So… why in the world did Yukinoshita-san suddenly appear on the rooftop?
To get some fresh air? Yeah, sure. Totally believable. Except—no, wait. Don't lie to me!
You're weak, Yukinoshita-san! Just climbing a flight of stairs should already be like running a marathon for someone with your delicate physique. But… hold on. Am I underestimating her again?
Back then, during that incident, Yukinoshita-san's skills in that area were terrifyingly sharp. Her two slender, pale legs looked weak at first glance, yet were deceptively strong. How could something like a few stairs be a challenge to her? Ugh…
Cough, cough. Anyway, let's set all that aside for now. The more pressing question is: why are you two chatting with Kasumigaoka-senpai of all people?!
Watching Yukinoshita-san and Kasumigaoka-senpai—two top-tier beauties of Soubu High School—sit down as if ready to have tea and talk, I felt like ants were crawling under my skin. This situation screamed "danger."
"Uh, well… then you two chat. I'll just… be heading out."
That's right. When in doubt, retreat! The Thirty-Six Stratagems clearly state that running away is the best tactic.
Hikigaya Hachiman, disengage! Now, remember—don't talk about me behind my back!
"Wait a moment."
Yukinoshita's cool voice froze me in my tracks.
"…"
Sigh. Of course. You two elegant, high-ranking heroines can sit here and create your own graceful atmosphere. Meanwhile, I—the lowly dead fish—will only pollute the surrounding air with my presence.
But when I met Yukinoshita-san's piercing, almost commanding gaze, my mouth twitched. Against my better judgment, my feet refused to move.
Not because I'm obedient, mind you! Don't get the wrong idea! I just… think the rooftop view is, you know, kind of nice. Yeah. The fresh air's not bad either. Totally my decision.
And so, the three of us sat down on the long bench: Kasumigaoka-senpai on one side, Yukinoshita-san on the other… and me, unlucky Hikigaya Hachiman, trapped in the middle.
Wait—what's happening here? Why am I the one sandwiched between them?! Isn't this the most awkward position imaginable?!
Didn't you two say you wanted to chat? Then chat already! Why is it that the moment we sit down, both of you go silent? The tension here could suffocate me.
Help. Someone. Please.
Realizing the atmosphere would only get heavier if no one spoke, I reluctantly opened my mouth. "…By the way, you two actually know each other?"
Yukinoshita-san answered smoothly, lips pursed. "Kasumigaoka-senpai and I have met during study sessions. Senpai is very excellent."
To my surprise, Kasumigaoka-senpai didn't display her usual haughty side. Instead, she replied calmly, "I accept your compliment. But Yukinoshita-san is equally outstanding in her year."
"Oh, senpai, you flatter me."
"…"
Wait. What's this? You're just… politely complimenting each other like business partners? So harmonious!
Honestly, the way they were conversing—so measured, so proper—was starting to make my eyelids heavy. If this dragged on, I'd probably fall asleep right here.
And then—like a grenade thrown into a quiet tea party—Kasumigaoka-senpai suddenly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, Hikigaya-kun just said you're his girlfriend. Is that true?"
"!!"
Instant kill! My drowsiness evaporated instantly, and I sat upright like a soldier. My eyes darted nervously to Yukinoshita-san.
She didn't hesitate in the slightest. "Yes. Somehow, through a strange twist of fate, I gradually ended up as this guy's girlfriend."
Wha—she just admitted it?! Out loud?! In front of another girl?!
Kasumigaoka-senpai's body trembled ever so slightly. After a long silence, she sighed deeply. "…You weren't tricked by him, were you? I mean, just look at him. Hikigaya-kun always has those dead, salted-fish eyes."
"Pfft." Yukinoshita-san chuckled softly, unable to resist piling on. "Yes, senpai is right. Most girls would probably run the other way after seeing him."
Yukinoshita-san! That's too cruel! You're just teasing me again, aren't you?!
I slumped, thoroughly depressed.
Kasumigaoka-senpai pressed further. "…And yet, you're still willing to be his girlfriend?"
"Hmm." Yukinoshita's expression softened. "Although Hikigaya-kun's appearance is a little… tragic, he's not entirely useless. He does have some redeeming qualities."
"…Like what?" Kasumigaoka's eyes narrowed in genuine curiosity.
Yukinoshita-san's lips curved faintly as she looked at my crimson face. "Hehe, for example… Hikigaya-kun is very helpful. In the Service Club, he often takes on tasks in secret, going out of his way to help students without asking for anything in return."
Her voice softened as she added, "Actually, he's a very gentle person."
I froze. Yukinoshita-san… just smiled at me. Warmly.
Kasumigaoka-senpai tilted her head, whispering almost to herself, "A gentle person, huh…"
"Tch!" I snapped, defensive as always. "I… I'm not gentle at all!"
Yukinoshita said nothing, only keeping that mysterious smile on her face.
Damn it! Yukinoshita, what's gotten into you today? You—you actually praised me in front of another girl! And you're even smiling at me like that! Since when did you become so soft, so… kind?
My chest tightened, and before I knew it, I leaned ever so slightly closer to her, like a moth drawn to a flame.
But then—betrayal! Yukinoshita subtly shifted, scooting her hips just enough to press her hand against me. Before I realized it, she pushed my body ever so gently… right toward Kasumigaoka-senpai.
Wait—what?!
No, no, no! Don't do this! I'm going to—!
"Gah! I—I touched her leg!"
My knee brushed against Kasumigaoka-senpai's smooth thigh. My heart practically stopped.
Kasumigaoka-senpai glanced down briefly, clearly aware of the contact. But instead of pushing me away, she looked at the both of us, then softly sighed, her moist lips curving. "It's obvious your relationship is really good. Honestly, it's enviable."
Her tone carried no sarcasm—just a gentle envy that left me stunned.
Yukinoshita simply smiled back, not denying a thing. Then her gaze sharpened with curiosity. "Speaking of which, I noticed Kasumigaoka-senpai and Hikigaya-kun chatting earlier. What were you two talking about?"
Kasumigaoka blinked, hesitated for a moment, then answered with practiced calm, "It was about a game."
"A game?" Yukinoshita repeated, her tone laced with surprise.
Kasumigaoka gave a short summary of our earlier "gaming" conversation, glossing over the finer details but leaving enough for Yukinoshita to understand.
When Yukinoshita turned her gaze to me, her eyes seemed to sparkle with amusement. "So Hikigaya-kun is that good at games?"
I couldn't help puffing up my chest a little. "Of course! In the gaming world, I'm practically a god!"
Ha! Take that! In front of the perfect Yukinoshita, I finally get to show off a little!
But before my ego could inflate too far, Kasumigaoka let out a playful sigh. "Originally, I wanted to invite Hikigaya-kun over to my house to help me with a game. But now that I see he has a girlfriend… and that girlfriend is you, Yukinoshita-san… well, I suppose that idea is off the table. Hehe~"
Her teasing tone nearly made me choke on my own spit.
I scrambled to respond, "I-I'm really sorry! But if there's ever a chance in the future, I'd still be glad to help, Kasumigaoka-senpai."
Whew… close one. Saved! Saved! Looks like she's dropping the idea. Thank goodness.
Because honestly… if I had to go to Kasumigaoka-senpai's house, alone, with her wearing those black stockings and giving off that seductive older-sister aura… my poor heart wouldn't survive the pressure.
I exhaled in relief. Crisis averted!
Or so I thought.
"Since Kasumigaoka-senpai has encountered a problem," Yukinoshita suddenly interjected, her voice calm but firm, "as members of the Service Club, it's only natural that we should help."
Then, without even glancing at me, she added, "Hikigaya, you should go to Kasumigaoka-senpai's house this weekend and help her clear the game."
"???"
I nearly jumped three feet into the air. Did I just hear that right?!
Kasumigaoka, who had been planning to politely bow out, froze in shock. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at Yukinoshita, unable to hide her surprise.
Meanwhile, I was flailing internally. "Yukinoshita, are you serious?!" I hissed, practically trembling.
She turned to me, her expression soft yet unyielding, and gave a small, almost wicked smile. "Of course I'm serious. Or do you have a problem with that, Hikigaya-kun?"
Her tone wasn't just calm—it carried the weight of command, the kind you couldn't argue against.
What the heck?! What kind of girlfriend volunteers her boyfriend to go hang out at another girl's house? And not just any girl—a beautiful, dangerous, black-stocking-wearing senpai!
Yukinoshita, what exactly are you plotting?!