NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Yukinoshita, You Were Amazing Tonight
[Ding! Mandatory Mission Completed: +1000 Points, 1 Lottery Box Added.]
[Ding! Hachiman Hikigaya and Utaha Kasumigaoka engaged in intimate actions: +500 Points.]
[Ding! Hachiman Hikigaya and Utaha Kasumigaoka shared another kiss: +200 Points.]
[Ding! Hachiman Hikigaya and Utaha Kasumigaoka completed another intimate interaction: +500 Points.]
[Ding! Achievement Unlocked: "A Modern Masterpiece – Boyfriend Stays Overnight with Another Woman, While Girlfriend Eavesdrops at the Door": +100 Points.]
[Ding!...]
The system's constant notifications echoed in her ears.
At this moment, Yukinoshita was slumped against the ground, staring blankly ahead as if her soul and consciousness had been stripped away.
The task had been completed.
The points had been earned.
But... she couldn't muster even a shred of happiness.
Because the thing that mattered most to her had slipped through her fingers, irretrievable.
Why... why did it come to this?
Her Hachiman had ended up spending the night with another woman.
---
As time passed, an hour was almost up.
The system points now totaled 4,370.
During this hour with Kasumigaoka, Yukinoshita had made significant gains in points.
Just earlier, her total points had dwindled to a mere 1,470.
[Reminder: The effect of the hypnotic potion will wear off in three minutes. Hachiman Hikigaya will return to normal. Host, please ensure that Hachiman Hikigaya leaves the other woman's room immediately.]
"What? Ah!!"
Yukinoshita snapped back to reality with a jolt.
Three minutes until the potion wears off?
This was bad.
Hachiman and Kasumigaoka were still in that room!
Her face turned pale as fear surged through her.
Once Hachiman regained his senses and realized the woman in the room wasn't her but Kasumigaoka, she couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen.
Could her relationship with Hachiman survive such a revelation?
Given Hachiman's personality, would he feel compelled to take responsibility for Kasumigaoka?
No! I won't allow it!
Yukinoshita was on the verge of panic. Her desperation only worsened her already pressing need to use the bathroom.
---
From the other side of the door, she could faintly hear voices.
"Continue?"
It was Kasumigaoka's voice.
No! Don't continue! You've been at it for an hour! Isn't that enough, Kasumigaoka?!
For someone like Yukinoshita, who could barely manage twenty minutes without enhancement potions, an hour was already unimaginable.
"No... no more."
"Hmm? Are you scared?"
"Humph! Who's scared of you?"
"Then why stop, little bottom-feeder~~?"
Only I get to call Hachiman a bottom-feeder! You don't have that right, Kasumigaoka!
"Cough, cough... Let's not overdo it. You specifically reminded me earlier not to go beyond an hour. Otherwise, you'd be too exhausted to get up tomorrow morning."
Hachiman! Good job! You remembered our agreement!
"...Alright, fine. You should rest too."
"Mm."
Wait—did they stop?
Yukinoshita breathed a sigh of relief.
But the very next moment—
Oh no! Hachiman's coming out!
Her face paled. Without another thought, she scrambled back to her room, terrified that if she delayed even a second, Hachiman would catch her lingering by the door.
---
A minute later.
Hachiman staggered out of Kasumigaoka's room.
His sharp instincts caught a faint trace of something unusual near the door but, feeling utterly drained, he dismissed the thought.
He headed straight for the sofa bed.
---
Inside her own room, Yukinoshita leaned heavily against the door, her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breath. Sweat dotted her forehead.
That was close. So close.
She almost got caught.
After a few moments, she turned to peer through the peephole.
The living room was quiet.
Hachiman was lying on the sofa bed, a faint smile of contentment gracing his face as he drifted off to sleep.
He looks... so happy.
Watching the boy she loved fall asleep with such a peaceful expression, Yukinoshita's lips quivered. Her heart felt heavier than ever.
For the past hour, she'd heard Hachiman repeat over and over again:
"Yukinoshita, you were amazing tonight!"
"Yukinoshita, I love you. I love you the most."
Her hand pressed against her chest as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Hachiman... my Hachiman..."
"Being with Kasumigaoka-senpai... was it really this blissful?"
Never had she seen Hachiman so satisfied, so utterly at peace.
The system's voice interrupted her thoughts.
[Host, please do not despair. To date, Hachiman Hikigaya's heart has only ever belonged to you.]
[The happiness he displayed just now stems from his belief that the person with him earlier was you.]
Her teary eyes widened.
"Right... That's true. Hachiman always thought it was me. That's why he looked so happy. He hasn't betrayed me—not in his heart."
[Hachiman Hikigaya's Corruption level: 4/100]
Wait... it went down?
She stared at the statistic in disbelief.
He did all that with Kasumigaoka-senpai... and his corruption level actually decreased?!
"So... Hachiman really thought she was me..."
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
Should she feel relieved? Or more heartbroken?
Hachiman murmured softly in his sleep, his lips forming silent words.
Watching closely, Yukinoshita recognized his unspoken message:
"Yukinoshita... I love you the most."
"Hachiman!"
Her trembling hands covered her mouth.
As his girlfriend, she understood him better than anyone.
No matter the sacrifices... no matter how much pain I endure... it's all worth it, if it's for you, Hachiman.
Her gaze softened, her heart filled with bittersweet resolve.
For our future happiness together... even if it means enduring moments like this...
Even if others call you tainted... even if you fall into others' arms...
I will always love you.
Forever.
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