Under Kasumigaoka-senpai's relentless interrogation, Hikigaya finally let the truth slip out, blurting the words as if they weighed a ton.
"...It's actually Yukinoshita-san?"
Kasumigaoka-senpai, seated gracefully on the bench, blinked in surprise. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she tilted her head toward Hikigaya, who stood stiffly at her side.
The air between them grew heavier with every passing second.
Hachiman didn't dare look her in the eye. His posture screamed defeat, shoulders hunched like a criminal awaiting judgment.
Alright, I get it, Senpai. You're shocked. I mean, who wouldn't be? A bottom-of-the-barrel loner like me, actually dating someone like Yukinoshita—one of the most beautiful girls in school. If I were in your shoes, I'd be skeptical too.
After a long pause, Kasumigaoka-senpai's voice broke the silence. "Air-kun, you wouldn't happen to have... some kind of dirt on Yukinoshita-san, would you? Something you're using to blackmail her into being your Girlfriend?"
"...H-huh?!"
Hikigaya's mouth twitched violently. That's going too far! What kind of villain do you think I am?!
He could almost hear his own internal evil laugh echoing in his head: Hehehe, Yukinoshita, hand over your embarrassing photos or become my eternal slave! Obey me, for I am Hikigaya Hachiman!
...Yeah, no. Even I wouldn't stoop that low.
He coughed awkwardly and forced himself to explain, "O-of course it's nothing like that, Senpai. Yukinoshita and I... we're both members of the Service Club. Because of... well, some special reasons, we just... gradually ended up together..."
Truthfully, I don't even know how it happened myself. If I had to describe it, it's more like a natural disaster. Yukinoshita and I are just... fated misfortune.
Kasumigaoka-senpai gave a small, cold laugh. "You got together with the most beautiful girl in the entire grade over some vague 'special reason'? Heh. That sounds like something straight out of a cheap light novel."
Her voice was calm, but the way her legs crossed, the tip of her heels tapping rhythmically against the ground—thump, thump, thump—added an edge of irritation to her otherwise elegant demeanor.
"...Y-yeah. It's... it's kind of miraculous."
Hikigaya mumbled weakly. Every second spent under her piercing gaze made him want to sprint out of there.
Why is this atmosphere so suffocating? Why does it feel like I'm on trial for a crime I didn't commit? Somebody save me!
Kasumigaoka-senpai's voice slid in like a blade. "No wonder Air-kun has been resisting me since the beginning. You were terrified Yukinoshita-san might find out about our little... rooftop interaction, weren't you?"
"U-uh..."
Interaction?! Senpai, don't say it like that! We were just playing a game! That phrasing is way too misleading!
Hachiman clenched his fists, wanting desperately to refute her, but the sheer force of her presence robbed him of the courage. His words died in his throat, leaving only a pitiful stammer.
"Senpai, if... if there's nothing else, I-I'll head back now."
"Oh? Leaving already?" Kasumigaoka tilted her head, her voice laced with something sharp. "Lunch break isn't even over yet. Are you rushing off to meet your lovely Girlfriend for a secret rendezvous?"
"Eh, n-no, it's not like that..."
"Then why so desperate to run away? Is spending time with me really that terrifying? Your Girlfriend isn't here to glare at you right now."
Her tone dripped with mockery, but beneath it... there was something else. Annoyance? Irritation? No, could it be... jealousy?
No way. I must be imagining things.
"I just..." Hikigaya fumbled for words.
"Look up. Look at me and answer properly."
Kasumigaoka-senpai's sharp command cut through the air, leaving Hikigaya no choice but to obey.
"...Okay."
"Hesitating like that... Air-kun, I'm not ugly, am I? So why are you avoiding my gaze as if I'm some kind of monster? Or is there something weird on my face?"
"N-no!" Hikigaya shook his head rapidly.
After a long, reluctant pause, he finally mustered the courage to lift his head. His nervous eyes met Kasumigaoka-senpai's gaze, only to immediately regret it.
She sat there with effortless poise, legs elegantly crossed, one hand supporting her chin. The tilt of her body highlighted every graceful curve, her black silk stockings drawing the eye in a way no high school boy could withstand.
It was... overwhelming.
Big where it should be big, slender where it should be slender. Compared to Yukinoshita's modest frame, this was in a whole different league.
Combined with her mature, alluring face, it was a direct assault on his senses. An XP landmine. A critical hit straight to the brain.
As expected... the rumors were true. Kasumigaoka Utaha, the most beautiful girl in last year's third-year class, really was a walking temptation.
Wait—hold it! What the heck am I even fantasizing about right now?!
I have a Girlfriend! Hikigaya, calm down! Don't look! Don't get tempted!
He snapped his head away in a panic, shrinking his neck like a turtle retreating into its shell.
"Between Yukinoshita-san and me, who do you think is better, Air-kun?"
Kasumigaoka-senpai's sudden question stabbed into the silence.
"…Compared to Yukinoshita?" Hikigaya's voice cracked.
Wait—hold on! Why are you asking me such a question?! This is dangerous! A trap! A landmine with no safe answer!
Something's off… ever since I admitted I had a Girlfriend, the atmosphere's gone completely weird. The once-calm Kasumigaoka-senpai was suddenly acting different—her words sharper, her actions restless.
Could it be… she's agitated?
Eh?! N-no way! Don't tell me—does Senpai… actually like me?!
Stupid, stupid Hachiman! Don't delude yourself! This is Kasumigaoka Utaha—famous beauty, award-winning author, top student. And you're just some bottom-feeder loner she's known for, what, a few days?!
Yeah right. There must be some other reason. No way in this universe does she actually like me!
"S-Senpai, why… why ask something like that? Uh… because to me, both you and Yukinoshita-san are… you know, really incredible. Both of you are very beautiful."
Kasumigaoka-senpai didn't blink. Her almond eyes narrowed, her lips curving into a knowing smirk. "Then if you absolutely had to choose one person—putting aside personal feelings—who do you think is more beautiful, Air-kun?"
She leaned forward slowly, her face drawing closer and closer to Hikigaya's. The mature fragrance that lingered around her sent his brain into red-alert mode.
"!!!"
Too close, too close! Kasumigaoka-senpai, please stop! Poor little Hachiman doesn't have the mental defense for this kind of pressure!
"Air-kun," she whispered, her voice sultry and deliberate. "Tell me. Your answer is…"
Her body leaned in further, the tension pressing against him like a physical force. At this rate, contact was inevitable.
Then—
Clack.
The rooftop door creaked open.
Both Senpai and Hikigaya jolted as if struck by lightning, instantly separating as though nothing at all had happened.
"!!"
Saved by the bell—or in this case, by the rooftop door!
Who the heck comes to the rooftop during lunch break, anyway? Is someone here to confess their undying love or something?
Not that I care—what matters is that I'm safe!
Hikigaya quickly threw himself onto the bench, trying to look casual, as if he hadn't just been cornered by Kasumigaoka-senpai two seconds ago.
But then—he froze.
"…No way."
The figure who stepped through the doorway was all too familiar. Her long, raven-black hair swayed softly in the breeze, her graceful steps radiating poise.
His stomach dropped. His face paled. His knees wobbled.
"Why is it you?!"
Yes. The one who had intruded at the worst possible time was none other than his own Girlfriend—Yukinoshita Yukino!
"…What a coincidence, Hikigaya-kun," Yukinoshita said with a soft smile, her voice smooth and composed. "You're here on the rooftop too? Were you also seeking a bit of fresh air?"
Her gentle greeting cut into the awkward silence like a blade. Then, her gaze shifted past him toward Kasumigaoka-senpai, seated nearby. Her brows lifted slightly.
"Oh… Kasumigaoka-senpai. Long time no see."
For a brief moment, silence reigned. Then Kasumigaoka-senpai, ever the picture of composure, curved her lips into a faint smile and spoke.
"Long time no see, Yukinoshita-san. Why don't you come sit with us?"