"Hikigaya-kun, are you okay?"
Yukinoshita supported the boy with visible concern on her face. As the lunch bell rang, the two of them emerged from the small grove behind the school building.
As for Megumi Kato—she'd already left a few moments earlier, slipping away from the scene.
"I'm fine. Seriously, I feel great,"
Hikigaya said confidently, pursing his lips as he refused to admit to any kind of, well, incapability.
"You're pale as a ghost, and you call that fine?"
Yukinoshita sighed and gently touched his cheek, her voice laced with worry. "You're not going to faint, are you?"
"Hah?"
Hikigaya clicked his tongue. "Who do you think you're talking to? I'm not that weak, okay? I'll have you know, I could totally take you on right here, right now."
"Ehh? You sure about that?"
"Uh… of course I'm sure!"
"..."
Yukinoshita knew her boyfriend well—well enough to tell that he was clearly running on fumes, squeezed dry by a horde of women.
No kidding.
Mrs. Sawamura last night, followed by Saki and Senpai this morning, and now Kato… God. Even a bull would be keeled over at this rate.
Good thing her beloved had been keeping up with his training lately. If he hadn't… he'd probably be hospitalized by now.
"Let's stop here. I'm heading to the library for some self-study."
When they reached the third-year building, Hikigaya gently pushed Yukinoshita away, not wanting their closeness to draw unnecessary attention from their classmates.
"But…"
Yukinoshita's worry didn't fade. "Be careful. Don't trip or anything."
"I said stop looking down on me already!"
Hikigaya waved her off and headed inside.
Yukinoshita stood in place, rubbing her forehead, visibly troubled.
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's stamina level has dropped dangerously low. Host may consider purchasing a High-Grade Energy Potion.]
"High-Grade Energy Potion?"
[It's twice as effective as a normal potion, rapidly boosting Hikigaya Hachiman's stamina so he can deal with the women ahead. Take that married woman, Sayuri Sawamura—for someone like her, his current stamina is nowhere near enough. You don't want to see your beloved treated like a pitiful little pup, do you?]
"Ugh… fine, buy it."
Yukinoshita sighed in defeat. After all, Mrs. Sawamura was a married woman with way too much experience. Most of the damage probably came from last night's encounter alone.
Still, potion or not—
How could she get her beloved to take it?
No way he'd just drink it straight. He was too sharp for that. He'd definitely notice.
"I'll need to mix it with something… Drinks are too suspicious. I need a better delivery method…"
---
Afternoon — Library
"Air-kun~, I'm hunnngrryyy~"
At the entrance of the public restroom, Kasumigaoka clung to Hikigaya's arm, eyes twinkling as she tried to drag him toward the women's side.
"Senpai, didn't we already… this morning—"
"Fufu~ It's a boring afternoon~ Let's go again~"
"?!"
Hikigaya felt his scalp go numb.
"Come on, Air-kun~ Time to pay your dues~ Just a little is fine~"
"Senpai, I really can't anymore… Please, have mercy…"
"Oh? Are you actually begging for mercy?"
Kasumigaoka blinked in surprise. But when she saw how pale his face was, she blinked again, a rare softness flickering in her eyes.
"Well, alright. I'll let you rest for now. But after school—it's round three with the three of us."
"Huh?!"
"Hehe. Don't tell me you forgot? You, me, and Kawasaki~ We're on cleaning duty after school."
Kasumigaoka gave a cheerful wink.
—Tragic!
Hikigaya looked like he'd just bitten into bitter gourd. He wanted nothing more than to throw himself into Yukinoshita's arms and bawl like a baby.
"Hikigaya-kun~"
Just as he was fantasizing about the comfort of his girlfriend's embrace, a familiar voice called out from behind.
Hikigaya and Kasumigaoka both stiffened.
It was Yukinoshita.
The two quickly stepped apart.
"Oh, Yukinoshita. What a coincidence."
Kasumigaoka greeted her calmly. "Here to use the restroom too?"
"No."
Yukinoshita smiled and shook her head. She held up the bag she was carrying and handed it to Hikigaya.
"You didn't eat much at lunch, did you? So I bought you something extra. You have to eat it all, okay?"
"Eh?"
Hikigaya took the bag, peeking inside. There were sandwiches, fried chicken, and other treats. Pretty generous, honestly.
"I'm good. I already ate lunch."
He tried handing it back.
Hey, hey, hey!
You're about to get drained dry and you're still trying to act tough?!
"You're eating it."
Yukinoshita's voice left no room for argument. "How else are you going to have the strength to do anything?"
"She's right," Kasumigaoka chimed in. "No food, no focus. No wonder you were so distracted earlier—you were running on empty, huh?"
"Exactly. Senpai, I'll leave it to you to make sure he eats everything. He's way too hungry."
Yukinoshita spoke deliberately, eyes sharp.
"No problem. I'll make sure your boyfriend gets every last bite."
Kasumigaoka gave a sugar-sweet smile.
"Thank you, Senpai."
"You're too kind."
The two girls exchanged polite smiles.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya stood by, completely frozen, trembling slightly.
Then Yukinoshita left.
"Alright, time to eat, Air-kun~"
"I'm not hungry…"
"Fufu~ You've got two choices: eat this, or… eat me. Your call~"
Kasumigaoka gave him a slow, teasing grin.
"..."
Hikigaya twitched at the corner of his mouth. In the end, he had no choice but to obediently munch down on Yukinoshita's food.
Truth be told…
He was a little hungry.
"Fufu~ Want me to feed you~?"
"I'll do it myself!!"
---
Elsewhere—
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's stamina +20]
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's stamina +30]
[Ding! Hikigaya—]
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's stamina has temporarily exceeded its limit: 120/100]
[Notice: Hikigaya Hachiman's stamina is now overflowing! Capable of taking on five women in one go—host, please make full use of this opportunity.]
"???"
Hiding behind a bookshelf, Yukinoshita gawked.
Five?! FIVE women in one round?!
This High-Grade Energy Potion was terrifying!
[Reminder 2: With stamina beyond the limit, Hikigaya Hachiman's male charm has drastically increased—female attraction up by 200%, married woman attraction up by 500%. Host, please take care to protect your boyfriend.]
"WHAT?!"
Yukinoshita's heart practically stopped, panic flooding her chest.
She said it already!!
Stop turning her husband into a walking ladykiller!!