After more than twenty minutes, Hikigaya and Yukinoshita emerged from the clearing.
Yukinoshita's forehead was beaded with sweat, her cheeks flushed a deep, rosy red.
She clung tightly to Hikigaya's arm, using it to steady herself as they walked.
Her face was filled with disbelief, and she panted slightly, her voice trembling:
"Hikigaya-kun, you… today you were just too, too…"
"Too what?"
Hikigaya gave a light cough, his expression perfectly composed.
"Ugh!"
Seeing the smug lift at the corner of his mouth, Yukinoshita instantly pouted, annoyed.
"N-nothing! You were too weak today, you useless small-fry!"
"Oh? Useless, huh?"
Hikigaya chuckled softly.
"But that's not what you were saying just now, was it?"
"I… I…"
Yukinoshita's pretty face flushed even redder as she fumbled for words.
"I just… just cramped up a little earlier, that's all… That's why I was in such an embarrassing state. Otherwise, there's no way someone like you — a mere small-fry — could've gotten the upper hand over me!"
Hikigaya said nothing, only smiling.
Yukinoshita huffed:
"Just wait till the weekend! You'll see how I deal with you then — let's see if you're still smiling afterward!"
"No problem. Tomorrow… or the day after, I'll be waiting."
Hikigaya's smile remained calm.
Truth be told, right now he felt… frighteningly strong.
"Alright, it's a deal, then — ahh… s-slow down a little, will you…"
"Feeling soft and wobbly now?"
"Of course not! I told you, it was just… just a cramp!"
Yukinoshita lowered her blushing face stubbornly.
"Want me to carry you?" Hikigaya offered.
"In public? How embarrassing! Just support me like this, it's fine."
Yukinoshita shot him a glare.
"Alright then."
Hikigaya obliged.
As they walked toward the train station, it became clear he'd probably have to personally escort her all the way home.
"Um… Hikigaya-kun, maybe you should, um, g-go rinse your mouth or something…?" Yukinoshita murmured shyly, her face leaning close to his.
"Why?"
"W-what do you mean why?! After what you just did to me, ugh… I feel like, like you still have that awful smell on you…"
Yukinoshita blushed furiously.
"I don't think it's that bad."
"How could it not be?! It's so dirty…"
"Didn't you say it smelled good?"
"Ugh! Y-you… down there, how could it possibly— s-stop spouting nonsense! That place is… ugh, never mind, if you don't want to, then whatever!"
As she muttered, Yukinoshita shyly bowed her head, her heart pounding furiously.
Hikigaya fell silent too, his face tinting red.
The two walked arm in arm, the air between them tinged with a faintly romantic tension.
But just then—
A familiar, cheerful voice called out behind them:
"Yahallo~ Yukino, Hikigaya-kun~"
"!!!"
That unmistakably bubbly voice instantly made their skin crawl.
They turned around, stiff and trembling.
Sure enough, a vibrant woman was walking up to them, a bright smile on her face.
"Fancy running into you two~" Haruno beamed.
At her words, both Hikigaya and Yukinoshita's expressions twitched.
There was no doubt in either of their minds — Haruno's appearance here was no coincidence.
Still, they both tried their best to act natural.
"Fancy running into you, Haruno," Yukinoshita greeted coolly. "Just passing by?"
"Ehehe, don't be so cold! I really was just passing by, you know~" Haruno laughed, her eyes glancing over the two of them. When she noticed Yukinoshita's slightly trembling legs, she asked curiously, "What's wrong with your legs?"
"C-cramped up, that's all…" Yukinoshita replied calmly, though a flicker of something flashed across her face.
"Ah, cramps… You okay?" Haruno asked.
"I'll be fine."
"Hehe, in that case, onee-chan will drive you home~" Haruno offered brightly.
"Well… alright."
After a few seconds of hesitation, Yukinoshita nodded in agreement.
"In that case, I'll just—" Hikigaya started to excuse himself.
But Haruno turned to him with a smile that brooked no refusal.
"Hikigaya-kun, why don't you hop in too? Onee-chan will drive you home~"
Feeling a shiver down his spine at her expression, Hikigaya had no choice but to agree.
And so—
Haruno drove both Hikigaya and Yukinoshita home.
The moment Hikigaya stepped into Haruno's sports car, he noticed something… odd.
There was a distinctive, humid fragrance lingering inside.
Still, Hikigaya chose not to ask, nor did he dare dwell on it — he quietly got into the car, pretending as though he hadn't noticed a thing.
Most of the ride consisted of the two sisters chatting away, while Hikigaya became a silent background figure — practically a prop, if not outright invisible.
It wasn't until after Yukinoshita was dropped off that—
As per the unspoken rule, Hikigaya was forced to sit in the passenger seat beside Haruno.
That scent…
It was even stronger now.
Hikigaya's face twitched slightly. He even considered holding his breath — as though breathing in the air here was something dangerous.
"What's wrong?" Haruno smiled at him. "Hurry up and close the door, okay?"
"…Yes."
Resigned, Hikigaya fastened himself into the passenger seat, his whole body tense like a coiled spring. Sweat prickled at his back.
Sure enough—
The moment the door shut, Haruno let out a lilting laugh.
"Hikigaya-kun~ you noticed, didn't you~?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Haruno-san." Hikigaya kept his voice steady.
"Ehehe, you caught on the moment you got in, didn't you? Hehe, as expected of Hikigaya-kun — such a sharp nose~"
"What are you even talking about?"
"Hikigaya-kun, don't play dumb. You know exactly what's going on, don't you?"
"…"
Hikigaya fell silent, wisely choosing not to respond.
Knowing Haruno's personality, if he openly acknowledged anything, it would only escalate.
Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya calmly asked,
"Haruno-san, why don't you just get to the point? What did you come to find me for?"
"As sharp as ever, Hikigaya-kun~ so smart~"
"Just spit it out."
"Hehe, here's the thing…"
With a teasing grin, Haruno stretched out her hand — her fingers lightly brushing along Hikigaya's thigh.
"My little sister, you know, she's on her period right now. So during this time, hehe, Hikigaya-kun, how exactly are you planning to handle… your needs, hmm? Onee-chan here is very curious~"
"I don't need you worrying about that!" Hikigaya snapped.
"Oh, don't be so distant~"
Haruno's lips curled into a seductive smile.
"If little sister can't satisfy you… how about I, as the big sister, take care of you instead? Hmm?"
As she spoke, Haruno's hand grew bolder, caressing up and down Hikigaya's thigh — and his face instantly turned pale.