Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

After parting ways with Kawasaki, Hikigaya inexplicably felt the urge to keep exerting his strength.

Originally, after drinking an ice-cold MAX Coffee, he had calmed down.

However—

Running into Kawasaki just now, her scent lingering in the air, and the fact that they spent quite a while together... It all reignited a certain energy inside him.

"Sigh, guess I'll work out some more when I get home."

With that thought, Hikigaya sighed and decided to head back to continue his training.

But just as he hadn't walked far—

At a street corner, he ran into another familiar face.

Mature and graceful, exuding a gentle, nurturing aura—

Just standing near her made one feel drawn in, as if wanting to lose themselves in her warmth.

Since it was someone he knew, Hikigaya had no choice but to greet her.

"Mrs. Yuigahama, it's pretty late. You're still out?"

"Hmm? Oh, I just went shopping with Yui..."

The moment she saw him, a strange glint flashed across Mrs. Yuigahama's eyes.

Meanwhile, Hikigaya noticed the heavy shopping bags she was carrying.

"Here, let me help you." He offered.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly trouble you..."

"It's fine. I'm a guy."

"In that case... I'll leave it to you, Hikigaya-kun."

She handed over the bags.

The instant he took them—

His right side sank slightly under the weight.

"See? It's really heavy. Maybe I should—"

"It's fine. I just wasn't expecting it to be this heavy at first. It's manageable."

With that, he straightened up and strode forward with large steps.

Honestly, he had been looking for an outlet to exert himself.

These shopping bags? Perfect timing!

Exercise—what a thrill!

Mrs. Yuigahama walked beside him, naturally making conversation.

Throughout their chat—

She couldn't help but steal glances at his right arm.

The veins bulging with exertion, muscles taut with power.

And that thick, distinctly masculine scent—

To be honest, she was entranced.

If she weren't a mature woman, with years of experience—she might have lost all composure right there.

How could this boy be so incredible?!

Now this—this was a real man. A true male specimen.

Oh god, she wanted...

Cough!

She meant—she wanted Hikigaya-kun as Yui's husband!

A few minutes later, they arrived at Mrs. Yuigahama's new home.

"Hikigaya-kun, why don't you come in for a bit?"

"Uh..."

"Come on~"

Seeing his hesitation, she gently wrapped an arm around his.

How could she possibly let such a great opportunity slip by?

"Mom will get you something to eat as thanks for your help!"

Faced with her enthusiasm, Hikigaya had no choice but to agree.

Seeing his nod, Mrs. Yuigahama's eyes curved into happy crescent moons.

She opened the door and stepped inside.

At the entryway, she called into the house:

"Yui, Mom's home! Oh, and we have a guest—"

"Ah?! M-Mom, I just started taking a bath!"

From the bathroom came a flustered, panicked voice.

"..."

Upon hearing that, Mrs. Yuigahama's lips twitched slightly.

"Mom, who is it?" Yui asked.

"It's Hikigaya-kun."

"Eh?! H-Hachiman?! Uh, should I... come out?"

At first, Yui had sounded curious.

But the moment she heard who it was, her voice became a flurry of nervous stammers. She even considered coming out of the bath.

"What do you mean, come out? I'm just passing through. I'll be leaving soon."

Hikigaya, naturally, had no desire to see Yui fresh out of the bath, so he quickly shut that idea down.

"Ugh, fine..." Yui sighed, sounding disappointed.

"Sigh..."

Mrs. Yuigahama, on the other hand, was feeling exasperated.

She had set up such a perfect opportunity!

And yet, her daughter was bathing at such a crucial moment.

Hopeless.

Completely hopeless.

"Hikigaya-kun, Mom will get you some cake. Wait just a moment, okay?"

"Alright."

As he nodded, another thought came to mind, and he hesitated for a moment before asking:

"Um, Mrs. Yuigahama, do you have another bathroom? I, uh, kind of need to go..."

"Hm? Oh, a bathroom? There's another one upstairs."

Glancing at the one Yui was using, she added:

"Mom will show you the way."

"Sorry for the trouble."

"No need to be so formal with Mom~"

She led him upstairs.

Hikigaya let out a subtle sigh of relief.

Honestly—

He had wanted to go to the bathroom back when he was jogging earlier.

But with all the distractions, he kept delaying it.

Under normal circumstances, he could've held it in longer.

But after drinking an entire MAX Coffee—

And getting caught up with Mrs. Yuigahama—

He just couldn't take it anymore.

So he had thickened his skin and asked to use the restroom.

When they reached the upstairs bathroom, he thanked her again before hurrying inside.

"That desperate, huh?"

Mrs. Yuigahama blinked, catching a whiff of his lingering scent in the air.

She felt dazed for a brief moment.

Just as she was about to turn and head back downstairs—

A loud, intense noise suddenly erupted from the bathroom.

"!!!"

Mrs. Yuigahama's body stiffened.

On instinct, she clamped a hand over her mouth.

That exaggerated sound...

A faint blush spread across her mature, elegant face.

With her hand still covering her lips, she swallowed hard.

It sounds... so good.

If she could be Hikigaya-kun's woman... hiss!

She didn't even dare imagine it!

Her body tensed instinctively.

Little by little, her heart rate accelerated as she recalled the temptations her best friend, Sayuri, had planted in her mind.

Gulp.

She swallowed.

She wanted—

"Mom, sorry! I forgot my underwear!"

"???"

Her entire body jolted.

Hearing her daughter's voice from downstairs, Mrs. Yuigahama snapped back to reality.

Wait!

What the hell was she thinking?!

Get a grip, woman!

Hikigaya-kun was Yui's crush.

Her daughter's romantic interest!

No.

No, no, no.

She couldn't afford such... improper thoughts.

With a complicated sigh, she forced herself to calm down.

But truth be told—

Sayuri was right.

Being a woman at her age, without a man in her life, was... hard.

Heading downstairs, she grabbed a pair of bear-print panties for Yui.

Seriously?

Her daughter thought underwear like this would attract a man?

Sigh.

Mrs. Yuigahama felt an oncoming headache.

Her daughter... was truly hopeless.

Hikigaya-kun was such an outstanding boy.

If he really ended up with her silly daughter—

Sigh.

What a waste.

A few minutes later—

After using the bathroom and finishing his cake, Hikigaya grabbed a few extra slices to go and quickly left.

Mrs. Yuigahama could only watch him leave, reluctant to see him go.

---

Late at night.

Normally, people would be deep in sleep.

Yet—

In the darkness of her bedroom, Mrs. Yuigahama lay tossing and turning, legs pressed tightly together.

"This is bad... My head is just full of Hikigaya-kun... What should I do...?"

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