Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Hikigaya was currently wallowing in deep regret.

He should never have mentioned his perfect Genshin Impact Abyss record. Even more so, he shouldn't have shown the record to both Kasumigaoka and Eriri. Sure, they'd cornered him into revealing it, but he could've resisted, right?

Now, during morning reading, the pressure on Hikigaya was immense.

It was painfully obvious that after learning about his "pro-gamer" status, both Kasumigaoka and Eriri were itching to ask him to help with their Abyss challenges. However…

Whether it was out of bruised pride or sheer stubbornness, neither of them had actually made the request. Instead, they just radiated an oppressive air around him.

From the front row, Eriri would occasionally sneak glances back at him, punctuating her peeks with exaggerated, tsundere-like "hmphs."

As expected of blondes—always tsundere.

Meanwhile, from behind, Kasumigaoka had stretched out her long, stocking-clad legs, invading Hikigaya's "absolute territory" beneath his desk. She was even bouncing her foot rhythmically, adding to his torment.

Is she trying to seduce me?!

It was all over.

What had started as an innocent attempt to reclaim his desk had spiraled into being targeted by two Genshin-addicted classmates.

Yukinoshita, save me! These women are terrifying!

At this point, Hikigaya had completely given up on studying.

Finally, morning reading ended.

As soon as the bell rang, Eriri stood up, hesitated, and shot a quick glance at Hikigaya. However, when their eyes met, she panicked, let out a loud "hmph," flipped her twin tails dramatically, and hurried away.

Oh, my bad, I didn't mean to scare you, Sawamura-san.

With a sarcastic quip to himself, Hikigaya relaxed slightly.

It seemed he had dodged one bullet for now.

Next up was...

He glanced toward the pair of legs behind him, still encroaching on his space.

Come on, Kasumigaoka-san, it's break time. Can't you retreat those legs already?

To any normal guy, those long, shapely, stocking-clad legs would be incredibly tempting. Honestly, Hikigaya couldn't deny the fleeting urge to—

No, wait. Actually…

Was it weird that he kind of wanted to be stepped on by them?

No! No way! Hikigaya Hachiman is not a masochist!

Deep breath. Calm down.

First things first—he had to stop her from bouncing her leg like that.

Just as Hikigaya was about to speak up, Kasumigaoka's voice cut through his thoughts.

"Do you want to lick them?"

Her blunt question left Hikigaya completely dumbfounded.

"Eh? Wh-what?"

His gaze instinctively darted to her legs, and his face immediately turned bright red.

Without even looking up from her book, Kasumigaoka continued, her tone teasing.

"Oh? Not licking, then? Maybe… you'd like to do something more inappropriate?"

Her voice was practically dripping with mischief.

Hey! Kasumigaoka-san, I'm starting to think you really are trying to seduce me!

"N-no, that's not it at all!" Hikigaya stammered, hastily turning away. He couldn't bear to look at her or her legs any longer.

The words "Please move your feet" hovered at the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say them.

Sigh. She's tall and her legs are long—this is just natural for her, right? Fine. Whatever. Let her stay in my space.

Resigned to his fate, Hikigaya pulled out his textbook with a defeated sigh, preparing to study.

In the past, he would have just slumped over his desk and pretended to nap during breaks.

But now, with his goal of going to the same university as Yukinoshita, every moment of studying counted.

"Wow, Hikigaya-kun, you're pretty diligent. I would've thought you'd be playing games like any other otaku during break."

Kasumigaoka clearly wasn't planning to let him off the hook just yet.

Senpai, I've already surrendered. Can you please stop picking on me?

"The stakes are high—I'm not as naturally brilliant as you, so I have to work hard to even hope for a decent college."

"Oh? Brilliant, you say? But we're in the same grade—how am I your senpai?"

Kasumigaoka didn't even look up from her book as she responded. Her tone was calm, but her words carried a sharp edge.

"Last year's top-ranked student, Kasumigaoka Utaha—I know your name, senpai. Compared to you, I'm just a lowly underclassman."

Hikigaya had to admit he was surprised. What had caused someone as accomplished as her to stay back a year?

"Well, I'm flattered. I didn't expect Air-kun to know so much about me."

"Air-kun"?

Seriously, can you stop calling me that?

Hikigaya let out a dry laugh, not daring to turn around and meet her gaze. Something about Kasumigaoka's presence felt incredibly dangerous.

Sigh.

With another sigh, Hikigaya reached under his desk and pulled out a light novel.

"Still playing Genshin?"

"Not yet—server's still down."

"Ah, I see."

"...Seriously? If you wanted to ask me what I just pulled out, why didn't you just say so?!"

Hikigaya sighed again, resigned to explaining. "It's just a light novel. Figured I'd read a bit to cool off."

"Wow, Air-kun is a real otaku. What are you reading?"

Why do you have to call me a "real" otaku?

"You probably wouldn't be interested, Kasumigaoka-senpai."

"Try me."

Why does that sound like an order?

"Fine. It's Love Metronome."

"...Oh?"

"Never heard of it, right?"

"...I've read it."

Wait, what?

Hey! You're calling me an otaku, but you're one too, aren't you?!

Before Hikigaya could process this revelation, Kasumigaoka lightly kicked the leg of his chair.

How did you know I was silently mocking you? Can you read minds?

"Wow, senpai, I didn't expect you to be so well-versed in otaku culture."

"It's a great series."

To Hikigaya's surprise, Kasumigaoka started casually discussing the plot of Love Metronome, proving she knew it inside and out.

Huh. Guess I've found a fellow otaku here at Sobu High.

Emboldened by the discovery, Hikigaya hesitated for a moment before joining the conversation.

As they enthusiastically debated a key moment in the second volume, Hikigaya accidentally let slip, "You know, that part was my idea. Back in middle school, I chatted with the author, and a few scenes are based on my suggestions."

"...What?"

For the first time, Kasumigaoka froze. Her hands trembled slightly as she looked up, her sharp eyes locking onto his.

"What did you just say?"

"Uh… nothing?"

Under her piercing gaze, Hikigaya broke into a cold sweat.

Oh no. I've let my middle school cringe history slip out!

Before he could explain, the bell rang for the next class.

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