Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Morning, the Next Day.

"What a coincidence, running into you here, Hachiman-kun."

"Yeah, it really is."

At a traffic light, Hachiman unexpectedly encountered Mrs. Yuigahama.

Today, she was wearing a beige kimono.

Even in a kimono, her mature and alluring figure was perfectly outlined. Paired with the gentle elegance of a Yamato Nadeshiko, her mature wife aura was on full display.

After exchanging greetings, Mrs. Yuigahama lightly pressed her dry lips together, about to continue their conversation—

But just then, the light turned green.

Left with no choice, she and Hachiman quickly stepped onto the crosswalk.

As they walked, Mrs. Yuigahama felt restless, an unfamiliar tightness in her chest.

Compared to yesterday, today's Hachiman… still smelled just as good!

Ughhh!

How could someone have such an intense masculine scent?!

Before she knew it, memories of last night's shameful thoughts resurfaced. The fact that she, a grown woman, had… because of a mere boy…

A faint, inexplicable flush crept onto her mature yet beautiful face.

"Mrs. Yuigahama, wait! Wait—"

Just as she was lost in yesterday's fantasies, Hachiman's urgent voice suddenly snapped her back to reality.

The next second—

When she turned her head, she saw a speeding truck barreling towards her from the left, blatantly ignoring traffic laws.

Her face froze in shock, her heart nearly stopping.

But before she could react—

Hachiman's swift reflexes kicked in. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back, yanking her into his embrace.

In that instant—

She narrowly escaped death.

Nestled in his arms, the beautiful Mrs. Yuigahama found herself momentarily dazed, her thoughts jumbled.

"Hachiman-kun, I…"

Before she could finish her sentence, Hachiman had already lifted her up in his arms and swiftly carried her off the crosswalk.

The light had turned red again—he needed to get her off the road, fast.

---

Meanwhile, at Sobu High's School Gate.

"Good morning, Kawasaki."

"G-Good morning, Yukinoshita."

Yukino and Kawasaki unexpectedly crossed paths.

Kawasaki avoided eye contact, looking a little flustered.

Yukino, on the other hand, greeted her with a gentle, knowing smile.

The truth was—

This wasn't some random coincidence.

Yukino had arrived at the school gate early on purpose, carefully orchestrating their "accidental" meeting.

As they walked towards the school building together, Yukino asked with concern,

"You didn't sleep well, did you? You look a little pale."

"Uh… yeah."

Kawasaki still wouldn't meet her eyes, a hint of embarrassment showing on her face.

Last night, she had dreamed about Hachiman again.

And just like in her previous dreams—

The two of them had shamelessly done that in Yukino's bridal chamber.

What's worse, in this dream, she had even noticed that her belly was slightly rounded—meaning she was pregnant with Hachiman's child!

Naturally—

That had scared her awake.

And just like before, she had once again woken up her little sister, Keika, only to be nagged about finally making a move on Hachiman already.

Sigh.

So exhausting.

How could she possibly steal her best friend's husband?!

"Kawasaki, I'm sorry. You're only this exhausted because of my Hachiman-kun, aren't you?"

Just then, Yukino suddenly grabbed Kawasaki's right hand and, almost instinctively, glanced at the lunch bag she was holding.

"Huh?!"

Kawasaki panicked.

"N-No! I didn't—I haven't—"

"You made a bento for my Hachiman-kun again, didn't you?"

Kawasaki had nearly blurted out the truth, but Yukino cut her off, speaking in a soft, affectionate tone.

"Staying up late to cook for that idiot… No wonder you look so drained. I'm sure it took a lot out of you."

"Uh…"

Kawasaki, who had been flustered just moments ago, suddenly let out a breath of relief.

"It's just a bento. I told you yesterday—I've been practicing my cooking lately, so, well…"

"I actually wanted to say this yesterday, Kawasaki—you've been working at a restaurant for so long, your cooking must already be amazing. Could you teach me a thing or two sometime?" Yukino blinked innocently as she asked.

"Eh? You want me to teach you?"

Kawasaki forced a wry smile.

"There's no way my cooking is better than yours."

"Don't underestimate yourself like that…"

They continued chatting naturally.

A few minutes later—

As they walked along the hallway, Yukino, still curious, finally managed to get Kawasaki to show her the bento.

"Chicken soup?"

Inspecting the beautifully arranged meal and the thermos container, Yukino gasped in surprise.

"There's even wagyu beef?! Kawasaki, this is—no, I have to pay you for this!"

"No, no, it's fine—we're friends."

"But even if we're friends, I can't just take this for free! These ingredients alone must've cost a fortune!" Yukino protested, looking genuinely distressed.

"It's really fine, I can afford it."

Quickly packing up the bento again, Kawasaki waved her off.

"But…"

Yukino frowned.

She knew all too well about Kawasaki's financial situation.

Because her family wasn't well off, she had taken up a job to save for university.

And now, she was making such an extravagant meal—for her Hachiman.

"D-Don't worry about all that."

Kawasaki coughed awkwardly, then lowered her voice to whisper,

"Anyway, just leave the rest to me. I'll make sure to properly nourish your Hachiman with this meal. Next time you two go on a date, I guarantee you'll be satisfied with his performance."

"Uhh~"

Yukino's face instantly turned bright red.

"Kawasaki, don't say stuff like that."

Kawasaki's eyes gleamed mischievously.

"You're looking forward to it, aren't you?"

"I-I am not!"

By now, their friendship had grown close enough that they occasionally chatted about… well, those kinds of topics.

Just yesterday, Kawasaki had even given Yukino a heads-up that she'd be helping to supplement Hachiman's energy.

"Kawasaki, you're too good to me… I almost feel guilty."

Just before parting, Yukino sighed softly.

"We're best… best friends, aren't we?"

Kawasaki turned away slightly, speaking hesitantly.

"And since Hachiman is your boyfriend, and I'm in the same class as him, w-well… of course I'd—would want to help you take care of him…"

"Kawasaki!"

Smiling, Yukino suddenly pulled her into a warm embrace, whispering near her ear,

"Thank you. We'll always be best friends… best sisters."

"…Mm."

Blushing, Kawasaki hugged her back.

But deep down—

I'm sorry, Kawasaki.

You're so good to me…

And yet…

And yet I want you to get even closer to my beloved!

Ughhh, I hope at lunch, you can properly take care of him.

And maybe…

Maybe you'll both fall into indulgence, unable to pull yourselves away.

As they went their separate ways, Yukino took a deep breath, glancing down at her own body.

"Sigh… Kawasaki's figure really is amazing… Such volume… Hachiman-kun, you better not get too addicted to her."

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