Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Before leaving the rooftop, Kawasaki turned back to say one last thing:

"Lately, you've been hanging around Kasumigaoka a lot. I hope the relationship between the two of you isn't... what I'm imagining."

"Ahem, Kasumigaoka and I are just normal friends," Hikigaya replied, his tone calm and measured.

"That's good," Kawasaki nodded, then earnestly added, "Hikigaya, Yukinoshita is a wonderful girl. I really hope you won't let her down. Promise me you'll take care of her and cherish her, okay?"

"Of course, no problem," Hikigaya assured her.

"Alright, then."

After tidying up her bento, Kawasaki turned and left.

Kawasaki… She's way too kind.

Watching her retreating figure, Hikigaya sighed softly a few times before leaving the rooftop himself.

When he returned to the classroom, Kasumigaoka immediately greeted him with a friendly smile, asking where he had been during lunch, why he left her behind, and if it was because he didn't love her anymore.

Her teasing left Hikigaya sweating bullets, forcing him to repeatedly reassure her.

---

By the afternoon, most third-year students had gathered in the library to study.

Hikigaya sat next to Kasumigaoka, diligently focusing on his studies. With the help of this former top student of her grade, Hikigaya could clearly feel his academic abilities improving at an impressive rate.

With only two weeks left until the midterm exams, Hikigaya was beginning to feel optimistic about his performance.

After an hour of focused study, Hikigaya had managed to complete nearly all of the assignments given earlier that morning. Now it was time for extracurricular learning.

Mathematics, his weakest subject, was next on the agenda. It demanded extra attention.

However—

Just as Hikigaya was begrudgingly opening his math textbook, Kasumigaoka's hand suddenly touched his thigh.

"!!"

Startled, Hikigaya jolted upright and quickly moved to brush her hand away.

Undeterred, Kasumigaoka placed her hand back on his thigh, this time lightly tracing something with her finger.

It seemed to spell out:

Pay up.

Hikigaya, maintaining his composure, responded by tracing letters on her thigh:

[Hikigaya: I don't have anything.]

Kasumigaoka grinned and continued:

[Kasumigaoka: Come on, just a little! You smell so good today.]

[Hikigaya: Control yourself.]

[Kasumigaoka: How? I'm going to implode if I don't.]

[Hikigaya: We're in the library!!]

[Kasumigaoka: Exactly! It's too risky here. Let's leave the library. We're done with our homework anyway; it won't affect your studies.]

[Hikigaya: Leave the library??]

This woman… She's getting bolder by the day!

[Hikigaya: I need to keep studying!]

[Kasumigaoka: How about this? If you come with me, I'll give you a premium math study guide. It'll dramatically improve your skills.]

[Hikigaya: …??]

[Kasumigaoka: Do you really think sheer effort alone will get you into the same university as Yukinoshita?]

Smiling slyly, Kasumigaoka leaned in closer.

[Kasumigaoka: Without a little external help, you won't catch up, no matter how hard you try.]

Hikigaya fell silent.

Any other reason might not have swayed him, but when it came to Yukinoshita, he couldn't help but waver.

Finally, after several minutes of Kasumigaoka's relentless persuasion, Hikigaya reluctantly agreed.

Improving his math skills would be critical, especially if it meant getting closer to Yukinoshita.

It wasn't about Kasumigaoka at all.

His heart, after all, was wholly devoted to Yukinoshita!

The two of them each found an excuse to leave their seats, quietly sneaking out of the library.

"Where are we going?" Hikigaya asked.

"The gymnasium."

"...What?"

Hikigaya froze in his tracks.

The gym? Was it going to be… the equipment storage room again?

Kasumigaoka, smiling mysteriously, said, "Hikigaya-kun, we'll be taking the back door this time~"

Seeing the playful expression on her face, Hikigaya's heart sank. "Wait, don't tell me you're planning to—"

"Ehehe~"

Kasumigaoka tilted her head slightly, her grin growing wider.

"Just wait. I'll give you a little surprise, okay?"

"Senpai, you…" Hikigaya turned to her, his expression turning a bit grim. "You're way too dangerous."

Kasumigaoka blinked in surprise but then burst out laughing.

"Girls have to be a little dangerous to attract boys, don't you think?"

"...This is beyond 'a little.'"

"Hmm? Is that worry I hear in your voice? Aww, you care about me! Love you~"

"No, it's just… this seems like a terrible idea."

"That's what makes it thrilling!"

"…"

Hikigaya fell silent, his hesitation evident.

When they arrived at the gymnasium, Hikigaya, who had been on edge the whole way, finally exhaled in relief.

"Phew… So it's just the back door of the gym."

"Well, yeah. The back door is less crowded," Kasumigaoka explained. "Even though it's not too busy at the front this time of day, it's better to be safe. What's with that look of relief on your face?"

"N-Nothing," Hikigaya stammered, quickly averting his gaze.

"..."

Kasumigaoka stared at him for a moment, her expression gradually shifting as a thought dawned on her.

"Wait a second! Hikigaya-kun, don't tell me you were thinking…?"

"Ahem… No! You're overthinking it!"

"Ha? Overthinking?!" Kasumigaoka's face turned red as she pointed an accusatory finger at him. "You totally misunderstood just now, didn't you?!"

"Uh…" Caught in the act, Hikigaya awkwardly scratched his head. "Well, you are a little… um, eccentric, so it's easy to assume…"

"Wha—!"

Kasumigaoka's mouth twitched as she defensively clasped her hands behind her back, covering her lower half.

"Hikigaya-kun, no! Don't you dare get any weird ideas! There are boundaries, you know. I won't allow anything improper!"

"Eh?" Hikigaya tilted his head.

"Don't give me that innocent look! You… You were totally thinking of doing something, weren't you?!"

"Not really," Hikigaya said, shaking his head.

Seeing his genuine confusion, Kasumigaoka's flustered expression softened into one of embarrassment.

"Ugh! Whatever! Just stick to the plan, okay? And don't try anything funny!"

However, before Kasumigaoka could finish her rant, Hikigaya suddenly grabbed her arm and hurriedly pulled her toward the gym's entrance.

"Hikigaya-kun?!"

Kasumigaoka's initial embarrassment quickly gave way to panic.

"Wait, why are you in such a rush? You're not seriously planning to—"

"No," Hikigaya interrupted, his tone tense. "Someone's following us."

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