Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Hikigaya had spent the entire night mulling over a possibility: was Kasumigaoka-senpai perhaps... into girls?

Otherwise, he couldn't fathom why she would go out of her way to target him so persistently.

Hmm... two untouchable flowers in a close bond?

The imagery felt...

Wait! That's definitely out of the question!

Sure, I occasionally watch yuri anime, but in real life, yuri is a terrifying force to be reckoned with!

And besides…

Yukinoshita is my girlfriend now! How could I ever let Kasumigaoka-senpai have her?!

---

"Good morning, Mr. Air."

The moment Hikigaya walked into class and approached his seat, Kasumigaoka, seated behind him and engrossed in her book, casually greeted him.

Hikigaya responded reluctantly, "Good morning, Senpai..."

Kasumigaoka's tone was light as she commented, "So, how far have you and Yukinoshita progressed? I'm curious."

Hikigaya froze, his guard instantly up. "Uh, progressed... in what way?"

"Have you done it?" she asked flatly.

"Huh?!" Hikigaya pushed his chair back, his face slightly pale. "That's none of your business, Senpai!"

No sooner had he spoken than he noticed Kasumigaoka's brows furrowing.

Wait a second!

Why is she even asking such a question? If I said I had done it with Yukinoshita, would she try to kill me in a jealous rage?!

Hikigaya took a deep breath, grabbed his textbook, and sat down, determined to ignore the ominous aura emanating from the girl behind him.

---

More and more, Hikigaya was convinced that Kasumigaoka might have feelings for Yukinoshita. Now that he and Yukinoshita were officially dating, it could very well have sent the senior into emotional overdrive.

Sigh. Yukinoshita really is popular here at Sobu High. Seems like I'll need to keep our relationship under wraps for the foreseeable future.

Even though he tried to ignore her, Kasumigaoka wasn't about to let him off the hook. She kept tapping him lightly with her foot—a small but deliberate provocation.

From morning homeroom to recess, and even during class…

She even had the audacity to mess with him during Kirisu-sensei's history lecture!

Sweat poured down Hikigaya's back.

This is Kirisu-sensei's class! How dare you openly provoke me like this!

Don't think of me as some sickly little kitten, Senpai!

You're forcing my hand!

For a brief moment, a bold idea crossed Hikigaya's mind: stepping down hard on Kasumigaoka's foot.

You don't think I'd dare?

Wrong.

I, Hikigaya Hachiman, have never hesitated to crush a girl's spirit when necessary! I've made plenty cry back in my second year!

Just as he considered whether to go through with it, Hikigaya noticed Kirisu-sensei's sharp gaze shifting in his direction. In an instant, he came up with an even bolder plan.

---

With steely resolve, Hikigaya leaned down and—right in front of Kirisu-sensei—brushed his hand against Kasumigaoka's foot in retaliation.

Kirisu-sensei: "?"

Kasumigaoka: "!"

There was no doubt: Hikigaya's move was audacious enough to cause a stir.

As a result, Kirisu-sensei patrolled near his desk for the rest of the class, her cold gaze flitting back and forth between Hikigaya and Kasumigaoka.

For the time being, Kasumigaoka stopped her antics.

---

After the bell rang, Kirisu gathered her materials and, without a trace of emotion, called out, "Hikigaya, come to my office."

The other students exchanged puzzled looks, unable to guess why the teacher had singled him out. A few even shot him sympathetic glances.

Feigning indifference, Hikigaya quietly followed her, though internally he was panicking.

Well, since she caught me acting up on the first day of class, I guess it was inevitable I'd get on her radar.

Before leaving his seat, he heard Kasumigaoka's sly parting remark: "Truly a kind soul, Mr. Air."

Hikigaya froze.

What is this increasingly dangerous vibe?

Why do I feel like she's planning something even worse for me now?!

---

In the hallway, Hikigaya sighed. He could worry about Kasumigaoka later. For now, his priority was Kirisu-sensei.

Maybe, if the opportunity presented itself, he could request a seat reassignment. Surely, after witnessing that earlier incident, Kirisu-sensei would agree, right?

---

A minute later, Hikigaya arrived at Kirisu Mafuyu's office.

There she was, seated at her desk. Her black pencil skirt accentuated her legs encased in sheer tights, while her commanding presence filled the room.

But Hikigaya dared not let his gaze linger.

Kirisu-sensei's piercing glare was like a weapon aimed straight at him, her every movement exuding an aura of authority.

"Hikigaya," she began coldly, "do you know why I called you here?"

After a moment's hesitation, Hikigaya admitted, "Because I touched Kasumigaoka-senpai's leg."

Her expression darkened. "On my watch, during class, you decided it was a good idea to grope a female student? Explain yourself."

"Because her legs were too attractive," Hikigaya replied matter-of-factly. "What man wouldn't want to touch them?"

Kirisu-sensei: "???"

Although the response was startlingly direct, Hikigaya was counting on it to work in his favor. He hoped this would lead to a lecture and a much-needed seat reassignment.

But to his surprise, Kirisu-sensei frowned. "Don't lie to me. I know you, Hikigaya. You're not the type to do something like that without a reason."

"Lying?!" Hikigaya was taken aback.

How does she know me so well...?

Before he could process it, Kirisu-sensei tapped her pen against the desk. "As Shizuka said, you're quite a character."

"Wait, Shizuka?!"

Hikigaya's mind reeled. "Sensei, do you know Hiratsuka-sensei?!"

"She's a good friend of mine," Kirisu-sensei replied curtly.

Hikigaya was stunned.

No wonder she'd been keeping an eye on me… So this is all because Hiratsuka-sensei pulled some strings?!

---

Just as Hikigaya was grappling with this revelation, Kirisu-sensei added, "I know both you and Kasumigaoka's personalities well. I expect you to behave yourselves from now on. If I catch you misbehaving again..."

She shot him a chilling glare, making Hikigaya flinch.

Next time, she'd show no mercy.

"Understood," Hikigaya muttered, sighing in resignation.

At this point, he couldn't shake the suspicion that even his seating arrangement had been part of some elaborate plan.

---

As he turned to leave, he hesitated. "Sensei, about Hiratsuka-sensei... Where is she now?"

Kirisu-sensei gave him a sharp look. "Didn't she tell you?"

"She didn't mention it," Hikigaya admitted awkwardly.

After a moment's thought, Kirisu-sensei answered, "Shizuka is now teaching at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School."

"Advanced Nurturing... High School?"

Hikigaya's expression shifted.

"You've heard of it?" Kirisu-sensei asked, noting his reaction.

"Well... It's Japan's top and most unforgiving school. I can't believe she went to a place like that…"

The thought of Hiratsuka-sensei in such an intense environment left him both impressed and a little alarmed.

Lost in thought, Hikigaya's gaze wandered to Kirisu-sensei's legs.

And for reasons he couldn't explain, a certain reckless idea began to take shape in his mind yet again.

***************************

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