Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Morning.

"Oni-chan, why are you staring at me like that?"

"...It's nothing."

Hikigaya quickly looked away and silently continued eating the delicious breakfast his sister had prepared.

"Ah~ I'm full~"

Komachi patted her stomach contentedly and got up from the table.

At that moment, Hikigaya suddenly spoke up, "Komachi, want to walk to school together?"

"Huh?!"

Komachi froze, then looked at Hikigaya with an exaggeratedly disgusted expression.

"Even though I love you, Oni-chan, the idea of walking to school with you is a bit much. We'd get all kinds of weird looks from the other students passing by!"

"...You little..."

Hikigaya sighed in exasperation.

In the end, Komachi left for school first, leaving Hikigaya at home to wash the dishes.

"Sigh... Maybe I'm overthinking things. How could Komachi ever... No, that's impossible! She's been my sister for over a decade. Sure, I've been neglecting her a bit lately, but there's no way..."

Muttering to himself, Hikigaya brushed the intrusive thoughts aside.

---

After a while, Hikigaya arrived at Sobu High.

Not long after he entered the school gates, he reluctantly noticed a certain troublesome presence.

About seven or eight meters away, Isshiki was chatting cheerfully with her friends.

However, in the midst of her conversation, her eyes kept darting over to him.

Something about her gaze felt... off.

It was the kind of look a scorned woman might give—a mix of resentment and accusation.

"???"

What the heck? I just ignored a few of her calls! Is that really worth this level of drama?!

Before long, the scornful glare disappeared, replaced by a mischievous grin—a clear sign Isshiki was up to no good.

Hikigaya was all too familiar with that look.

Whenever she needed him to do something for her, she'd flash those cunning, irresistibly cute eyes.

She's such an unfairly crafty girl—like a mini version of Haruno.

Quickly averting his gaze, Hikigaya ignored her and made his way to Class 3-B.

By the time he arrived, most of his classmates were already there.

Hikigaya greeted Kasumigaoka, who sat behind him, as usual.

At some point during the day, his eyes met Kawasaki's from across the classroom.

She subtly gestured toward him, reminding him of their agreement from the day before.

Hikigaya nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Kasumigaoka, noticing the exchange, teased him with a smirk.

"Air-kun, why are you exchanging secret glances with Kawasaki?"

A familiar wave of jealousy filled the air.

"Uh, it's nothing."

Clearing his throat, Hikigaya quickly looked away and tried to appease her.

---

Lunchtime.

As agreed, Hikigaya made his way to the rooftop.

"Over here."

Kawasaki, seated on a bench, gestured for him to come over.

When Hikigaya approached, she took out a bento box and a thermos of soup from her bag.

"...Figures," Hikigaya muttered under his breath before sitting down beside her.

In front of him was a meticulously prepared bento with a mix of meat and vegetables, as well as a fragrant container of chicken soup.

Kawasaki handed the bento to him, her expression slightly awkward.

"Go ahead, eat. This is my way of making it up to you."

"Making it up to me?" Hikigaya was confused. "Why would you need to make it up to me? If anything, aren't you the one who..."

Kawasaki interrupted him, her cheeks flushed. "Just eat already!"

Hikigaya sighed, picking up his chopsticks.

The meal was delicious, with tender fish and flavorful sides.

"How is it?" Kawasaki asked hesitantly.

"It's good," Hikigaya admitted, nodding slightly.

Kawasaki smiled in relief. "I'm glad you like it."

However, after a few bites, Hikigaya frowned.

"It's good, but... something about the taste feels a bit... odd."

"It's fine as long as you like it," Kawasaki replied, avoiding his eyes. She handed him the thermos. "Here, have some soup."

With no other option, Hikigaya accepted it.

Several minutes later, Hikigaya noticed something strange.

"Wait a second... what about you?" he asked, looking at Kawasaki.

"M-me? Uh..."

Kawasaki awkwardly pulled a piece of bread out of her bag. "I'm fine with this."

"..."

Hikigaya's eye twitched.

"I'm eating a full bento and soup, and you're having bread?"

"It's fine!" Kawasaki said hurriedly, waving her hand. "This is for you, not me. Just eat!"

"But—"

"I said eat!" Kawasaki insisted. "I don't even like chicken!"

"Ah... alright then."

As Hikigaya continued eating, he noticed that the chicken soup had an unusual flavor, but he didn't say anything.

Eventually, only a small amount of soup was left in the thermos.

"Why is there still so much left?" Kawasaki frowned. "Finish it all!"

"...Fine."

Hikigaya sighed and drank the rest.

"Lick it clean too! Don't waste food!"

"What?!"

"Just do it!"

Although reluctant, Hikigaya complied.

Watching him diligently finish the meal, Kawasaki smiled in satisfaction.

---

Meanwhile, at the rooftop entrance...

Hiding nearby, Yukinoshita furrowed her brows.

She had expected something dramatic to happen between the two of them.

But... all they did was eat lunch?

I wanted Kawasaki to "devour" my Hikigaya-kun, not feed him lunch!

Yukinoshita sighed in disappointment.

Still, just as she was about to leave, she overheard Kawasaki speak again.

"Hikigaya, from now on, I'll make you lunch every day."

"Every day?"

"Yes. Every single day. Until you..."

Hearing this, Yukinoshita paused, deep in thought.

A sly smile crept onto her face.

Hikigaya-kun receiving daily lunches? This might just be my chance.

Yukinoshita's eyes gleamed with a new plan.

Perhaps this "cream puff mission" will be easier than I thought.

****************************

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