Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Returning to the library.

Kasumigaoka: "You go ahead. I need to use the restroom."

Hikigaya: "Alright."

Kasumigaoka twisted her body slightly as she walked toward the restroom.

Hikigaya watched her for a few moments, then fell into silence.

Was he overthinking things?

Or was it real?

He couldn't shake the feeling that senpai seemed incredibly strained, like a bowstring stretched to its limit.

As Hikigaya mulled this over, a sudden voice broke through his thoughts:

"Kasumigaoka-senpai's butt... does it look nice?"

"??"

Hikigaya jolted and immediately turned around, only to see Kawasaki glaring at him like a scorned woman.

"I…"

Hikigaya, embarrassed, hesitated for a moment before replying,

"Ahem, not as nice as yours, Kawasaki."

"…"

Kawasaki froze for a second.

The next moment, her resistance faltered, and her face turned bright red.

"Huh?! Wha–you, you… What nonsense are you spouting! I don't have anything like Kasumigaoka-senpai's…"

Her heart was a whirlwind, with an inexplicable hint of joy fluttering in it.

However, Kawasaki quickly composed herself when the image of a certain long-haired girl came to mind.

"Don't give me that nonsense!"

Taking a deep breath, Kawasaki asked with a stern expression,

"Where were you just now with Kasumigaoka-senpai?"

"To ask a teacher some questions."

"Questions?"

Kawasaki raised an eyebrow.

"What subject?"

"History."

Hikigaya remained unfazed, confident Kawasaki wouldn't double-check with Kirisu-sensei.

Seeing Hikigaya's convincing demeanor, Kawasaki fell silent.

Then, unexpectedly, she moved closer to Hikigaya, looking as though she was about to make a move.

"Kawasaki, you…"

"Stay still. I'm going to sniff you!"

"Huh?"

"Hmm, your scent… it's strong! A woman's scent!"

"Uh, I was with Kasumigaoka-senpai the whole time. She has a very distinct fragrance, so of course, it's rubbed off on me…"

"…"

Kawasaki's face flushed slightly, and she took a step back to create some distance.

"Sorry…"

"It's, uh, fine."

"Anyway!" Kawasaki coughed and, with a serious tone, continued,

"As long as your relationship isn't what I think it is, that's fine. Just make sure you spend more time with Yukinoshita. Don't let her down."

"I won't."

"Good. That's all for now! Oh, and don't forget about tomorrow at lunch!"

"…Okay."

Hikigaya sighed.

Sorry, Kawasaki. About me and senpai… It's already…

The fact that Kawasaki cared so much about his relationship with Yukinoshita left Hikigaya feeling conflicted.

He couldn't shake the guilt of disappointing such a kind-hearted girl.

Just then, his phone started ringing.

With a sigh, he took it out.

When he saw the caller, his face twitched.

It was that little devil again!

Ugh, will it ever end?

This time, without hesitation, he declined the call.

"Good thing I blocked her texts…"

Hikigaya muttered to himself.

Why couldn't Isshiki text him and had to keep calling instead?

Well, it was because…

Before entering his final year, to avoid Isshiki pestering him to be her lackey again, Hikigaya had preemptively blocked her texts.

Looking back, that decision felt like a stroke of genius.

She'd probably be furious when she found out.

But oh well.

When the time came, he'd just play dumb and claim he hadn't seen the messages.

---

As school ended, in Class 3-B.

Hikigaya packed up his bag, preparing to leave.

Before stepping out, he turned to Kasumigaoka and asked,

"About the study materials you mentioned earlier…"

"No problem. I'll stop by the bookstore later to check."

"Thanks."

Hikigaya nodded.

After being teased a bit more by Kasumigaoka, Hikigaya couldn't handle it any longer and made a quick escape toward the Service Club.

But peace didn't last long.

Just as he was about to head down the stairs, he spotted Isshiki perched on the stair railing, as if waiting for someone.

"!!"

An alarm went off in his head.

Hikigaya's face stiffened, and he quickly turned to find another way.

Too late.

The girl's natural, sugary voice rang out:

"Hehe~ Caught you at last, senpai?"

"!!!"

That familiar, sickly sweet tone sent shivers down Hikigaya's spine.

"Ha? What a coincidence, Isshiki…"

Forcing a smile, Hikigaya braced himself and greeted her.

"Hehe~"

Isshiki giggled as she slid off the railing and, like a small fish, snaked her way over to Hikigaya's side, casually wrapping her arms around his.

"You…"

Hikigaya's headache intensified.

"Senpai, why didn't you answer the calls of such a cute kouhai like me?"

Isshiki's radiant smile was so dazzling it almost felt oppressive.

Hikigaya averted his gaze, avoiding Isshiki's adorable face, and replied flatly,

"I… I didn't know it was you…"

"Didn't know? I've been calling you nonstop~"

"Uh… really didn't know."

"What a dishonest senpai!"

Isshiki sighed, tightening her grip on Hikigaya's arm, causing his face to redden slightly.

"Well then…"

Isshiki's lips curled into a mischievous grin as she leaned closer.

"Senpai~ You wouldn't want Yukino-senpai to find out you've been cheating, would you?"

"???"

"Maybe you've got something going on with Kawasaki-senpai too~?"

Hikigaya's expression faltered momentarily, but he quickly composed himself.

"I… I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Hehe~ Senpai, no need to deny it. I've got pictures of you and Kawasaki-senpai together last weekend~"

With a devilish smile, Isshiki pulled out her phone and showed him photos of him bidding Kawasaki farewell.

Seeing the pictures, Hikigaya let out a small sigh of relief and replied calmly,

"These pictures don't prove anything."

"Oh? Then how about I show them to Yukino-senpai?"

"You… Don't create unnecessary misunderstandings!"

"Hehe~ Look at how nervous you are, senpai. Still want to say you don't care?~"

Isshiki tightened her grip on Hikigaya's arm, pulling him closer.

"What… what are you trying to do?"

Hikigaya became increasingly wary, turning his face away to avoid getting too close to Isshiki.

But no matter how he resisted, Isshiki's relentless tugging brought them closer and closer.

Finally, Isshiki paused and curiously brushed aside Hikigaya's bangs.

"Hmm, senpai, you've got quite the charm, don't you?~"

The more she looked at him, the more attractive he seemed, stirring up an unexplainable feeling within her.

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