Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

— Hachiman has surrendered.

Yukinoshita is still Yukinoshita, as terrifying as ever.

"Yah, Hachiman~ Trash fish, trash fish~"

Even after leaving the hotel, Yukinoshita couldn't resist teasing her boyfriend with a playful smile.

Hachiman was flustered to the extreme, his face reddened.

"Just wait until next time!"

Yukinoshita chuckled softly.

"I'll be waiting, trash fish~"

"You... ugh…"

"Hehe."

Seeing her boyfriend looking as if he had swallowed ten bitter melons, Yukinoshita instinctively held his trembling hand and comforted him gently:

"Actually, it's okay. I quite like Hachiman's weak and vulnerable side. It's really cute. Don't change—I don't mind at all."

"..."

Hachiman's face turned even redder.

See? She's a devil!

A devil who bullies her boyfriend by day…

And by night… still bullies her boyfriend!

Where's the justice in this?!

As a man, do I even have any dignity left?!

Hachiman doesn't want to be bullied forever!!!

Hachiman straightened his face and retorted indignantly,

"Stop mocking me! I'm a man! There's no way I'll keep letting you push me around like this! Just wait—someday, I'll make you... cry!"

"Well then, go ahead~ I'll be waiting for you~" Yukinoshita replied with a calm smile.

The couple bantered playfully as they walked along the road.

After seeing his beloved wife off at the train station, Hachiman trudged home, feeling dejected.

Looks like I need to keep up my training, he thought.

From now on, I'll ask Miura to up the intensity!

Sure, being teased by Yukinoshita isn't entirely unpleasant... maybe even a bit... ahem!

But still! Being perpetually beneath her? That's unacceptable!

At least once…

At least once, I need to make Yukinoshita suffer!

I'll show her what a true man is!!!

Lost in thought, Hachiman passed by a supermarket where a familiar voice called out.

"Hikigaya?!"

"Kawasaki?!"

Hachiman snapped out of his reverie and looked at the blue-haired girl exiting the store. She seemed just as surprised to see him.

"Buying groceries?" he asked awkwardly.

"Ah, yeah."

Their eyes met.

The atmosphere grew tense.

After all, what had happened between them yesterday was…

With Yukinoshita present earlier, they had managed to act composed.

But now, being alone, both of their expressions became visibly uneasy.

Especially Kawasaki—her face flushed red, seemingly beyond her control.

To break the awkward silence, Hachiman spoke up.

"If we're heading the same way, should we..."

"I'm sorry!"

But before he could finish, Kawasaki interrupted him.

"Eh?"

Hachiman blinked in confusion, not expecting her sudden apology.

"What's this about, Kawasaki?"

"Not even two hours..."

"Huh?"

Face still red, Kawasaki clarified:

"You and Yukinoshita… you were in the hotel for less than two hours!"

Having worked the desk where they checked in, Kawasaki knew exactly how short their stay had been.

"Uh..."

Hachiman's expression turned awkward.

"And what does that have to do with you?"

"Everything!!"

Biting her lip, Kawasaki spoke bitterly:

"If it weren't for me, you and Yukinoshita wouldn't have had such a short time together! It's all because of yesterday… I... I drained you... Ugh, I'm sorry!!"

"Huh?!"

Hachiman's face turned scarlet as he frantically waved his hands.

"I was fine! Really, don't worry about it!"

"Impossible!"

Kawasaki shot back.

"Don't treat me like I'm stupid! A guy needs at least three days to fully recover!"

"Uh…"

"Ugh, it's all my fault… I'm so sorry, Yukinoshita! I'll take responsibility!"

Clutching her grocery bag tightly, Kawasaki declared with a serious expression:

"I... I'll turn you into a strong and robust man!"

"?!"

Even Hachiman, who usually prided himself on staying composed, couldn't help but blush.

"Tomorrow after class, come to the rooftop! I'll help you train!"

"Huh??"

"Don't forget—be there on time!"

Without waiting for a reply, Kawasaki hastily fled the scene, clearly mortified.

"..."

Hachiman sighed.

Kawasaki… something about the way you said that felt so off.

But since she's a proper girl, it's probably nothing inappropriate.

Guess I'll check it out tomorrow just to be safe.

---

"I'm home."

"Welcome back, Onii-chan~"

After mumbling a casual greeting, Hachiman flopped onto the couch to rest.

Life at home felt monotonous lately:

Read books.

Play some games.

Have dinner.

Read more books.

Take a bath.

Go to sleep.

The only difference was that Komachi, his younger sister, had been saying some odd things recently.

For instance:

"Want to bathe together, Onii-chan?" she asked cheerfully, holding a towel in hand.

"..."

Hachiman gave her a sidelong glance, ignoring her as he continued reading.

Komachi's been teasing me way too much lately.

No way am I letting my little sister get the better of me! Stay strong, Hachiman!!

"The door's open~"

With a sly grin, Komachi threw out this parting comment as she headed to the bathroom.

"Sigh..."

Hachiman shook his head, uninterested.

They stuck to their usual routine:

Komachi finished her bath, and then he went in after.

Once everything was done, they each returned to their own rooms to sleep.

"Can I sleep with you tonight, Onii-chan?" Komachi asked suddenly.

"No!"

Hachiman rejected her outright, not even sparing her a glance.

Sharing a bed with his sister? What kind of nonsense is that?!

She's not a little kid anymore; she's practically a young lady!

Komachi pouted but ultimately went back to her room with a grumble.

Hachiman, shaking his head, returned to his own room as well.

It's been a tiring day.

Better get some sleep early.

In the dead of night, Hachiman suddenly awoke with a jolt.

He'd had a nightmare—

A dream where he and Kawasaki… did that in front of Yukinoshita.

In the dream, Yukinoshita cried bitterly while he and Kawasaki smiled wickedly.

"Calm down, Hachiman. You can't betray Yukinoshita again..." he muttered, taking a deep breath.

Throwing off his blanket, he decided to get up for a drink of water to clear his head.

But as he stepped out of his room, faint murmurs reached his ears.

"Huh?"

Curious, Hachiman glanced toward Komachi's room.

After hesitating for a moment, he moved closer to her door.

As he approached, the sounds grew clearer:

"Onii-chan… I like you... I really like you... I wish things could go back to how they were when we were kids..."

"?!"

Hachiman froze, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Wait—what's Komachi doing...?!

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