Naturally, my first instinct was to resist. I mean, come on, what kind of sane man just goes along with this? But the second my eyes met Yukinoshita's sharp, commanding gaze, my shoulders slumped. I sighed inwardly and lowered my head in surrender.
Yeah, yeah, I admit it. I'm weak. My Girlfriend gave me an order, and I folded instantly.
Sigh… Hachiman, Hachiman, when will you ever learn? Can't you be a little more assertive for once in your life? At this rate, you're just going to get stepped on harder and harder by Yukinoshita. Oppression today, oppression tomorrow—before long you'll be nothing but her personal servant dog!
I clenched my fists. No… no, I can't let things keep going like this. Ever since that one afternoon where Yukinoshita tormented me mercilessly, my mentality's been totally warped. I've been living under her heel, trembling at every sharp word, every glance.
It wasn't supposed to be like this! After everything I went through in my second year of high school, I swore I'd overcome my fear of women. I'd even told myself I could face them head-on. And yet here I am, flinching not just at Yukinoshita, but at every strong girl I meet. What happened to me?!
Hachiman, listen! You've got to get it together. Train harder, regain your confidence, stand up to Yukinoshita, and teach that little devil of a girl a proper lesson one day! That's the only path forward!
As I sank into my self-loathing pep talk, Yukinoshita—looking completely relaxed—turned her attention to Kasumigaoka-senpai. Her lips curved into that oh-so-gentle smile that, for me, usually meant trouble.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai, I've already given Hikigaya-kun a little pep talk," Yukinoshita said sweetly. "He'll come to your house this weekend to help you clear your game. Does that work for you?"
"Eh?" Kasumigaoka blinked, clearly dazed. She hesitated, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "O-Of course… there's no problem, but… is this really alright? Hikigaya is your boyfriend, after all. Isn't it a little…"
Her voice trailed off. Even Kasumigaoka, the picture of elegance and composure, seemed troubled. Well, duh! Who wouldn't be?
Because under heaven, was there actually a girl on Earth who would happily send her boyfriend off to another girl's house?!
But Yukinoshita only laughed softly, her expression as calm as if she were discussing the weather. "Hehe, of course it's fine. I trust both Kasumigaoka-senpai and Hikigaya-kun quite a bit."
…She said it with such confidence, without even the tiniest shred of doubt.
"...Thank you for your trust," Kasumigaoka murmured after a pause. She drew in a quiet breath and studied Yukinoshita carefully, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "But Yukinoshita, you must have some other motive for being willing to let Hikigaya-kun come to my house, right? Hmm… if you have any requests, why not just say them directly?"
Heh. Sharp as always, Kasumigaoka-senpai.
"Hehe, as expected of Kasumigaoka-senpai." Yukinoshita's smile gradually faded, her expression settling into a more serious one. "Actually, there is one more thing I'd like to ask of you."
Kasumigaoka raised an elegant brow. "Oh? And what might that be?"
Yukinoshita's eyes flicked toward me. I froze under her gaze, like a rabbit caught in headlights. Then she sighed dramatically. "Alas… my Hikigaya-kun's academic performance is just too poor."
"Huh?!" I bolted upright, scandalized. "Where are my grades bad? My Japanese language is—"
"Don't interrupt."
Her tone was sharp, her eyes like knives. I froze instantly, my protest dying in my throat. My lips twitched. Fine, fine, I'll shut up! This isn't because I'm a coward—it's just that arguing with women is pointless!
Yukinoshita continued as if I hadn't spoken at all. "Kasumigaoka-senpai, my Hikigaya-kun manages decently enough in Japanese, but in other subjects, his grades are dismal. Especially mathematics."
I shrank back, scowling. Hey, hey, hey! Don't say it like that! Mathematics isn't a subject—it's a torture device invented by sadists! Those weird symbols and demonic formulas are scarier than English!
Yukinoshita, utterly unbothered by my suffering, pressed on, her tone earnest. "Since you and Hikigaya-kun are classmates, could I trouble you to look after his studies? Hmm… if you ever need anything from me in the future, I promise I'll return the favor."
"Oh, I see…" Kasumigaoka tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You want me to tutor Hikigaya, is that it? Alright, I don't mind. I agree."
She didn't even hesitate! Just like that, she agreed to this insane arrangement!
Then she tilted her head, eyes glimmering mischievously as she added, "But there's no need for you to be so formal with me, Yukinoshita. After all, Hikigaya will also be helping me clear games. It's a fair trade—a win-win, don't you think?"
"One thing at a time," Yukinoshita said firmly, her eyes soft but her tone brooking no argument. "In any case, I'll be troubling Kasumigaoka-senpai to take good care of Hikigaya-kun from now on."
"Mm," Kasumigaoka replied, her lips curving into a rare, elegant smile.
That smile sent a chill down my spine. Hey, hey, hey! Kasumigaoka-senpai, your smile is terrifying! And Yukinoshita—how could you just hand me over like this?! Do you have any idea what kind of woman Kasumigaoka really is?!
She's the very definition of a dangerous beauty!
I opened my mouth to protest, but Yukinoshita's glare shut me down instantly. Her eyes seemed to say, Hikigaya-kun, you are not allowed to resist. You will complete this mission properly.
No way… could Yukinoshita actually be trying to make me friends with Kasumigaoka-senpai? No, impossible! She definitely has some ulterior motive here!
Yukinoshita gave me a sharp nudge, dragging me out of my panicked thoughts. "Hikigaya-kun, hurry up and thank Kasumigaoka-senpai. It's an honor for you that she even bothers with a slacker like you."
I groaned, but there was no escape. "…Thank you, Kasumigaoka-senpai."
Kasumigaoka blinked, her smile widening, clearly pleased. "Please take good care of me from now on, Hikigaya~"
And so, under Yukinoshita's tyrannical pressure, I was forced into a ridiculous pact: from now on, I'd be Kasumigaoka-senpai's designated game-clearer, and in return, she'd become my tutor.
Talk about a lose-lose situation… for me, anyway.
...
Afternoon.
Whether in class or during breaks, Hikigaya remained slouched and dejected, forced to endure Kasumigaoka's relentless harassment. For her, however, the mood couldn't be better. She sat behind him with a mischievous glint in her eye, often stretching out one slender leg wrapped in black stockings and poking him with her foot.
My Kasumigaoka-senpai… if you keep this up, my dark side is gonna awaken! Don't test me! Believe it or not, next time I won't just brush against your foot… I'll crush it!
Hikigaya's inner monologue was spiraling into dangerous territory. Finally, during the last homeroom class, the teasing grew unbearable. The black-stockinged jade foot crept forward again, grazing his chair. Hikigaya's patience snapped, and he instinctively lowered his gaze, adopting what could only be called an "offensive stance."
Kasumigaoka, of course, caught him instantly. She smirked, her lips curling in disdain, and lightly tapped his back with her pen as if to say, "Go ahead, I dare you."
Utterly provocative.
Damn it, damn it, damn it! I'm this close to committing a crime of passion against a foot!
Hikigaya clenched his fists, his whole body trembling as he tried desperately to hold back. No… calm down, Hachiman! Teacher Kirisu is still teaching! This is homeroom! If you cause a scene here, you'll be annihilated by a black-stockinged teacher instead of a black-stockinged senpai!
On the podium, Teacher Kirisu Mafuyu, their ice-cold homeroom teacher, continued her lecture without pause. She was explaining in excruciating detail the importance of third-year study habits. The main point? Students were to form "study groups of four" to improve efficiency.
…Study groups? Sigh. As if life wasn't already miserable enough, now I have to socialize.
Hikigaya's spirit slumped even lower. As a lone wolf by nature and by choice, he hated working in groups. Judging by the groans and reluctant looks spreading across the classroom, he wasn't the only one. But no one dared to voice their complaints aloud—not with Teacher Kirisu's death glare hanging over them.
Naturally, she wasn't going to let the students pick their own groups. She began assigning them based on academic ability, balancing grades to force "effective learning."
Minutes later, her monotone voice rang out: "Study Group Six will consist of: Sawamura, Katou, Kasumigaoka… and Hikigaya."
A ripple of envy spread instantly through the classroom. Most of the boys shot jealous glances at Hikigaya. After all, being grouped with Kasumigaoka-senpai—beautiful, elegant, and on par with Yukinoshita—was like hitting the jackpot in a dating sim.
Hey, hey, hey! Jackpot, my butt! Do you guys not see this bitter gourd expression plastered on my face?
Hikigaya's jaw nearly hit the desk. Of all the rotten luck, why did he have to be placed with these three? Front, back, and side seats… Kirisu-sensei, are you doing this on purpose?!
He wanted to object, to rise up and protest against this unjust fate. But then Teacher Kirisu's gaze swept the room—cold, merciless, and sharper than a guillotine. The moment their eyes met, Hikigaya's legs turned to jelly. He sank back into his seat without a word.
Okay, maybe I value my life too much to rebel. But still… is it just me, or can Teacher Kirisu actually read minds?
"Hehe~"
A soft, devilish laugh came from directly behind him. Hikigaya froze.
Kasumigaoka leaned forward slightly, her voice dripping with mockery: "Is this fate, Air-kun? We're in the same study group. Looks like I'll be taking good care of you in your studies from now on~"
!!!
Hikigaya stiffened, his entire body trembling like a cornered animal.
Just… just brushing against your leg wasn't enough to make you hold a grudge, right? What exactly are you plotting, Senpai?!
His paranoia kicked into overdrive. Memories of Kasumigaoka and Yukinoshita chatting warmly on the rooftop earlier came rushing back. A horrifying possibility dawned on him.
Wait. Senpai… don't tell me you like Yukinoshita?! And because I'm Yukinoshita's boyfriend, you're trying to get rid of me?!
It… it fits too well!
After all, judging from Senpai's Genshin Impact account—yeah, the one that's entirely female characters—the probability of Kasumigaoka-senpai being into girls is suspiciously high…
This is it. I've cracked the case.
Senpai, your true identity is… a yuri rival?!