Hikigaya stumbled out of the bathroom, his head still spinning.
Trailing behind him was a refreshed and radiant Horikita.
The two of them were wrapped in towels, their faces flushed—but while their complexions matched in redness, the emotions behind them were completely different.
"You really shouldn't have come in just now," Hikigaya sighed.
While Horikita had initially come in under the guise of helping him wash up, the reality was… it was just the two of them alone in a steamy bathroom. In that kind of atmosphere, how could anything be avoided?
And so—
One thing led to another.
Guilt was now written all over Hikigaya's face. He had originally been plotting his escape, yet in the end, he hadn't managed to get away at all.
Yukinoshita... I'm sorry...
Forgive me, Yukinoshita... please forgive this sinful Hachiman...
"Hmph~ You say no with your mouth, but your body—wasn't it pretty honest?"
Horikita scoffed as she flopped onto the plush, round bed, her pale legs elegantly crossed.
"It was all because of you!"
Hikigaya shot a glance at her, unintentionally focusing on her legs—before quickly looking away.
Crap! Why did that make me think of Yukinoshita's legs?! What's wrong with me?!
Horikita is Horikita. Yukinoshita is Yukinoshita. They're not the same person!
"…I really was just trying to help wash your back," Horikita muttered in defense.
"There are some places I can wash myself. Why'd you have to get involved?"
"Because that's mine. Of course I had to take it seriously."
Horikita replied with absolute seriousness.
"Hah?"
Hikigaya's face twisted. "Since when did I become yours?"
"A-At least for today, you are."
Horikita blushed, her eyes flicking down to his body. Hikigaya instinctively stepped back.
"You— You bandit! You rogue of a woman!"
He trembled as he pointed a finger at her.
Strangely enough, the more he acted scared, the more entertained Horikita seemed. She even looked like she was enjoying this.
"So what if I'm a rogue? You're already mine."
She couldn't be bothered to play coy anymore. After all, she was never the shy type to begin with. So she went straight to the point:
"Come here. Lie down on the bed."
"Huh? L-Lie down?"
"What? You want me to lie down instead?"
"Uh…"
Well, normally, isn't it supposed to be like that?
Of course, not that he had those kinds of thoughts, cough cough…
"I was planning to lie down myself, but…"
Horikita gave him a look of contempt. "But you were so damn useless today. Weak as a kitten."
"??? Excuse me?"
Hikigaya stared at her, wide-eyed.
"Did you just say… I'm not good?!"
"Hmph. Do you think you were?"
She scoffed. "You didn't feel like a man at all. Totally different from last time. I'm seriously considering whether I should take you to the hospital."
"You—!"
Hikigaya's face twitched, nearly losing control.
"You ambushed me! And besides… I never even wanted—"
"Save your breath. Doesn't change the fact that you were useless."
Before he could say more, Horikita cut him off. "But just because you're no good, doesn't mean I'm not. So lie down already. From now on, I'll take care of everything—gently."
"…"
Oh, come on. Is this even something you can just take lying down?!
She's actually looking down on me!!
"Don't underestimate me!"
Hikigaya said with a grave tone.
"Oh? So you've still got some fight left?"
Horikita gave a sly smile. "In that case, let's continue. Show me what you've got. Just don't pass out again like last time."
"That was… because the water was too hot! I got dizzy from the steam!"
When they'd been in the bathroom, Horikita had turned the heat all the way up.
Seriously, what's with girls and their obsession with near-boiling water? Are they trying to boil themselves?
"Excuses, excuses. Just admit you're no good."
"You want to say that again?"
"Not good is not good, Hikigaya. You're weak. You're completely—eeek!"
Just as Horikita prepared to fire off another insult, Hikigaya had had enough. He suddenly stepped forward and scooped her up.
"Y-You—!"
Horikita stared at him in disbelief.
So strong…
Though it was a princess carry, he lifted her effortlessly. Could he really do it while holding me like this…?
"You'd better stop talking. Or else—"
"Or else what?"
Horikita calmed herself, then smirked again:
"So you've got some strength. Big deal. Doesn't change the fact that you're not good where it counts. Be a good boy, put me down, and lie down on the bed—unless you want me to not be gentle later."
"Looks like I'll just have to prove it to you, then."
"Go ahead."
"Hmph…"
Facing Horikita's confident grin, Hikigaya took a deep breath. He knew full well he was probably being baited, but having your manhood called into question over and over—no guy could just sit back and take it. This was an attack on his most basic dignity!
"You think I'm scared of you?!"
"Hehe~"
Seeing that he had taken the bait, Horikita's heart began to race. A smile curled at her lips.
Just a little Hikigaya, that's all.
Last week she'd lost miserably because it was her first time. But now… now she was different. She felt invincible. She still vividly remembered his helpless little face in the bathroom just now.
---
An hour later.
Down in the hotel café, Yukinoshita suddenly stood up and briskly walked toward the women's restroom.
Once inside, she quickly undid her pants and sat on the toilet.
"Heh… Well, well, Horikita Suzune. So you said my man wasn't any good, huh? I bet now you realize just how amazing my dear Hikigaya-kun really is."
With a smirk, she pushed up her glasses.
How to put it…
Even though she wasn't the one in there, Hikigaya was her man. So seeing Horikita get put in her place? That brought her no small amount of satisfaction.
No—actually, more than satisfaction.
"Oho? Begging for mercy already? Heh… The proud, almighty Student Council President of Advanced Nurturing High, reduced to groveling at the feet of my husband? That's what I like to see."
"And cramps too, huh? Tsk tsk, calling my Hikigaya-kun 'useless' and now you're the one curled up in pain? Serves you right. Hikigaya-kun, take advantage of the moment—give that Horikita Suzune a lesson she won't forget!"
Yukinoshita beamed. The flood of points she was racking up, and Horikita's utter defeat—truthfully, she was having the time of her life.