Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Yukinoshita emerged from the park.

Though the past week had its ups and downs, she had finally completed the tasks assigned by the system, earning a substantial amount of points.

However, the person she had bonded with wasn't her original target, Miura.

It was—Kawasaki!

"Well... Kawasaki isn't bad either. Fair skin, beautiful features, and she takes good care of Hikigaya-kun... Ahem!"

Yukinoshita patted her head, correcting herself.

"Kawasaki's quality is comparable to Miura's. The bonding effects should be about the same. Plus, Kawasaki is my good friend. Even if she gets close to Hikigaya-kun, on a mental level, they're unlikely to betray me!"

"Yes, that makes sense!"

Of course, Kawasaki was unexpected.

But she couldn't let Miura off the hook either.

To earn more points, Miura had to be involved no matter what!

Earlier, when they went to the restroom together, Yukinoshita clearly noticed that Miura was irritated with her.

She believed that in the days to come, Miura would likely make a move on her Hikigaya.

"Good luck, Miura!"

However, while bonding was important, there was an even more pressing matter: Hikigaya's Corruption Level.

It was already over 30 points!

"Sigh... Hikigaya-kun, is being with Kawasaki really that enjoyable? For it to rise so much..."

"…Hikigaya-kun and Kawasaki-san together?"

As Yukinoshita muttered to herself, a voice suddenly cut in.

"Ah!"

Startled like a cat whose tail was stepped on, Yukinoshita shivered and almost jumped up.

Turning around, she nearly had her soul scared out of her.

"K-Kato?!"

"What a coincidence, Yukinoshita-san."

"C-coincidence indeed..."

Yukinoshita quickly composed herself and pretended to be calm.

"Kato-san, what are you doing here?"

Good grief.

She hadn't even noticed Kato's approach... Huh? Was she... a beauty?

"I came to shop. When I passed by the park, I happened to see Yukinoshita-san, so I thought I'd say hello."

Kato glanced at Yukinoshita, her tone as neutral as ever.

"Hmm, Yukinoshita-san looks really beautiful today."

Dressed in tight denim shorts and a white blouse, with her hair tied in a high ponytail, Yukinoshita looked elegant and radiant. Aside from her unimpressive... certain areas, she could easily score a 90 today!

Hearing this, Yukinoshita waved her hand calmly.

"You're too kind, Kato-san. Compared to me, you look even better today. I almost didn't recognize you."

"Eh? But I have such an ordinary face."

"Nonsense, Kato-san is incredibly cute!"

Wearing a white beret with a red blouse and a white skirt, Kato looked entirely refreshed—an embodiment of youthful beauty.

Honestly, Yukinoshita was stunned. The more she looked at Kato, the more she found her unbelievably adorable.

No wonder the system designated her as a major storyline character!

Her aura was undeniably different from the others.

"Yukinoshita-san is so kind, just like Hikigaya-kun."

Kato, seemingly moved, then asked,

"By the way, I overheard you talking about Hikigaya-kun and Kawasaki-san being together just now..."

"Ah! About that... haha..."

Yukinoshita's expression stiffened, and she began sweating nervously.

Her heart was practically in her throat.

But fortunately, she wasn't someone who panicked easily.

Maintaining her composure, she fabricated a reasonably convincing explanation to pacify Kato.

Kato simply nodded without pressing further.

Afterward, the two strolled down the street, chatting for a while.

During their conversation, Yukinoshita was horrified to discover that Kato's house was shockingly close to Hikigaya's—just a few minutes away!

And what's more...

Yukinoshita had the nagging feeling that Kato had figured something out. Every interaction felt as if Kato could see right through her.

Uneasy, Yukinoshita quickly made an excuse to part ways, avoiding further small talk with Kato.

"This girl is terrifying..."

Heart still racing, Yukinoshita muttered to herself,

"She couldn't have figured out that I've been sharing Hikigaya, right? No way..."

Muttering to herself, she instinctively glanced behind her, as if fearing Kato might still be nearby.

---

Meanwhile, Hikigaya returned home.

After greeting his adorable little sister and relaxing on the couch, his phone suddenly rang after dinner.

It was Kawasaki.

Sitting upright on the couch, Hikigaya hesitated for a few seconds.

Finally, he decided to answer.

As soon as he picked up, Kawasaki's panicked and flustered voice came through:

"Hikigaya, this is bad! What if... what if I get pregnant?!"

"...Huh?"

Hikigaya was stunned by Kawasaki's bombshell question.

Kawasaki, pregnant?

Well, it was possible.

After all, they hadn't used any protection.

But still...

"Ahem, didn't I... stop myself in time?"

Hikigaya's face flushed, and he stammered,

"It shouldn't be that likely, right?"

"Ugh, I'm just worried about what if! Especially since I... I wasn't in a safe period today..."

"Oh..."

That did increase the risk.

"What do we do, Hikigaya...?"

Kawasaki's voice was filled with helplessness and anxiety.

Hikigaya fell silent.

He could understand Kawasaki's fears.

After thinking for a few moments, Hikigaya took a deep breath and said firmly:

"If it happens, then... we'll keep it. I'll take responsibility for both of you."

"...What? You... ugh..."

"I'm serious."

"Idiot! Who... who asked you to take responsibility?! Don't do anything that would hurt Yukinoshita!"

Beep—

Kawasaki hung up the phone.

Hikigaya sat silently.

Indeed, it wasn't fair to Yukinoshita.

But he also couldn't ignore Kawasaki.

If something did happen, it would complicate matters greatly.

Hikigaya sighed.

Just then, his phone rang again.

"…?"

Hikigaya's heart skipped a beat, thinking Kawasaki was calling back.

However, when he saw the caller ID, his brows furrowed, and he hesitated for a few seconds.

At that moment, Komachi walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron. She glanced at her brother curiously.

"Are you not answering, Onii-chan?"

"It's just spam. No need to answer."

With that, Hikigaya decisively hung up on Isshiki's call, his mind in turmoil.

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