In the park.
The two of them sat on a bench like a couple.
"Sakayanagi-san, please mind yourself… and stop touching me."
Seeing the girl shamelessly grope his chest, Hachiman backed away and spoke up in protest.
"Just a little feel, it's no big deal."
Sitting right beside him, Sakayanagi responded with a playful smile.
"…Huh?"
The corner of Hachiman's mouth twitched.
Honestly—
Being touched by such a cute girl wasn't exactly unpleasant.
However—
Every time he saw that radiant smile on Sakayanagi's face, goosebumps ran down his arms.
"M-men and women shouldn't casually touch each other! Cut it out already!"
Hachiman couldn't help but push Sakayanagi gently.
Like a sheet of paper, the moment he applied the slightest force, she toppled to the ground with a pitiful cry.
"??"
Hachiman stared, dumbfounded.
He had barely touched her, and she just collapsed?
That's way too fragile, isn't it?
"Hachiman-kun… You're so rough…"
Holding her arm and looking up at him with eyes full of grievance, Sakayanagi gave off the image of a delicate doll, heartaching and pitiful.
"S-sorry."
Hachiman quickly apologized. After a brief hesitation, he offered her his hand.
"Need help getting up?"
"Mm."
She nodded softly, but there was a sly glint in her eyes.
With a sigh, Hachiman helped her up and gently sat her back on the bench like she was made of porcelain.
So soft… Her body really did feel like a breakable doll.
"Hachiman-kun, you're way too strong."
Instinctively leaning into his chest, Sakayanagi gave a light sigh.
This cunning woman!
Hachiman desperately wanted to push her away, but the image of that "fallen porcelain doll" scene replayed in his mind.
Left with no choice, he let her snuggle against him.
Sigh… Thank god Yukinoshita didn't see this. That would've been a nightmare.
Hachiman sighed inwardly and said:
"It's not that I'm strong. It's just that your body is… too delicate. Girls as frail as you should really avoid going out so much. Stay home, rest, recover. Maybe over time, your health will improve."
"Alas, it's a congenital condition. No amount of rest will cure it. I suppose this is just how I'll be for life," Sakayanagi sighed.
That's great. Then just stay home and don't come out terrorizing the world like a demon queen.
"..."
Of course, Hachiman said nothing out loud. On the surface, he kept a composed face, even pretending to be sad.
"There might be a way. Medical technology's advancing rapidly. Maybe someday, there'll be a cure."
"The future, huh? Who can say what the future holds?" Sakayanagi said wistfully.
"Still, no reason to give up hope."
"That's true."
Suddenly, Sakayanagi smiled again.
"But more than the future, I care about the present. My body may never change, but I don't want my future child to inherit the same condition."
"…It's hereditary?" Hachiman asked, surprised.
"Not entirely. But there is a bit of influence."
Sakayanagi's eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
"So, to ensure my future child doesn't end up like me, I'm definitely going to marry a nice, strong man~ That way, the baby might inherit the father's strong constitution~"
"That makes sense. You should definitely marry someone strong."
Hachiman nodded earnestly.
But then—
He suddenly noticed Sakayanagi was staring at him, smiling with clear ill intent.
"!!"
A chill crept down Hachiman's spine.
What's with that loaded look in her eyes?!
"Speaking of which, Hachiman-kun… you're pretty sturdy yourself~" Sakayanagi purred.
"I-it's nothing special. Just average."
Hachiman quickly added, "I only started working out a month ago. Before that, I was totally scrawny. Anyone could've knocked me flat."
"Wow~ And you've already bulked up this much in just a month? That means you've got great athletic potential, Hachiman-kun!"
"…?"
"What's the point of having athletic potential?" Hachiman muttered, then exaggerated a sigh, "I'm the kind of guy who works hard for three days, then slacks off for two. Pretty soon, I'll probably get bored of exercising altogether."
"Lazy, huh?"
"Yeah. That's just who I am."
"Heh, that's fine. You just need someone to supervise you. Someone like me, for example. I actually love keeping an eye on boys," Sakayanagi said with a sweet smile.
This little gremlin! What the hell are you implying?!
Hachiman was sweating now, his nerves on edge.
"Sakayanagi-san, with your condition… if you ended up dating someone who's too strong, it might not be good for your health… ahem."
"I know."
She nodded with a mock dejected look, then quickly smiled again.
"But don't worry. These days, artificial insemination is a thing~ It's not like we have to do it the old-fashioned way, right, Hachikun~?"
"!!"
Her teasing gaze sent Hachiman's heart racing. He quickly looked away, refusing to meet her eyes.
This girl is way too dangerous!!
Stay calm! Don't let the little white-haired devil seduce you!
Your girlfriend is Yukinoshita. Yukinoshita!!
"Hachiman-kun~ If I'm going to find someone to have a child with, there's one more condition~" Sakayanagi slowly leaned in.
"There's no need to tell me that," Hachiman said, turning his body away.
Ignoring his reaction, Sakayanagi continued cheerfully:
"They have to be smart. And… gentle. Obedient to their wife~ A perfect candidate just so happens to be sitting right in front of me~"
"…Huh?"
Hachiman's face gradually flushed.
This wicked little gremlin, she's doing this on purpose, isn't she?!
Just as Hachiman was beginning to panic—
Ring ring~
His phone suddenly rang.
"A call!"
Like a startled cat, Hachiman instinctively jumped back and pulled away from Sakayanagi. Then he quickly pulled out his phone.
A savior! A freaking lifesaver!
He let out a sigh of relief—only to see who the caller was.
Yukinoshita.
His pupils contracted. His heart skipped a beat.
Why is she calling now…?!
…
At the same time—
Yukinoshita, having used an eavesdropping card, was hiding behind a tree near the park, fuming with rage as she dialed Hachiman.
"You sneaky little Arisu… You think you can have Hachiman's baby?! Hachiman's seed—you think that belongs to you?!"