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

"Oh, you're here too," Hachiman said, nodding a greeting to Hayama.

"Well, if it isn't Hikigaya-kun," Tobe Shou chimed in, his tone as gratingly theatrical as ever.

This guy must've been born in the wrong body, or maybe he's had a gender transplant. Hachiman grimaced internally.

"Don't say it like that, Tobe. Hikigaya-kun's still our classmate," Hayama replied, ever the smiling diplomat.

"Wow... could this be the fated collision of the cold-faced ascetic and the sunny prince? Is this... forbidden love?" Ebina Hina gasped, her eyes glinting with excitement and her cheeks flushed pink. She stared intently at Hachiman and Hayama, breathing a little too heavily.

At her words, both Hachiman and Hayama shivered in unison. They glanced at each other, then promptly turned away, miming the act of vomiting.

Seeing their perfectly synchronized reaction only made Ebina more excited. Two thin lines of nosebleed streamed from her nostrils as her mind clearly filled with unspeakable images.

From a short distance away, Yukino saw Hachiman's mock retching and hurried over to pat his back with concern.

"You alright? Why'd you suddenly look like you were about to puke? Are you carsick?"

Seeing the worry on her face, Hachiman composed himself and answered, "No, just remembered something really disgusting."

Noticing Yukino's gesture, Miura Yumiko tried to do the same for Hayama, but he smoothly stepped aside, dodging her hand without a word.

"We'll get going then, Hikigaya-kun," Hayama said coolly, already switching back into his external armor.

"Honestly, your sister is way better than you," Hachiman muttered as he watched Miura walk off, visibly disheartened.

"She's always been that way," Yukino replied, nodding in agreement.

"Come on, let's go check out the campsite."

Hand in hand, Hachiman and Yukino strolled down the path, scanning the crowd of elementary schoolers with calm eyes.

"There." Yukino tugged gently on his hand and pointed to a shaded spot under a tree.

Hachiman followed her gaze and spotted a girl sitting alone Tsurumi Rumi. With her black hair and eyes, she looked remarkably like a younger version of Yukino. A chill of loneliness clung to her presence.

"Should we go over?" Yukino asked, concerned.

"No. Approaching her out of the blue wouldn't help," Hachiman replied, watching her intently.

Maybe people with similar auras really do gravitate toward each other. Rumi looked up from her knees and stared silently at the two of them. Her eyes, once dull and lifeless, flickered slightly when she noticed their hands intertwined.

The three stood like that for a while, locked in a quiet standoff. Eventually, Hachiman hesitantly raised a hand in greeting.

Rumi didn't respond. She simply tucked her face back between her knees.

Hachiman scratched his head and slowly lowered his hand, awkwardness written all over his face.

Yukino couldn't help but chuckle. "You haven't even introduced yourself to her and you're already trying to win her over like some shady stranger. Anyone would ignore you."

Embarrassed, Hachiman cleared his throat and looked away.

"Let's go. We'll deal with our dear daughter later."

Still smiling, Yukino tugged him along.

As the two walked off, Rumi's gaze lingered on their backs, a faint glimmer of disappointment clouding her expression.

"Yahallo! Yukino, Hikki! Where did you two run off to? I've been looking all over!" Yui called out, bouncing up and latching herself onto Yukino.

Yukino frowned and tried to push her away. "Yui, I'm really hot right now. Can you not?"

"Huh? But you were just holding hands with Hikki, weren't you? Are you saying I'm not welcome? That hurts... I thought we were best friends..." Yui pouted.

With a sigh, Yukino gave up resisting and let Yui cling to her arm.

Feeling her arm sink between two soft mounds that were squishing and rubbing against her, Yukino's face instantly turned bright red.

"C-could you... not... do that..." she stammered.

Yui obediently let go and instead grabbed Yukino's hand. "Come on, let's help out with cooking! You're so good at it, Yukino."

Hachiman, having been trained by Yukino herself, was also a great cook. But unless the situation demanded it, he was usually too lazy to bother.

While the others bustled around the cooking area, Hachiman walked over to the shade of a nearby tree and quietly watched Yukino and, not far away, Rumi.

As if sensing his gaze, both girls looked up at the same time.

Yukino gave him a warm, knowing smile before returning to her task.

Rumi, on the other hand, wiped her hands dry, ignored Hayama entirely, and walked straight toward Hachiman.

Left standing awkwardly, Hayama turned away and struck up conversation with some other students.

Rumi approached Hachiman, stopping just a few feet away.

"You feel... different from everyone else," she said softly.

"Me? Maybe," Hachiman replied calmly. "You're not exactly like the other kids, either. You seem... more mature."

"Mature... huh." Rumi mulled over the word. "What's your name?"

"Usually, you give your own name first before asking someone else's," Hachiman said, smiling.

"Tsurumi... Tsurumi Rumi."

"Hikigaya Hachiman." He offered his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Rumi hesitated, then slowly reached out and gave him a brief, tentative handshake.

"My, you two seem to be getting along well."

Yukino walked over with a smile.

Startled, Rumi quickly pulled her hand back. But when she saw it was Yukino, she relaxed a little.

"Maybe it's true what they say people with the same kind of soul are drawn to each other," Yukino mused.

"Same... kind of soul?" Rumi echoed under her breath.

"Exactly. That's probably why I ended up with this guy," Yukino added. "By the way, this is Yukinoshita Yukino."

"H-hello... I'm Tsurumi Rumi," Rumi said nervously, staring at the woman who looked so much like her.

"Whoa! Yukino! What're you doing here all of a sudden?"

Yui popped up again out of nowhere.

"Nothing. I just saw Hachiman here and came over," Yukino replied, masking her real reason.

"Ooh... Hikki, Yukino... and a little girl? Is this your daughter or something?" Yui exclaimed, eyes wide.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Hachiman groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Where do you even get these ideas?"

"But seriously! The three of you standing together looks just like a family. She's got your vibe, Hikki, and her face is totally Yukino's!"

Before she could finish, Rumi ducked her head and turned away, walking off with a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Both Hachiman and Yukino turned to glare at Yui.

Yui quickly slapped her hands over her mouth in apology.

Now what? Yukino's eyes asked the question silently.

Hachiman sighed.

"What else can we do? We wait."