Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

"Miura, I can't hold it anymore. I need to use the restroom."

"What? Restroom?!"

"Yeah, it's urgent. Actually, Miura, why don't we go together?"

"Eh? Uh! Fine, together then!"

Miura's expression shifted subtly, and after a moment of hesitation, she gritted her teeth and followed Yukinoshita toward the public restroom. Her fists clenched instinctively.

She was absolutely fuming over Yukinoshita's earlier aloofness.

This is unbearable!

If no one else can put this smug Yukinoshita in her place...

Well... maybe I'll be the one to do it!

---

Behind the tree, the boy and girl's lips parted.

Their eyes met, an unusual light flickering in both their gazes.

The air around them hung thick with tension, a mixture of awkwardness and something neither could quite put into words.

With Yukinoshita and Miura now gone, Hikigaya and Kawasaki could finally let out a breath of relief, their nerves easing slightly.

But—

"Ugh, how long are you planning to keep holding me? Put me down already!"

"Ah! Right, sorry!"

Hikigaya snapped out of his daze and clumsily set Kawasaki down from his arms.

"Ow! Be careful when you're putting me down! You were squeezing my thighs too hard!"

"Ah, my bad!"

"Ugh, they're all red now..."

"I'm really sorry..."

Looking like a kid caught misbehaving, Hikigaya apologized meekly.

Kawasaki pursed her lips, her face flushing red. "By the way, when did you get this strong? You were able to carry me for so long so easily!"

"Ahem, well, I've been working out with Miura recently..."

"That explains it."

Recalling Hikigaya's impressive display earlier, Kawasaki couldn't help feeling her heart flutter, her neck tinged with a noticeable redness.

"By the way," Hikigaya said, breaking the silence, "I'm sorry for earlier. I shouldn't have kissed you without your permission..."

"Eh?!"

Kawasaki's body stiffened, her face burning as she looked down to avoid his gaze.

"No, it's me who should apologize. I almost gave us away when I made that noise earlier. If you hadn't acted so quickly, we could've been caught. Thank you for stepping in..."

"But still, I..."

"Enough!" Kawasaki interrupted him hurriedly. "We've already gone that far; what's one kiss compared to everything else?"

"Uh..."

Hikigaya faltered, unsure how to respond.

Realizing how her words could be misunderstood, Kawasaki quickly waved her hands in panic. "A-Anyway, after this, we absolutely can't let anything happen again! We can't betray Yukinoshita anymore! She's my friend and your girlfriend—we need to be better than this!"

"Kawasaki..."

Seeing the earnest determination in her still-glistening eyes, Hikigaya stared at her for a few seconds before nodding solemnly.

"You're right."

"Good. I'm glad you understand!"

"We should leave now before they come out of the restroom. Come on, Kawasaki!"

"Eh? Wah!!"

Before Kawasaki could react, Hikigaya scooped her up again.

"Ugh! Stop treating me like a child!"

"Your legs aren't steady yet. If I carry you, we can move faster. Let's get out of here!"

"You..."

Kawasaki opened her mouth to argue but gave up. Instead, she nestled quietly in his arms, her face burning as her heart raced uncontrollably.

The warmth of his chest, the faint scent of his cologne, and the sheer confidence of being held in a princess carry...

It was almost too much to handle.

For a girl, this kind of experience was lethal—utterly irresistible.

But even though Kawasaki's defenses were weak, her resolve wasn't. Thinking of Yukinoshita's trust in her, she clenched her fists against Hikigaya's shirt and gritted her teeth, determined to hold her crumbling self-control together.

"Put me down!" Kawasaki demanded once they'd exited the park.

"Your legs—"

"They're fine now." Kawasaki's face was flushed. "I wasn't going to stay like that forever. We girls are tougher than you think!"

"Ah... okay..."

Hikigaya's face turned red as well, and he carefully set her down.

Although she was steadier than before, Kawasaki's gait still had a slight wobble.

"I'll walk you home," Hikigaya offered, worried she might struggle on her own.

"But..."

Kawasaki hesitated, glancing nervously back toward the park.

"It's just a walk home," Hikigaya said calmly. "If anyone asks, we'll say we ran into each other on the way."

"...Fine," Kawasaki finally relented, keeping her flushed face turned away.

---

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Kawasaki's house.

Hikigaya was surprised to find her home was just as close to his as Miura's and Yui's.

In his mind, he imagined a map of their homes, forming an almost perfect equilateral triangle with his house in the center.

The realization left him feeling slightly suffocated, as if he were being surrounded.

Just like the constant pressure from Katou, Kasumigaoka, and Eriri back in class...

"Hikigaya..."

Before stepping inside, Kawasaki hesitated, stealing a glance at his lips. She took a step closer, an inexplicable urge welling up inside her.

"Wh-What is it?"

"N-Nothing!" Kawasaki blushed furiously and stopped herself, resisting the temptation to kiss him.

"Goodbye, Hikigaya."

"Goodbye, Kawasaki."

After watching her enter her house, Hikigaya sighed deeply and turned to leave. But as he walked, his sharp instincts made him glance over his shoulder.

Strange...

Why did it feel like someone was following him again?

Shaking off the thought, he continued on his way.

Around the corner, a short-haired brunette peeked out cautiously, her face a mix of shock and amusement.

"Senpai was... on a date with Saki-senpai?"

Isshiki Iroha had only planned to go shopping that weekend, but what she stumbled upon had completely derailed her day.

Following them from the park all the way here, she had seen it all.

Her initial shock soon gave way to a mischievous grin.

"So, Saki-senpai tried to kiss him, and Senpai didn't even resist?!" Iroha's eyes sparkled with amusement as she chuckled to herself.

"Even though they didn't actually kiss... Hehe, Senpai, don't tell me you and Saki-senpai have a thing going on?"

Her grin widened, her expression brimming with playful glee.

"Well, well, looks like I've got some dirt on you now, my dear Senpai!"

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