37 - Jabami Yumeko Awakens the Cat Inside Her
"Huh?! What did you say?!" Aiura Kokoro's expression was one of shock.
Hikigaya Hachiman calmly adjusted his collar. "First of all, I haven't touched Saotome Mary's body. Secondly, I'm not interested in you, whether it's your body or your boring bullying."
"Lastly, you've already started bullying Jabami, and you think I'll agree to that?"
"I like money, but I haven't reached the point where I'll do anything for it. Now, I need to start studying, so please move along."
After hearing this, Aiura Kokoro's expression changed repeatedly. She looked at the man in front of her and suddenly realized that his figure reminded her of Saotome when she first entered the school—such a sense of detachment, self-righteousness, and arrogance... Damn it!
'What a special admit! Just because you were lucky enough to win a few gambling games, you're acting all high and mighty! Damn poor guy, when you lose, I'll make sure to get my revenge!'
"Anything else?"
"Heh, I hope you won't regret this, Hikigaya-kun~" Aiura flashed a sweet smile, flicked her hair, and turned to walk away.
"Sorry, sorry, I'm done with my conversation with Hikigaya-kun. If you have something to say to Jabami-san, feel free to go ahead."
As Aiura left, the girls who had been surrounding him began to swarm toward Jabami Yumeko like hyenas smelling rotten meat.
"Hey, hey, Jabami-san, we heard you gambled with Senior Nishinotouin from the student council yesterday. Is that true?"
Jabami Yumeko pinched the stray cat tag hanging from her chest with her thumb and index finger, her face slightly flushed with embarrassment. "Yes, but I lost. And it was Hikigaya-kun who personally put this stray cat tag on me~"
To the others, it looked like she was blushing in shame for being exposed as a stray cat.
But only Hikigaya Hachiman, who was standing awkwardly, knew that this girl was definitely not blushing out of shame—it was something else...
'I hope she doesn't say anything strange...'
Hikigaya Hachiman turned his head, deciding not to get involved.
Since he had decided to take part in this power struggle orchestrated by Momobami Kirari, he knew he had to make some sacrifices.
As a beneficiary of the system's rules, it would be foolish to openly resist the pet system in public.
It wasn't that Jabami couldn't handle it, but it was more efficient to let her deal with the situation on her own.
'She'll understand.' Hikigaya was completely confident in this.
"Yeah, we've heard about that too."
"And also..." The few girls who had gathered suddenly lowered their heads, shaking their upper bodies like they were sobbing, making it impossible to see their expressions.
Innocent Yumeko was deeply moved, thinking they were upset for her, and quickly spoke to comfort them. "Thank you all for your concern..."
But before she could finish her sentence, the situation changed. Harsh laughter suddenly erupted from the girls.
"You pet—what nonsense are you talking? We're here to laugh at you!"
"Who would care about a stray cat~"
"You'll infect us with your loser personality!"
Yumeko calmly accepted their mockery and even nodded approvingly. "I see, a female pet is a stray cat, so it's a loser cat, huh?"
"But, since it's a cat, isn't it cute?"
"Meow~"
The mocking sounds suddenly stopped.
Even Hikigaya Hachiman's actions froze, his eyes secretly glancing toward Jabami Yumeko.
This glance, however, triggered a surge of blood and a rush of heat in his chest.
Jabami Yumeko had completely collapsed onto the floor, curling her body like a cat, making her already full curves even more pronounced. She raised her hands above her head and swung her cute, kitten-like fists, the stray cat tag on her chest jingling like a bell tied to a house cat.
"Meow~"
"I'm a gambling-addicted loser cat, meow~"
"I accidentally lost to the student council's loser cat, meow~"
"It's because I shamelessly let Hikigaya-kun personally put the cat tag on me, meow~"
"How can I get it back, meow~"
"I want more and more gambling, meow."
Jabami Yumeko knelt, her skirt swaying as her full-bodied form twisted and moved toward Hikigaya Hachiman.
She tilted her head, rubbing against his pants like a cat seeking attention, then raised her head, pushing herself up with her hands, seemingly trying to nuzzle closer to his thighs.
"Meow meow meow~"
"Hikigaya-kun, can you be the sponsor for this loser cat, meow?"
"Jabami, stop this right now!!" Hikigaya finally lost his composure. No matter how mature his thoughts were, the hormones of a young man wouldn't allow him to remain indifferent to this. He quickly bent down and pushed her head away, trying to move her out of the way.
Jabami Yumeko's shameless behavior, wagging her "tail" and begging, was so insane that the surrounding girls felt repulsed.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Is she mentally unstable? Is she a pervert?"
"Let's go, let's go. It's so disgusting. I don't even know if she's ever licked Hikigaya's rod, it's so bad I don't even want her to lick my feet."
The bullying girls scattered, disgusted, leaving Jabami Yumeko's side.
Seeing the crowd disperse, Hikigaya was quick to act, stretching out his hand to press down on Jabami Yumeko's skirt, blocking the gaze of the boys who were eyeing her.
"Alright, enough already. Get up, Jabami."
Hikigaya Hachiman spoke, pleading. If she didn't get up soon, he was afraid she'd reveal too much. This was no longer something his rational mind could control.
"Do you really not understand the mood, Hikigaya-kun?"
Jabami Yumeko licked her lips and looked at him with an ambiguous smile, striking another kitten fist pose.
"Right, Hikigaya-meow~"
"I understand…" Hikigaya, with both hands, lifted her upper body off the floor, preparing to help her up.
"Ah, it feels like I might be getting a bit lost in this. Wouldn't it be better if I had a tail too? Hikigaya-kun, would you help me put on a tail?"
"Stop it already… I've had enough of you." Hikigaya Hachiman rubbed his forehead, helpless, then pulled out the bank card that Sumeragi Itsuki had given him yesterday from his backpack. "There's 100 million yen in here. I'll lend it to you for now. Just remember to pay me back once you win at gambling."
Seeing the money, Jabami Yumeko finally snapped back to reality, standing up from the floor. "Even after experiencing such a total defeat, you're still willing to place a bet on me, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Hikigaya-kun, I'm so touched~"
Jabami Yumeko didn't hesitate, taking the card from him with a generous smile.
For some reason, Hikigaya felt more at ease when he saw her take the money. This was something that would have been impossible before. Perhaps it was because of what happened yesterday, but Hikigaya Hachiman truly started to consider Jabami Yumeko as a companion.
If he hadn't exchanged stories with Jabami Yumeko yesterday, and instead, had simply gone along with her and let her fall into the abyss...
Today, Yumeko might have rejected his money, taken the life plan, and gone to Momobami Kirari to join in a wild gambling spree.
If Jabami lost, Hikigaya would mourn losing a companion. If Momobami lost, it would have an immeasurable effect on his plans for fame and profit.
No matter who lost, it was something he didn't want to see.
Hikigaya Hachiman silently felt relief.
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