Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

"Youth is a lie, it's evil. What so-called youth really is, is just a false life for the so-called 'popular kids,' built on mutual deception and the medium through which they maintain interpersonal relationships."

"On the contrary, to not praise youth, to not succumb to this deceitful, false compromise, is where true justice lies."

"Like a sturdy lighthouse, steadfastly standing in the midst of a stormy sea..."

"I, Hikigaya Hachiman, silently adhere to my principles, always remaining a professional lone wolf."

"Until the first semester of my second year, when I was dragged by the sympathy-driven Hiratsuka-sensei into some mysterious club, where I met its only member at the time, the flower of Soubu High..."

"Yukinoshita Yukino."

"This super... well, I'll reluctantly call her a beautiful girl, took it upon herself to pull me out of my lone-wolf existence and made me, the one who hates youth, sing its praises."

"Her personality is terrible! She's clearly a little demon king!"

"I, Hikigaya Hachiman, hate Yukinoshita the most."

"How is it possible that some warrior would fall for a girl like her? Unless that warrior is some sort of masochist."

Hikigaya grumbled to the reflection of a boy who looked just like him in the mirror.

"Hikigaya-kun, how long are you going to stay in the bathroom? Seriously, can't even handle a trip to the toilet without being incompetent, are you dizzy?"

"Huh? No... no, I'm coming out now."

Hikigaya quickly straightened himself and adjusted his disheveled clothes before bidding his reflection farewell and leaving the bathroom.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw a girl wrapped in a blanket, lazily lying on the bed. Her face was slightly flushed, her legs slightly apart, and the skin on either side of her legs was subtly exposed.

Looking up, a beam of sunset filtered through the hotel window, shining on the girl's face. Her serene smile made Hikigaya lose himself for a few seconds.

"Are you staying tonight?"

"No... I'm not."

Hikigaya shook his head, sneaking a few glances at Yukinoshita on the bed. He quickly looked away but soon peered again.

Has this bad woman used some charm spell on me?

"Tomorrow is the start of the third year. I don't want to mess up the last opening ceremony of high school."

"Fufu~"

Yukinoshita smiled lightly, a hint of mischievousness in her eyes.

"Next time, don't chicken out, okay, Zatsugyo-kun~?"

When Yukinoshita smiled, two shallow dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth, a bonus for her status as the 'flower of Soubu High.'

However, to Hikigaya, that smile felt more like the devil mocking him.

"I don't accept running away from a fight."

Hikigaya's face flushed, but his expression was dead serious.

"As a gentleman, one must always show a certain decorum when facing a lady. So, Yukinoshita, don't open the champagne too early. Don't think you've won just because you got a point."

"You're right."

Yukinoshita's smile grew more confident.

"However, you've never won against me. Try winning one point first, then talk."

"..."

Hikigaya was immediately speechless, letting out a frustrated sigh.

That's what I thought!

Yukinoshita is such a horrible person!

Any boy who likes her must be a masochist!

"Sigh, I'm leaving. See you at school tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

Yukinoshita smiled as she watched Hikigaya leave.

Once Hikigaya had fully exited the room, the previously cheerful atmosphere instantly vanished, replaced by an eerie silence.

Yukinoshita's smile faded gradually, and her expression became blank.

If Hikigaya had seen her then, he would have been startled.

At this moment, Yukinoshita's face looked even more solemn than when she faced her older sister, or even her mother.

After several minutes of silence, as though in deep thought, Yukinoshita took a deep breath and spoke.

"Matchmaker system, what is it?"

Yukinoshita wasn't like Hikigaya, suddenly caught up in a phase of juvenile fantasy, shouting at empty air. She was conversing with a special presence in her mind.

It was commonly known as a system.

Honestly, Yukinoshita had never believed in the sudden appearance of this system in her mind.

However, after taking a strengthening potion provided by the system and, using her fragile body, making Hikigaya beg for mercy, Yukinoshita eventually decided to give this unscientific thing a try.

A voice soon echoed in Yukinoshita's mind.

[The matchmaker system, literally, means the host needs to get your boyfriend to 'stick' with different high-quality girls.]

"Get Hikigaya-kun to 'stick' with high-quality girls...?"

Yukinoshita, who was always particular about her wording, furrowed her brows, seemingly hitting a knowledge blind spot.

"Stick... what does that mean?"

[In simple terms, it means making your boyfriend engage in the following, but not limited to: holding hands, hugging, kissing, sleeping together, having children...]

"Stop!"

Even Yukinoshita, who was usually calm and composed, was stunned.

"You mean... making Hikigaya-kun hold hands with other women? Hug? Kiss? Even... sleep together?!"

As she spoke, her face flushed, and a surge of anger flared up within her.

[Yes, including having children.]

The system responded without a hint of emotion.

"??"

A coldness suddenly covered Yukinoshita's face. She clenched the blanket in her hands, as though wanting to tear it apart to vent her anger.

How could she allow her boyfriend to kiss, sleep with, or even have children with other women?!

Just the thought of Hikigaya talking and laughing comfortably with another girl already made her feel uneasy.

"You... awful system! Have you not received basic education? How can your mind be so filthy? Or was the person who created you an emotionally deprived fool?"

"This is nonsense! Hikigaya-kun is my boyfriend now. Why would I do something immoral like that?"

[Oh, if you don't complete the system's tasks, your boyfriend will die from illness.]

"??"

Though Yukinoshita's face remained expressionless, with no apparent rage, her inner fury was practically bubbling over.

However, realizing that getting angry with something that seemed more like an emotionless robot was a foolish act, she tried to restrain herself, keep calm, and figure out what was really happening.

"What illness does he have?"

[The cause of the illness is unknown, but I can tell you that with current human medical technology, it's untreatable.]

[If you don't complete the system tasks, you won't gain points to save your boyfriend, and he will die from this illness in three years.]

[Yukinoshita Yukino, you wouldn't want your beloved boyfriend to leave you forever in three years, would you?]

"..."

Yukinoshita's expression wavered as she sat cross-legged on the bed, seemingly contemplating the truth behind the system's claim that Hikigaya had an illness.

[I believe the host would never joke about your beloved person.]

[It's just a small sacrifice of your boyfriend's purity, but it can save his life.]

[I believe with your broad heart, you won't mind, right?]

The system coaxed gently.

However, to Yukinoshita, it felt like the devil whispering in her ear.

[Anyway, time is limited. I hope the host starts completing the tasks soon to earn points and save your boyfriend.]

"Tasks? Wait... I never agreed to cooperate with you."

The system didn't respond and quickly presented an option in Yukinoshita's mind, giving her no chance to refuse.

[Please choose between the following two high-quality girls to be the main target for your boyfriend's future relationship:]

[1. Older sister Yukinoshita Yukino]

[2. Classmate from the same school, Katou Megumi]

[Host, please choose...]

"...Ah?"

When Yukinoshita saw a particular name, her breath caught, and her brain nearly stopped functioning.

"Yukino? My sister?"

What kind of horrible choice is this?

Her sister, Yukino, is a high-quality girl?

She can't possibly involve that woman in this!

How tasteless!

At this moment, Yukinoshita was furious with the matchmaking system.

She truly wanted to refuse the task, but the thought of Hikigaya possibly being in danger made her reconsider. After much deliberation, she decided to cautiously observe the situation first.

"Eh? The other option is..." Looking at the unfamiliar name, Yukinoshita blinked in surprise and murmured, "Classmate from the same school, Katou Megumi?"

Yukinoshita tried to recall any memories of her in her mind.