Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

"Saki-chan, your shift's up."

"Got it."

Stretching lazily, Kawasaki stood and prepared to swap shifts with her coworker.

"Wow, Saki-chan, your figure's really shaping up! Did you get yourself a boyfriend?" teased her colleague, a glamorous blonde woman in her twenties, as she stepped into the counter area with a knowing smile.

Kawasaki's face turned crimson.

"I-I didn't! Tai-tai-san, you're imagining things!"

Her coworker's eyes sparkled mischievously, pressing her on the topic. Flustered, Kawasaki hurriedly escaped the situation, inadvertently wandering into the bathroom.

At the sink, she turned on the faucet, splashing water over her face in a desperate attempt to cool herself down.

"Hikigaya is Yukinoshita's boyfriend. I can't... I absolutely can't have any feelings for him!"

Her tone was resolute, but her expression betrayed turmoil.

"I'm so sorry, Yukinoshita! I got carried away yesterday with your boyfriend... but I promise, there won't be a next time! Never again!"

Her determination faltered, worry creeping in.

"Still... I wonder how things are going between them today. After all, Hikigaya and I... spent so much time together yesterday. Did that ruin their date today?"

Regret, guilt, and unease churned within her, leaving Kawasaki adrift in a sea of conflicted emotions.

Before she realized it, she found herself standing outside Hikigaya and Yukinoshita's hotel room.

"Huh? What am I doing here!?"

Panic set in. She'd merely intended to grab a fresh uniform. How had she ended up outside their door?

No, no! I need to leave!

I can't interrupt them.

I can't ruin Yukinoshita's time...

Kawasaki spun to leave, but her legs refused to cooperate, freezing her in place.

And then, against all reason, she leaned closer to the door to eavesdrop.

The hotel's soundproofing was good, but Kawasaki had sharp hearing, honed from childhood. Pressed against the door, she caught snippets of their conversation.

"Yuki...nos...hita, you... today... too much..."

"Weak...ling! Hikigaya..."

"Ugh, you..."

"Is it... tough? Loser-kun... kun~"

"No... don't... Ah! You devil!!"

"..."

"???"

Kawasaki's pupils dilated, her body stiffening in shock.

Even though the words were fragmented, she could piece together some of it.

Yukinoshita... was too much for Hikigaya?

And she seemed... dissatisfied?

Covering her mouth with a trembling hand, guilt and self-reproach overwhelmed her.

She understood now.

Because of what happened yesterday, Hikigaya couldn't meet Yukinoshita's expectations today.

"Ahh... This is all my fault. I'm so sorry, Yukinoshita... so sorry!"

She clenched her fists.

That man was supposed to be your boyfriend. And yet, I... someone like me...

Kawasaki felt utterly wretched.

What should I do?

Will this put a strain on their relationship?

Because of me, will Yukinoshita grow disappointed in Hikigaya?

No, no, no! Yukinoshita, listen to me!

Hikigaya's actually amazing!

He's not a loser; he's a shark! A shark, I tell you!

She almost knocked on the door to explain herself but froze mid-action, horrified by her own thoughts.

"Saki, what are you doing!? Are you insane!?"

No! I have to leave before they notice me!

But her body refused to budge, her curiosity compelling her to linger and catch more of the conversation.

Please, Yukinoshita, don't lose faith in him! He can absolutely satisfy you. Don't give up on him!

Muttering a silent prayer, Kawasaki finally pulled herself together and fled the scene, her heart heavy with regret.

---

Back in the room.

Fresh from the shower, Hikigaya grumbled non-stop about Yukinoshita's antics.

She'd claimed there was a bug in the bathroom and made a fuss about being scared.

But she was the real menace in there!

The two of them in the cramped bathroom...

Honestly, Hikigaya had nearly passed out.

It wasn't his fault, though!

It was the heat in the bathroom. Yes, that had to be it!

"Would you like some water, Hikigaya-kun?"

Wrapped in a towel, Yukinoshita handed him a glass as she approached the bed where he sat.

"No thanks."

"Come on, drink up. Wouldn't want my little weakling to get dehydrated~"

"You..."

Hikigaya flushed bright red, about to retort—

Ring, ring, ring!

The phone's ringtone suddenly interrupted.

Hikigaya froze.

It's her!

Hastily, before Yukinoshita could say anything, Hikigaya grabbed the phone.

To his surprise, it wasn't who he thought.

It was... Isshiki.

What does she want this time? She's been calling me non-stop since last night!

Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Who is it?"

"A spam call."

Hikigaya promptly ended the call.

He had enough on his plate dealing with Yukinoshita; he wasn't about to entertain Isshiki's nonsense.

Besides, every time she called, trouble followed. Best to ignore it.

"Spam?"

Yukinoshita glanced at the screen and smiled sweetly.

"It's Isshiki-chan, isn't it?"

"Like I said, spam."

Yukinoshita chuckled softly.

"Your relationship with her is so good. Why call it spam?"

"Hah?"

Hikigaya was exasperated.

"Who's close with her? It's just a normal senpai-kouhai relationship..."

"Oh? Then why is it that whenever Isshiki-chan is in trouble, you're the first person to help her? You spoil her, don't you~?"

"I... I'm forced into it every time!"

Sighing, Hikigaya desperately changed the topic.

"Anyway, enough about Isshiki. Shouldn't you be worrying about yourself right now?"

"Hmm?"

Yukinoshita tilted her head innocently, still smiling.

"Haha, you're just a weak little fish, aren't you, Hikigaya-kun~?"

Her teasing tone made his frustration mount, but deep down, Yukinoshita was already hatching a new scheme.

Perhaps letting Isshiki spend more time with Hikigaya wouldn't be such a bad idea after all...

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