Sakayanagi getting a little cozy with Hikigaya—Yukinoshita could tolerate that. In fact, she secretly hoped Sakayanagi would try a bit harder.
But if it went as far as getting pregnant? If Sakayanagi actually bore her beloved's child?
That, Yukinoshita absolutely could not accept. That crossed the line.
"Only I am allowed to have Hikigaya-kun's child!"
She made that silent vow to herself with unwavering resolve.
Panicked, she immediately called her beloved, determined to stop her childhood friend from seducing him any further.
"Hello, Yukinoshita."
"Hello, Hikigaya-kun"
The call connected, and the two exchanged their usual pleasantries.
"How did things go?"
Yukinoshita, hiding behind a tree nearby, asked gently as her eyes remained fixed on the pair sitting on the park bench.
Meanwhile...
Hikigaya, trying to deal with both the call and the girl leaning against him, raised a finger to his lips at Sakayanagi and replied helplessly:
"It worked. Soubu High's third-years will be going on a joint training camp with the third-years from Yusei High."
Hey, you little white-haired menace—are you serious right now?! I'm on the phone here. Back off!
"Really?"
Yukinoshita's voice came through the phone, a soft giggle trailing after:
"Heh, I knew I could count on you, Hikigaya-kun~ I heard the student council president of Yusei High is tough to deal with. I didn't expect you to handle her so easily."
"Eh? That's because... ow!"
"What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing, just bit my tongue."
"Silly, be careful, okay?"
"Got it."
Hikigaya responded calmly, though his expression darkened as he glanced at the girl clinging to him, silently pleading for mercy.
Sakayanagi only smiled slyly and sneakily reached over to touch his chest.
"You—!"
Hikigaya's expression instantly twisted.
"Hikigaya-kun?"
"N-No, it's nothing... just that my tongue really hurts."
Trying to keep Yukinoshita from noticing anything unusual, Hikigaya scrambled to cover things up.
After a few more minutes, completely overwhelmed, he finally tried to change the subject.
"Is there anything else? If not, I think I'll hang up now."
His current situation was a nightmare—dealing with Sakayanagi while keeping up a normal conversation with Yukinoshita.
He was about to crack.
"Wait a sec~"
Yukinoshita immediately stopped him.
"What else is there?" Hikigaya asked, resigned.
"Since the camp's settled, you should be heading back now, right?"
"Yeah, I'm... almost at the station," Hikigaya replied nervously, stealing a glance at the radiant smile on Sakayanagi's face.
"Heh, is that so? Good."
"You're planning something, aren't you?"
"Fufu, get back early—we can go on a date."
"Huh? A d-date? Today?"
"Can't?"
"Well... by the time I get back it might be late. How about tomorrow? You see..." Hikigaya hesitated, eyeing the clingy Sakayanagi cautiously.
"We can still go out at night. The day's far from over~"
"I... I got it. I'll be back as soon as I can," Hikigaya sighed.
"Mm, I'll be waiting."
With that, they ended the call.
Still nestled in Hikigaya's arms, Sakayanagi gave a long, deliberate sigh:
"Sigh... Hikigaya-kun and little Yukino really are close. I wonder what you'll be doing together once you get back~?"
"What we do has nothing to do with you."
"Well, I can't exactly pry, but..."
Sakayanagi suddenly smirked and leaned in close.
"Hikigaya-kun, your heart was racing just now. Don't tell me you were a little... moved?"
"Wha—m-moved? What are you talking about?" Hikigaya leaned back in alarm.
"Doing this behind your beloved girlfriend's back, with another girl... fufu~"
Her smile turned dazzlingly mischievous, and the wink that followed nearly sent Hikigaya into meltdown.
"I-It's just because you were so close, Sakayanagi..."
"Oh? So me getting close makes your heart race?"
"Any guy would lose it if a cute girl like you leaned on them, okay?"
"Eh?" Sakayanagi blinked. "A cute girl like me?"
The next moment—
A wicked smile spread across her lips, one that screamed no shame whatsoever.
"!!"
Why did I compliment this little devil?!
Why won't she just let me off the hook?!
Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya gently tried to push her away.
"A-Anyway, Sakayanagi-san, I've got things to take care of, so I should get going. Let me walk you back."
"Sure~ Once the training camp starts, we'll have plenty of chances to hang out," Sakayanagi said sweetly.
Oh god.
I'm going to be stuck on a trip with a bunch of demons.
Someone save me. Yukinoshita, help!
Hikigaya sighed in despair while Sakayanagi smiled cheerfully as the two of them stood up and walked out of the park.
"Is someone coming to pick you up?"
"Yes."
Sakayanagi blinked at the boy beside her.
"Hikigaya-kun looks kind of happy~"
Of course I'm happy! I'm finally rid of you, you devil!
Hikigaya quickly forced a neutral expression and replied:
"Not really."
Seeing him struggle to hold back his grin, Sakayanagi's lips curled up.
She murmured softly:
"So cute... though I doubt you'll be smiling much in the days to come. Hehe..."
The two reached the roadside and waited.
About ten minutes later, a red sports car pulled up in front of them.
A sports car? Figures—she really is a rich girl.
But wait...
Why does this car look so familiar?
Just as Hikigaya was racking his brain, the driver's side window rolled down, and a familiar face beamed at them.
She greeted Sakayanagi first with casual politeness.
Then, turning to Hikigaya, the black-haired woman smiled:
"Yo, long time no see, Hikigaya."
"T-Teacher?!"
Hikigaya stared in disbelief.
No wonder the car seemed familiar.
It was none other than his former homeroom teacher—Shizuka Hiratsuka's car!
"Haha, I thought you might've forgotten me. Well, as long as you still remember, that's good enough. We can talk more later—get in, both of you," Hiratsuka said, clearly pleased.
"Heehee~ Let's go, Hikigaya-kun~"
Sakayanagi, still clinging to his arm, nudged him forward.
"W-Wait a minute..."
Hikigaya looked from his familiar teacher to the equally familiar car, torn and bewildered.
"When your teacher tells you to get in, you get in! Go on!" Sakayanagi gave him a firm push.
Hikigaya sighed in defeat and got into the car with her.
"Ah... youth," Hiratsuka murmured as she watched the two stick together, a complicated look flashing across her face.
---
Meanwhile.
Elsewhere, Yukinoshita—still hiding—felt her heart skip a beat, completely unable to stay calm.
She nearly lost it on the spot.
"No way... Hikigaya-kun's affection level for Hiratsuka-sensei is that high?!"
[Hikigaya Hachiman's Affection for Shizuka Hiratsuka: 92/100 (Respect, 'Shizu is cute,' and—if not for Yukinoshita…)]