Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

I, Hachiman Hikigaya, am a pure love warrior!

Though I despise my sadistic girlfriend, Yukino Yukinoshita, my love for her is unwavering and unchanging. I swear, I will never love anyone but her!

I had once vowed to myself that in this lifetime, I would only touch one woman, only kiss her.

However...

A few minutes ago, I kissed a girl who wasn't Yukino.

Hachiman cried inwardly. Although it wasn't something he actively pursued, his body had betrayed Yukino and kissed another woman.

His values and beliefs had been shattered like never before.

Hachiman was overcome with self-blame.

After Yukino and Kawasaki left the women's restroom, Hachiman and Kasumigaoka were still stuck in the bathroom.

The atmosphere was awkward and tinged with tension.

Hachiman, his back to Kasumigaoka, knew he couldn't just leave. He needed to figure out what had just happened, why it happened, and what the hell that kiss was all about.

Could Kasumigaoka be plotting something?

Hachiman clenched his jaw, took a deep breath, and turned around. "Senpai, why did you... do that?"

"I..." Kasumigaoka herself couldn't understand why she suddenly acted so impulsively. But after remembering the strange dreams she'd been having every night recently, she felt strangely relieved. She opened her mouth, paused for a few seconds, and then swiftly changed the topic. "How's Air-kun feeling?"

"Eh?" Hachiman shuddered, not expecting her to ask such a question. He stuttered, "W-what?"

Then he heard Kasumigaoka's laugh from behind him. "Don't pretend you don't know, Air-kun. When you kissed me and Yukino, who did you feel more for?"

Hachiman: "???"

Who feels what now?

Why is she asking me such a question!?

That's easy, no need to choose!

"Of course, Yukino..." Hachiman started, but for some reason, his mind flashed back to the kiss with Kasumigaoka, remembering her initiative. His heartbeat quickened, and he found himself at a loss for words.

Wait!

Hachiman, what are you doing? How could you be comparing the kiss techniques of your girlfriend and your senpai?!

Hachiman shuddered and tried to continue. "Definitely Yukino..."

Kasumigaoka's laugh rang out again. "Hehe, you say Yukino, but deep down, Air-kun must think I'm better, right? After all, otherwise, you wouldn't have been so eager to match my kiss just now."

"!!" Hachiman shivered as a wave of self-blame and frustration surged through him. He couldn't help but speak up. "Please... stop toying with me, Senpai! In that situation, anyone would react instinctively!"

Immediately, Hachiman spun around, his eyes locking onto Kasumigaoka's as he asked, "What's going on, Senpai?"

But when his eyes met the red-faced beauty behind him, his words died in his throat.

At the same time, when Kasumigaoka saw him turn around, she quickly averted her face, embarrassed, still sitting on the toilet seat.

The narrow space between them grew more charged with tension, the sound of their breaths becoming more apparent.

Wait!

What is going on here?

Why is Senpai's face so red?

"Air-kun, your face is so flushed. Could it be that after I kissed you, you've fallen for me?" Kasumigaoka asked, her voice a little softer.

Hachiman gritted his teeth. "Y-You... you too, Senpai? Have you fallen for me too?"

Hachiman thought for sure that Kasumigaoka, being the high-and-mighty person she was, would either reject him or change the subject. But instead, to his surprise, she softly responded with an "Mm."

"?"

Hachiman froze on the spot.

"Mm, you say..."

Hachiman swallowed dryly, increasingly certain that the situation was spiraling out of control. His body instinctively began to retreat as he prepared to escape.

But...

Kasumigaoka grabbed his arm, her head lowered in embarrassment, and in a small, shaky voice, she murmured, "I... I mean, that."

".... Huh?"

Hachiman's breath caught.

That?

Senpai, are you... confessing to me?

Senpai likes me?

No, no, no!

This can't be happening!

What nonsense is this?

We've known each other for only a few days!

And now she likes me?

There must be some sort of scheme at play!

Hachiman stammered, "Senpai, you're kidding, right? Please, stop playing with me. I'm begging you."

Kasumigaoka took a deep breath, raised her eyes to meet his, and spoke calmly. "Air-kun, do you think a girl would give her first kiss as a joke?"

First kiss!

No wonder it had felt so skilled yet tinged with a hint of inexperience...!

Wait, what?!

You gave your first kiss to someone like me, a complete mess?!

Hachiman couldn't bring himself to look into Kasumigaoka's serious eyes. He stammered, "But... but I'm just a useless guy, how could someone like you like me? This... this doesn't make sense!"

Kasumigaoka paused, pursing her lips. "I... prefer weak boys. Air-kun, you really match my taste."

Wait, what?

Senpai, are you also a sadist?!

Hachiman took a deep breath. "But... I already have a girlfriend, sorry, Senpai. I don't think I can accept your confession."

Kasumigaoka remained unfazed, her expression indifferent. "Who says that boys with girlfriends can't have other girls confess to them? Maybe you'll like me more in the future."

She said this while adjusting her chest and crossing her perfectly shaped legs, her black stockings only enhancing her allure.

What a sight...

No! Hachiman, get it together!

Yukino is your girlfriend!

Hold on, don't give in!

Hachiman did his best to calm himself, but it was time for his final move.

He sighed helplessly and said, "Senpai, I... I've already... well, you know, done that with Yukino. You girls probably care if a guy hasn't had his first time, right? So..."

He glanced at Kasumigaoka, whose body seemed to tremble slightly.

Heh!

This has to work!

Senpai, a woman as amazing as you wouldn't be interested in someone like me who's already been... tainted, right? You must be disgusted!

Just tell me to leave!

But as Hachiman confidently thought this, Kasumigaoka's expression didn't change. She calmly responded, "Sorry, I, Kasumigaoka Utaha, really like that kind of guy. A boy who's been touched by love will probably be so much better later on."

After speaking, Kasumigaoka raised her eyes, gazing intently at Hachiman, as if to add, "I don't mind at all. In fact, I might even be a little excited."

"?"

At Kasumigaoka's relentless responses, Hachiman was utterly stunned.

No way...

This is really happening?!

This, this, this...

As he thought back to the absolute trust Yukino had shown him in her conversation with Kawasaki, Hachiman's self-blame surged again, but he quickly suppressed his rapid heartbeat.

No, no.

No matter how sincere Senpai is, I, Hachiman Hikigaya, am a pure love warrior!

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