surface, he appeared dejected, but a glint of determination sparkled in his eyes.

She's definitely hung up on that sports class incident yesterday, he thought, a plan forming in his mind.

If I don't turn things around soon, she'll keep using that against me. But when the time comes, Kasumigaoka... you'll see who's really in charge!

---

Meanwhile, in a nearby stall, Yukinoshita let out a long breath of relief.

Thank goodness. They didn't find me.

But despite her relief, she couldn't shake a nagging feeling of dissatisfaction.

That's it? Nothing else happened? Why didn't they... actually do something?

Blushing, she shook her head furiously.

"It's not like I wanted to eavesdrop! I was just... trying to gather more points, that's all!" she muttered, trying to justify herself.

As her mind settled, Yukinoshita found herself reflecting on Kasumigaoka's final remarks to Hikigaya.

"Sigh. Maybe Kasumigaoka is right... I've been too conservative."

Her words replayed in Yukinoshita's head: A conservative girlfriend can't keep her boyfriend happy. Without excitement, a relationship becomes dull.

"B-But doing that sort of thing at school..." Yukinoshita's heart raced at the thought.

Still, an idea began to take root in her mind.

Maybe... in the future, I should try it with Hikigaya? It could help lower his corruption level, after all. Yes, that's it! All for the sake of keeping him on the right path!

With a newfound resolve, Yukinoshita clenched her fists, her face flushed with a mix of determination and embarrassment.

For the sake of love... I'll do whatever it takes!

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