Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

The atmosphere inside the women's restroom was rather… awkward.

Miura lowered her head in embarrassment, her voice barely audible as she muttered,

"I had just used the restroom, you know… I probably smell like one. I feel gross just thinking about it…"

"It's not that bad," Hikigaya replied, clearing his throat awkwardly.

"To be honest, if we're going by your logic… then I guess I got the better end of the deal. I, uh, accidentally touched… something important."

"Wha—?! You—ugh!"

Miura's ears turned bright red, practically steaming.

He had a point, though.

There were some things a girl usually only shares with someone really special.

But…

Somehow, Hikigaya didn't make her feel uncomfortable at all. In fact, she kind of… No! What am I thinking?! That's Yui's crush! And I just did that with him?! That's way too much!

Sorry, Yui…

Caught in a wave of guilt, Miura suddenly thought of something else.

Yes, Hikigaya might be Yui's crush—but he's also Yukinoshita's boyfriend.

Which meant… what just happened could be seen as "stealing" him from Yukinoshita.

And weirdly… that thought gave her a tiny jolt of satisfaction.

Yep.

Between feeling bad about Yui and that little thrill of one-upping Yukinoshita, Miura realized the latter was winning out.

"…Still, it's gross," she muttered, fidgeting.

Hikigaya hesitated.

Honestly, if he didn't speak up now, this whole thing might keep weighing on her. And if that affected her performance during the upcoming competition… that would be bad.

So he decided to be direct.

Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya turned around and looked straight at the flustered girl sitting on the toilet lid.

"Listen… it wasn't gross at all. Actually, Miura, you smelled nice. I'm serious. I've never thought of you as anything but clean and—well, kind of elegant, really. If anything, I was the one who overstepped. You shouldn't be blaming yourself."

"…Huh?"

Miura blinked, stunned.

Did… he say she smelled nice?

"Wait—me? You're saying I smelled nice? Just now?"

"I mean it," Hikigaya nodded. "Guys and girls think differently. Even if you'd just run a marathon or come straight from the gym—honestly, you'd still smell good to us. Especially someone like you, Miura. There's this… freshness about you. Hard to explain."

"Wh-What?!"

Miura's thighs instinctively tensed as she stared wide-eyed at him.

"You really think I'm that special?"

"Absolutely."

Hikigaya nodded again. "If anything, being that close to you… was probably the dream of a lot of guys."

"…D-Do you mean… you liked it?"

Miura asked cautiously.

Hikigaya blushed, unable to give a direct answer.

"I mean… what do you think?"

"!!"

Miura absentmindedly brushed a hand against her thigh, her thoughts starting to spiral.

And then… Yukinoshita's face floated into her mind.

She couldn't help but blurt out, "Then… if that's the case, you and Yukinoshita must've already… you know, done stuff, right?"

"Huh? Yukinoshita?"

"You have, haven't you?"

She pressed.

Hikigaya's expression froze.

Just hearing Yukinoshita's name now made his heart ache with guilt.

Because once again… he'd betrayed her.

"…Can we not talk about her right now?"

"?"

Miura blinked. She hadn't expected such a heavy response.

But when she saw the conflicted look on his face—regret, guilt, even sorrow—a strange satisfaction bubbled up inside her.

She swallowed and leaned in. "She's not here, is she? So tell me—have you two…?"

Hikigaya stayed silent.

After a pause, he gave a small nod.

"So you have…"

Miura's expression shifted.

"…And what is she to you, then?"

"…I like her," Hikigaya said quietly.

Miura hesitated, then asked the inevitable question:

"Then what about me? Compared to her… where do I stand?"

"Huh?"

Hikigaya stiffened, startled.

"Compared to her…" he echoed.

"Yeah," Miura continued. "Who's… you know, more…"

"Don't make me compare things like that."

The more Hikigaya avoided it, the more curious Miura became.

Eventually, she stood up and slowly stepped toward him, narrowing the distance with each step.

"So who is it? Me, or your girlfriend?"

"This…"

"You hesitated."

"Huh?"

"If you really loved her, you'd answer immediately. But you didn't. You paused. So… does that mean you think I'm better?"

"!!"

Hikigaya was completely thrown.

He and Yukinoshita had been together long enough that… it felt kind of like an old married couple.

Wait—old married couple?

No, no, no—Yukinoshita, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. You're still the one I love. I take that back!

He took a deep breath and said, carefully,

"No matter what, I love Yukinoshita. She's my girlfriend. If I'm being honest… I'd always choose her."

"…I see."

Miura went silent.

So it's just because she's the girlfriend.

If not for that… would he have chosen her?

Somehow, that really bothered her.

Flashes of Yukinoshita's cold smirks and past provocations returned to her mind. The sting of past losses boiled to the surface.

I'm not letting Yukinoshita have the last word again. Not this time.

If I can't beat her with words, then I'll just steal what matters most to her.

Her pride.

Her boyfriend.

Her claim to victory.

A powerful surge of competitiveness burned in Miura's chest. She had to hear him say it—that she was better.

"Miura, it's getting late. Should we head out?" Hikigaya asked, half-turning toward the door.

"Wait—Hikigaya!"

She suddenly grabbed his sleeve, took a deep breath, and with her face flushed red, said:

"Let's… do that again."

"Huh? Do what again?"

"I mean—compare. Me and Yukinoshita. You need to be sure, right?"

Tension filled the air as Miura, no longer hiding behind her usual pride, spoke with uncharacteristic boldness:

"You already kissed me earlier, didn't you?"

"??"