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

When Hachiman slid open the door to the clubroom, Yukino and Yui were already seated.

The moment Yukino saw him, her cheeks flushed. No doubt she was recalling everything that had happened the night before: not just sleeping next to him, but also... the unexpected bleeding incident. And the fact that he'd seen everything.

"Oh wow... Yui's actually studying? That's rare," Hachiman remarked with exaggerated surprise.

"Ugh, don't even start," Yui groaned, flopping over the desk and ruffling her hair. "Midterms are right around the corner!"

"Now that you mention it... yeah, they're only a week away." Hachiman dropped his backpack and tapped his finger rhythmically on the table.

"Wait, how come you don't seem even the least bit stressed?" Yui asked, genuinely confused.

"Don't let his lazy vibe fool you," Yukino said, not even looking up from her paperback. "This guy placed third in our school for Japanese literature."

"Second place went to Hayama. First, of course, is this icy beauty right here," Hachiman added, gesturing at Yukino.

"What the heck?" Yui cried. "So I'm the only one freaking out over midterms?"

"Well, this is Sōbu High we're talking about. Everyone here had high deviation scores. Midterms probably don't stress most people out," Hachiman replied casually.

"Are you seriously saying I didn't get in here on my own merit?!" Yui glared at him, eyes wide with indignation.

"I didn't say that," Hachiman said, taken aback by her sudden outburst. "Why are you barking like I stepped on your tail?"

"Ugh... I feel like I'm going to fail this time." Yui sighed in despair. "I was planning to study this weekend, but then we ended up going on that trip..."

"Well, can't blame anyone but yourself for that. Weren't you the one who suggested we go?" Yukino added mercilessly.

"Argh!" Yui clutched her chest dramatically and collapsed against the table like a wounded hero.

"Alright, don't be so dramatic." Yukino patted her gently on the back. "It's fine. We'll just help you review."

As she said that, she cast a sidelong glance at Hachiman.

"Uh... right!" Hachiman caught on quickly. "We'll help you study. The two of us. Together."

Yui looked up, teary-eyed. "Really? You guys are the best!"

Poor girl. If only she knew that the two of them had already seen each other fully exposed in every way but one.

"So... what are we doing now?" Hachiman turned to Yukino.

"Studying," she replied, pulling out a pair of earphones.

She tapped around on her phone, plugged in her earbuds, tested the volume, and then went right back to reading.

Hachiman fished out his wireless earbuds from his pocket and resumed listening to music as well.

Yui stared at the two of them, dumbfounded.

"Wait a sec... I thought we were supposed to study together! Why are you two listening to music?"

"This is how I usually study. Drowns out background noise," Yukino said simply.

"Yeah, same," Hachiman echoed. "Besides, studying is mostly self-paced. If you have questions, just ask."

"Ugh, fine." Yui grumbled and pulled a random textbook out of her bag.

A few minutes later, her face turned pale.

"Um, Hikki... what's this mean?"

"What is it? Let me see." Hachiman took the book from her.

"What the... Newton's third law? Yeah, nope." He stared at the physics problem, rubbing his forehead.

"I'm going into humanities, so this stuff's out of my league. Ask Yukinoshita."

Yukino rolled her eyes and took the book from his hands, then patiently began explaining.

Time passed, and gradually even Yukino began to question how Yui had managed to get into Sōbu High. No matter how many times she explained the same concepts, Yui just couldn't seem to get them.

Eventually, Yukino slumped back into her chair, covering her forehead in defeat.

Across from her, Yui was sprawled over the desk, equally crushed.

"I'm so useless, Yukinon," she muttered pitifully.

"Oh, come on. It's only been an hour. If it were that easy, high school wouldn't last three years," Hachiman said, opening Yukino's bag and pulling out a tin of cookies.

He laid them out neatly on a plate in front of them.

"I don't know how to make tea, so I'll leave that to you."

His tone was so matter-of-fact that Yukino narrowed her eyes at him like a grumpy housewife. Still, she stood up and retrieved the teaware from the cabinet.

She returned with three cups. One she placed in front of Hachiman with condensed milk already added. For Yui's, she stirred in one and a half teaspoons of sugar without even asking. She didn't notice the surprised expression on Yui's face as she sat down and took a sip of her own unsweetened tea.

"Yukino, your sugar ratio's perfect," Yui said with a content smile, eyes half-closed in bliss.

Yukino's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Then she opened her eyes slowly and smiled. "Is that so? I'm glad you like it."

Seeing how calm Yukino was, Yui dismissed her suspicions.

"Still... I feel like you two are hiding something from me."

Her intuition, as usual, was razor sharp.

"What could we possibly be hiding?" Hachiman replied smoothly. "Focus on your studies."

But facing these two Oscar-level actors, the innocent girl couldn't detect a single crack in their performance.

"Ugh, whatever. I've already given up on this test," Yui moaned, collapsing again like a beached fish with lifeless eyes.

"Don't give up just yet. There's still time," Hachiman said. "Worst case, Yukino and I can just help you study every day this week."

That night, Hachiman stepped out of the shower, towel in hand, drying his hair. He sat down and picked up his phone, hesitating for a moment before typing out a message to Yukino.

"What are you up to?"

"Just finished showering. Was wondering when you'd finally message me."

Yukino replied instantly.

"...What the... Is she teasing me now?" Hachiman blinked at the screen, momentarily stunned.

"Ahem. What do you need me for? Miss me already?" her next message said, like a smirking child.

Even through the screen, Hachiman could feel her mischief.

"Nothing much. Just wanted to remind you not to bleed all over another bed again."

"Get lost!"

Yukino curled her toes under the blanket and buried her red face in a pillow, rolling around like a cat in embarrassment.

"By the way... are you in pain?"

"A little..."

"Judging from how unprepared you were yesterday, I'm guessing your cycle isn't very regular."

"..."

"Alright. I'll make some time to help you get your health in better shape. Your body comes first."

"Mm..."

After that reply, Yukino didn't message again.

Hachiman had originally wanted to talk strategy with her about helping Yui, but seeing no further response, he sent one last message.

"I'll come see you tomorrow."

Then he turned off his phone, switched off the light, and closed his eyes. Within minutes, the room was filled with the steady rhythm of his breathing.

A few minutes later, a soft chime sounded.

The phone screen lit up with a short message.

"Okay. Good night."