"Do you even realize how dangerous it was back in the library? We almost got caught!"
"Hehe, but we didn't, did we?"
Stepping out of the library, Kasumigaoka flashed a soft smile and leaned in toward the boy.
"After spending so much time with Kawasaki, you're still this full of energy? How intoxicating~ Air-kun~~"
"!!!"
Sensing a dangerous scent in the air, Hikigaya instantly put some distance between himself and Kasumigaoka.
"Nee~"
Undeterred, Kasumigaoka closed in again.
"Between me and Kawasaki, who do you like more?"
"!"
Hikigaya ignored her and kept walking straight ahead.
"Is it me? Or Kawasaki?"
"Air-kun, say something~ Don't ignore me~"
"Air-kun~ Air-kun~"
Kasumigaoka kept chattering as she followed closely behind him.
Eventually, the two returned to the classroom.
Perching herself on the desk, she crossed her legs gracefully and gazed at Hikigaya as he packed up his books.
"I know what you're thinking," Kasumigaoka mused softly. "In your mind, no matter what, neither Kawasaki nor I can compare to even a single strand of Yukinoshita's hair, right?"
Hikigaya remained silent.
"But..."
A mischievous smile curled on Kasumigaoka's lips as she nudged Hikigaya's back with her foot.
"What if it were both of us together? Wouldn't that be better than Yukinoshita alone?"
"??"
A shiver ran down Hikigaya's spine. He turned to her, fully on guard.
"What... do you mean?"
"Hehehe~"
Kasumigaoka's grin widened.
"One-on-one is so boring. What if Kawasaki and I trained you together, Air-kun? Two beautiful girls—it must be every guy's dream, right~~?"
As she spoke, her delicate fingers traced small circles on his back.
"I... have no interest in that!"
Hikigaya shuddered and swiftly swatted away her mischievous hand.
"I can smell your heartbeat racing~"
Kasumigaoka giggled.
"Air-kun, I already talked it over with Kawasaki. We don't mind working together to... train you. We can even book a hotel room and then—"
"E-Enough already!"
Hikigaya shot up from his seat, glaring at her.
"There's no way in hell that's happening! Are you two trying to kill me?!"
"Pfft~ Air-kun, we haven't even started yet, and you're already worried about what comes next?"
"I—I'm leaving!"
Realizing his words were veering into dangerous territory, Hikigaya's expression shifted, and he bolted from the classroom in a panic.
Kasumigaoka chuckled as she watched him flee.
"What an adorable Air-kun~"
She had caught it.
His face had turned red.
There was no doubt—
He was tempted.
Because really—
What kind of man could resist such an offer?
The thought of two girls together with one guy—every man must've fantasized about it at some point.
"Though... doing it together with Kawasaki is kind of embarrassing. I've never tried that before..."
Kasumigaoka instinctively pressed her legs together and covered her flushed face with her hands.
But still—
The idea was incredibly exciting!
"Ahh, these two are way too reserved. I'll have to take things slow... But still... all three of us together... all three of us together... all three of us together..."
---
Hikigaya hurried down the hall toward the Service Club.
His face was still flushed.
His heart pounded in his chest.
It was clear now—
Senpai and Kawasaki both understood the nature of their relationships with him.
And judging by the way things were going—
The two of them were... surprisingly getting along?
To the point where they even wanted to... together...
Hiss...!
No!
Calm down!
My girlfriend is Yukinoshita!
I can't just let myself fall any further into depravity!!
With a deep sigh, Hikigaya muttered, "Ugh, women really are troublesome creatures."
"Rude! Girls are the most wonderful beings ever!"
"!"
A voice from behind made Hikigaya jolt to a stop.
Turning around, he exhaled in relief.
Oh, it's just Isshiki.
"What do you want?" he asked, composing himself.
"Obviously, I'm here to thank you~"
Isshiki grinned playfully.
"Senpai, thanks to you, I was saved yesterday~ Thank you so much~"
"No way... Isshiki, don't tell me you've developed feelings for me just because of that? Sorry to disappoint, but I already have a girlfriend~"
"Ugh! You stupid senpai! Stop talking like that!!"
Annoyed at his teasing, Isshiki pouted and lightly punched his chest with her small fists.
Such a cute gesture.
It almost felt like... she was giving him a massage.
After a few playful punches, the little devil finally handed him a can of MAX Coffee.
"Here, take this~"
"...For me?"
"Consider it a token of appreciation~ A little reward for my dear senpai~ Take it~"
"Oh."
After a moment of hesitation, Hikigaya returned to his normal self and accepted the drink.
"By the way... Senpai, what do you think about that girl?"
Isshiki suddenly asked, her voice cautious.
"Which girl?"
"?"
Isshiki quickly clarified, "Who else? Horikita Suzune, obviously!"
"Who?"
"???"
Isshiki's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You—you—you... You stupid senpai! Horikita Suzune! Horikita Suzune! The student council president of Advanced Nurturing High, Horikita Suzune!!"
"Ah... I think I've heard the name before."
"You—"
Isshiki nearly burst out laughing in frustration.
"Senpai! Didn't I give you all that info yesterday? I told you to study it properly so you could help me deal with Horikita this weekend! Did you seriously forget?!"
"...Oh, right. I think that happened."
"You... Ugh! Stupid senpai! You didn't even read it, did you?!"
"I'll read it today."
"Senpai, can I just bite you already?"
"Uh... Are you a dog or something?"
Hikigaya instinctively put some distance between them.
"Hmph! It's your own fault for being so unmotivated! You promised to help me, so you better take responsibility!" Isshiki huffed.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Senpai, you—"
Watching Hikigaya's half-hearted response, Isshiki pursed her lips, then suddenly changed tactics, flashing him a mischievous smile.
"Senpai~ How about this? I'll give you a little motivation~"
"What?"
"Hehe~ If you successfully help me set up the training camp, I... I'll give you a kiss~"
A faint blush crept onto her face as she spoke with uncharacteristic sincerity.
"?"
"Hehe~ Getting a kiss from your adorable kouhai—Senpai, isn't that like a dream come true for you?" Isshiki teased.
It was true.
Hikigaya had once fantasized about such things before.
But now...
Hachiman has a girlfriend!
"And what if I fail?" Hikigaya asked curiously.
"If you dare fail? Hmph!"
Isshiki's cute expression turned sharp.
"Then I'll bite you to death! And I'll make sure you regret it forever! Seeenpaaaai~"