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

"So this is the big secret you were talking about?" Hachiman said, standing in front of Yukino's apartment door, looking helpless.

"Yep. What, did you really think we were going on an actual internship?" Yukino giggled, her hand covering the corner of her mouth.

"But… is this really okay? Don't we still have to submit a proper evaluation afterward?" Yui asked nervously, glancing between the two.

"It's fine. The place I listed is one of my family's properties. One word from me and it's all taken care of," Yukino said nonchalantly.

"Huh? So this whole fancy apartment is yours too, Yukinon?" Yui blinked in surprise. "What does your family even do?"

"Her father's a councilman," Hachiman replied as he pulled out a key and unlocked the door.

"A councilman? Like, for the prefectural assembly? What's that even like?" Yui asked curiously, clearly unfamiliar with politics.

"Remember the car accident that day? The one she was in? That car alone could probably buy both of us and still cost less than the logo on the hood or the umbrella stashed in the back."

"Whaaat? You're exaggerating!" Yui cried out, wide-eyed.

"No. You're worth it, Yui. But Hikigaya-kun here? I doubt even scratched car paint costs less than he does," Yukino quipped with a smirk.

Hachiman's face darkened immediately.

"Pfft, haha! That face looks like you just bit into a bitter melon," Yui burst into laughter.

With a dramatic eye-roll, Hachiman stepped inside first, slipped on the indoor slippers that were already prepared, then pulled a new pair of women's slippers out of the cabinet and tossed them to Yui.

"I remember your size. Looks like a perfect fit," he said casually.

"It's like I've got no secrets at all around you two," Yui pouted, slipping them on.

"I even know your measurements. Want me to read them out?" Hachiman teased.

"Ahhh! Shut up!" Yui squealed, quickly covering his mouth with both hands.

"Hikki, you're so mean! You can't just blurt that kind of thing out!" Her pink-painted toes kicked lightly at his shin.

"Alright, that's enough, you two," Yukino called out as she walked over with a plate of freshly cut fruit, each piece skewered with a toothpick.

Yui immediately stopped attacking Hachiman and bounced over to the luxurious sofa, sinking into it with a satisfied sigh as she popped a slice of fruit into her mouth.

"Hehehe... Cantaloupe! We only ever have this at home on holidays."

Her eyes lit up with joy at the sweetness.

"If you like it, take some with you later. My family sends too much, and I never finish it all," Yukino said offhandedly as she lay down and rested her head on Hachiman's lap.

"Whoa, you're the best, Yukinon!" Yui cheered, but then her expression dimmed a bit. "Actually… this kinda feels wrong. I can't just mooch off you like this."

"Then how about this? You dump Hikki, and I'll be your boyfriend instead," Yui said with a mischievous grin.

She was immediately flicked hard on the forehead by Hachiman.

"Oww! That hurt! I was just kidding!" Yui rubbed her forehead, eyes tearing up.

"Kidding? If you ever joke like that again, I'll pin you down and spank you. Doesn't matter who's around," Hachiman threatened.

"Yukinon, aren't you going to say something? He said he's going to spank me!" Yui whined, turning to her best friend.

"Hmm..." Yukino nodded solemnly. "Spanking is allowed, but you can't pull down her underwear."

"What the heck!? You're both bullying me!" Yui huffed, pouting before diving toward Yukino in mock protest.

"Alright, that's enough," Hachiman sighed, watching the two girls wrestling on the sofa, limbs tangled and cheeks flushed from laughter.

They completely ignored his plea and continued their chaotic play-fight, chasing each other around the apartment until they both collapsed from exhaustion.

Hachiman fetched a warm towel, gently wiping the sweat from their foreheads. He bent down and lifted Yukino effortlessly onto the sofa. Then, as he went to pick up Yui using the same strength...

His knees nearly gave out.

She was heavier than expected, and he nearly toppled over onto her.

Grimacing, he used a bit more force and dropped the squishy, soft Yui next to Yukino.

"Phew... Yui... you're way heavier than Yukino."

Breathing heavily, he looked at the girl beside him.

Yui didn't respond. She just cradled her cheeks and adjusted her chest with a self-conscious little wiggle that made Hachiman fall completely silent.

"Yukinon... what should we do now?" Yui asked, sounding bored.

"Want to watch a movie?" Yukino offered thoughtfully.

"A movie? But I'm too lazy to move right now. The theater's so far away."

"You don't have to go anywhere. I've got a home theater set up here."

"Seriously? That's amazing!" Yui gasped, finally experiencing the weight of wealth.

"Hachiman, go get the speakers," Yukino ordered.

"...Why are they packed away to begin with?" he asked, already resigned.

"I didn't plan on using them when I moved in. They take up space."

Yukino said this with complete confidence.

"Go on."

She nudged his backside with her small, white foot. To her surprise, Hachiman caught her ankle in his hand.

"W-What are you doing?" Yukino asked, flustered by the warmth of his palm.

"What am I doing?" Hachiman grinned wickedly and reached for her.

"H-Haha... I'm sorry, okay? Don't... don't do that!"

His fingers gently tickled the sole of her foot, and the ticklish Yukino couldn't stop laughing as she tried to wriggle away.

"Haha... I'm really sorry! What do I have to do for you to forgive me?"

"You really mean it?" he smirked. "Kiss me."

"Can't we pick something else? Yui's right here..."

Yukino hesitated, but when Hachiman's fingers twitched again, she panicked.

"No no no! I'll do it! I'll kiss you, okay?"

Panting, face bright red, Yukino leaned forward.

At first, she aimed for his cheek, intending to get it over with quickly. But Hachiman reached up, cupped her face, and went straight for her lips.

Yui, sitting next to them, puffed out her cheeks in protest as the two shamelessly started making out right in front of her.

When Yukino finally pulled away, gasping for breath, a thin strand of saliva still connected their lips. Yui's face was just as red as Yukino's.

Over these past few weeks, Yukino felt like her tolerance for embarrassment had been tested beyond its limits.

Feeling satisfied, Hachiman cheerfully went to retrieve the speakers. As Yukino crouched over the equipment, adjusting the settings, he found himself unable to look away.

Once everything was ready, Yukino tilted her head in thought.

"Hachiman, is there anything you want to watch? I haven't really seen many movies."

"Not really. Do I look like someone who used to go to the theater?"

He shrugged.

They both turned to look at Yui.

Still flushed, she panicked under their gaze.

"W-Why are you staring at me?!"

"We're just asking if there's anything you'd like to watch."

"Hmm..." Yui scrunched up her delicate brows and thought hard.

After a long moment, she smiled sweetly.

"Let's watch that new animated movie that just came out!"

"Animated, huh? Sure. What's it called?"

"White Album: The Movie."

"...Huh?"