Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

The rooftop of the school building.

Hachiman Hikigaya and Kasumigaoka-senpai had been there for nearly twenty minutes.

The longer they stayed, the more uneasy Hachiman felt.

He already had a girlfriend, yet here he was, alone with a stunning senpai in black stockings.

Hachiman, you scoundrel. This is truly unfaithful of you!

Hachiman muttered inwardly, grateful that Yukinoshita hadn't witnessed this scene. Explaining it to her would have been a monumental challenge.

"Air-kun, are you done with the task?"

Kasumigaoka lightly tapped him with her foot.

Ugh!

Senpai, can you stop teasing me with your silky black-stocking-clad feet?!

"...A-almost done."

Hachiman forced a response, doing his best to avoid looking at her mesmerizing legs while continuing the task at hand.

Why did you make me do these tedious Genshin Impact daily quests?!

It's your account, not mine!

But fine. I'll be your grunt. That's whatever.

The problem is…

Why did you choose Mondstadt as your daily quest region, just like me?!

Damn it! Not this absurd task again—'Linguistic Exchange: Talk to Ella Musk.'

Every time, I guess randomly. Every time, I get it wrong.

I'm not a Hilichurl! How would I know what their gibberish means?!

Hachiman's dejected expression didn't go unnoticed by Kasumigaoka, who gave him a sidelong glance before speaking.

"My first time, and Air-kun isn't satisfied?"

"?"

Hachiman's hand froze mid-tap.

...Wait, what?

F-first time?!

Senpai, please stop saying misleading things!

Could you at least clarify and add "having you do my Genshin daily quests for the first time"?

"The task is... done now. Is this okay?"

Finally finishing the quest, Hachiman let out a sigh of relief and handed Kasumigaoka her phone, eager to escape.

This woman was dangerous.

She had a habit of casually dropping shocking statements.

Being friends with someone like her? No thanks. Not worth the stress.

But Kasumigaoka had no intention of letting him off the hook. Crossing her legs, she left the phone in his outstretched hand.

"Do the side quests too."

"Eh?"

Recalling the blinking red indicators on the quest log, Hachiman nearly snapped.

But he kept a straight face, attempting to persuade her.

"Some of the side quests have really interesting storylines, Senpai. You'd be missing out if you didn't experience them yourself."

Another round of mundane Genshin side quests? Kill me now.

"Senpai, don't treat poor Hachiman like a slave!"

Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow, displeased. "You took my first time, yet you don't want to take responsibility for the follow-up?"

"..."

Hachiman sighed deeply.

Stop making inappropriate jokes already!

"Fine. Let's leave it for now. Lunchtime is limited, after all," Kasumigaoka relented, crossing her arms over her chest with a calm expression.

"But while we still have time, how about you handle this abyss rotation for me? Get me all the stars."

"...Huh? You want me to do the abyss for you?"

"It's not 'helping.' You're doing it for me," Kasumigaoka corrected, lifting her chest slightly to emphasize her words. "Air-kun, mind your phrasing."

Senpai, it's obvious you can't handle it yourself. Just say you need help!

As a member of the Service Club, Hachiman couldn't refuse a request.

"...Fine, I'll do it for you."

Recalling the moment earlier when he had accidentally touched her foot, Hachiman sighed.

This will be my atonement.

Clearing his throat, Hachiman opened the Abyss Spiral.

Oh wow.

Eula, Yelan, Shenhe, Yae Miko, Raiden Shogun… all lined up.

Male characters?

None.

Not a single limited male character was pulled. And the existing ones? Completely untrained.

Senpai, are you… into women?

Cough, cough, not that it's any of my business.

Still, with this roster, full stars should be easy.

However—

A few minutes later.

Hachiman felt defeated.

"No crits at all... And this measly damage? Only a few thousand per hit?"

Apart from Raiden Shogun, every other character's performance was abysmal.

"You're struggling already? Air-kun, how pathetic."

"Hey, it's not my fault," Hachiman grumbled. "Senpai, your account... your build is the issue."

"It's hopeless."

After another failed attempt, Hachiman decisively gave up.

"Tch..."

Kasumigaoka clicked her tongue, visibly dissatisfied.

Noticing her mood, Hachiman quickly backtracked.

"It's not your account's fault! It's mine! I'm the problem! I'm too noob to fully clear your abyss. It's all my fault!"

"If you're bad, then practice. Play more. Improve your skills," Kasumigaoka retorted, clearly wanting him to keep going.

But there was no way Hachiman was going to suffer through her poorly built account.

"My phone skills are terrible. I usually play on PC. I really can't do it on mobile," he confessed.

"Oh? You need a PC?"

"Yeah, I'm much better on PC... But you don't have a PC here, right?"

Hachiman chuckled nervously. You're not seriously going to hand over your account, are you? Aren't you afraid I might mess with your 'waifus' behind your back?

"..."

Kasumigaoka stroked her chin thoughtfully, then suddenly spoke.

"How about this: Air-kun, come to my house this weekend. I have a PC in my room."

"!"

Hachiman's face froze in horror.

...What?!

You're inviting a guy like me, a total loser, to your house?

Senpai, have you lost your mind?!

"This... isn't appropriate," Hachiman stammered.

Kasumigaoka smirked. "Heh. I thought you were tough. Turns out you're just scared of not clearing it."

"It's not that! I can clear it on PC, but... but I'm a guy! Going to Senpai's house just isn't right..."

"Wow, Air-kun, you're surprisingly pure. Don't tell me you've never been to a girl's house before? Tsk tsk. That's... pitiful."

Excuse me?!

Okay, before my second year of high school, I had never been to a girl's house. But now—

"N-no, it's not like that! It's just that... I... I already have a girlfriend," Hachiman stammered, lowering his head. "So, sorry, Senpai. I really can't go to your house."

To avoid any misunderstandings in the future, Hachiman decided to come clean.

But saying he had a girlfriend was far harder than he imagined. If not for Kasumigaoka's relentless "pursuit," he would've preferred to keep it a secret.

"..."

Kasumigaoka's smile froze.

Her brows furrowed as her sharp gaze locked onto Hachiman.

"You... have a girlfriend?"

Heh, shocked? Even a loser like me can have a girlfriend!

"Y-yeah."

Hachiman peeked at her stiff expression nervously.

Senpai, I get that you're surprised, but your gaze is way too intense!

Wait, your foot—

Senpai, why are you kicking me again?!

Hold on...

You're way too close!

What are you trying to do?!

This is too close!

I feel dizzy!

Hachiman! Stay calm!

A heart free of women draws the sharpest sword!

Stay…

Phew!

Nope. I can't. The sword's about to be drawn.

At that moment, Kasumigaoka leaned in, her body almost pressing against his, her face icy yet trembling slightly.

"Who... is she? Heh. I'm really curious now. Care to share?"

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