Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Yukinoshita felt uneasy.

Her boyfriend was experiencing a sense of disappointment.

Without a doubt, this was her fault as his girlfriend.

Was it possible that she had been too gentle, leaving Hikigaya bored?

It was entirely possible!

After all, Hikigaya seemed to enjoy being teased.

There was still an hour left before the effects of the strengthening potion wore off. She couldn't afford to waste it.

This hour needed to be used to change Hikigaya's perception of her—at the very least, she needed to bring back their previous dynamic.

Sitting back on the bed, Hikigaya asked, "Are we heading back now?"

Yukinoshita smiled and shook her head. "Before that, let's take a bath first."

Hikigaya nodded. "Alright, you go ahead."

Yukinoshita blinked and leaned in close, her face just inches from Hikigaya's. In a soft voice, she asked, "Just me? Alone?"

The scent of her perfume stirred Hikigaya's hormones.

But.

Hikigaya coughed lightly, keeping a straight face. "Of course. Go ahead. I'll wait until you're done."

Yukinoshita hesitated and said, "Hikigaya-kun~ How about... we bathe together?"

Hikigaya froze.

Then, his face flushed bright red. "Th-that's not necessary. It's too... cramped for two people."

"What does that matter? A little squeeze won't hurt."

Standing up, Yukinoshita gently took Hikigaya's hand, preparing to drag him to the bathroom.

Hikigaya looked extremely hesitant.

"Can't we bathe together?" Yukinoshita looked at him with a trace of disappointment.

"I-it's not that I don't want to..."

Faced with Yukinoshita's expression, Hikigaya wavered. Finally, with a sigh, he nodded.

"Yay! Once we're in, I'll scrub Hikigaya-kun clean from head to toe!"

"Oh..."

"And you'll help me wash too, okay? Make sure I'm squeaky clean!"

"Eh? I-I have to help you?"

"Of course." Yukinoshita rolled her eyes at him.

Hikigaya looked embarrassed. "I'm afraid I might lose control..."

Yukinoshita smirked. "If the little fish dares cross the line, let him. I'll make sure this little fish tastes the sting of defeat."

"Hah! Who's losing to whom? You little shrimp!" Hikigaya shot back, indignant.

Yukinoshita laughed. "Afraid of you? Not a chance, Fish-kun!"

"Shrimp yourself! Bring it on!"

Good.

Hikigaya had agreed.

This opened up many new possibilities.

Yukinoshita figured that her earlier gentleness had caused Hikigaya's disappointment. If that was the case, then this time in the bathroom, she wouldn't hold back!

Teasing her adorable boyfriend was definitely more fun than just cooperating with him obediently.

---

An hour later.

The bathroom door opened.

Standing at the doorway, Hikigaya called out to Yukinoshita, who sat dazed on the bed.

"Hey, Yukinoshita, we should get going."

Yukinoshita didn't respond. She remained motionless, staring blankly.

Hikigaya hesitated, sighed, and walked over to her side.

"Come on, let's go. What's on your mind?"

"Ah, um..." Yukinoshita avoided his gaze, looking deeply uneasy.

Despite all her efforts, the result was the same.

Not only had she failed to lift his mood, but she also sensed he had grown slightly fearful of her during their bath.

Clearly, she had gone overboard.

Yukinoshita lowered her head like a child caught doing something wrong and whispered, "I'm sorry, Hikigaya-kun. I went too far..."

"It's fine. What's done is done. If anyone's at fault, it's me for, uh... not being good enough." Hikigaya coughed awkwardly.

"Hikigaya-kun, waah—"

Yukinoshita threw her arms around him, overwhelmed with guilt.

"Seriously, it's okay," Hikigaya said, patting her head lightly to comfort her.

Yukinoshita bit her lip.

Why had things turned out this way?

Why hadn't teasing Hikigaya worked?

As his girlfriend, she felt humiliated that she couldn't satisfy him.

Back at home, even when she teased him, he always looked genuinely happy. She had gained so much satisfaction seeing his heartfelt smiles.

She hadn't changed. She was still herself.

The only thing that had changed...

Was Kasumigaoka-senpai?

Huh?!

Yukinoshita's mind raced back to the previous night. A wave of realization struck her, and her face paled.

Wait!

Was this all because of Kasumigaoka-senpai?!

She distinctly remembered hearing Hikigaya's delighted praises last night: "Yukinoshita, you're amazing tonight!" and "I've never loved you more than now!"

But today, all she heard were complaints: "You're crazy!" or "You're a lunatic!"

A chill ran through her.

Could it be that in less than an hour, Kasumigaoka-senpai had completely won him over?!

No!

I refuse to believe it!

His disappointment must have another cause!

It can't be that Hikigaya prefers Senpai to me!

As she frantically convinced herself, the system's voice coldly broke her thoughts.

[Analysis complete... Due to Kasumigaoka Utaha's exceptional performance last night, Hikigaya Hachiman has developed a sense of disparity with Yukinoshita today. Husband-Care Task initiated.]

[Husband-Care Task: To lift Hikigaya Hachiman's spirits, either have Kasumigaoka Utaha comfort him again, or seek out another romance target to do so.]

[Time limit: Three days.]

[Reward: +500 points, Viewing Glasses upgraded to 720P resolution.]

What?!

A Husband-Care Task?

Why can't I fix his mood myself? Why rely on someone else?!

And that reward! Upgrading these crappy glasses?

Why not give me 1,000 points instead?!

Stupid system! Could you act like a decent person for once?!

Yukinoshita was losing it.

"Alright, we should leave now." Hikigaya smiled gently. "Don't dwell on it too much. Just be more careful next time."

"Mm."

Looking at her ever-kind boyfriend, Yukinoshita nodded, touched.

[Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level: 2/100]

Even after the disappointment, his corruption level had decreased.

Hikigaya didn't blame her. He truly loved her!

But...

As his girlfriend, she couldn't let this slide.

If only one of them was happy, it wasn't enough.

Hikigaya needed to feel satisfied, too.

If making him happy meant taking on a difficult task, so be it.

Sigh.

Looks like I have no choice but to complete the Husband-Care Task.

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