"Huh? Why aren't they back yet?"
Inside the private room, Iroha tilted her head in confusion. She had been engrossed in an enthusiastic conversation with Sakayanagi, completely losing track of time. It was only now that she realized Hikigaya and Horikita had been gone for an awfully long time.
"Yes, it has been quite a while," Sakayanagi nodded thoughtfully, sitting gracefully on a wooden chair.
"Did something happen? I'll go check on them!"
Iroha was about to stand up when Sakayanagi stopped her.
"Try calling them first. They might have run into some unexpected trouble."
"Oh, right! I'll give Senpai a call."
Nodding, Iroha took out her phone and dialed.
Beep...
"Weird... Why isn't Senpai picking up?"
Iroha frowned, clearly puzzled.
Sakayanagi, on the other hand, glanced at her own phone. She had also tried calling Horikita earlier, but the call had gone unanswered, which was rather strange.
After five whole minutes of repeated dialing, the call finally connected.
"Hello! Senpai! Why did it take you so long to answer? Don't tell me you fell into the toilet?" Before Hikigaya could even speak, Iroha's exasperated voice rang out.
"Sorry, I... ran into a little trouble."
"Huh? Trouble?"
Iroha was stunned. "Wait, don't tell me you really fell into the toilet?"
"N-No!" Hikigaya coughed awkwardly. "It's just that Horikita-san... she, uh, accidentally slipped and got hurt. I had to take her to the in-store medical room."
"What?! Horikita-san injured her leg?"
Iroha instinctively glanced at Sakayanagi, who remained as composed as ever.
"Is she okay? Is it serious?"
"The doctor said it's not too bad, just a minor scrape that needs some ointment."
"Do you want me and Sakayanagi-san to come over?" Iroha asked, sneaking another look at the still-silent Sakayanagi.
"No need."
Hikigaya quickly replied, "Horikita-san's injury isn't serious. Once we're done treating it, we'll head right back."
"Her leg isn't broken? Well, that's a relief."
"N-No... If there's nothing else, I'll, uh... I'll hang up now."
Hikigaya sounded rushed, eager to end the call.
Iroha, however, smirked teasingly. "Hehe, Senpai, do your best~ Make sure you... you know what I mean, right?~"
"...Huh?"
"Don't let me down, Sepai~"
"???"
"Alright, then~ I'm hanging up!"
Iroha giggled as she ended the call.
Meanwhile, Sakayanagi, an unreadable smile on her face, idly tapped her cane resting beside her.
"Ahem, Sakayanagi-san, you heard that, right? Horikita-san got injured—almost broke her leg, even! That's why Senpai had to take her to the medical room. Once her wound is treated, they'll be back."
"Mhm." Sakayanagi smiled and nodded. "Thank you for the update, Iroha-san."
"No need to be so formal~" Iroha grinned.
"Now, back to our previous topic—Sakayanagi-san, I've told you everything I know about Senpai. So, about our deal..."
"Thank you, Iroha-san." Sakayanagi's smile deepened. "Regarding the training camp, I will definitely help you achieve your goal."
"Ahh, Sakayanagi-san, you're the best! If only you were the student council president instead!"
"Oh no, I'm nowhere near Horikita's level." Sakayanagi chuckled.
The two girls, both naturally inclined toward playful smiles, continued their exchange.
"Actually, Iroha-san, I do have one small favor to ask."
"Oh? I feel like we really hit it off, Sakayanagi-san. Go ahead, tell me! What do you need?"
"Well, I need to buy a few things later, but since my mobility is limited... Would you mind asking Hikigaya-kun to carry them for me? He is a guy, after all..." Sakayanagi said with a gentle smile, lightly tapping her cane.
So she really is interested in Senpai!
Iroha narrowed her eyes slightly.
...Oh well.
At the end of the day, Senpai wasn't her man.
Why should she care?
Hehe, Senpai...
For the sake of my future position as student council president, I'm afraid I'll have to sacrifice you a little.
Such a shame—I was looking forward to going on a date with you. Looks like I'll have to make it up to you next time~
"Of course, no problem at all, Sakayanagi-san~" Iroha replied with a sweet smile. "Once Senpai gets back, I'll make sure he helps you properly~"
---
Meanwhile, in the women's restroom...
Having completed her second mission, Yukinoshita no longer needed to crouch down and peek through the gaps beneath the stalls.
Instead, she sat on the toilet seat, wearing her observer glasses, her expression looking... complicated.
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level +1]
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level +2]
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level…]
The numbers continued to rise.
S-Stop increasing already!
Hikigaya-kun, please... please don't actually fall into depravity!
Yukinoshita bit her lip bitterly, pressing her thighs together. There was no joy in watching the numbers go up—only the pain of seeing her beloved husband being stolen away by another woman.
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman thinks Horikita Suzune's expression is just like his girlfriend's. Corruption Level +1.]
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman thinks Horikita Suzune is even better than his girlfriend. Corruption Level +3.]
...What?
Better than me?!
Yukinoshita's expression changed. Her thighs tensed up, causing her tight denim shorts to strain slightly.
The earlier numbers were one thing.
But this last part? Absolutely unacceptable!
Better than me?
How dare he!
Isn't Horikita just... just a substitute for me?!
How could she possibly be better?!
Wait... wait a minute!
Yukinoshita suddenly realized something very, very important.
She lifted her hands and weighed the air slightly.
Then, her lips pressed into a sad line.
Indeed.
In one particular aspect... Horikita was undeniably superior.
Sob, sob!
He said he liked smaller ones!
Didn't he say he preferred small ones?!
Then why... why is this happening?!
I refuse to accept this!!!
Just as she was screaming internally, Yukinoshita suddenly tensed, her pupils contracting.
The observer glasses had reached a critical moment.
Oh no!
Crap!
I really need to go to the bathroom!
Wait, wait!
I can't! If I go now, they'll hear me!
Just a little longer!
I just have to hold on a little longer!
...Five minutes at most.
Sigh...
Yukinoshita sighed bitterly.
Not only did she have to endure holding it in, but she also had to watch her beloved husband's Corruption Level continue to rise.
[Hikigaya Hachiman's Current Corruption Level: 40.]
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman…]
What?!
It's already at 40?! And still increasing?!
No!
Stop!
Please, stop!
I beg you.
No more corruption!
Is Horikita Suzune really that charming?!
Sob, sob, my husband... my husband... my husband...
With so much Corruption Level, how am I ever going to make up for it?
I can't possibly handle this alone!