Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Seeing Hikigaya's instinctive, frightened reaction, Kasumigaoka's heart rippled with delight, brimming with amusement.

Her hand, as if acting on its own, slowly reached out, eager to stroke the boy's cheek.

However…

Just as her fingers were about to touch him—

Smack.

Hikigaya reacted swiftly, slapping away Kasumigaoka's wandering hand.

"Air-kun?"

"Kasumigaoka-senpai!"

Forcing himself to remain calm, Hikigaya spoke in a low voice, "Please… don't touch me randomly!"

"Oh my, so rough?"

Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow and glanced at her rejected hand.

Then, with a sly smile, she brought her hand to her lips and licked it.

"But… hehe, I quite like Air-kun when you're rough like this. Just like that night—when you…"

Her voice trailed off, carrying a teasing undertone.

"Y-You—"

Hikigaya stiffened, instinctively stepping back.

But with the restroom door behind him, there was nowhere to retreat.

No way out.

Even if he wanted to escape, it was impossible.

Trapped, Hikigaya turned his gaze toward Kasumigaoka.

After a few moments of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said, "Senpai, please delete the video."

Kasumigaoka smiled. "Hehe, is Air-kun begging me now?"

Hikigaya sighed. "If that's how you want to see it… then yes."

Kasumigaoka's grin widened.

"Alright, I can delete it. I won't send that scandalous video to Yukinoshita. I'll pretend that night never happened—treat it like a dream."

Hikigaya eyed her warily.

Without a doubt, if she was willing to agree, it meant she wanted something in return.

After a moment's silence, he asked cautiously, "What do you want in exchange?"

Kasumigaoka's tone softened, her voice almost affectionate.

"Oh, Air-kun, haven't you figured it out yet?"

"!!"

Her sultry voice made Hikigaya's skin crawl.

"All I ask," Kasumigaoka continued sweetly, "is for you to fulfill one small request. That's all."

Hikigaya tensed. "What request?"

"Well…" Kasumigaoka's eyes sparkled mischievously, scanning him from head to toe, openly appraising him.

"Just do… anything a couple would do—holding hands, kissing, or even… going further…"

"What?!"

Faced with her suggestive gaze, Hikigaya's expression shifted dramatically. He rejected her without a second thought:

"No way!!"

"Air-kun, don't be so hasty."

Kasumigaoka's voice was gentle, almost coaxing.

"We've already… done it once, haven't we? In terms of the body, you've already betrayed Yukinoshita once."

"That's exactly why I can't betray her again!"

"Ah, Air-kun~" Kasumigaoka's tone turned teasing.

"A physical betrayal? Does that even count? Think about it—if you accidentally brushed against another woman in everyday life, would you call that a betrayal? Of course not! So, physical contact doesn't mean anything. As long as your heart belongs to Yukinoshita, you're not betraying her."

Hikigaya frowned, murmuring under his breath, "If the heart remains loyal… it's not betrayal?"

Noticing his hesitation, Kasumigaoka pressed on, her tone soothing and persuasive.

"Don't worry. Everything between us will stay a secret. Yukinoshita won't find out."

"Just like now—Yukinoshita doesn't know, does she?"

"This will be our little secret, something only we share. No one else will ever know. I promise. It'll only last until graduation. Once we graduate, I'll delete everything in front of you and completely cut ties. You'll be free."

Her words were like whispers of temptation, endlessly echoing in Hikigaya's ears.

"…"

Hikigaya remained silent.

Maintaining an improper relationship with Senpai… until the end of high school?

No.

No matter how he thought about it, it was completely unacceptable!

"Senpai, I—"

Just as he was about to refuse, Kasumigaoka interrupted him with a bitter, sorrowful tone:

"Air-kun… Third year is so stressful, isn't it? The pressure is unbearable. I just want a little warmth from you… just a little love to help me cope. Can't you do that for me?"

"Please… just help me. Consider it an act of kindness…"

"Air-kun, you're such a kind person. For me… and for Yukinoshita, for your future together, will you… agree?"

Her pleading tone, tinged with sorrow, made refusal nearly impossible.

Hikigaya was no saint.

He was just an ordinary high school student.

Faced with Kasumigaoka's relentless persuasion and soft appeals, his already chaotic thoughts became even more jumbled.

"This… will really end after graduation?"

"Of course."

Kasumigaoka nodded firmly, lowering her head slightly to hide the victorious smirk forming on her lips.

"…"

Hikigaya took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts.

Truth be told, he was fully aware that Kasumigaoka was manipulating him, using gentle coercion to trap him, step by step, into agreeing to something he fundamentally didn't want.

But the problem was—

She held all the cards.

He had no leverage, no power to refuse.

With the video as evidence, and his own guilt, Hikigaya was utterly at a disadvantage.

If he pushed her too far…

Yukinoshita might—no!

Yukinoshita, his beloved Yukinoshita…

The thought of her discovering this and being heartbroken, or worse, completely shattered, was unbearable.

Their love was too precious. He couldn't let her down.

Of course, Hikigaya wasn't someone who gave up easily when faced with adversity.

Even if he couldn't think of a solution now, he vowed to find a way out later.

But for now…

After an intense internal struggle, Hikigaya slowly raised his head.

"Senpai, I…"

"Air-kun… are you agreeing?"

Kasumigaoka's voice trembled with excitement as her hand once again reached for his face.

This time, Hikigaya didn't push her hand away.

Instead, he let her gently stroke his cheek.

"I just hope… Senpai keeps her word."

Closing his eyes, Hikigaya tried to calm his racing thoughts.

Stay strong, Hikigaya Hachiman.

I love Yukinoshita.

This is just temporary, a necessary compromise.

Yukinoshita, trust me. I'll escape her grasp.

Hachiman will never betray you.

Hachiman is a pure-hearted warrior of love!

[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level +1]

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