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

Hachiman was kneeling on the floor, tidying up his bedding, when he felt a light poke on his cheek. Turning around, he found it was Saika Totsuka.

"Hmm? Saika, do you need something?" he asked, trying to stay calm even as he felt the lingering warmth of Saika's touch on his cheek.

"Not really. I just... wanted to ask you something," Saika replied softly.

He sat on Hachiman's bedding in a duck-style squat, hands braced between his legs. Tilting his head slightly, his moist eyes locked onto Hachiman's.

Hachiman couldn't help but notice the pale, smooth skin of Saika's exposed thighs and how his dainty feet looked far more delicate than any typical boy's. Each rounded toe was neatly trimmed, ten tiny pearls curled inward. His slender neck and well-defined collarbone, illuminated under the gentle light, gave off a porcelain-like glow.

Why... why doesn't this guy have an Adam's apple?

Hachiman felt a strange heat spreading through him under Saika's deer-like gaze.

"S-So... what is it?" he asked, swallowing hard.

"Well..." Saika crawled forward slightly, speaking in a near whisper. "Is it true what Yui said? That you and Yukinoshita-san are... actually dating?"

Hachiman hesitated.

Saika crept even closer. Hachiman could clearly smell the soft, almost sweet scent coming from him.

"It's true," he finally admitted.

"I see..." Saika looked visibly downcast at his answer.

"And then..." A voice rang out as Tobe walked in, laughing with Hayama. But the moment he saw the scene before him, he froze.

"What's up? Why'd you stop?" Hayama asked curiously, only to follow Tobe's gaze and freeze as well.

From their angle, all they could see was Hachiman standing, and Saika kneeling directly in front of him in a duck-sit. The rest... was up to their imaginations.

The expressions on their faces were nothing short of spectacular.

Hachiman turned around at the sound and saw their stunned faces, completely baffled.

"Ahem..." Hayama coughed awkwardly and immediately turned to leave, dragging Tobe along.

"Tobe, where's the bathroom?"

"Huh? Oh! Yeah, I'll show you."

Watching the two of them retreat in a flurry, Hachiman could tell they'd clearly gotten the wrong idea. His mouth twitched, but he didn't say a word. He just turned back and continued fixing his bed.

Saika had already slipped into his own futon, facing away, silently wiping his eyes.

Later, Hachiman lay on his back, pretending to sleep, waiting for everyone to drift off so he could sneak out and meet Yukino. But Tobe and Hayama kept chatting.

Even in the dim murmur of voices, Hachiman heard Hayama mention the first letter of the girl he liked again.

After a long while, the room was finally filled only with the quiet sound of steady breathing. Hachiman slowly rose and crept outside.

Once he was gone, Saika sat up, red-eyed and dazed, staring at the door. He sighed quietly and lay back down, pulling the blanket over his head.

By the time Hachiman arrived in the woods, Yukino was already there, boredly staring up at the stars.

"Stars in the countryside... they pretty or what?" he said as he approached.

Hearing his voice, Yukino tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her silhouette soft in the moonlight.

"They're not as bright as the ones I saw abroad," she said with a sigh.

"You're late. I've been waiting a long time."

"Ah, that's because..." Before he could finish, her lips pressed against his, cutting him off.

"You still don't get it, do you?" she murmured, tapping his chest with her finger in mild annoyance. "When you're late to a date with a girl, no excuse is valid. You have to make up for it... with action."

Hachiman didn't respond. He just reached out and gently pulled her into a hug, softly patting her back.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Yukino asked after a brief moment of silent closeness.

"I've been thinking... the way we handled things before might not have been the best approach," Hachiman said.

"It might help her for now, but what about when she moves on to middle school?"

"What are you suggesting?" Yukino asked, puzzled.

"I think we should still go through with our original plan," he said after a pause. "But the key lies with you."

"What does this have to do with me?" Yukino blinked.

"I mean... can you think of a way to get her transferred to a school near us?"

"Wait, what?" Yukino stared at him in shock.

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up?" she asked suspiciously.

"Ahem," Hachiman cleared his throat, looking a little sheepish. "Well... Yui said the three of us look like a family."

"So now you're actually planning to raise her like a daughter?" Yukino's tone sharpened with jealousy.

"Come on. If we really did have a daughter one day, would you still get jealous of her?" Hachiman hugged her gently, his voice soothing.

"Who says I'm going to give you a daughter, you shameless idiot," she replied, blushing and elbowing him lightly in the chest.

"What, you're thinking of having a son instead? Not happening. He'd drive you crazy, and I'm not letting you lose years off your life like that."

"When did I say I'd have any kids with you?" she muttered in protest, still flustered.

"Okay, okay. No kids. Got it."

Just then, a twig snapped nearby.

"Who's there?" both of them said at once, quickly stepping apart.

Out of the darkness, a small figure emerged.

Hachiman's expression twitched the moment he recognized her.

Oh no... we're screwed.

It was Tsurumi Rumi. She stood a short distance away, looking at them with a blank expression.

"You... heard all of that?" Hachiman asked nervously.

"I got here before you did," Rumi replied calmly.

So, she heard everything.

Hachiman sighed and covered his face with a hand.

Rumi stepped forward slowly, fixing them with her gaze.

"What you were saying just now... what does it mean?" she asked, her voice betraying a deeply buried flicker of hope.

"Should we tell her?" Yukino looked at Hachiman for guidance.

"What else can we do?" Hachiman shrugged. "Go ahead."

"I see..." Rumi nodded after listening to their explanation.

"You actually believe us? Doesn't it sound a little... far-fetched?" Hachiman asked. The girl was way too calm for this.

"I don't think you'd have any reason to lie to me," she replied softly. "You wouldn't do that."

"I see. So... are you okay with it?" Hachiman asked gently.

"You already made up your mind, didn't you... Dad?"

"Huh?" Hachiman stared blankly as Rumi turned around and walked off into the night.