Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

After leaving Kasumigaoka's house, Hachiman and Yukinoshita headed to the zoo.

Yukinoshita looked at a penguin waddling awkwardly behind the glass and chuckled. "Hehe, clumsy and slow. That penguin really resembles you, Hikigaya-kun."

"…Huh?" Hachiman sighed in exasperation. "And that tiger we just saw really looked like you."

"Oh? Are you saying I'm cute, Hikigaya-kun?"

"There's nothing cute about a tiger! It's fierce, always bullying weaker animals!"

"Hmm? Are you suggesting tigers aren't cute?" Yukinoshita asked, her eyes narrowing as a teasing smile crept onto her face.

"Uhh…"

Right. He'd momentarily forgotten—this beautiful girl in front of him was a die-hard cat enthusiast. Tigers, of course, were part of the feline family.

"Sigh… Tigers are very cute," Hachiman finally conceded, swallowing his pride and declaring the ferocious animal adorable—a statement that went against every fiber of his being.

Yukinoshita's smile softened as she noticed her boyfriend's surrender. She returned her gaze to the penguin exhibit, watching the clumsy penguin approach a haughty female, rubbing against her affectionately in a shameless display of intimacy.

A thought sparked in her mind.

"Hey, Hikigaya-kun, how about coming to my house this afternoon?"

Hachiman froze, his expression stiffening. "Going to your house…? Let's not."

Yukinoshita grinned slyly. "Oh? So Hikigaya-kun wants something more exciting? Not my house—are you suggesting we go to a love hotel instead?"

"What?! I never said that!" Hachiman blurted, his face flushing crimson. "I have zero interest in going to a love hotel!"

"Oh my, your face is so red, little fishy~."

"...What?! No, it's not!"

"Hehe~ If little fishy is scared, that's fine. I understand. Seeing you so pitiful, I even feel a bit sorry for you."

"Stop with the fake pity!"

Hachiman gritted his teeth, exasperated by his girlfriend's mocking tone.

"Well, since you're so adamant, then… let's go! Who's scared of who? Don't cry about it later!"

"Me cry? Be careful, Hikigaya-kun, or you might end up begging for mercy like before."

"You—!"

Hachiman's eye twitched. He couldn't fathom why Yukinoshita was being so forward today. Was she unsatisfied with just one hour last night?

Regardless, he felt a burning urge to teach his sharp-tongued girlfriend a lesson—right here, right now!

"Ahem~ Hikigaya-kun, I know you're eager, but don't be so hasty. Hugging me so intimately in public… even I'd feel embarrassed…"

"Hmm?"

Hachiman snapped out of his thoughts, only to realize—to his horror—that at some point, his hand had wrapped around Yukinoshita's slender waist.

"Wah! S-Sorry!" Hachiman quickly withdrew his arm.

"It's fine."

Yukinoshita shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. Inside, she was secretly thrilled.

"Hopefully, you'll be just as proactive when we get to the love hotel."

"...Please stop."

Seeing Hachiman's increasingly flustered state, Yukinoshita couldn't help but laugh.

At that moment, she felt truly reassured.

In Hachiman's heart, she was undoubtedly his one and only true love.

Other women? Just side characters.

No matter what, a mere group of side characters would never shake her Hikigaya's resolve!

---

As the two continued their lighthearted banter while exploring the zoo, Yukinoshita suddenly noticed an unexpected sight—Zaimokuza's classmate, Sawamura, was also visiting the zoo.

Not only that, but a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Sawamura was accompanying her—likely her older sister.

Initially, Yukinoshita had planned to monopolize Hachiman for the entire day, creating precious memories together.

But the sight of Sawamura triggered a bold idea in her mind: What if she let Sawamura stick close to Hachiman?

After all, if Hachiman spent the entire day with her, where would the points come from?

Ask Komachi for help again?

No way. Even she wouldn't stoop so low as to force siblings to 'bond' for points.

Thus, to avoid today's point tally hitting zero, Yukinoshita felt it necessary to arrange for Hachiman to interact with another girl—just enough to rack up a few points and secure their future happiness.

"Wait! Just yesterday, Kasumigaoka already… and now I'm planning to match Hachiman with someone else? Ugh… I'm really messed up, aren't I?"

[Host, you've officially become a "Red-Hatted One" now. It's perfectly normal to enjoy finding women for your boyfriend.]

"Huh? Red hat? What's that supposed to mean?"

The system's reply opened yet another door to Yukinoshita's dismay.

[When a boyfriend cheats on his girlfriend with another woman, it's called 'putting on a green hat.']

[When a girlfriend deliberately sets her boyfriend up with another woman, it's called 'putting on a red hat.' Host, you are now a bona fide Red-Hatted One.]

"???"

Bona fide Red-Hatted One?!

How did I become like this? Isn't it all because of your stupid system?!

"Humph, I am not a Red-Hatted One!"

Just because she'd done it once didn't mean she enjoyed it!

And she certainly wasn't eager to do it again!

But…

A moment later, the system chimed in with an update.

[Ding! Due to Sawamura Sayuri's urgency to find a restroom, she accidentally collided with Hikigaya Hachiman, leading to him catching her in his arms. +150 points earned.]

"What the—?!"

Yukinoshita was startled.

What just happened?

Hachiman was supposed to be going to the restroom. How did he end up sticking to a woman instead?!

Sawamura Sayuri?

Sawamura?!

Wait a second—could this Sawamura Sayuri be the elegant woman in the kimono, the one who looked so much like Sawamura from class?

Yukinoshita's mind raced.

Given their similar appearances, they were obviously sisters.

But that wasn't the point.

The point was…

150 points for a single hug?!

Holy—!

Sawamura's older sister had point values that high?

Practically on par with Yui's mom, Yuigahama Auntie!

"Is Sawamura's sister really that incredible?"

To be honest, Yukinoshita had resolved not to let any other woman get close to her boyfriend today. But seeing such a high-quality opportunity presented to her on a silver platter…

Sigh.

She really didn't want to.

But…

She really couldn't resist.

"Well, it's not like we can go the whole day without earning any points, right?"

"Besides, just because we scored big yesterday doesn't mean we should slack off. I need a million points to save Hachiman!"

Thus, Yukinoshita convinced herself.

There was no way she'd let this chance slip by!

---

One minute later.

[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman received a kiss from Sawamura Sayuri. Points +150.]

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