A young man and woman stood in the ladies' restroom.
Their eyes met.
The air carried a subtle tension, tinged with the shyness of youth.
Seated on the toilet, Hikigaya looked up in shock at the visibly flustered Kawasaki.
"You... you're here to help me... relieve stress?"
"Y-Yes! I've made up my mind, Hikigaya. Look..."
Kawasaki's legs were tense, a slight sheen of sweat forming on her forehead. Despite her embarrassment, her eyes held a rare determination.
"T-That's not right."
Avoiding her gaze, Hikigaya shook his head.
"Why not?" Kawasaki asked anxiously.
"This whole thing about study stress... That's not really the issue..."
Hikigaya's voice wavered, unable to meet her eyes.
"If it's not about stress, then why did you do... that with the senior just now?" she pressed.
"I... I..."
Hikigaya opened his mouth but failed to find the words.
There was no way he could tell Kawasaki that he had unintentionally mistaken the senior for Yukinoshita, and somehow, things had spiraled into something more.
"So it really is about study stress."
Seeing his hesitation, Kawasaki felt even more convinced.
Without explaining further, Hikigaya sighed and said,
"Kawasaki, I can't accept this. You're such a good girl—someone like me shouldn't ruin that. I won't let that happen."
"Ruin?"
For some reason, that word made Kawasaki's heart flutter slightly. She shook her head quickly and said,
"No! It's not like that! If anything... I'm the one taking advantage of you, not the other way around."
"Huh? That's not how it works. Compared to guys, a girl's... uh, purity is much more important," Hikigaya argued.
"This is an age of equality. A girl's feelings are just as important as a guy's," Kawasaki replied firmly.
She softened her tone and continued,
"Hikigaya, I know you're thinking about my feelings, but it's okay. I don't mind anymore. Besides... I've already... given you my first time..."
At those words, Hikigaya's face turned red.
Kawasaki's face was also flushed, unable to hide her lingering shyness.
After all, it was true. They had already crossed that line before.
The delicate atmosphere made their thoughts blur.
As Hikigaya remained silent, Kawasaki fidgeted with her skirt and hesitantly said,
"If you don't say anything... I'll take it as a yes. From now on, I can help you with these things. You don't... have to take responsibility."
"Huh? This... This really isn't right. What about Yukinoshita..."
The moment Hikigaya uttered that name, Kawasaki stiffened, guilt washing over her. Her voice grew complicated as she said,
"Hikigaya, listen to me. We... we may have betrayed her physically, more than once even, and for that, I feel terrible. But our hearts have never betrayed her. You still love her, and I still see her as my best friend. That won't change. I told you, you don't need to take responsibility, so you don't have to worry about anything after this. I'm just here to help relieve your stress, that's all."
"A tool? Kawasaki, how can you say something like that?"
"I don't mind."
"You—"
"In the end, betraying someone physically isn't true betrayal. It's only when your heart strays that you've really betrayed them," Kawasaki emphasized. "And I swear, my heart will never betray Yukinoshita!"
Hikigaya sighed.
"Kawasaki... You're too kind."
"Ugh!"
Her face turned even redder as she snapped,
"Kind? Kind? Kind? If you think I'm so kind, then... then I'll be extra kind to you right now!"
"Huh?"
Hikigaya tensed, looking at her warily.
"Kawasaki, what are you planning?"
"I'll help relieve your study stress, on Yukinoshita's behalf!"
"W-Wait, here? Now?"
His face changed as he quickly protested,
"I'm not even stressed right now! Don't do anything reckless!"
"Not stressed?"
Kawasaki squinted at him.
"You spent about twenty minutes with Kasumigaoka at lunch. Maybe she's satisfied, but you? I highly doubt it. After all, twenty minutes is..."
"Ugh..."
Hikigaya winced.
As expected of Kawasaki. Her sense of timing was disturbingly precise.
"Hikigaya, I did some research online. If guys don't deal with these things properly, it can lead to... issues later on." Kawasaki's face was burning, but she met his gaze with determination.
"Wait, you actually looked this up?"
Ignoring his shock, Kawasaki stepped closer to him.
"Hikigaya... I-I'll help you now."
"W-Wait! No, this isn't right!"
Startled, Hikigaya instinctively backed away.
"Don't run!"
"This really isn't okay!"
"Why not?"
Seeing him try to escape, Kawasaki bit her lip, then resolutely lifted one leg and rested it on the toilet.
"Am I... not good enough compared to Kasumigaoka?"
"Uh..."
Hikigaya's gaze involuntarily drifted downward.
Her legs were almost too fair and smooth.
Noticing where he was looking, Kawasaki's blush deepened.
"If it's you... you can do whatever you want..."
"Huh?"
"So... Hikigaya, is this okay?"
"This really—"
"Hikigaya!"
Before he could finish, Kawasaki suddenly leaned forward—
And kissed him.
Hikigaya: "?!"
Their lips met.
A few seconds later, they parted.
"Hikigaya..."
"Kawasaki..."
Their eyes locked, emotions swirling between them.
Their hearts pounded wildly, refusing to calm down.
This was bad.
Kawasaki taking the initiative like this... was way too unfair.
Way too soft.
---
At the same time, in the neighboring stall...
Yukinoshita sat properly on the toilet.
"Ugh... Those two are really going all out. I came in here, and they didn't even notice?"
Sighing softly, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her red-framed glasses.
She stared at them for several seconds, her emotions in turmoil.
Ughhh!
I want Hikigaya-kun too!
I want to help my beloved husband relieve his high school stress!
But right now...
She could only sit there, helplessly listening as another girl took that role.
The feeling was unbearable.
She wanted to cry.
However—
Hearing the occasional ding of points being added to her total, Yukinoshita instinctively tensed her legs and urged,
"Not enough, not enough. That's nowhere near enough to save Hikigaya-kun! Kawasaki... keep going..."