Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

On the rooftop, near the bench.

Hikigaya sat beside Kawasaki.

"How does it taste?"

"It's fragrant and delicious."

"Finish it all, not a single drop left. This is all for you."

"Ugh, I can't eat that much."

"You're a guy, how could you not? Besides, you work out every night—you need to eat more to replenish your energy."

Hikigaya sighed internally at Kawasaki's enthusiasm.

Ever since that happened, Kawasaki had become overly concerned about his physical condition, as if afraid that his inability to satisfy Yukinoshita might somehow be her fault.

Kawasaki… was just too kind.

"Don't forget to drink the soup," Kawasaki reminded him.

"Yeah, yeah."

Hikigaya took a few sips, then his expression shifted.

"Huh? This soup's taste..."

"How is it?"

"It's good, but something about it feels… off. Did you put in something weird?"

"N-no, nothing! Just… some ingredients that are good for a man's health." Kawasaki stammered.

"Huh?"

Hikigaya's eyelid twitched.

"You even added that?"

He promptly put down the soup, suddenly reluctant to take another sip.

"It's all for your well-being."

Seeing this, Kawasaki quickly picked up the bowl and moved closer to him.

Hikigaya instinctively leaned away.

"You're going to overdo it!"

"Nonsense! This is nothing—here, open up, ahh~"

"But—"

"This is for Yukinoshita, too. Don't you want her to be, um… satisfied?"

Kawasaki's face flushed slightly.

Hikigaya sighed.

"Fine, I'll drink it. Just… don't lean in so close."

"O-oh, okay."

After a brief hesitation, Kawasaki put some distance between them.

Hikigaya resumed drinking the soup.

Kawasaki, meanwhile, simply watched him.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Eh?"

Kawasaki averted her eyes.

"I—I'm just making sure you finish everything. That way, I'll feel at ease."

"I will. After all, you made it."

"Eh?!"

Kawasaki's heartbeat suddenly quickened.

A light breeze passed by, carrying Hikigaya's scent toward her.

That youthful fragrance only made her mind hazy.

Why… Why does Hikigaya's scent keep getting better?

This is unfair!

Who could resist this?!

"Ugh, you sly bastard..."

"Kawasaki, what did you say?"

"N-nothing! Just keep eating!"

She hurriedly suppressed the strange feelings bubbling up inside her.

A few minutes later.

Hikigaya finished all the food.

Kawasaki began tidying up the utensils.

When her eyes landed on the chopsticks and spoon he had used, she subconsciously bit her lip.

For some reason…

An indescribable impulse surged within her.

She really wanted to use them too.

Ugh!

Was she some kind of pervert?!

A jolt ran through her body, and she bit her tongue to snap herself out of it.

"Phew..."

Taking a deep breath, she turned toward Hikigaya and said:

"Hikigaya, let's do this again tomorrow. I'll—"

Just as she turned to remind him, the next second—

Her pupils shrank in shock.

The boy sitting beside her had his hands pressed against his stomach, his face contorted in pain.

"What's wrong?!"

Kawasaki's mind buzzed with panic. She abandoned the dishes and moved closer in concern.

"N-nothing… I'm fine…" Hikigaya forced a smile.

"Fine?!"

Kawasaki was completely frazzled.

"You're sweating so much! How is this 'fine'?! Does your stomach hurt? Was there something wrong with my cooking?!"

"I don't think it's the food…"

"Ugh! Stop talking!"

Seeing his pained expression, Kawasaki's heart ached. She quickly reached out to help him up.

"Let's go to the infirmary!"

"W-wait, hold on!"

As Kawasaki moved to support him, Hikigaya hurriedly stopped her.

"D-don't touch me!"

"Huh?"

Like she had been hit with a binding spell, Kawasaki froze in place, staring at him in confusion.

"This… isn't something the infirmary can fix."

"What do you mean…?"

Kawasaki grew even more bewildered as she watched him struggle to stand.

The wind blew again.

His scent lingered in the air.

Kawasaki's face suddenly turned crimson.

That smell—!

Why was it even stronger than before?!

That masculine scent was enough to drive a horde of girls insane!

Kawasaki felt momentarily dazed.

Meanwhile, Hikigaya swayed on his feet, looking like he was about to collapse.

Panicked, Kawasaki instinctively reached out and caught him.

"Careful!"

"Kawasaki, I told you, don't—"

"Save it! You're obviously unwell, and as Yukinoshita's friend, I have a duty to take care of you. Now come on, let's go to the infirmary!"

"N-no, really, that won't help."

"What? So you need a hospital?!"

"No! That would be even more embarrassing!"

"???"

Kawasaki was completely lost.

The next second—

As she finally noticed the specific change in his body, her expression drastically shifted.

"Wait, your body… H-hold on, you…?!"

And then—

As if she had just witnessed something unspeakable, Kawasaki turned beet red.

Hikigaya awkwardly averted his gaze.

"S-sorry… That's why I said, the infirmary won't help..."

"Ugh, you… J-just shut up!"

Now that she was closer to him, how could she not understand what had happened?

"S-should I… go find Yukinoshita?!"

"No! That's way too humiliating!"

"What's there to be embarrassed about?! You two are dating! This is obviously something Yukinoshita should—"

Mid-sentence, Kawasaki suddenly froze.

Wait!

Hikigaya looked like he was in serious pain.

Even if she ran to get Yukinoshita… would she even make it in time?

Seeing him suffer like this, Kawasaki's heart clenched.

What should she do?!

He looked like he was about to explode!

—Meanwhile.

Not far from the rooftop entrance, Yukinoshita was hiding.

"Phew… That scared me…"

Then, shaking her head with an exasperated sigh—

"Kawasaki is way too soft. Why the hell is she calling me over? What do I have to do with this? Just hurry up and get it over with already!"

Relieved, a small smirk crept onto her lips.

Kawasaki-chan!

Just give in already!

Right now, only you can save my dear husband!

Deep down, Yukinoshita found herself secretly thrilled at the idea of Kawasaki gradually falling into temptation—forced into a corner, unable to refuse.

That kind of scenario was just too delightful.

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