Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

After a day at school, Yukinoshita Yukino felt uneasy.

It wasn't because of Hikigaya Hachiman's ambiguous relationship with Kasumigaoka Utaha.

In fact, she had long decided to turn a blind eye to their interactions. Whatever happened, happened.

What truly worried her now was the main target of the quest: Katou.

That afternoon in the library, while secretly observing her boyfriend, Yukinoshita had a rather chilling encounter.

Out of nowhere, Katou had appeared behind her like a ghost. The two exchanged a few words for the first time.

During their brief conversation, Katou's calm demeanor sent shivers down Yukinoshita's spine.

Yukinoshita couldn't shake the feeling that Katou had overheard her mentioning the words "husband-care task". Yet, Katou made no effort to expose her.

Thinking back to previous chance encounters, Yukinoshita realized something terrifying—

She had been observing Katou...

But Katou had also been watching her!

Yukinoshita broke out into a cold sweat.

Katou was truly terrifying.

How could such a monstrous presence be hiding in Sobu High?!

Ugh! This is too much!

She slumped, groaning inwardly.

Why did I have to offer my boyfriend up to this beast?

This situation was unbearable.

If only she'd chosen her older sister, Haruno, back then...

Instead of Katou...

But wait!

Haruno would have been just as terrifying!

"Ugh, so frustrating!" Yukinoshita muttered under her breath.

"Anyway, I'll walk you here," Hachiman's voice suddenly broke her train of thought.

Before she realized it, the two of them had arrived at the train station entrance.

"Okay," Yukinoshita replied, flashing her boyfriend a gentle smile.

[Hikigaya Hachiman's affection for Kasumigaoka Utaha: 66/100 (Secret Affair)]

[Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level: 15/100]

After a series of tug-of-war moments throughout the day, Hachiman's affection for Kasumigaoka had increased again.

Ugh... how exhausting.

Thankfully, she had managed to slightly lower his corruption level earlier through a painstaking five-minute effort. She'd simply have to keep working at it.

---

After bidding Yukinoshita farewell, Hachiman began his walk home, unconsciously touching his lips.

Just a few minutes earlier, Yukinoshita had suggested they kiss secretly in a secluded spot.

Shockingly, their kiss had lasted a full five minutes.

Hachiman, utterly stunned, had been overjoyed by her initiative.

His usually composed girlfriend had become quite the adorable little glutton for affection.

But…

As much as he liked it…

His thoughts drifted back to the afternoon.

Specifically, to Kasumigaoka Utaha.

He couldn't help but compare.

Yukinoshita's lips were soft and sweet, but Kasumigaoka's…

Kasumigaoka's lips had a silky smoothness, like sinking into quicksand—inescapable no matter how hard he struggled.

"Dammit, Hachiman! What the hell are you thinking?!"

"Sure, Yukinoshita's figure doesn't compare to Kasumigaoka's. Her kisses don't either. Heck, even in other ways, she's—"

"But so what?! The person I love is Yukinoshita! Hachiman only loves her!"

He yelled into the night, only to frantically look around.

Thankfully, no one was nearby. He sighed in relief.

Whew… Close call. That almost became another black mark on my record.

Still, he couldn't keep avoiding Kasumigaoka forever.

If he didn't act soon, she'd completely devour him!

Letting go of some things was fine.

But when it came to protecting Yukinoshita, he refused to back down.

---

Ten minutes later, after coming up with absolutely no solutions, Hachiman returned home.

His sister, Komachi, greeted him with her usual cheerfulness, chirping "Onii-chan~~!"

Her cuteness was an instant balm for his troubled heart.

After dinner, Hachiman got ready to go out again.

"Onii-chan, are you going to see Yui-nee?" Komachi teased, pretending to wipe away imaginary tears.

"Finally, my brother understands the ways of love! I'm so proud! Go, hurry, and take care of Yui-nee and her mom!"

"???"

Hachiman nearly tripped over himself.

"I'm just going for a walk," he replied coolly, slipping on his shoes and ignoring her dramatics.

Stepping out, he muttered, "Why would I ever betray Yukinoshita? And besides, who in their right mind would visit a widow and her daughter at night?"

He headed toward the nearby park.

---

The park was quiet as usual.

Besides a few couples and the occasional elderly jogger, it was practically deserted—perfect for a socially awkward guy like Hachiman.

If he jogged anywhere crowded, it'd be mortifying.

And running into someone he knew? Forget it.

The fewer people, the better.

After a few minutes, he arrived and began jogging.

---

Half an hour later, utterly drained, Hachiman came to a halt in a far corner of the park.

"Alright, that's enough for today," he panted.

Not because I'm tired! It's just… I miss my adorable sister, Komachi.

Just as he was about to head back, he heard something—faint voices arguing in the distance.

Curious, he edged closer.

Peeking from behind a tree, he spotted three gyaru-like girls surrounding another girl, cornering her against a tree. Judging by their uniforms, they weren't from Sobu High.

"You? Be Hayama's girlfriend? Don't make me laugh!"

"Break up with him. Stay away, or else…"

"Did you hear me? Break up! Hayama doesn't belong to someone like you!"

The leader, a brunette, ordered her lackeys with a cold sneer.

"Slap her."

"Yes, Nogami," the lackeys responded with malicious glee, advancing menacingly.

The air was thick with hostility.

Clearly, things were about to escalate.

"Hayama? Girlfriend?" Hachiman's brow furrowed.

"Wait… that girl. Could it be—?"

He considered calling the police but realized it'd take too long. By the time they arrived, the girl would likely be beaten to a pulp.

With a sigh of resignation, Hachiman stepped out from behind the tree and approached the gyaru trio.

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