Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

After the lights went out, the night fell silent.

Hachiman tossed and turned in bed, unable to calm his racing thoughts, his mind replaying Yukinoshita's earlier instructions over and over again.

"Five minutes have passed... Yep, it's time."

Taking a deep breath, he slowly sat up.

Then, as if by instinct, his eyes drifted toward Yukinoshita's room.

Anticipation began to bubble up within him, mixed with an unexplainable surge of excitement.

No matter how much he denied it, Hachiman was still a teenage boy. To say he wasn't tempted? Impossible.

"Ahem... This is all because of Yukinoshita's request. It's not like I want to... Who would be excited to sleep next to a devil?"

Despite his grumbling, Hachiman got ready to leave the sofa.

But just as he stood up, he instinctively clutched his forehead.

"...Weird. I drank that MAX Coffee earlier, so why do I feel dizzy?"

His steps wavered as his vision blurred slightly.

This is bad!

Could it be that I'm... losing my strength?

A surge of panic hit him.

No! Not tonight!

This was his chance to prove himself, an hour to perform at his best.

He couldn't let Yukinoshita look down on him again!

Last time, she'd completely crushed him.

This time, no matter what, he had to regain some dignity.

Otherwise...

She'd keep mocking him as a "pathetic little fish."

Breathe in, breathe out.

"You're the strongest, Hachiman. The strongest..." he silently chanted to himself as he braced himself and headed toward the room.

---

Meanwhile, Yukinoshita was pacing nervously inside her room.

It was her first time using a hypnotic potion.

It was also her first time fully executing the "husband-delivery" plan.

Her nerves were in tatters.

What if Hachiman's mind wasn't completely clouded?

What if he accidentally entered her room?

What if, after stepping into her space, he started to...

No! No! No!

What would she do then?

Refuse?

That wasn't an option.

How could she say no to her own boyfriend? Especially since she'd already agreed to this plan.

If it really came to that, she might have to buy a strengthening potion just to keep up with him.

While it would be enjoyable...

It would also mean all her efforts were in vain, and she'd be out another 10,000 points.

Her already tight budget would take an even bigger hit.

No!

Hachiman must go to Senpai's room.

He has to go in!

With that thought, Yukinoshita peered through the peephole again.

She saw Hachiman standing up from the sofa bed, moving toward a room.

Wait!

That's... that's my room!

No!

You're going the wrong way, Hachiman!

Her anxiety skyrocketed, and she almost ran to the bathroom out of sheer panic.

At that moment, Yukinoshita wished she could storm out and shove him into Senpai's room herself.

Fortunately, Hachiman paused after taking a few steps toward her door.

After hesitating for a moment, he changed direction and walked toward Kasumigaoka-senpai's room instead.

"Phew, that scared me to death..."

Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Yukinoshita let out a sigh of relief.

If he had come into her room, things would've been a complete disaster.

Thankfully, he went the right way.

Now that he was in Senpai's room, something was bound to happen between the two.

After all, the hypnotic potion would make Hachiman mistake Kasumigaoka for her.

But even as Yukinoshita exhaled in relief, her heart grew heavier, laden with complex emotions and bitterness.

"My Hachiman... is about to sleep with another woman..."

Pain stabbed at her chest, leaving her weak.

Leaning against the wall, Yukinoshita clutched her chest as tears welled up.

"I'm sorry, Hachiman. I should have been the one to stay with you tonight. You were looking forward to being with me... but I sent you to... Ugh, I'm so sorry, Hachiman..."

Her voice trembled with regret.

---

Meanwhile, Hachiman quietly slipped into Kasumigaoka-senpai's room.

He carefully closed the door behind him, his eyes falling on the slightly raised blanket on the bed.

It shifted ever so slightly.

Hachiman hesitated for a moment before awkwardly speaking.

"I... I came as promised."

"..."

Silence.

No response.

Feeling a bit awkward, he added, "You're not asleep yet, are you?"

Still no answer.

Frowning, Hachiman said, "Fine, I'll leave then."

Just as he turned to leave, the lump under the blanket shifted again.

"Still pretending to sleep, huh?"

Hachiman smirked as he approached the bed.

The figure under the blanket wriggled slightly, as if trying to hide.

Coughing lightly, he announced, "Well... I'm coming in, okay?"

"..."

"You're making this really awkward, you know..."

Muttering to himself, Hachiman carefully lifted the edge of the blanket and slipped inside.

"!!!"

Kasumigaoka froze.

He's really getting in?!

But what shocked her more was—

"Yukinoshita, scoot over a bit. A little more inside, or I might fall off the bed."

"??"

Her mind went blank.

Wait.

Yukinoshita?!

Did he just mistake me for Yukinoshita?!

What's going on?!

Kasumigaoka was too stunned to react, her thoughts swirling in chaos.

Honestly, after spending the day watching Hachiman and Yukinoshita together, she'd been ready to give up on him.

But now... this unexpected twist had completely thrown her off.

Unconsciously, she shifted slightly to make room, her body reacting on its own.

That's when Hachiman wrapped his arms around her.

"!!!"

Her body stiffened as her face burned red.

It was the first time she'd been embraced by a boy.

And it wasn't just any boy—it was the one she liked.

Hachiman leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear as he whispered, "Yukinoshita, you smell amazing tonight..."

"!!!"

Kasumigaoka's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp.

Walking into the wrong room was one thing.

But how could he not tell the difference between their sizes? Their scent?

As her body trembled slightly, Hachiman only held her tighter.

Despite his usual awkwardness, he occasionally acted like a proper boyfriend, saying things that were unexpectedly sweet.

"Yukinoshita, I like you the most."

"!!"

Kasumigaoka's hand pressed tighter against her lips.

Shock.

Jealousy.

Confusion.

She didn't know what to do.

And as she hesitated, Hachiman's lips moved closer to her neck.

He's serious! It's really happening!

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