With Miura's sudden appearance, the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Fortunately, Hikigaya quickly explained the situation, which managed to calm Miura down.
As for Hoshino, she simply gave Miura a thoughtful glance, sizing her up.
"Oh, so you're not Yukinoshita? I thought you were his girlfriend."
Hoshino chuckled, then casually snatched the water bottle from Hikigaya's hand before continuing:
"Well, let's leave it at that for today. I was just passing by, so I won't keep you from your workout. I'll be heading back now~"
"Oh… okay."
Hikigaya nodded, relieved as he watched the girl walk away.
Once Hoshino was gone, Miura raised an eyebrow and looked at Hikigaya in surprise.
"You actually know an idol?"
"Ahem, we met by chance."
"By chance?"
Miura muttered under her breath, then let out a huff.
"I don't know how you two met, but that girl seemed pretty interested in you. Hmph! I just don't get it. One after another, girls keep flocking to you—first Yui, then Kawasaki, and now her…"
"Uh…"
Hikigaya let out an awkward laugh.
Yep, this is why I enjoy talking with Miura.
"Why are you staring at me like that?!"
Miura shot him a sharp glare.
"Get back to training!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Under the night sky, the two continued their workout.
Meanwhile, hidden behind a tree nearby, Hoshino watched them intently, the usual smile absent from her face. She gripped the water bottle tightly.
"Sigh… I failed. Guess I'll have to wait for another chance…"
---
The next day—Friday.
Hikigaya arrived at Sobu High as usual.
The moment he stepped into Class 3-B, he was surprised to see Kasumigaoka and Kawasaki chatting near his seat.
"No way!"
Kawasaki frowned and firmly rejected Kasumigaoka's suggestion.
"He needs to rest!"
"Rest? Heh, Kawasaki, do you even understand men? At this age, their energy is at its peak. If you ask me, we should both—"
Kasumigaoka gave her a teasing smile.
"?!?!"
Kawasaki's face turned bright red.
"You… you pervert! That's not happening! I'm warning you, no matter what, it's not happening today! If you try anything—"
"Oh my~ Look who's here—Air-kun~"
Just as Kawasaki was fuming, Kasumigaoka's eyes playfully shifted toward Hikigaya as he walked over.
"Morning."
Hikigaya braced himself and greeted them.
"Good morning~" Kasumigaoka smiled.
"G-Good morning…"
Kawasaki, still flustered, greeted him while discreetly biting her lip. Then, in a hushed voice, she warned him:
"You better stay away from Kasumigaoka today."
"Come on, Kawasaki, don't underestimate Air-kun~"
"No means no!"
Kawasaki shot Kasumigaoka a sharp glare.
"If you're so eager, then just take all of his time. What about Yukinoshita this weekend? Go mind your own business!"
"You…"
Kasumigaoka's eye twitched.
"Do you understand?" Kawasaki asked again, making sure Hikigaya got the message.
Wow.
So this is what they were discussing?
"…Sigh."
Hikigaya let out a long sigh and nodded.
With that, they each returned to their seats.
But even with Kawasaki's warning, Kasumigaoka spent the entire day dropping subtle hints—some not-so-subtle ones, too.
Kawasaki, of course, wouldn't stand for this. Every time Kasumigaoka was about to make a move, Kawasaki would step in at the perfect moment to stop her.
Kasumigaoka was seething, but there was nothing she could do.
The school day flew by.
As the classroom emptied after dismissal, the two girls continued bickering.
"Kawasaki, you're seriously out of your mind! I can't even get one little kiss?" Kasumigaoka was fuming.
"No." Kawasaki's response was cold and firm. "What if he gets carried away? I'm not letting you lay a finger on him today."
"I'm heading out."
Hikigaya sighed, deciding to leave them to their argument.
"Air-kun, wait—"
"School's over! What more do you want?!"
Kawasaki grabbed Kasumigaoka, keeping her from chasing after him.
"Kawasaki! Tomorrow's the weekend! If you won't let me have today, what about the weekend?!"
"You have hands and feet. Solve your own problems."
"You—!"
The two kept quarreling.
Hikigaya, meanwhile, quietly left the classroom and headed toward the Service Club.
Kawasaki, huh?
Not bad.
With her around, the day felt much more peaceful—Kasumigaoka hardly got the chance to harass me.
However…
While Hikigaya was feeling relieved, someone in the Service Club was barely holding it together.
Sitting in her usual seat, Yukinoshita struggled to maintain her composed exterior.
Her back was straight, her hands rested elegantly on the desk, and her expression remained poised.
But deep down… she was suffocating.
The entire day had gone by… and she hadn't earned a single point.
If this continued, today's earnings would be a complete loss!
Sure, missing one day's worth of points wouldn't be the end of the world.
But… Yukinoshita just didn't feel right.
This was seriously messing with her OCD.
She let out a quiet sigh.
"Sigh… Saki is way too protective of Hikigaya-kun…"
"Huh? Yukinon, what did you just say?"
Yuigahama's sharp ears caught her muttering.
"Nothing. I was just wondering why Hikigaya-kun is taking so long to get here."
Will my dear husband let Yui cling to him when he arrives?
No.
Yui's points are too low!
Not satisfying at all—completely useless!
Just as Yukinoshita was stewing in frustration, a notification popped up in her mind.
Huh?
Iroha?
That girl… is hugging Hikigaya-kun again?!
Fine!
She's better than Yui!
Without hesitation, Yukinoshita activated the Forced Intimate Card on Iroha.
[Ding! Isshiki Iroha is highly resistant, but ultimately forced to give Hikigaya Hachiman a deep kiss…]
Good, good, good!
Finally, I get to use this card.
Resistant?
That's meaningless against the Forced Intimate Card!
Points! More points for me!
[Ding! Isshiki Iroha, finding herself unable to stop, continues to kiss him willingly…]
…Huh?
Oh?
Well, well, well, Iroha.
Just a moment ago, you were resisting, and now you're getting carried away?
"Hmm… Iroha does seem to like Hikigaya-kun quite a bit. They're meeting up tomorrow to take care of something… Maybe I should…"
As she muttered to herself, a devious thought began forming in Yukinoshita's mind.