Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

The next day.

As usual, Yukinoshita continued her sneaky surveillance of Hikigaya's study group in the library.

However, today she was utterly frazzled.

Yukinoshita had assumed that after yesterday's simulation for Kasumigaoka, the results would lead to the latter becoming even more proactive and sticking closer to her Hikigaya.

If that happened, she'd easily rake in a steady stream of points just from Kasumigaoka alone. That way, she wouldn't even need to rely on other women anymore.

But reality, as always, was cruel...

By afternoon, her total point earnings for the day still stood at a solid zero.

Even someone as poised as Yukinoshita couldn't help but feel a growing sense of urgency.

"How could this be? Did the simulation fail? That doesn't make sense... Yesterday, during the simulation, Senpai made such a bold move on Hikigaya-kun..."

Muttering to herself, Yukinoshita paced back and forth behind a bookshelf, flipping through books in frustration without reading a single word.

Could it be that things had backfired and made Kasumigaoka-senpai develop a dislike for Hikigaya instead?

No way, right?

Yukinoshita was growing more anxious by the second.

She desperately wanted to check Kasumigaoka's affection level toward Hikigaya, but unfortunately, affection levels were only visible for the main target, Katou. Secondary targets were entirely out of her scope.

This can't go on!

By now, Yukinoshita had grown too accustomed to "farming" points from Kasumigaoka-senpai. If she couldn't continue this strategy, she wouldn't even know how to make ends meet today.

What about Yui in the Service Club?

Out of the question.

Not only was Yui's point yield much lower than Kasumigaoka's, but trying to stage frequent "accidents" in the Service Club's private setting would surely raise suspicions.

Should she focus on Katou's main storyline?

That would be a monumental challenge.

Over the past few days of observation, Yukinoshita had come to realize that Katou was practically a zen master—calm, unflappable, and utterly indifferent to everything. Honestly, it was absurd. No wonder the system had ranked her on par with Haruno, Yukinoshita's own monstrous older sister.

Sigh. No choice then.

The difficulty of Katou's storyline was too high, so Yukinoshita could only aim to complete a few side quests for now, hoping to improve her standing before tackling Katou.

"System, what should I do?"

Reluctantly, Yukinoshita turned to the system for advice. She really wanted to keep "milking" Kasumigaoka's points but was out of ideas.

[System: The system suggests the host use today's "Forced Intimate Card" on Kasumigaoka Utaha.]

"Huh?" Yukinoshita blinked in surprise. "Use it on Senpai? But isn't that card only usable on Hikigaya-kun?"

[System: As the host accumulates more points, additional privileges are unlocked. The card can now compel other women to initiate close interactions with Hikigaya. With enough progress, even high-quality targets like Katou Megumi will be affected.]

"Wait, really...?"

Even Katou could be made to act? This system's potential seemed limitless.

"Alright, that works. Let's do it!"

After some deliberation, Yukinoshita decided to use the Forced Intimate Card on Kasumigaoka-senpai.

Once Yukinoshita had her sights on Kasumigaoka's points, she wasn't about to let go.

However...

Yukinoshita glanced at the four people engrossed in studying.

Using the card now would be impossible.

It was better to wait until Kasumigaoka and Hikigaya were alone.

---

Half an hour later...

"I'm going to the restroom," Hikigaya announced as he stood up and addressed Kasumigaoka, their group leader.

"I'll go too," Kasumigaoka said, also rising to her feet.

"..."

Nature's call was universal, so Hikigaya didn't think much of it. Slouching slightly, he walked off toward the restroom.

Seeing the opportunity for Hikigaya and Kasumigaoka to be alone, Yukinoshita's eyes lit up.

Here it is!

Realizing they were heading toward the restroom, Yukinoshita hesitated for a moment before a sly smile appeared on her face. A restroom was perfect—quiet and private. It was the ideal spot for Kasumigaoka to make her move.

With that in mind, Yukinoshita discreetly followed them.

---

Hikigaya finished in less than two minutes and walked out of the men's restroom, heading to the sink to wash his hands.

However, Kasumigaoka had yet to emerge from the women's restroom.

"What? Why's Senpai taking so long? Come on, Hikigaya-kun's going to leave soon!"

Yukinoshita, who had been planning this moment, was practically pulling her hair out in frustration.

Why couldn't women be as quick as men in the restroom?

Senpai, hurry up!

---

Just then, a voice called out from the women's restroom.

"Hikigaya-kun, are you still there?"

"Huh?" Hikigaya hesitated for a moment but answered, "Yeah, I'm here."

"Ah, thank goodness." Kasumigaoka's voice sounded relieved. "Could you grab me some toilet paper? There's none left in here."

Hikigaya's lips twitched. "...But I'm a guy. How can I go into the women's restroom?"

"There's no one else around right now. No one will see. Hurry up and help me out—didn't I just tutor you earlier?"

After a moment of hesitation and a quick glance around, Hikigaya reluctantly agreed. "...Alright, fine."

---

From her hiding spot, Yukinoshita watched in disbelief as Hikigaya walked into the women's restroom.

Hikigaya-kun, why are you so soft-hearted?!

Still, this worked in her favor.

The women's restroom was even safer—no risk of being spotted by someone else.

Not wanting to waste the moment, Yukinoshita immediately used the Forced Intimate Card on Kasumigaoka.

What would Senpai do next? The thought made Yukinoshita giddy with anticipation.

However, a realization suddenly hit her:

"Wait! Was I too impulsive? What if Senpai's still, you know...occupied? How are they supposed to...?"

---

[Ding! Under the card's influence, Kasumigaoka Utaha has pulled Hikigaya Hachiman into the restroom and kissed him. System points +200.]

[Ding! Achievement unlocked: "Second Kiss Stolen." System points +300.]

"???"

Hearing the word kiss, Yukinoshita froze.

...Kiss?

Wait a second!

Did the system just say Kasumigaoka kissed Hikigaya-kun?!

"How... How could this happen?" Yukinoshita muttered, her body trembling.

She could tolerate them getting close in a simulation.

But this... this was real life!

Her Hikigaya-kun's first kiss with another woman—and she had caused it herself?!

Fuming, Yukinoshita directed her ire at the system.

"System! What the hell is going on?! You owe me an explanation!"

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