Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Inside the women's restroom, the atmosphere was thick with awkward tension.

Hikigaya stood with his back to Haruno, hardly daring to breathe.

"You're seriously making moves on your little sister's boyfriend?"

"That's what makes it exciting. He's a sweet, honest kid."

"Introduce me sometime~"

"No way, he's practically family. Not sharing."

"Tch, stingy. Then let me borrow your boyfriend again."

"Didn't you already borrow him more than once?"

"Work's been stressful lately, okay?"

"Fine, fine…"

From the adjacent stall came a conversation between two women that made Hikigaya's scalp go numb.

Women really are scary when they start getting wild, Hikigaya thought, exhaling in relief once the two finally left the restroom.

But the tension in his stall hadn't lessened.

What had just happened with Haruno… had completely thrown him off.

She had pulled him in suddenly and then—

"Haruno-san…"

"Hikigaya-kun, I… I'm sorry."

Before he could finish his sentence, Haruno spoke first. Her voice was softer than usual—an uncharacteristic hint of embarrassment in her tone.

"I went too far earlier. I don't know what came over me… I just… acted without thinking."

Hikigaya took a deep breath and said seriously:

"Haruno-san… maybe it's time you found a proper boyfriend."

"A boyfriend? Yeah… I probably should. But it's not easy to meet someone, you know?"

She sighed.

"Besides, I kind of like younger guys. College guys are all older than me, and that's just… not my thing."

Hikigaya twitched.

"So now I'm your target?"

"Well, Hikigaya-kun…"

"Please don't joke like that anymore," he cut her off. "Let's just forget what happened earlier. I'll pretend none of it happened."

"…Pretend it didn't happen?"

"If there's nothing else, I should go. And please, next time—don't mess around like that. I thought I was gonna suffocate back there…"

He turned to leave.

"Suffocate?" Haruno blinked, then chuckled. "You're such a funny one, Hikigaya-kun. But are you sure you weren't enjoying it a little? I can tell, you know."

"…"

Hikigaya ignored her and moved toward the door.

"Wait—wait!"

She suddenly grabbed his arm.

"Let me clean you up a little."

"That's really not necessary."

"Come on, it's proper etiquette. Just hold still."

She reached for some tissues and gently dabbed at him, fussing with his collar and face like a concerned older sister—or something else.

"You're stiff as a statue. What, scared I'm not dressed properly or something?"

"…Aren't you?"

Haruno giggled, then gave him a teasing look.

Their eyes met.

Both of them flushed slightly, a hint of mutual embarrassment lingering between them.

"Hikigaya-kun~" she murmured, gaze soft.

Seeing her expression—so rare and subdued—Hikigaya felt his heartbeat speed up.

Is she… always this pretty?

"Here, just tilt your head down a little. Let me fix your hair."

"…Alright."

"Sorry again about earlier," she said, voice lower. "You must think I'm awful."

"It's… it's okay. Not a big deal."

"Really? You're not mad?"

"I'm not thrilled, but… I'll live."

"Honestly, I think I should be disqualified as a woman for what I did…"

"You're being dramatic."

"Then… do you think I'm still… well, okay?"

She leaned a little closer, eyes bright with curiosity.

"Hikigaya-kun, do you prefer girls like me… or like Yukino?"

"Huh?"

"Be honest~"

"This is way too off-topic!"

"Don't be shy now," she grinned. "For the record… no guy's ever touched me like that before."

"I—wait, what?!"

"Heehee~"

Haruno continued edging closer, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

"Okay, okay. You're both unique in your own ways, alright?"

"Oh~?"

Hearing that, Haruno's cheeks turned pink. Her ears even reddened a little.

"So you do like me, then…"

"That's not what I said!"

"You said we're both special—that's basically a compliment, right?"

"Stop twisting my words!"

"Hikigaya-kun~" she sang teasingly, inching even closer.

Hikigaya took a step back, nearly tripping over the stall.

"Haruno-san, please. I'm your sister's boyfriend!"

Those words should've stopped her—but instead, they only seemed to make her smile deepen.

"I know. That's what makes this so exciting~"

"No! Just—no!"

"Just once more~"