Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

The day with Yukinoshita finally came to an end.

Hachiman returned home.

He was utterly exhausted.

Sighing, he lamented his misfortune.

Despite a week of mental preparation and determination to take the upper hand against Yukinoshita, the final hour had left him utterly defeated.

No, this couldn't go on.

It was embarrassing. He needed to push himself harder. Much harder.

"I have to start running more… build up my stamina..."

Hachiman rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

Should I buy a treadmill?

No way. That thing's too expensive, and there's no way Dad and Mom would agree.

And besides, if his parents ever found out their lazy son suddenly took up exercising, they'd definitely suspect something was up. The teasing would be unbearable.

Especially from Komachi. His sister's sharp tongue would pounce at the first sign of anything unusual.

In short: if Hachiman was going to start running, it would have to be done in secret.

Early morning runs?

He quickly dismissed the thought.

Hachiman and waking up at 5 AM? Impossible.

"Guess I'll go for night runs instead," he concluded. Darkness provided both cover and fewer chances of awkward encounters with people he knew.

The more he thought about it, the more the idea of night runs seemed perfect.

But not tonight. Tonight, he was too tired.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow he'd start.

Yukinoshita, just you wait!

He grinned mischievously, an evil glint flashing across his tired eyes.

---

After dinner, Hachiman continued his training regimen. Ten sets of push-ups. Ten sets of squats. Alternating between the two.

But then, from the bathroom came a sudden cry.

"Big brother! Help, I forgot my panties! Can you grab them? They're on my bed!"

"???"

Hachiman nearly slipped mid-squat.

"What did you just say?"

His sister's words rang out like a forbidden dream.

No. Stop. As much as he loved Komachi, this was taking brocon tendencies way too far.

"Komachi, can't you just put on the ones you took off and change later when you're back in your room?"

"Huh? Ew, that's gross, big brother."

"...It's just a temporary emergency solution!"

"No way! That's way too nasty. Stop being weird and just go grab them!"

"Fine, fine..."

Hachiman sighed in defeat. He ended his workout and trudged reluctantly toward Komachi's room.

The panties were... cute.

Hachiman coughed awkwardly as he picked them up and headed toward the bathroom.

"They're here," he called out.

"The door's open, just bring them in."

"Alright..."

Pushing the door open, Hachiman was greeted by a humid cloud of steam.

Inside the shower stall, a delicate silhouette was barely visible through the frosted glass.

"Where should I put them?"

"No need. I'm done already—just hand them over."

"Wha—?"

Before Hachiman could react, the bathroom door opened, and Komachi stepped out.

"Komachi! You—"

"Relax, I'm wearing a towel, idiot."

She rolled her eyes at him.

Hachiman froze, cheeks flushing red.

Komachi smirked. "What's the matter? Did my adorableness leave you speechless, onii-chan?"

Ignoring her teasing, Hachiman handed over the panties.

"You're an adult now. How do you still manage to forget something this basic?"

"Yeah, yeah. But still, weren't your eyes sneaking glances at your cute little sister?"

"Hmph. What's wrong with appreciating the beauty of the 'Universe's Cutest Little Sister'?"

Komachi blinked, momentarily stunned by her brother's bold declaration.

Her face turned slightly pink.

Caught off guard, she slipped.

"Watch out!"

Hachiman reacted instantly, catching her mid-fall.

For a moment, the siblings were locked in an awkward embrace.

Komachi's heart raced uncontrollably as she looked up at him.

Quickly, she pushed herself away.

"Okay, fine. I'll admit it—you looked kind of cool just now. A solid high score from me!"

"...Sure," Hachiman muttered, averting his gaze and walking out.

Once he left the bathroom, Hachiman let out a long sigh.

Something was strange.

Komachi didn't used to blush so easily from a little hug.

Lately... Komachi's been acting weird.

---

Late at night.

Kasumigaoka Utaha lay on her bed, seemingly asleep.

Sweat glistened on her forehead.

Her breath came in heavy, uneven gasps.

Murmuring softly, she whispered repeatedly:

"Air-kun, I love you... I love you... I love you so much..."

Suddenly, her eyes shot open. Her arms stretched out as if trying to grasp something—or someone.

But there was nothing.

Her heart sank.

The boy she had been dreaming of wasn't there.

"Ugh, this is getting ridiculous..." she muttered.

Her mind replayed flashes of last night's events, her cheeks heating up again.

"Air-kun, how could I ever forget you?"

Clutching the pillow beside her, she hugged it tightly, pretending it was Hachiman.

The pillow bent and crumpled against her body.

"Sigh... but he's Yukinoshita's boyfriend. Everything that happened last night was just an accident. A complete misunderstanding..."

Utaha exhaled deeply.

Sleeping with her friend's boyfriend had left her feeling... conflicted.

She thought back to how much trust Yukinoshita had placed in her.

"I'm not worried at all with Hachiman in your care, Senpai!"

"Senpai, please take good care of him for me!"

The guilt gnawed at her.

"This is so messed up..." she groaned, massaging her temples.

Picking up her phone, Utaha lay back under the covers.

The bright screen pierced the darkness of her room.

As she scrolled and tapped away, the corners of her lips twitched.

Moments later, the faint sounds from the phone filled the silence.

Utaha's blush deepened.

She kept watching, her breathing growing more erratic.

Finally, she sat up, her body trembling.

"...There's no turning back now," she whispered, licking her lips.

"Sorry, Yukinoshita... but I need to taste Air-kun again."

"An hour, two hours, even more..."

A sinister grin crept across her face.

Gripping her phone tightly, her thoughts spiraled out of control.

"I can't wait to see you at school tomorrow, dear Air-kun..."

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