Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

So, is this never going to end?

First, it was Yuigahama.

And now, this hairpin-wearing little devil!

I'm a man, okay?!

Why do all of you look down on me and insist on arm wrestling me?!

Do I look that weak to you?

Fine, then!

Today, I must prove myself!

Hachiman Hikigaya is a real man!

"Are you two ready?"

Komachi, acting as the referee, looked at Hikigaya and the little devil herself, Iroha Isshiki, who had just proposed an arm-wrestling match against him.

"Of course," Hachiman replied confidently.

Daring to challenge me?

Isshiki, Isshiki, just wait and see. I'll show you the power of Hachiman in a moment!

Better not cry when you lose, okay?

"Um… Senpai, please… go easy on me…"

Just as Hachiman was brimming with confidence, Isshiki suddenly pursed her thin lips and blinked her adorably wide eyes two or three times like a helpless little animal, gazing at him weakly.

"...Eh?"

Seeing Isshiki's soft and vulnerable expression, Hachiman froze on the spot.

Hey, hey, hey!

What's with that unfairly cute look?

It's way too adorable!

Why do I suddenly feel no desire to win and instead have this overwhelming urge to protect her?

"Hehe~ I win, Senpai!"

"Ah?"

By the time Hachiman snapped back to reality, his hand was already pinned to the table by Isshiki.

Wait!

The match had already started?!

Shocked, Hachiman looked toward the referee.

"Big Bro, you lost."

Komachi cast a disdainful glance at Hachiman and unceremoniously declared the match over.

"How did this happen?!"

Hachiman opened his mouth, stunned and unwilling to accept the outcome.

He had only been momentarily bewitched by Isshiki's cuteness, and yet… he lost?!

How infuriating. Isshiki, this girl, is just too dangerous!

Hachiman sighed inwardly.

From the moment they met, Isshiki's devilish charm had continuously suppressed him. She was far too cunning, this woman!

Beside him, Komachi quickly dropped her disdainful look and switched to a cheerful smile as she praised Isshiki. "As expected of Miss Iroha, you're amazing!"

"Hmph, dealing with a clueless senpai is, of course, a piece of cake." Isshiki nodded smugly, then seemed to notice something. She added, "But, Komachi, you should stop calling me 'Miss Iroha.' I've said before, it feels weird."

"Then what should I call you?"

"Call me 'Senpai,' of course! That's the right vibe."

"Eh? No way. I'll either call you Miss Iroha or… heh."

Komachi blinked, scanning the somewhat flustered Isshiki mischievously.

"Call me what?" Feeling the bad intentions in Komachi's gaze, Isshiki instinctively guarded herself and turned her eyes toward Hachiman for help. "Senpai, could you control your little sister? I really feel like she's plotting something against me, sen-pa~i?"

Hey, hey, hey!

What's with that last, unnecessary "senpai"?!

"What could I possibly plot against Miss Iroha?"

"Hmph, as if I don't know your sneaky thoughts? Let me tell you, it's not going to happen!"

"Oh, really? Then tell me, what exactly am I thinking?"

"..."

Hachiman had no idea what the two were arguing about, but he found the bickering quite entertaining.

Although he had trouble dealing with the little devilish Isshiki, his adorable little sister seemed to be her natural nemesis. Interesting.

As he watched the scene unfold, Hachiman occasionally stole glances at Yukinoshita and Yuigahama, who were chatting nearby.

At that moment, seeing the dejected look on Yuigahama's face, Yukinoshita took a sip of her tea and said gently, "Yuigahama-san, would you like to give it another try later?"

"Eh?" Yuigahama raised her head cautiously, her eyes evasive, as she stammered, "Isn't that… not a good idea? I mean… I've already lost once."

Yukinoshita replied, "It's only one loss. Are you planning to give up just because of that?"

"I… I…"

Yuigahama lowered her head again.

"Losing isn't scary," Yukinoshita said, gripping Yuigahama's hand earnestly. "What's truly frightening is refusing to face defeat. Don't give up so easily, Yuigahama-san."

"Yuki…no…chan…"

Encouraged by Yukinoshita's words, Yuigahama, who had been looking down, slowly raised her head as if gazing at an angel.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Yuigahama took a deep breath. Her previously downcast expression transformed into one of energy and determination. "You're right, Yukino-chan! How can I give up so easily? Hikki, let's go again!"

"???"

Hachiman nearly spit out his tea. "A-again?"

Hearing Yuigahama's declaration, Komachi's eyes sparkled. "Yay! Go for it, Yui-neesan! Beat my brother!!"

Isshiki, on the other hand, played the role of a bystander, cheering with a smile. "Good luck, Yui-senpai!"

Motivated by everyone's encouragement, Yuigahama nodded vigorously. Brimming with determination, she turned to Hachiman, whose face had gone stiff.

"Hikki! Let's… do this!"

"Uh?" Seeing Yuigahama's serious expression, Hachiman felt a wave of pressure and quickly tried to find an excuse. "I… I suddenly need to use the bathroom. Be right back."

Why is the Service Club so dangerous today?

Time to bail.

"Big Bro (Senpai), no running away!"

Komachi and Isshiki spoke in unison, their faces full of disapproval.

"???"

Hachiman's mouth twitched as he glanced weakly at Yukinoshita, silently pleading for his girlfriend to save him.

However…

To his dismay, Yukinoshita remained perfectly composed, sipping her steaming tea. She looked at him with a calm smile and said, "Hikigaya-kun, it's just arm wrestling. As a boy, you shouldn't back down."

"..."

Hachiman's face froze, and his last hope crumbled.

Seriously? You don't mind your boyfriend having physical contact with other girls?

Fine, fine.

If even you, as my girlfriend, don't care, what can I say?

Meanwhile…

Watching Hachiman's troubled expression, Yukinoshita's serene smile concealed a peculiar sense of satisfaction.

Strangely enough, Yukinoshita had always felt uncomfortable when Hachiman interacted with other girls. As his girlfriend, she naturally disliked seeing him get too close to other women.

Yet…

Perhaps due to the growing sense of "points" being accumulated and the hope they represented, or perhaps from witnessing Hachiman's visible discomfort, Yukinoshita found herself secretly enjoying the situation.

In short, as Hachiman had brief, minor interactions with other girls, Yukinoshita suddenly felt it wasn't entirely unacceptable.

Ahem!

Of course, that didn't mean she'd tolerate him cheating!

If Hachiman ever crossed the line, like kissing or something more intimate, Yukinoshita knew she wouldn't be able to accept it. Not now, anyway.

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