Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Miura couldn't believe it.

So, Hikigaya has been watching me?

Does this guy actually have feelings for me?

No way! That's impossible!

For one thing, he already has a girlfriend.

And besides, does a deadbeat like him even have the guts?

Miura shook her head, refusing to believe it.

But still, her thoughts were a mess.

This feeling of being noticed, being cared for by a guy—she had never experienced it before.

At that moment, Hikigaya spoke up again:

"Anyway, I'll go jogging on my own after this. Miura-san, you should focus on preparing for your competition. Don't let me distract you."

"..."

Miura stayed silent.

He had a point.

If she kept her thoughts on him, it would definitely affect her performance in the upcoming competitions.

But... letting go just like that felt...

A little upsetting.

Sigh.

For Yui's sake...

For the sake of bringing the two of them closer together...

I can't cut ties with him just yet!

Yes, that's right!

Training Hikigaya is all for Yui's benefit.

After convincing herself, Miura lifted her head and gave Hikigaya a calm, determined look.

"Are you looking down on me?"

"Huh?"

"Hmph! Giving you a little guidance barely takes any of my time."

"But..."

"No buts!"

Miura's voice turned forceful.

"If I don't drag a lazy, good-for-nothing like you along for jogging, you're bound to slack off! Hmph, jogging requires consistency, and slacking off is the worst! From now on, every night, I'll personally train your stamina to make sure you stay disciplined!"

Miura, you're way too kind.

Sigh.

Hikigaya heaved a sigh of resignation.

"But... don't you have other priorities besides the competition?"

"What do you mean?"

"College."

Hikigaya took a deep breath.

"What about college?"

"Well," Hikigaya began, "if you waste precious time on someone like me, what if you fail to get into your dream school? With sports universities scouting at Sobu High soon, there'll only be a few spots available. If you prepare properly, you'll have a good shot at getting in early."

"..."

"Honestly, Miura-san, with how hard you work, I want you to get into the school you want." Hikigaya's voice was earnest.

"So, don't waste your valuable time on me. Just focus on your competition and college prep."

"..."

Miura remained silent, her head lowered, making it impossible for Hikigaya to read her expression.

The awkward atmosphere made him squirm.

"Miura-san..."

Just as Hikigaya opened his mouth to break the silence, Miura spoke up.

"You really are a terrible person."

"Eh?"

"Snooping around and secretly observing girls—what kind of man does that? Gathering every little detail about them like a creep."

"Uh..."

"Hmph!"

Miura abruptly lifted her face, her eyes glistening as she stared at Hikigaya.

"I'll tell you this right now! I don't go back on my decisions! And since you dared to dig into my life so thoroughly, tomorrow I'm going to double your training!"

"But..." Hikigaya stammered, hesitant.

"Hmph! If I can't even whip a lazy fish like you into shape, what's the point of winning competitions or getting into my dream school? Real strength is about facing challenges without fear! Training you isn't even a challenge for me!"

Miura's tone left no room for argument.

"Whatever happens, we're continuing tomorrow!"

"Ugh..."

"No excuses!"

Miura stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

The space between the two shrank until their breaths mingled.

She smelled so nice.

And her... assets were...

A lot.

Hikigaya's heart betrayed him, pounding louder than he'd like.

This wasn't like the embarrassment from their accidental kiss.

No, this blush on Miura's face was different—gentle, pure, almost bashful.

It reminded him of something.

When he confessed to Yukinoshita on the pedestrian bridge, she had looked exactly like this.

"Hikigaya..." Miura's flushed cheeks and trembling lips made her seem uncharacteristically vulnerable. Her hands fidgeted, as if itching to reach out for him.

But before anything else could happen, a voice shattered the moment.

"What a coincidence, you two."

"!!"

Both Hikigaya and Miura jumped apart, quickly turning toward the source of the voice.

A figure emerged from the dimly lit street.

"...Kawasaki?" Miura's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"What are you doing here?"

Kawasaki shot her a glance before responding coolly, "I should be asking you. Why are you out here with Hikigaya this late at night?"

"Hmph!" Miura folded her arms, huffing.

"What I do with him is none of your business. And were you following us?"

"Following you?" Kawasaki's tone was calm.

"I was just passing by."

"Passing by, huh?" Miura sneered.

"Either way, stay out of my business with Hikigaya!"

Kawasaki remained unfazed.

"As Yukinoshita's friend, it's only natural for me to step in if her boyfriend is with another girl."

"Hah? And if I say no?"

Kawasaki didn't answer. Instead, she stepped closer, grabbed Hikigaya's arm, and yanked him toward her, ignoring Miura's stunned expression.

"Stay away from women like her."

"Excuse me?!" Miura's voice rose in fury.

"What do you mean 'women like her'?"

"Exactly what I said, kitsune-onna!"

"You—! Who are you calling a fox spirit?! You delinquent!"

"Who are you calling a delinquent?!"

The tension between the two girls escalated rapidly.

Caught between them, Hikigaya felt his headache worsen.

Now that he thought about it, Miura and Kawasaki had never gotten along—not even back in their second year.

Meanwhile, somewhere else...

Yukinoshita had been monitoring the situation. Her senses alerted her to the sudden physical tug-of-war involving Hikigaya.

Pulling my boyfriend's arm back and forth?

Wait...

Are those two... fighting over my Hikigaya-kun?

Lying on her bed with a book in hand, Yukinoshita's eyes gleamed mischievously.

Not only did she not feel upset, but she even felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

Geez... one at a time, ladies. Why the rush?

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