Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

"Ahhhhhh!!"

Miura snapped back to reality and abruptly pushed Hikigaya away.

Her hand instinctively touched her lips, which had just kissed Hikigaya's. She stood there, stunned and dazed.

At that moment, Yuigahama hurried over, her expression conflicted as she looked at Miura.

"Yumiko, don't tell me… you have feelings for Hikki too..."

"Eh?"

Feeling Yuigahama's peculiar gaze, Miura hastily waved her hands in denial.

"No, no, no! How could I possibly have those kinds of feelings for Hikigaya? Don't overthink it!"

"But… the kiss just now..."

"That was..."

Miura was utterly flustered, her face a bright shade of red. She had only intended to demonstrate how a girl could approach a boy after exercising, to show Yuigahama how to deepen their connection.

However, when she saw Hikigaya's handsome face up close, her body had acted on its own...

Damn it!

What had she done?!

"Ahem, she probably mistook me for Hayama," Hikigaya coughed lightly, attempting to defuse the situation.

Yuigahama looked at Miura in surprise. "Eh? Mistook Hikki for Hayama?"

"Ah?"

Miura's face turned even redder as she stammered.

"Uh, I-I'm not sure..."

Hikigaya continued to explain, "Maybe it's because I looked like Hayama after running, combined with the darkness of the night... Let's just chalk it up to an accident."

"An accident, huh..."

Yuigahama bit her lip, her feelings a mess.

Meanwhile, seeing her friend's pitiful expression only added to Miura's inner turmoil. Along with her frustration and regret, she felt a deep pang of guilt and heartbreak for Yuigahama.

"Yui!"

Miura shoved her friend forward, forcing her to stand right in front of Hikigaya.

Raising her voice, she urged, "Go on, wipe the sweat off Hikigaya's forehead!"

"Eh? I… uh..."

Yuigahama panicked, her mind a jumble.

"Um..."

Seeing her approach, Hikigaya instinctively took a step back, trying to avoid her.

As the two clumsily evaded each other, Miura let out an exasperated sigh and said to Yuigahama in a stern voice, "Yui, this is a golden opportunity right in front of you. Don't waste it!"

Then, turning to Hikigaya, she added, "Hikigaya, let me tell you—Yui's feelings for you..."

"Wait! Yumiko, stop!"

Yuigahama flailed her arms desperately, practically wanting to cover Miura's mouth to stop her from speaking.

"You..."

Looking at Yuigahama's blushing, flustered face, Miura hesitated. After a few seconds of silence, she sighed and closed her mouth, choosing not to push the subject further.

Still, she shot a sharp glare at Hikigaya.

What does this have to do with me?!

Hikigaya's innocent expression avoided her gaze.

"Anyway, since neither of you can run anymore, don't force it. Walk a few laps to cool down and relax your legs," Miura advised Hikigaya. "Afterward, walk Yui home. It's dangerous for a girl to go home alone at night."

"...Fine," Hikigaya sighed and nodded.

Satisfied, Miura gave a curt nod and didn't say more.

She turned and resumed her solo run.

With Miura gone, only Hikigaya and Yuigahama remained at the scene.

"Um… Hikki," Yuigahama timidly said, glancing up at him. "Let me wipe your sweat for you."

"I can do it myself."

"No, I should do it."

"Fine..."

Hikigaya relented, letting Yuigahama wipe his sweat.

This isn't good!

She's too close!

As Yuigahama's movements brought her closer to him, Hikigaya's eyes instinctively darted away.

It's not just the proximity—it's the scent.

Despite just finishing exercise, Yuigahama didn't smell of sweat at all. Instead, a faint fragrance lingered around her, intoxicating and entirely too stimulating.

And what's more...

Why is she leaning in closer?

Wait a second—what's she planning to do?!

No!

He couldn't let Yuigahama take the initiative again!

Hachiman was Yukinoshita's boyfriend!

How could he kiss another girl so casually?!

"Yuigahama-san!"

"Eh?"

"That's enough. I'll walk you home after a few laps."

"Oh... okay..."

Pulled from her reverie, Yuigahama nodded, her eyes occasionally sneaking glances at Hikigaya's face, filled with regret and longing.

---

Meanwhile, Miura continued running, though her thoughts were in chaos.

Her mind kept replaying the kiss with Hikigaya.

Mistook him for Hayama?

No!

She was sure she hadn't mistaken Hikigaya for Hayama in that moment.

It was Hikigaya—plain and simple.

But then why...

Why couldn't she control herself?

Could it be... she actually liked Hikigaya?!

Was it because of his help and comfort yesterday?

Miura slowed to a stop, lost in thought.

"No way... Me? Liking Hikigaya? That's impossible!"

Frustrated, she clutched at her chest and took several deep breaths.

"No! No! Whether I like him or not, I absolutely can't have feelings for Hikigaya!"

It wasn't just about her feelings for Hayama.

The most important thing was…

Yui.

Yui adored Hikigaya!

As her best friend, how could she possibly fall for the man Yui loved?!

No matter what, she could not let herself develop feelings for Hikigaya!

"I should focus on helping those two get together... sigh."

Miura let out a deep breath, shaking her head before continuing her run.

---

Elsewhere, Yukinoshita lazily soaked in her bathtub, a content smile playing on her lips.

Moments ago, she had used a "Forced Intimate Card" on Miura, causing the girl to kiss her boyfriend, Hikigaya.

"Miura-san must be so miserable now," Yukinoshita mused with a grin. "She likes Hayama, but she ended up kissing my Hikigaya-kun. I bet she won't sleep tonight~"

"Hmph. Serves her right for being so arrogant, for offending me, for looking down on my Hikigaya-kun in the past..."

"Just you wait—I'll teach you a lesson!"

Every woman harbors a bit of darkness in her heart, and Yukinoshita was no exception.

Since Miura was a potential romantic rival, Yukinoshita saw no harm in taking advantage of her.

After all, the two of them had always been at odds, their interactions crackling with tension.

So using the card on Miura didn't evoke any guilt for Yukinoshita—only satisfaction.

Of course, revenge wasn't the only reason.

There was another, equally important one: Miura was deeply infatuated with Hayama, almost to the point of obsession.

Even after kissing Hikigaya, Miura likely wouldn't fall for him.

Thus, Yukinoshita felt confident and unbothered about involving Miura in her schemes.

*********************************************

Read advanced chapters ahead of everyone else on my Patreon.

p@treon/GodDragcell