The Hikigaya Couple’s Youth Romantic Comedy Is Just as Expected

The sound of knocking on the window snapped Yukino out of her cozy position atop Hachiman's lap. In one fluid motion, she sat up straight, fixed her hair, smoothed her expression, and shot a death glare at the driver outside.

But of course, anyone who could last as a chauffeur in the Yukinoshita household had to be made of stern stuff. Completely unfazed, the stoic-faced driver repeated his earlier announcement.

"Second Miss, we've arrived. You may step out now."

Yukino, having no way to win against this expressionless wall, took out her frustration by pinching Hachiman's thigh hard.

Ignoring his muffled yelp of pain behind her, she opened the door, didn't spare the driver a glance, and headed for the trunk to retrieve their luggage.

By the time Hachiman managed to climb out and toss the group's luggage at his own feet, Yukino had already dragged Yui and Komachi toward the beach.

That left Hachiman standing there in quiet despair, wondering if maybe it was time to start working out. At this rate, he'd die young from sheer exhaustion.

When he finally caught up—sweating, panting, and burdened like a pack mule—Yukino didn't let up.

"Why are you so slow?"

"I'm carrying everyone's stuff, you know. I'm not a machine."

He paused, eyeing her suspiciously. "Also, what did you put in here? It's ridiculously heavy."

"Nothing much. Just a beach umbrella."

Yukino smiled slyly, her lips twitching as if she could barely hold back a laugh.

"A beach umbrella? Seriously? What's it made of, iron?" Hachiman groaned. "You tricked me, didn't you?"

"Hikigaya-kun, maybe it's not the luggage that's heavy. Maybe you're just weak."

She stuck out her tongue teasingly before skipping off with the others, grabbing her swimsuit from the bag.

"Set up the umbrella and mats, will you? We'll be right back."

By the time Hachiman had everything in place and had collapsed lazily on the blanket, ready to check out some beachside scenery, a pair of hands suddenly covered his eyes, and a familiar fragrance drifted toward him.

Without a word, he reached up and grabbed the hands. With a light tug, Yukino lost her balance and tumbled into his lap.

Snickering, she looked up at him and playfully pinched his nose.

"Hey, Hikigaya-kun. What were you just looking at?"

"Nothing!" came his muffled reply. "I've been hauling stuff for half the morning, then setting up everything. I barely had time to breathe before you popped up."

"Is that so?" Yukino smiled, then rested her head against his chest, gazing at a group of girls in swimsuits nearby. "But from here, you have quite the view, don't you?"

"They don't even compare to you," Hachiman said flatly, with absolute sincerity.

Yukino raised an eyebrow, pleased.

"Smooth talker. Fine, I'll let you off the hook this time."

She sat up slightly. "So? What do you think of this?" she asked, gesturing at her outfit.

"You'll need to stand up. Can't see properly from this angle."

Yukino chuckled and stood, spinning once in front of him. She wore a black-and-white striped bikini that highlighted her porcelain complexion and elegant figure.

Hachiman blinked, swallowed hard, and nodded dumbly.

"You look... really good."

"Aww, Hikigaya-kun's all flustered. How cute."

Trying to change the subject, Hachiman asked, "Where are Yui and Komachi? Weren't you all together?"

"They went to buy floaties, so I came ahead. By the way, Hikigaya-kun... do you know how to swim?"

"Of course I do. Why?"

"Well, you are a penguin after all."

"Penguins can swim, you know."

Yukino gave a theatrical slap to her forehead. "Oh, right. Silly me."

Before Hachiman could retort, a cheerful voice called out, "Hikki~!"

Yui came skipping over, clad in a pink bikini and dragging a matching floatie. Her flip-flops kicked up sand as she ran, her ponytail bouncing with every step.

As Hachiman glanced over, Yukino's white foot poked him in the shin, not-so-subtly snapping his attention back.

"Hikki~ wanna come swim? Komachi already went ahead!"

Yui looked at him with hopeful eyes.

He noticed Yukino giving him the faintest shake of the head.

"I'll come later. You two go ahead. Keep an eye on Komachi for me, okay?"

Though visibly disappointed, Yui nodded and gave them a wave before running off toward the water.

"So..." Hachiman turned to Yukino. "You kept me back for a reason?"

Yukino shook a small bottle of sunscreen in front of his face.

"How about a little reward? Want to help me put this on?"

Hachiman didn't hesitate. He grabbed the bottle, and Yukino smiled, laying down slowly on the beach blanket, her voice a touch nervous.

"Okay... you can start now."

The cool oil hit her back with a splash.

"Ah! That's cold!"

Hachiman's hands followed, spreading the sunscreen gently. The contrast between the chilly lotion and the warmth of his touch made Yukino shiver slightly.

Peeking over her shoulder, she saw how focused he was, and relaxed, letting herself enjoy the moment.

Hachiman worked his way down her back, careful and methodical, but clearly affected by the softness under his palms. As his hands reached her lower back, she twitched, and he, with a mischievous grin, lingered just a second too long.

"Hikigaya-kun!" Yukino turned and gave him a warning nip on the shoulder.

He laughed awkwardly and moved on to her legs. Once he was done, he gave her a gentle pat on the back.

"You're good."

But Yukino simply rolled over, cheeks slightly pink.

"...Keep going."

Hachiman blinked. "...Oh. Uh. Okay."

Carefully, he poured a bit of sunscreen onto her stomach, trying not to look directly at her. Yukino shifted slightly, moving closer to his hands.

He couldn't help noticing the toned elegance of her figure—graceful, but strong. The kind of strength that came from training, like in aikido.

He reached out to apply more and accidentally gave a light squeeze.

Yukino gasped.

Startled, Hachiman pulled back and found his hand... well... somewhere it definitely shouldn't have been.

Yukino, meanwhile, looked entirely too amused.

"Hikigaya-kun," she said sweetly, eyes sparkling, "you sure seem to be enjoying yourself."

Before he could stammer out a reply, a voice rang out from behind them.

"Ara ara~ if it isn't little Yukino and Hikigaya-kun. What a coincidence! You two out here having fun?"

The pair froze.

Slowly, Hachiman turned around to find Yukino's older sister, Haruno Yukinoshita, standing there in a swimsuit, smiling like the cat that caught the canary.

And just like that, all three of them stared at Hachiman's very misplaced hand.

Not. A. Word.

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