Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Miura jogged breathlessly, finishing a lap around the park.

Yet, Hikigaya still hadn't shown up at their designated resting spot.

"Don't tell me he's not coming?"

Miura frowned, her brows knitting tightly.

Had something happened to him? Should she go check?

No. Yukinoshita already went. It wasn't her place to intrude.

Of course, she wouldn't actually go.

But Miura was still worried, fearing something bad had happened to Hikigaya.

So she pulled out her phone and called him.

The ringtone echoed.

Miura waited, quietly anxious, until the call finally connected three minutes later.

"Hikigaya, what's going on? Are you okay? Did something happen?"

Clearly agitated, Miura bombarded him with questions, worried something terrible had occurred.

"N-no, nothing's wrong..."

A hesitant, stammering voice came through the line.

"S-sorry, I got caught up in something. I... I don't think I can join you for jogging today..."

"!"

Miura froze. Remembering that Yukinoshita had gone to look for him, she immediately pieced things together.

"I get it. Well, just head back home then."

"O-okay..."

Just as Hikigaya was about to hang up, Miura stopped him.

"Wait!"

"Eh? Cough, cough... I-is there something else?"

"Are you feeling okay?" Miura asked, concerned.

"I'm fine. I feel great."

"If you're overexerting yourself, I'll adjust the training plan for next time."

"N-no need, the current one's great. T-thank you, Miura, but... don't be so kind to me anymore..."

"..."

Hearing the word kind, Miura's face flushed slightly.

"W-who's being kind to you? Hmph!"

"Heh, if that's the case, then feel free to be cruel, I won't mind, Kawas—"

"What?!"

Miura caught on immediately.

"Hikigaya! What did you just say? Kawasaki?!"

"Eh? Cough, cough... sorry, sorry! I misspoke, that was a slip of the tongue..."

"Hmph! You and Kawasaki must be pretty close, huh, if you're mistaking me for her?"

Annoyed, Miura couldn't help but feel irked. After all, her relationship with Kawasaki was just as tense as her relationship with Yukinoshita.

"S-sorry..."

"Hmph! Next time! Just wait!"

Miura's tone was icy as she warned, "I'll make you pay for this!"

Hikigaya replied with a wry smile, "I-I understand."

"If that's all, go get some rest. I'm hanging up now!"

"Mm..."

As the call ended, Miura took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

Her mood, however, remained unsettled.

Today, she'd actually had a bold plan in mind.

But... things didn't go as planned.

Hikigaya was whisked away by Yukinoshita, ruining her intentions.

"Damn Yukinoshita! She did it on purpose!"

Fuming, Miura stomped her feet in frustration.

It was infuriating!

She wanted to let things slide, but Yukinoshita just had to step in at the crucial moment, thwarting her plans.

And now, Hikigaya and Yukinoshita were together.

Miura's chest tightened with irritation, an inexplicable feeling of loss and frustration.

"Who knows what those two are doing right now..."

Walking aimlessly along the park path, Miura muttered, her tone dripping with jealousy.

"They're dating, after all. Probably on a date, or even..."

She instinctively pressed her legs together.

Her face turned bright red.

"Come to think of it, Hikigaya's voice earlier... something felt off. Could it be those two were...?"

Her pupils widened in sudden realization.

But a second later, she shook her head vigorously.

"No, no, no! Those two wouldn't be so shameless... I must be overthinking it..."

"Still, they're probably on a date next. As boyfriend and girlfriend... ugh, it's so enviable!"

"I want a boyfriend too!"

"I want Hikigaya to—"

Miura bit her lip, her mind automatically conjuring up an image of Hikigaya earnestly trailing after her.

And just like that...

Her face flushed red again.

"I wish Hikigaya would always stay behind me like that!"

"But what about Yui..."

"Ugh, but I really want to steal him from that damn Yukinoshita!"

"Yui... if you don't act soon, I swear I'll make a move. I'm warning you!"

---

Meanwhile, back in the restroom.

"I'm sorry for earlier..." Hikigaya muttered, guilt-ridden.

Sitting on the toilet, Kawasaki blushed, burying her face in her hands. "N-no, it was partly my fault too..."

"..."

Hikigaya couldn't help but glance at Kawasaki, her embarrassed reaction oddly endearing.

Her legs were long and fair, her demeanor refined.

But unlike Miura's boldness, Kawasaki exuded a quiet restraint, a contrast Hikigaya couldn't help but notice.

Both, however, had something Yukinoshita lacked—a fact he had just experienced firsthand.

Cough! Yukinoshita!!

Crap!

He was betraying Yukinoshita again, even comparing her to the others...

Overwhelmed with guilt and remorse, Hikigaya wanted to escape this suffocating situation.

"I... I'll head out now..."

"W-wait!"

"Huh?!"

To his surprise, Kawasaki grabbed his arm.

Blushing, she stammered, "You... you're not done yet, are you?"

"Eh?"

"I mean... I'm not wrong, am I?"

"It doesn't matter anymore..."

"No, it does! Holding it in could cause health issues for guys!"

"W-what?"

Hikigaya froze, cautiously looking at Kawasaki's flushed face.

"Then you mean..."

"Just... one last time."

"L-last...?"

"But we're already dressed..."

Just as Hikigaya finished his sentence, a noise came from the adjacent stall.

Startled, both of them froze.

"P-probably just a stray cat," Kawasaki mumbled nervously.

"A stray cat?"

Sure enough, a faint meowing sound came from next door.

Relieved, the two sighed.

"Anyway, let's not worry about that. Hikigaya, let me... handle it one last time for Yukinoshita's sake..."

"Kawasaki? Isn't that... inappropriate?"

"As Yukinoshita's friend, I can't just stand by and let her boyfriend suffer..."

Yukinoshita, I'm sorry.

This will really be the last time.

I promise I'll never touch your Hikigaya again!

Never again!!!

Meanwhile, Yukinoshita, hidden in the neighboring stall, covered her mouth with her hand.

Her heart ached, yet she was deeply moved.

Kawasaki, you're such a good person.

****************************

Read advanced chapters ahead of everyone else on my P@treon.

p@treon/GodDragcell