Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Hachiman and Miura arrived at Yui's house.

"Ah, Hikki, Yumiko, you're both too kind. Coming to check on Yui is enough, but you even brought fruit!"

Yui's mother warmly welcomed the two inside.

"Mrs. Yuigahama, I'm sorry," Miura said, taking a deep breath and apologizing as she set the fruit aside. "If I hadn't pushed Yui to go jogging yesterday, she wouldn't have gotten sick."

"It's fine, really. If anything, it's Yui's fault for always keeping important things to herself. It's so worrying for her mother..."

As she spoke, Yui's mom cast a knowing glance at Hachiman.

Hachiman quickly averted his eyes.

Miura nodded earnestly. "Don't worry, Auntie. I'll look after Yui from now on and try to help her change this habit."

She elbowed Hachiman sharply.

Hey, hey, what does this have to do with me?!

Hachiman sighed internally but nodded along reluctantly.

Mrs. Yuigahama smiled kindly. "Thank you both, Hikki, Yumiko. It's Yui's good fortune to have friends like you."

"You're too kind," Miura replied quickly.

Mrs. Yuigahama continued, "Yui's upstairs in her room resting. I need to head out to buy some groceries, so I'll leave her in your care for now."

"Of course," Miura replied, nodding firmly.

"Oh, and stay for dinner, okay? I'll cook something delicious for you."

"Oh, no need, Auntie. We'll just check on Yui and head back. We don't want to impose," Miura said, waving her hands.

"Don't be shy, dear."

Despite Miura's protests, Mrs. Yuigahama's enthusiasm left her visibly flustered.

Once she left, Miura exhaled deeply. "Let's head upstairs and check on Yui."

"Alright," Hachiman replied.

As they climbed the stairs, Miura couldn't help but say, "Hachiman, spend some extra time with Yui, okay? She really needs you right now."

Hachiman stumbled, nearly tripping over the stairs. "I'll... do my best."

Seeing his half-hearted response, Miura fell silent.

If one looked closely, her clenched fists hinted at barely restrained frustration.

When they reached Yui's bedroom door, Miura knocked gently.

"Yui, it's me and Hachiman. Can we come in?"

"Eh? Yumiko? A-a-a-and Hikki?!"

Yui's flustered voice came from inside.

"Uh, y-you can come in."

Miura opened the door, and the two stepped inside.

They saw Yui propped up in bed wearing her pajamas.

Miura immediately walked over and scolded, "Don't push yourself! If you're not feeling well, just lie down and rest."

"I'm fine. I'm almost fully recovered," Yui replied with a gentle smile.

Despite her words, Miura frowned, her heart aching at the sight of her friend.

"Hey, Hachiman!" Miura suddenly called out, turning to him with a commanding tone. "Come here and wipe Yui's sweat. She smells like she's been sweating a lot."

"Huh?!" Hachiman froze.

"Why do I have to do that?!"

"Because Yui wants you to!"

"No, no, no!" Yui blushed furiously and waved her hands. "Yumiko, don't make Hikki do that!"

"Hikki already has a girlfriend; he can't just touch other girls like that..."

"This kind of thing can wait until my mom comes home, or Yumiko, you can do it. Hikki's a guy, so it's better if he doesn't..."

As Yui stammered, her voice grew quieter, trying to change the subject. "Besides, I really just need to use the bathroom first. We can talk about cleaning up later..."

"..."

Miura fell silent, realizing she had been too forceful.

Sigh.

She couldn't help it—seeing her friend's hesitation made her anxious!

Grinding her teeth slightly, Miura shot a sharp glare at Hachiman.

Hachiman sighed internally. Miura, my girlfriend is Yukinoshita. Please stop trying to match me with Yui!

"Fine, then. Let's help her to the bathroom first. Hachiman, come over here and give me a hand."

"Uh... what?" Hachiman blinked.

"Hikki too? That's really not necessary..." Yui protested, her face flushed.

"Yui, stop talking!"

"Uh..."

"Hachiman, hurry up!" Miura barked.

"Okay, okay."

Hachiman didn't mind helping with something like this.

Together, they helped Yui out of bed, supporting her on either side.

Yui chuckled awkwardly. "I'm not crippled, you know. You don't need to treat me like a patient in a hospital."

Miura ignored her and turned to Hachiman.

"Hachiman, hold her tighter! Your hand should be higher!"

Hey, hey, are you trying to make me touch Yui's...?!

"I'll try..."

"Don't just try—do it properly! Like this!"

Miura grabbed Hachiman's hand and pulled it tighter around Yui.

"Y-Yumiko!!!" Yui yelped, her face as red as a tomato.

Several minutes later, they managed to get Yui to the bathroom.

While waiting outside, Miura suddenly asked, "How was it?"

"Huh? What?" Hachiman blinked, confused.

Miura smirked. "Don't play dumb. You felt it, didn't you? How was it?"

"..."

"Better than Yukinoshita's flat board, right?"

"???"

Cough, cough!

What kind of conversation is this, Miura?!

Even if you're trying to matchmake me with Yui, can't you at least be subtle about it?!

This is way too direct, don't you think?!

Honestly, in some twisted way, Hachiman found himself admiring Miura's boldness.

When Hachiman didn't respond, Miura added, "I'm telling you, if Yui becomes your wife someday, you'll be in heaven!"

"..."

Hachiman twitched but knew he had to take back some control.

He smirked slightly.

"Well, that's not necessarily true. Compared to Yui's soft figure, I think a sporty and fit girl like you would probably be more appealing to most guys."

"...???"

"And whoever marries you in the future will definitely be one happy man."

"Y-you—!"

Miura's face turned beet red.

"What are you saying?!"

"I'm serious."

"!!!"

Seeing Hachiman's sincere expression, Miura froze mid-retort.

For some reason, her heart betrayed her with an unexpected flutter.

Images of a certain dream from the previous night—a dream where they'd been entangled—flashed in her mind.

What a cunning guy!

Calm down, calm down!

She mentally shook herself. She was here to help Yui, not to fall for this man!

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