Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

After quite a bit of back and forth, Hikigaya and Haruno finally returned to the café area where Mrs. Yukinoshita was waiting.

"Sorry, Mother. I slipped in the restroom earlier… took a bit of time."

Supported by Hikigaya, Haruno explained the delay with a gentle smile.

"Slipped?"

Mrs. Yukinoshita glanced at Haruno's legs, then asked with concern:

"Was it serious? Did you hurt yourself?"

"It's alright. I just need to rest a bit."

Haruno shook her head.

"Then sit down and take it easy."

"Won't this hold you up, Mother?"

"No worries. I've got nothing planned for the evening. Take your time."

Her voice was unusually gentle as she continued:

"You'd better rest. If something goes wrong while driving, that'd be trouble."

"You're right."

Haruno nodded, still leaning against Hikigaya's arm as they headed toward the seats.

"!!"

As her scent drifted past him, Hikigaya's nerves flared again.

Do I really have to sit with these two again?!

Sure, they were both beautiful, but Hikigaya wanted nothing more than to put distance between himself and this walking disaster.

"Auntie, maybe I should head home."

After hesitating for a moment, Hikigaya spoke up.

"It's only about a fifteen-minute walk from here."

"Why walk when big sis can drive you back~?"

Haruno beamed.

Before Hikigaya could object, she tugged him back into his seat. He glanced awkwardly at her legs.

"But…"

"Hehe, just give my leg a little massage. I'm sure a few minutes and I'll be good as new."

As she spoke, she took Hikigaya's hand and tried to guide it toward her leg.

"!!"

Hikigaya's expression turned pale.

What are you doing?! Your mom's right there!

He looked up instinctively… only to see Mrs. Yukinoshita smiling placidly at them, seemingly unfazed.

"Massage it for me, Hikigaya-kun~" Haruno cooed.

"C-Can't you do it yourself?"

"But you're so much gentler. Right, Mother?"

Haruno looked toward her mother with not a shred of embarrassment.

"A-Aunt Yukinoshita…"

"My, you two are really getting along," she said with a small laugh.

"Mother, if Hikigaya-kun weren't dating Yukino right now… well, what a shame that is."

She threw Hikigaya a sidelong glance, which he dodged immediately.

"But even so, we're still family, right? And among family, this sort of thing isn't a big deal. I massage Mother's shoulders all the time~ Right, Mother?"

"Hehe, that's true. Family shouldn't worry about things like this."

Mrs. Yukinoshita showed no signs of objection.

"I… understand."

Defeated, Hikigaya relented.

Someone please save me. Yukino, help! Your mom and sister… I can't take this anymore…

Haruno gave a satisfied smile.

"Thanks, Hikigaya-kun~ Right here, this part's sore from when I slipped."

"…Okay."

Beautiful legs…

No! Focus!

These are demon queen legs!

Hikigaya quietly got to work, massaging as requested.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Yukinoshita watched the two of them with an odd expression. There was something off in the way she looked at them. Her daughter being so close to Hikigaya… somehow made her feel uncomfortable?

Uncomfortable?

Why would something so ordinary make her feel uneasy?

Was it because of Yukino? Guilt, maybe?

"You're really gentle, Hikigaya-kun~ Hehe, not bad at all. I'm already feeling much better!"

Stretching her legs with a lazy elegance, Haruno grinned.

"!!"

Those legs were unfairly flawless. Smooth and pale as silk tofu.

With the way she was looking at him now… it was almost too much.

"If you're feeling better, then let's head home."

Mrs. Yukinoshita stood up.

"Okay."

Neither Haruno nor Hikigaya objected.

They all got up. As Hikigaya straightened himself, Haruno leaned in close and whispered:

"Hikigaya-kun, what do you think of me? Want to get closer? A little sweet talk, and maybe these legs could be yours~"

"!!"

Hikigaya's heart jumped.

"Haruno, are you coming?"

Mrs. Yukinoshita called out ahead.

"Coming, Mother~"

Haruno clung to Hikigaya's arm and followed after.

With a heavy sigh, Hikigaya trailed behind them.

They soon arrived at a sleek coupe parked by the roadside.

As the driver, Haruno headed for the front seat.

"Let's sit in the back, Hikigaya-kun," Mrs. Yukinoshita said softly.

"Alright…"

Hikigaya followed her into the back seat.

"Mother, Hikigaya-kun, ready? I'm starting the car."

Haruno turned the key.

"Drive carefully," Mrs. Yukinoshita reminded her.

"Got it, Mother~ I'm a pro driver, remember~?"

Haruno chuckled, then threw Hikigaya a suggestive glance.

"Right, Hikigaya-kun~?"

"!!"

He looked away, flustered.

Mrs. Yukinoshita caught everything.

And for some reason, the unease in her chest only grew stronger.

Moments after the car started moving, she shifted closer to Hikigaya, as if trying to lean into him.

"M-Mrs. Yukinoshita? What are you doing?"

Hikigaya jumped.

"Hikigaya-kun, I'm just a bit tired. Mind if I lean on you for a moment?"

She lifted her eyes to look at him—eyes that were strikingly similar to Yukino's. Her mature version of that same face stirred something in Hikigaya's mind.

She… looks just like Yukino.

And what was with that gaze?

It was almost exactly how Yukino would look at him…