Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

"Air-kun~ Let's book a room next time!"

"???"

As soon as Hachiman cautiously stepped out of the changing room, a bombshell statement hit his ears. His entire body stiffened, and he stared at Kasumigaoka in utter disbelief.

Kasumigaoka smiled slyly. "What do you think?"

"No way!" Hachiman instantly denied it without a second thought, lowering his voice. "Senpai, please keep it down! What if they hear us in the changing room?"

"Hehe, we're already at the stairwell. How could they possibly hear us?" Kasumigaoka teased, trailing her finger in circles on Hachiman's back. "Half an hour was far too short. It didn't feel fulfilling at all. But if we went to a couple's hotel, oh, the possibilities…"

"We're still at school!" Hachiman protested.

"Hmm... How about after school then?"

"I always go home with Yukinoshita. She'd definitely notice."

"What a shame…" Kasumigaoka sighed in mock regret. "There's still so much knowledge I haven't taught you, Air-kun~"

"You…" Hachiman's face flushed red, thoroughly embarrassed.

Kasumigaoka persisted, "How about we do it again tomorrow? Same place?"

"This place is way too risky!" Hachiman rejected outright, clutching the stairwell railing as he shot her a frustrated look. "And besides… I can't keep doing this with you every day!"

"Why not?" Kasumigaoka leaned closer. "I need to relieve stress every day. Lately, the pressure from studying has been unbearable."

"You… You're being unreasonable! I… I'm just a frail boy; I can't keep up with you!"

"Hehe~ That's why you need my help to build your stamina, Air-kun~"

"No way! I need a break tomorrow!"

Kasumigaoka giggled, "Oh? Are you worried you won't have enough energy for your lovely girlfriend this weekend? Air-kun, you're so thoughtful."

Hachiman froze.

Seeing his flustered reaction, Kasumigaoka smirked triumphantly. "I hit the mark, didn't I?"

Lowering his head, Hachiman sighed, overwhelmed.

Kasumigaoka softened her tone. "Don't look so defeated. I'll go easy on you, okay?"

"Really?"

"Of course~ But only if I don't feel too stressed tomorrow. Otherwise, no promises."

"You…" Hachiman gritted his teeth, swallowing his frustration. She's insatiable! A true devil!

As they approached the stairwell, a sudden thought struck Hachiman. He glanced at Kasumigaoka's shifting figure, blushed, and cautiously asked, "Uh… are you sure you're okay going back like that?"

"Hm?" Kasumigaoka instinctively touched her hip, then smiled. "It's fine."

"But what if—"

"If something happens, I'll just use the restroom. No big deal."

"Sorry…"

"Why are you apologizing? I was the one who insisted, remember?" Kasumigaoka laughed softly. "Besides, if I hadn't, it would've stained your girlfriend's clothes instead."

Hachiman fell silent, his mind racing. "It should be… fine, right, Senpai?"

"Relax. It's a safe day," Kasumigaoka reassured him with a mischievous chuckle. "I wouldn't want to be waddling around school with a big belly in our final year, would I?"

"..."

Despite her assurances, Hachiman couldn't shake his worry. He silently prayed for no unexpected outcomes. Yukinoshita, I'm sorry... I've failed you... But I promise I'll find a way to escape this demon's grasp someday. Please believe in me…

---

Not long after Hachiman and Kasumigaoka left the changing room, Yukinoshita quietly arrived at Class J's locker room.

"This scent…"

Yukinoshita's pupils contracted. The air was thick with a mix of male and female perspiration, but there was something else—something uniquely stimulating that tugged at her senses.

Her emotions churned.

To her surprise, she found the scent oddly pleasant.

Why… Why do I find the smell of Hachiman and Senpai mixed together appealing?! What's wrong with me?!

Shaking her head, Yukinoshita sighed, trying to calm herself. "Focus, focus. There's something more important to take care of."

She opened a window to let fresh air in. "Honestly, those two are so careless. If someone else notices this, what will they think?"

Yukinoshita's heart ached as she cleaned the room. My boyfriend does something unspeakable with another woman, and here I am cleaning up after them.

After a few minutes, she exhaled deeply. "Finally done."

Just as she was about to leave, her gaze fell on her locker. Hesitating for a moment, she walked over and opened it.

Inside was her gym uniform, still slightly wrinkled—and faintly warm.

Her breath hitched. It's still warm…

Her thoughts drifted back to the images she had seen earlier with the viewing glasses. Unfortunately, the glasses had only allowed her ten minutes of footage—far too short to capture everything.

If only I could've seen the whole thing…

"Wait! Why am I feeling disappointed?!"

Yukinoshita slapped her cheeks, horrified at herself. This isn't what I wanted! I only watched to gain points, nothing more!

As she tried to suppress her turmoil, a cold, monotone voice came from behind.

"Yukinoshita-san, what is an 'Husband-care Task'?"

"?!"

Yukinoshita's heart nearly stopped. Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with Katou, who stood silently, her expression unreadable.

"What is it?" Katou repeated, her gaze steady.

Sweat trickled down Yukinoshita's back. She stammered, "I-it's… an Husband-care Task is…"

It's over! She's found out!

Hachiman, save me! I need you to take down this Demon King, Katou!!

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