Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

The next day at school, Hikigaya spent the morning trying to find an opportunity to talk with Kato.

It was all for the sake of fulfilling the Wife's Task!

Otherwise, someone like him, an experienced loner, wouldn't willingly approach someone as daunting as the Demon Queen Kato.

During Break Time

Hikigaya glanced at Kato, who was focused on her phone.

He hesitated.

Suddenly, Kato turned her head and looked at him. "Hikigaya-kun, is there something on my face?"

Startled, Hikigaya jumped. "N-no…"

"Oh." Kato returned to playing on her phone.

Hikigaya let out a nervous breath, sweat trickling down his back.

Then, Kato spoke again, her tone calm but piercing: "There's no need to force yourself, Hikigaya-kun. I know someone like me doesn't really fit. I'll tell Yukinoshita-san later—you've already tried your best."

"Eh?"

Hikigaya panicked and quickly waved his hands. "No, no, no! I actually really want to be friends with you!"

"Really?"

Of course not!

This was all for the Wife's Task!

"Absolutely!" Hikigaya replied, maintaining a solemn expression. "It's just… I feel like we don't have much to talk about. So, uh… Kato-san, what do you usually do at home?"

"Play on my phone."

"Anything specific?"

"Browse websites, watch funny news and videos…"

Okay.

We really don't have any common interests.

Hikigaya felt this approach wasn't working. The conversation was bound to dry up again.

"Do you play games, Kato-san?"

"Games? Like Snake? Tetris?"

"???"

Hikigaya coughed. "You must get bored sometimes, right, Kato-san? How about I recommend a game? It's a relaxing open-world game—perfect for someone like you!"

Hehehe!

Let's have the Demon Queen Kato dive into the bottomless pit of that two-character, monolithic gacha game! Am I too evil?

Kato looked puzzled. "Open-world game? Is it the one that Sawamura-san and Kasumigaoka-senpai keep talking about?"

"That's the one! It's a game that truly cares about its players. For example, characters released over half a year ago still get updates! As players, we can just enjoy the game stress-free and let the devs handle all the complicated stuff."

"Oh, I see. I'll give it a try. But… before that, the Kasumigaoka-senpai behind you doesn't seem very pleased. She's been glaring at you for quite a while."

"Huh?"

Hikigaya turned his head.

Kasumigaoka was smiling sweetly. "Enjoying your chat with Kato-san, aren't you, Air-kun?"

Wait.

Senpai, when did you get back from the restroom?!

Of course, Kasumigaoka didn't let him off easily.

Next Break

Hikigaya still wanted to strike up a conversation with Kato.

But just as he was about to speak, someone suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Hikigaya, come with me," Miura said coldly before turning and heading toward the classroom door.

"…???"

Hikigaya was dumbfounded.

What was even stranger was Sawamura, who had just stood up as if to say something, suddenly sat back down after Miura spoke.

Kato, still focused on her phone, gave him a curious glance.

Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka, who had been reading, kicked him under the desk.

Ugh! Headache incoming!

Hikigaya sighed and reluctantly got up.

As he left the classroom, he felt Kawasaki's angry gaze on him.

What? I didn't do anything!

Why does everyone seem so suspicious?

The air felt dangerous all around him.

Hikigaya cautiously followed Miura to a staircase landing.

"What's this about?"

"What did you do to Yui last night?" Miura demanded, her gaze icy and her tone brimming with hostility.

Scary!

Hikigaya quickly explained, "I just walked her home like normal!"

"Walked her home? Hah."

Miura didn't soften her glare. "Then why isn't she at school today?"

"Huh? Yui didn't come to school?"

"She took the day off! I've been messaging her, but she hasn't replied." Miura's face grew darker. "Tell me—did you… did you do something to her?"

"How could I?!"

Seeing how serious Miura was, Hikigaya's face twitched, and he hastily denied it. "Don't let your imagination run wild."

"If it wasn't you, then why didn't Yui come to school today?" Miura pressed.

"Could it be…"

Hikigaya hesitated, recalling last night.

"Well? Spit it out."

After a few seconds of hesitation, Hikigaya relented and shared the truth: "I think it's because of the run we went on during her period… maybe she's not feeling well."

"…???"

Miura's expression froze.

"She was on her period yesterday?"

"Uh… yeah."

"…!"

Miura's frosty demeanor instantly turned into anger. She stomped her foot in frustration. "That idiot! Why didn't she tell me?! Ugh!"

"…Well."

Hikigaya stood in awkward silence.

What else could he say? Yui was just too kind-hearted.

He quietly prepared to leave.

But Miura stopped him. "You're coming with me to visit Yui after school."

"Uh…"

Hikigaya sighed helplessly, seeing no way out.

Back in the Classroom

"Back already? How was your little heart-to-heart with Miura-san?"

The moment Hikigaya sat down, Kasumigaoka's teasing voice came from behind him.

"…???"

Hikigaya turned to see Kasumigaoka's usual "friendly" smile.

Leaning closer, Kasumigaoka whispered in his ear, her voice low and sultry:

"My dear, are you addicted to cheating now? One affair isn't enough, is it?"

She smiled sweetly, but her words were razor-sharp. "Miura-san's a stunning beauty, I'll give you that. So it's only natural that Air-kun might have some inappropriate thoughts about her."

"But…" Her voice dropped even lower. "Let me make one thing clear. You're only allowed to cheat with me. You're… mine!"

What is with this overwhelming possessiveness?!

"I-it's not like that…" Hikigaya stammered, trying to explain. "Miura-san and I are innocent!"

"Oh really? Miura-san's face was all red when she came back. And you're telling me nothing happened?"

"I… I…"

Kasumigaoka's smirk grew. "Anyway, meet me in the equipment room during lunch."

"Huh?!" Hikigaya exclaimed. "The equipment room? Senpai, what are you planning?!"

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