Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

After exchanging a few words, Hikigaya and Miura began their warm-up exercises.

Unlike before, this time Hikigaya moved straight to the pull-up bar after just a few light stretches.

"Huff... huff..."

He pulled himself up one after another, steadily building momentum.

Soon, sweat beaded on his forehead, and a faint sense of masculine intensity filled the air. Miura, not far from him, caught the scent, which made her tense up slightly. She quickly stepped away from the stretching rack, trying to shake off her distraction.

Twenty-three, twenty-four…

He kept going.

It was as if his stamina had no limits.

Pull-ups weren't supposed to be this effortless, right?

Miura unconsciously bit her lip and swallowed. There was something undeniably appealing about a strong, determined boy. She couldn't help but glance at him again.

"...Tch."

Feeling her thighs tighten on instinct, Miura shook her head and tried to recompose herself.

"You warm up like this now?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

"Yeah, feels like a better way to loosen up."

Hikigaya answered mid-rep.

"…You'll tire yourself out before training even starts."

"It's fine. I feel like I've got energy to spare today."

Fifty… fifty-one…

This guy was seriously something else.

Miura forgot how many reps he had done. His strength was unreal. For a brief, embarrassing moment, she imagined how easy it would be for him to lift someone—say, a certain classmate. Then she caught herself.

No, no, get a grip! What am I thinking?!

"How was that?" Hikigaya asked, wiping his sweat as he turned to her.

"Huh? Wh-What do you mean?"

Flustered, Miura panicked at the question.

"What do I mean?" Hikigaya repeated, confused. "I meant, how was my form? You're the sports expert here. Was it proper?"

"…"

Oh. That's what he meant.

Ugh, what was I even thinking just now!?

Trying to act composed, Miura nodded. "Y-Yeah. Your form was great. Honestly, even better than a lot of sports students I know."

"Good to know," Hikigaya replied with a grin.

That smile hit her unexpectedly hard.

There was just something about guys after a workout—especially Hikigaya now. The usual gloomy, introverted image of his had shifted. With hair slightly tousled, cheeks flushed from exertion, and that natural smile, he looked… different. Almost radiant.

It was a surprising contrast, and it left Miura a little stunned.

"Hi-Hikigaya…"

"Hmm? What's up?" He glanced down at her legs. "Are you shaking?"

"N-No, it's nothing…"

She quickly coughed and changed the subject. "Anyway, are you done warming up? Want to go for a run?"

"Sure. Let's run together today."

Without interruption this time—like a certain meddling aunt—they could finally spend some peaceful time side by side.

And so, they started jogging.

Different from usual, this time they ran shoulder to shoulder.

The breeze swept past them, mixing their presence.

Miura didn't know how Hikigaya was feeling, but she was definitely affected.

Why does he smell so good today?

This is bad… really bad…

Her pace gradually slowed.

And for someone like her—a trained athlete—it was a little embarrassing.

Noticing the change, Hikigaya turned to her. "Maybe you should take a break with Yuigahama this weekend? She said you haven't been out in a while."

"I-I don't need your concern!"

Miura's face turned red, and she shot him a glare.

"But—"

"I said I'm fine! I just…" She looked away, flustered. "I just need to hit the restroom. You go on ahead."

With that, she slowed her pace and headed toward the nearby public toilets.

"Alright then."

Hikigaya nodded and continued jogging.

Watching his back fade into the distance, Miura felt her heart race.

What is wrong with me today? Why does everything feel… off?

Maybe she was just tense from the upcoming competition. She hadn't had a proper break in ages.

As she neared the restroom, she muttered under her breath, "Ugh… I can't take this. I need to cool down or I won't be able to focus on anything today…"

But as she tried to clear her head, the image of Hikigaya doing pull-ups played on loop in her mind.

---

Meanwhile…

Elsewhere, Yukinoshita sat on a wooden stool in the bathroom, combing her hair. Steam from her bath surrounded her like a misty veil, creating a serene and elegant scene.

At that moment, the system voice chimed:

[Ding! Detection alert: Miura Yumiko appears to be developing certain… emotional thoughts toward the host's boyfriend. She is currently in a restroom, lost in her imagination. We suggest using the "Bond Card" to establish a stronger emotional connection between the host and said boyfriend.]

"...Huh?"

First he's kissing my sister, now it's Miura?!