Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Life as a third-year student at Sobu High revolved around academics.

However, for the sake of physical health, PE classes remained mandatory each week.

After lunch break, in the afternoon, Class 3-B began their PE session.

As the class's sports rep, Miura was tasked with leading her classmates around the track for their warm-up run.

Yet...

Miura's thoughts were still preoccupied with her conversation with Yukinoshita during the lunch break.

That damn Yukinoshita! She's practically begging to be cuckolded!

She had the nerve to suggest that even if Miura tried to seduce Hikigaya, he wouldn't fall for it!

On the surface, it seemed like she trusted him, but in reality, she was just looking down on her!

Seriously.

Miura felt a strong urge to turn Yukinoshita green—steal her man right under her nose, just to prove her worth!

Let's see if that arrogant Yukinoshita would dare act so smug afterward!

But then again...

What about Yui?

Miura genuinely wanted Yui to be the one to steal Yukinoshita's man. That way, her best friend could also find happiness.

Miura's mind was a tangled mess, torn between supporting her friend and her desire to prove herself against Yukinoshita.

The more she thought about it, the more irritable she became.

Wait!

Why was she so fixated on Hikigaya all of a sudden?

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

No way!

Even if he had helped her so many times...

Even if they'd accidentally kissed multiple times...

There's no way she could like a loser like him!

Lost in frustration and confusion, Miura led the class through their warm-up run.

After the run, the students were allowed to engage in different activities—tennis, basketball, badminton, and so on.

Hikigaya, however, felt a sense of unease.

Because of his nightly workouts, he had planned to take it easy during PE, to be a proper slacker for once.

Unfortunately, Kasumigaoka-senpai had other plans.

During lunch, she had cryptically mentioned something about "pampering" him, leaving him completely on edge.

And sure enough, here she came now.

With a sly smile on her lips, Kasumigaoka strutted over, her long, toned legs catching the light as beads of sweat glistened on her skin.

Unlike the allure of black stockings, her bare legs had a raw sensuality to them—utterly captivating.

Just as she was about to reach Hikigaya, Miura abruptly stepped in front of him.

"Hikigaya, come with me."

"Eh?"

"'Eh' what? I said, come with me! We're going to train properly now that there's time."

"Uh, I think I'll pass... shouldn't you be focusing on prepping for exams?"

"I said come with me! Stop wasting my time!"

"Fine, fine..."

Faced with her commanding tone, Hikigaya sighed and reluctantly followed.

Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka halted in her tracks, her brow twitching in irritation. Her lips curved into a faint frown, a subtle hint of jealousy emanating from her as she watched Miura whisk him away.

Under the blazing sun, Miura pushed Hikigaya through a grueling running routine.

Her pace was far faster than usual, leaving Hikigaya struggling to keep up.

This is torture, he thought.

Behind her, Hikigaya could do nothing but trail in silence, drenched in sweat and utterly spent.

The worst part wasn't the heat or the speed—it was the fact that the person leading the charge was a beautiful girl.

The faint fragrance of her sweat wafted back to him.

The graceful sway of her figure teased his tired gaze.

It was sensory overload.

What is wrong with Miura today? Why is she tormenting me day and night?

Hikigaya silently lamented his fate, gritting his teeth to keep up.

---

After about ten minutes, an unexpected figure stepped in to block their path.

"Kawasaki?!"

Miura blinked in surprise, stopping short as she recognized the tall, blue-haired girl.

"That's enough!" Kawasaki barked, glaring at Miura. "Can't you see Hikigaya's at his limit? Stop making him run!"

"I..."

Miura hesitated, glancing back at Hikigaya, whose sweat-soaked face and labored breathing betrayed his exhaustion.

Her heart twinged, and she opened her mouth to say something, but her irritation at Kawasaki's interference quickly flared up.

"What does this have to do with you, Kawasaki?"

"I just can't stand watching you bully a classmate!"

"Excuse me? I'm helping him exercise!"

"Yeah? This is what you call helping?"

"I have my methods!"

The tension between the two girls escalated as they bickered, their argument dripping with animosity.

Amidst the spat, Kawasaki turned to Hikigaya.

"Go take a break. Don't let her push you around like this again."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Miura snapped, her face flushing with anger.

Girls arguing was always a dangerous scenario, so Hikigaya wisely slipped away, grateful for the reprieve.

Thank you, Kawasaki! I owe you one!

With his silent thanks given, he trudged over to the nearby sink to wash his face.

But as he approached, he noticed someone sitting nearby.

"Senpai?! What are you doing here?"

Kasumigaoka was waiting for him.

"Ah, my dear Air-kun, so thoughtful of you," Kasumigaoka teased, crossing her legs as her smile widened.

"W-What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're so kind to Miura. You ran yourself ragged just to keep her company~."

"No, that's not it..."

"Hm, then why don't you treat me with the same kindness?"

She stood and closed the distance between them, her teasing demeanor not faltering for a second.

"I... Senpai, I'm all sweaty right now. You should stay away; I might get you dirty."

"Dirty?" Kasumigaoka's smile grew wicked. "To me, you're perfect like this."

Her gaze grew heated as she licked her lips.

"Honestly, I adore this scent of yours."

Before Hikigaya could react, Kasumigaoka leaned in and stole a kiss.

"Senpai! What are you doing?!" Hikigaya gasped, glancing around in panic after pushing her away.

"What's the matter? Afraid someone will see?" Kasumigaoka grinned, unrepentant.

"You... you're crazy!"

"Well, maybe I am... but it's your fault for ignoring me."

As she spoke, she suddenly crouched down in front of him.

"W-What are you doing?!" Hikigaya stammered, his mind racing.

Kasumigaoka flashed him a sly smile.

"You're all sweaty... Let me clean you up."

"Wait, what?!"

What kind of "cleaning up" are you planning to do?! In public, no less!

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