Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

"Moving?"

In the Service Club, Yukinoshita, seated at the table, looked at the fidgety Yuigahama beside her in surprise.

Yuigahama hesitated before explaining awkwardly, "Yeah, my family's moving today, so I need to head back early to help carry stuff upstairs. It's just my mom and me, and I'm worried she can't handle it alone. I'm really sorry."

"It's no problem, Yui-nee," Komachi, sitting across from them, shook her head before tilting her head in confusion. "But why not just hire a moving company? I heard from Onii-chan that moving is super exhausting."

Yuigahama gave a sheepish laugh, hesitating before mumbling, "Well…"

"Moving services in Japan are incredibly expensive," Hikigaya interjected calmly, answering on her behalf.

Indeed, moving costs in Japan aren't cheap, typically starting at around 50,000 yen, with 100,000 yen being pretty standard for an average family. Hikigaya's knowledge of this came from his own family's move during elementary school when his parents had him help out, teaching him the brutal reality of labor costs firsthand.

Damn it, those dumb parents of mine!

Making a kid shoulder that kind of burden at such a young age? Honestly, are they even my real parents?

Komachi, now enlightened, asked another question: "Oh, I see. But, Yui-nee, where's your dad? Why is it just you and your mom? Is he on a business trip or something?"

At the mention of the word "dad," Yuigahama's expression darkened. She spoke softly, "My dad… he passed away a few years ago in an accident."

"Ah…"

Komachi was stunned, immediately falling silent.

Hikigaya and Yukinoshita also went quiet, lowering the books they'd been reading upon hearing Yuigahama's somber revelation.

Feeling guilty, Komachi apologized quietly, "I'm sorry, Yui-nee…"

"It's okay, really."

Yuigahama shook off her gloom with a practiced smile—gentle and warm, yet carrying a faint trace of sorrow that made her seem heartbreakingly vulnerable.

Komachi, consumed by guilt, quickly changed the topic. "Uh, so, Yui-nee, what's your new address?"

Yuigahama shared the location.

"What?!"

Komachi's eyes widened in shock.

"That's so close to our place! Just one street away! What a coincidence!"

She turned to Hikigaya, her excitement bubbling over.

Hikigaya, maintaining his usual calm, focused on his book, completely ignoring the meaningful look Komachi was giving him.

"Hehe, yeah, it's quite a coincidence," Yuigahama said awkwardly.

Seeing her brother remain unmoved, Komachi huffed in frustration before turning back to Yuigahama. "Anyway, that means I can come over to visit you often now! Yui-nee, can I come to your house to hang out?"

"Of course! You're always welcome, Komachi."

To Yuigahama, Komachi was like a little sister.

After checking the time, Yuigahama stood up and said, "It's getting late. I'd better head off. Komachi, Yukino, Hikki, bye—"

"Wait a moment, Yuigahama-san."

Yukinoshita interrupted as Yuigahama prepared to leave.

"Yukino, is there something else?"

"Well, it's just…" Yukinoshita glanced at her boyfriend instinctively. "Hikigaya-kun, why don't you go with Yuigahama-san and help them move?"

"What?"

"Oh!"

"Huh?"

The three of them reacted differently.

"No, no, no! That's not necessary!" Yuigahama waved her hands frantically. "There's not much stuff, and my mom and I can manage."

Komachi took the chance to chime in, "But Yui-nee, you and your mom are both women—moving heavy stuff is exhausting! Wouldn't it be way easier with a guy helping? Right, Onii-chan?"

She shot a pointed look at her brother.

Hikigaya hesitated, glancing at Yukinoshita. Her expression was calm and radiant, her smile seemingly harmless. With a resigned sigh, he gave in.

"You win."

Closing his book, Hikigaya stood and turned to Yuigahama. "Alright, I'll come help."

"Ah, uh… this…" Yuigahama stammered, her face flushing slightly as she struggled to form coherent words. "Isn't this… too much trouble?"

Yukinoshita smiled. "Let's not forget, Hikigaya-kun is a member of the Service Club. Helping classmates in need is part of his duty. And more importantly, you're our dear friend, Yuigahama-san."

Komachi nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! Yukino-nee is absolutely right. If we don't make Onii-chan work, he'll just waste away at home playing games, like a lazy fish."

"Hey, hey, hey!"

This damn sister of mine!

Just because you're cute doesn't mean you can spew nonsense like it's the truth!

Yukinoshita chuckled lightly. "Well, that's settled, then. Hikigaya-kun, you'll accompany Yuigahama-san and be sure to help properly."

Hikigaya sighed in defeat. "Fine."

Seeing no way out, Yuigahama hesitated for a few seconds before mumbling shyly, "Yukino… maybe you should come too?"

"Hmm?"

"I-I don't mean for you to help move anything! I know about your health, so I wouldn't ask that. I just think… if Hikki's the only guy there, my mom might get the wrong idea or something. Uh, plus, my mom just came up with a new cake recipe, so maybe you could come try it?"

As Yuigahama rambled, her face turned redder, and her voice grew softer.

"Yuigahama-san, you…"

Yukinoshita opened her mouth, but no words came out.

This girl…

Sigh.

I was trying to create some alone time for you and my Hikigaya-kun.

Yet here you are, worrying about me instead.

Such a nurturing personality, and you don't even realize the opportunities you're wasting.

Yukinoshita shook her head with a wry smile, while Hikigaya looked at her expectantly. "Guess we're all going?"

"…Fine. I'll come along too."

Yukinoshita sighed in resignation.

Her plan for the two of them to have some alone time had failed.

Still…

Yukinoshita remained unfazed.

If being subtle didn't work, there were always more direct approaches!

After all, if Yuigahama and Hikigaya ended up getting closer, it wasn't such a bad thing.

If Hikigaya had to grow closer to someone else, she'd rather it be Yuigahama.

Now, how should she orchestrate things so that these two might accidentally get closer during the move?

She began to plot quietly.

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