Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Faced with Katou's confused gaze, Yukinoshita could feel cold sweat running down her back.

But fortunately, she was not the type of girl to lose her composure so easily.

Even when faced with the "Demon King" Katou, she managed to keep a level head.

"Ahem, the 'Husband-Care Task' is... uh, a friendship-building mission for Hikigaya-kun!"

Quick thinking, as always!

"Friendship-building mission?" Katou blinked, her confusion deepening.

Yukinoshita nodded quickly.

"Yes, that's right. Hikigaya-kun has always been rather reserved, especially around girls. He tends to push them away. For someone like him, navigating social interactions after stepping into society would be a real headache. To help him, I've created this... 'Husband-Care Task,' which is essentially a mission to help him make friends."

"I see," Katou said, finally understanding.

"No wonder Hikigaya-kun has been spending so much time recently with Kasumigaoka-senpai and Sawamura-san. It's all part of Yukinoshita-san's 'Husband-Care Task.'"

"Everything is for the future, after all," Yukinoshita said with a slightly forced laugh.

Seeing an opportunity, she extended an invitation:

"Um, Katou-san, would you be willing to be Hikigaya-kun's friend too?"

"Huh?" Katou blinked again, clearly taken aback.

After a moment of hesitation, she said, "I feel like Hikigaya-kun is rather resistant to me. I'm not sure it's a good idea."

Yukinoshita sighed dramatically, feigning dejection.

"Is my Hikigaya-kun not worthy of you?"

Katou quickly waved her hands. "That's not it, it's just..."

"Katou-san," Yukinoshita interrupted, firmly grabbing Katou's hands. Her expression was serious.

"I truly hope you'll consider being Hikigaya-kun's friend."

"But I don't think Hikigaya-kun would agree to it."

"Leave that to me. If he dares refuse, I'll... I'll make him see reason."

"Eh, that seems a bit..."

"Katou-san, you don't have many friends yourself, do you?" Yukinoshita said slyly.

She smiled.

"Wouldn't it be nice to have my Hikigaya-kun liven up your days a little?"

"Well, if you put it that way..." Katou reluctantly nodded.

"Really?" Yukinoshita's eyes sparkled.

"Then I'll leave Hikigaya-kun in your capable hands. Please take care of him!"

"Not at all, Yukinoshita-san, you're too polite," Katou replied, her face as impassive as ever.

"Though, about Hikigaya-kun..."

"No worries! Like I said, I'll handle it. You two just need to get along well," Yukinoshita said cheerfully.

"Alright then," Katou replied.

Yukinoshita let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, a part of her couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Sigh.

If it weren't for completing the system's tasks, what kind of girlfriend would hand her boyfriend over to another girl?

Especially a Demon King like Katou!

All of this... is for a happier future.

Yukinoshita thought with resolve.

As a wife, this is all I can do for now. Hikigaya-kun, please get along with Katou, and hopefully... end up on a bed together someday.

---

The day passed quickly, and soon it was time to head home.

"What? You want me to become friends with Katou-san?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Of course, there is! I protest!"

"Protest denied. I've already spoken with Katou-san. The two of you should get along well from now on," Yukinoshita said with a sweet smile, clearly enjoying Hikigaya's exasperation.

"What the heck! Stop making decisions for me!"

"What's the problem? I'm your girlfriend!"

"Does being my girlfriend mean you can do whatever you want?" Hikigaya muttered bitterly.

Yukinoshita chuckled, knowing full well that Hikigaya had essentially given in.

"Oh, by the way, Sawamura-san asked me this afternoon if you could help her with her games from now on."

"Huh? She actually told you that?"

"Of course. As your friend, Sawamura-san naturally sought my permission as your girlfriend. So..."

Yukinoshita gave Hikigaya a pointed look.

"Please spare me!" Hikigaya groaned.

"This is all for your own good, Hikigaya-kun," Yukinoshita said cheerfully.

"I hope you can get along with them as well as you do with Kasumigaoka-senpai!"

"This..." Hikigaya hesitated, his lips twitching in frustration.

Getting along with them as well as I do with Senpai?

Please, no!

He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he recalled his betrayal earlier that day.

[Ding! Special anomaly detected in Hikigaya Hachiman. Activating self-preservation task.]

[Self-Preservation Task:

To prevent your boyfriend Hikigaya Hachiman from becoming overly infatuated with Kasumigaoka Utaha, which may lead to diminished affection for you, the host must identify and introduce a new romantic target to dilute his misplaced feelings. Completion requires "progression to the bed stage" within the specified timeframe.]

[Time Limit: One week.]

[Reward: 1000 points, 1 lottery ticket.]

[Note: Failure will result in random deduction of points (0–10,000). Please take this task seriously for your own benefit.]

This system has some nerve! Yukinoshita thought with an incredulous laugh.

Talking about "benefits" as if it's doing me a favor!

Still, she couldn't deny there was some logic to the task.

If Hikigaya kept straying toward Kasumigaoka, it could lead to real feelings.

But if she were to find a new "companion" for him... who would it be?

Sawamura-san?

Kawasaki-san?

Yuigahama? Isshiki?

Hmm.

The options were... numerous.

Wait, why am I seriously considering this?!

This is just for the points! It's not like I really want to give him away!

Taking a deep breath, Yukinoshita decided to put the matter aside for now.

There was something more pressing to attend to.

---

[Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level: 23/100.]

"Hikigaya-kun, before heading home, why don't we stop by that empty lot over there?" Yukinoshita asked, pointing to a small, deserted play area with swings and slides.

"Huh? Uh... okay," Hikigaya mumbled, his cheeks slightly red.

[Ding! Corruption Level -1.]

Hmm?

I haven't even started, and his Corruption Value has already dropped?

He really does love me after all.

Yukinoshita smiled sweetly.

As his girlfriend, I need to properly reward him.

Should she mimic Kasumigaoka-senpai's boldness from earlier?

After all, if lowering his Corruption Level required it... she'd be willing to do anything.

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