139 Yumeko: I really am a pervert
Yumeko reluctantly released Hikigaya Hachiman after an unknown amount of time.
Only after completely sucking away the lingering scent of Kirari and Sachiko from Hachiman's body did Yumeko feel that her somewhat twisted desire had been slightly soothed.
Yumeko licked the corner of Hachiman's mouth, swallowing the last trace of lust-filled residue into her stomach, revealing a tender and sickly sweet smile.
Having tasted the marrow one time, one craves it even more.
She was looking forward even more to the next time Hachiman gambled with Juraku Sachiko or Momobami Kirari.
"I really... am a pervert, aren't I~" Yumeko's snake-like pupils seemed to dissolve into little heart shapes, radiating a peach-colored aura. Yumeko had come to properly recognize herself: ordinary relationship and sex could never satisfy her — only this, only this could!
To Momobami Kirari, Hikigaya Hachiman was a sweet dessert before the main course. But then again, to Yumeko, Kirari herself was no different.
Lost in her fantasies, Yumeko lowered her head and looked at Hachiman, who seemed to have had his soul sucked away. As if trying to hide her little fetish, she once again gently cupped Hachiman's face and said:
"Hachiman~ no matter what kind of gambling you have with them in the future,"
"Please remember, I will always be behind you. As long as... you don't abandon me!"
Yumeko's voice was wistful and sorrowful, like a plea from a helpless girl, making it impossible to refuse.
Hearing this, Hachiman was deeply moved and hugged Yumeko tightly from behind.
Silent, they simply listened to each other's heartbeats.
.
.
.
Saotome Mary and Aiura Kokoro were pacing anxiously near the desks of Hikigaya and Jabami in a corner of the classroom, waiting for the two main characters to arrive.
Now they were like grasshoppers tied to the same rope — having chosen to join Hachiman's camp, there was no turning back.
The sudden spread of rumors over the weekend had, of course, not escaped the notice of these two veterans of Hyakkaou Academy.
Undoubtedly, it was a conspiracy targeting Hikigaya Hachiman.
The enemy wanted to bind Hachiman together with the vice president — wasn't this just a way to attract hatred?
The student council had suppressed all the regular students through superb gambling skills and an enviable family background. Mary and Kokoro were fully aware of how much anger was brewing beneath the surface.
If they didn't come up with a countermeasure quickly...
There would definitely be major trouble at the Festival.
Finally, just before the bell rang for class, Hikigaya and Jabami pushed open the back door of the classroom.
Yumeko clung tightly to Hachiman's arm, pressing her ample body against his side, silently announcing her position to everyone.
Seeing this scene, Saotome Mary was stunned.
Although she had known for some time that the two were in a romantic relationship, today was the first time she had seen them openly displaying it in public.
"You two?"
"I'm Hachiman's girlfriend now, Mary-chan!"
Yumeko's voice was filled with joy as she openly shared her little happiness with the two girls.
Mary scratched her head awkwardly, "Ah... congratulations. I thought you two already were together."
"Hehe, Hachiman was just too shy before!"
Meanwhile, Aiura Kokoro's face flushed red. According to the previous bet, she had to call Hachiman "Master," meaning that Jabami Yumeko would be her... "Mistress"?
'Aahhh, what an embarrassing title! Kokoro, get a grip!'
To cover her panic, Kokoro coughed lightly and said, her face flushed but serious:
"Have you heard about what happened over the weekend?"
"We have a rough idea, but not the specifics."
Hikigaya put down the bags he and Yumeko were carrying, crossed his arms, and leaned his back against the wall:
"Tell me, what exactly happened."
Soon, Saotome and Kokoro recounted the entire series of events to Hikigaya.
"So it's that old trick, trying to mold me into the perfect template for the school's public enemy."
"What should we do then?" Mary asked anxiously.
If they sat by and did nothing, something terrible would definitely happen at the Festival.
Hikigaya said calmly:
"We... don't need to do anything. If he wants me to attract the students' hatred and firepower on behalf of the student council, then let him have it."
"Huh?" Kokoro was puzzled: "That's not like you, Hikigaya. Shouldn't we at least do something?"
"Hmm... if we really need to take some action, then you two should both join the baseball club."
"Join the baseball club?!"
Mary and Kokoro looked at each other, seeing the confusion in each other's eyes:
"At the Festival, are we supposed to help the baseball club?"
"But the baseball club's reputation has already fallen to rock bottom. I'm afraid nobody will even bother to bet on them during the Festival. Winning a Special Prize seems impossible."
What Mary said was true. After the public defeat declaration of the Ougatou Sisters, the baseball club's reputation had plummeted.
Many of the baseball club's core members, who had previously followed the Ougatou Sisters, had now abandoned the club.
They loudly proclaimed that following such people was an insult to the spirit of sportsmanship, and that they would form a "New Baseball Club."
At this point, the baseball club led by the Ougatou Sisters was basically two lonely commanders with no troops.
You could practically declare them dead and out of the race for the Special Prize.
In that case, what was the point of Saotome and Kokoro joining the baseball club?
Mary looked suspiciously at Hikigaya, secretly guessing whether this guy might be planning to use this opportunity to win over the Ougatou Sisters' hearts — and then proceed with those shameful games afterward.
'Surely he's not that bad...'
Somehow, seeing the doubtful expressions on the faces of the two beautiful girls standing in front of him, Hikigaya suddenly developed a strange sense of mischief.
*"Here's a little hint for you two: 'The off-the-board gamble on the Festival championship.'"
"I've already made all the clues public. Whether you can figure it out or not... that's up to you."
Hikigaya decided to give them a "challenge declaration" like he loved to leave in novels.
If he wanted to cultivate these two girls into his future allies, he had to train their ability to think independently.
'Only women who can stand on their own are worthy of staying by my side.'
'A mere flower vase has no value.'
Hikigaya silently recited this to himself.
After hearing this, Saotome Mary frowned deeply, realizing things were not that simple.
She knew about the concept of "off-the-board" gambling.
Linking it to Hikigaya's plan...
The most straightforward idea was that Hikigaya planned to bet heavily on the baseball club, and then use the off-the-board gambling odds to reap an astronomical payoff.
But that would require someone to bet heavily against the baseball club — and lose.
'If related parties deliberately lose in a gamble, that's something the Disciplinary Committee would never allow.'
'So what exactly is Hikigaya's real plan...?'