"Say it again~ 'Mommy'~ or else... hehe, I won't let you off~!"
"You're going too far!"
"Gonna say it or not?"
"Alright… fine! I'll say it!"
Blindfolded, Hikigaya had no choice but to call out "Mommy" in Yukinoshita's direction.
Sitting at the edge of the bed and watching the boy lying down, Yukinoshita looked immensely satisfied, wearing a smug smile across her face.
Big win. Huge win!
—As expected.
That fortification serum really was the most effective thing in the world!
Cough, well, that's not the real point.
What really mattered...
Yukinoshita turned to glance at the girl standing beside her—her face flushed red, her breathing ragged.
At that moment, Megumi Kato was staring at Hikigaya with an intensity that resembled a camel in the desert discovering a life-saving oasis.
The corners of Yukinoshita's lips lifted ever so slightly.
[Yukinoshita: So, Kato-san… how does it feel watching him up close?]
Still opting to communicate via messages to keep Kato's presence hidden from Hikigaya.
It took Kato a moment to return to her senses before she replied:
[Kato: Honestly, I'm kind of envious… you've got a really great boyfriend, Yukinoshita-san.]
[Yukinoshita: You flatter me.]
Yukinoshita smiled subtly, her eyes sweeping over Kato's current condition.
Her face wasn't just red and her breathing uneven—more noticeably, sweat was pouring down her forehead and even her body.
Beads of sweat rolled down like serpents, dripping to the floor and leaving visible wet spots behind.
Yukinoshita was mildly shocked.
Isn't that a bit too much sweat, Kato?
Still, she smirked inwardly. Looks like she's already close to her limit, huh?
[Yukinoshita: Kato-san, are you feeling alright? You don't look too steady.]
[Kato: I'm fine.]
Tough girl.
But Yukinoshita silently thought, Let's see how long that lasts.
As a fellow woman, Yukinoshita knew all too well—at their age, emotions and needs were intense.
Even she, before dating Hikigaya, had often quietly dealt with things alone at home…
So how could Kato be any different?
Time passed.
The sweat on Kato's forehead only increased, not decreased.
Yukinoshita figured the timing was just about right and sent another message:
[Yukinoshita: Ahem. Kato-san, your condition doesn't seem too good. Would you like my boyfriend to… help you out a bit?]
[Kato: Huh?]
[Yukinoshita: Only if you want it. If not, that's fine too.]
[Kato: I…]
Kato glanced at Hikigaya, unconsciously biting her lip.
Hehe, tempted, aren't you?
[Kato: Won't it be obvious? I mean… someone would notice, right?]
There we go. Finally letting down your guard.
Yukinoshita had expected this. Given the situation, even Kato would struggle to hold out.
[Yukinoshita: Don't worry~ Hikigaya-kun is blindfolded. He won't know if it's me… or you.]
[Kato: Well… visually, maybe not. But… I've never been this close to a guy before. My body might react differently from yours.]
What's the difference? We're both girls. You think he'll notice that?
Oh right—
Yukinoshita suddenly remembered: Kato was still… inexperienced.
That could indeed be a factor.
[Kato: Also, Hikigaya-kun seems really tired… he might fall asleep any minute.]
"Huh?"
Yukinoshita quickly turned her gaze back to her boyfriend.
Sure enough, he lay there still as a log, clearly on the brink of sleep.
Hey, the sun hasn't even set yet and you're already dozing off?!
Had she been too hard on him earlier?
Careless. Too careless.
He clearly couldn't handle more today. If she pushed any further and something really happened, she'd never forgive herself.
After all, this man was directly linked to her future happiness!
Yukinoshita sighed in frustration.
Looks like today's plan had failed—again.
Oh well, it wasn't the end of the world. The mission deadline was a whole month away, and with Kato's current state, success was inevitable sooner or later.
Still—
Yukinoshita wasn't one to celebrate early. Since things couldn't progress physically, she would just continue reinforcing Kato's emotional dependency on her boyfriend.
[Yukinoshita: Hikigaya-kun may be tired, but there's still something else he can do for you.]
[Kato: You mean…?]
[Yukinoshita: Just like in the woods last time—let him help you the same way.]
Then Yukinoshita smiled at Hikigaya and gently pinched his cheek.
"Hikigaya-kun, you didn't think we were done yet, did you?"
"!!"
Startled, Hikigaya sat up, blinking.
"Are you trying to kill me?!"
"Don't be so dramatic," Yukinoshita said with a soft laugh, brushing her fingers against his lips. "I just want a little help from you…"
"Huh?"
Hikigaya twitched slightly, but quickly caught on.
"...Fine, whatever. But you're taking a shower first."
"No problem at all."
She pinched his cheek again and grinned.
"Lie still and don't move. And no taking off that blindfold, okay? I'll just be a minute."
"Yes, ma'am…"
Hikigaya surrendered with a sigh.
Strangely, he felt fired up.
Was he… this weak?!
He wanted to get stronger.
He needed to become someone who could handle Yukinoshita at her worst.
Which meant—he had to train even harder going forward.
Even Auntie Sawamura might have some advice, but—ugh.
The image of the gentle Mrs. Sawamura suddenly popped into his mind, and Hikigaya shook his head wildly, forcing the thought away.
Moments later.
Yukinoshita stepped out of the bathroom, freshly showered.
"Hikigaya-kun, I'm done. Are you ready?"
"Do whatever you want," Hikigaya muttered, taking a deep breath, trying to stay composed.
"Hehe, so obedient~"
Yukinoshita smiled dotingly at him, then turned her gaze toward Kato and gave her a subtle nod.
Kato hesitated slightly, then slowly raised her foot—and stepped onto the bed.