Yukinoshita was completely out of sorts. Hiding nearby, she watched helplessly as Hikigaya and Sakayanagi got into Hiratsuka Shizuka's car.
"Hikigaya-kun's favorability toward Hiratsuka-sensei is way too high, isn't it?"
"But back then, Hikigaya-kun used to always complain about Hiratsuka-sensei—how she smoked, drank, and used violence..."
"No, no—that's not right. Hikigaya-kun is a tsundere. What he says might be the opposite of what he feels. Maybe he actually does like her."
"And besides... uuuu... Hiratsuka-sensei's figure is so good. She's got the boobs, she's got the ass..."
Mumbling to herself like that, Yukinoshita glanced down in self-pity at her own pitiful chest.
As a woman, she really did feel like a failure sometimes.
[Host, please remain calm. While Hikigaya Hachiman does currently hold a very high favorability rating toward Hiratsuka Shizuka, it's still not higher than the 99 favorability he has for you.]
[Furthermore, Hikigaya Hachiman's favorability toward Hiratsuka Shizuka stems more from respect—like a junior toward a senior. He deeply admires his teacher, but as for romantic feelings, none have developed yet.]
"R-right!"
Upon hearing the system's words, Yukinoshita finally calmed down, a smile slowly blooming on her face.
"There's no mention of 'love' in the entry. Looks like Hikigaya-kun only likes her in a pure, admiring way... huh? But then the line that says 'if not for Yukinoshita'—uh, does that mean... if I didn't exist, would Hikigaya-kun actually...?"
[Due to the host's presence—being the woman Hikigaya Hachiman loves most—even if he were to feel tempted by Hiratsuka, his powerful will allows him to remain composed and restrained.]
Hehe, as expected, I'm still the woman Hikigaya-kun loves the most. So happy~
[However, given Hikigaya Hachiman's high favorability toward Hiratsuka Shizuka, if the host were to give a little push, it wouldn't be hard to get them into bed. Hiratsuka Shizuka is an incredibly high-quality woman. If the two were to get intimate, you'd gain a large amount of points.]
"Eh? Get Hiratsuka-sensei... into bed?"
Yukinoshita was stunned. Then she quickly shook her head, firmly denying it.
"No, no, no! That's absolutely not okay! Teacher-student relationships are strictly forbidden in Japan right now! If anyone found out, the consequences would be unimaginable!"
[Host, it's all for the sake of points.]
"Even if it's for points, it's still a no! Absolutely not! At most... at most just a little harmless skinship—nothing too inappropriate!"
Yukinoshita stood her ground, firmly rejecting the system.
Stuff like mothers, older sisters, and teachers... absolutely off-limits! At most—maybe just older sisters. That's not illegal, at least.
---
Meanwhile.
Hiratsuka Shizuka chatted happily with Hikigaya and Sakayanagi in the backseat.
The two women were all smiles, while Hikigaya, the lone male, just kept up a wry grin.
Sakayanagi smiled and said, "Just as Hiratsuka-sensei said, Hikigaya-kun is quite an interesting boy. Too bad he's already taken."
While driving, Hiratsuka laughed, "Haha, Sakayanagi-san, do you have feelings for Hikigaya?"
"Excellent boys always attract excellent girls~"
Sakayanagi narrowed her eyes at Hikigaya, the implication in her gaze painfully clear.
"C-come on, stop joking! Nothing that comes out of your mouth is ever serious." Hikigaya hastily cut in, flustered.
"Hehe~ But I am serious. If Hikigaya-kun doesn't believe me..."
She slowly leaned closer, her face drawing nearer and nearer.
Hikigaya could even feel her breath on his face.
"Saka-Sakayanagi, you..."
Just as Hikigaya was panicking, Hiratsuka suddenly slammed on the brakes.
"Huh?"
"Ah?"
Hikigaya felt like he had slammed face-first into a soft steel plate.
"Damn it! What's wrong with the car in front?! Suddenly braking like that—what the hell?!" Hiratsuka cursed, then quickly turned to check on the passengers in the back. "You two okay back there—huh?!"
When she looked back, she found Hikigaya's head nestled right in Sakayanagi's chest.
"Ah... youth really is something."
Hiratsuka sighed emotionally and turned her eyes back to the road.
Hikigaya and Sakayanagi were both stunned.
Sakayanagi instinctively reached out, trying to wrap her arms around Hikigaya's head to keep him there.
But—
Hikigaya quickly pulled away.
"S-sorry."
"No worries. Just an accident."
Her cheeks slightly flushed, Sakayanagi smiled as if it were nothing.
"..."
Looking at the girl's incredibly disarming and adorable expression, Hikigaya quickly turned away and fell silent.
That said, he couldn't deny that in his nose, there lingered a faint milky fragrance.
Calm down!
My girlfriend is Yukinoshita!
Yukinoshita smells way better than Sakayanagi!
Yukinoshita is the best girl!
---
Ten minutes later.
Hikigaya and the others arrived by car at Advanced Nurturing High School.
As one of Tokyo's most prestigious schools, even just standing outside the school gate, one could feel the upscale aura it exuded.
"Could I trouble Hikigaya-kun to help me carry these things to the dorm?" Sakayanagi asked sweetly before getting out.
"Huh? Why me? Can't you ask one of your schoolmates to help?"
"I don't have many friends... so I'd appreciate it if you could help me. Please?" Sakayanagi asked with a soft, pitiful tone.
"As a guy, it's only natural to help a girl in need. Go on, Hikigaya," Hiratsuka chimed in.
"She's right," Sakayanagi added with a smile.
Hikigaya let out a long sigh. "Fine, I get it."
Resigned, he picked up the pile of shopping bags Sakayanagi had bought earlier.
"Thanks a lot."
Sakayanagi smiled and thanked him.
"I'll stay here. Hikigaya, I'll wait for you and drive you home after you're done," Hiratsuka said warmly.
"Yes, ma'am."
Hikigaya nodded.
And so—
The two of them got out of the car, and with shopping bags in hand, Hikigaya walked side by side with Sakayanagi toward the school.
But as they walked—
Sakayanagi suddenly and instinctively clung to Hikigaya's arm.
Hikigaya was shocked. "You..."
"I'm afraid I might trip. I'm counting on you, Hikigaya-kun~" she said apologetically.
"?!"
You're as flimsy as a sheet of paper, huh?!
Helpless.
Hikigaya could only let it happen.
The two of them entered Advanced Nurturing High School just like that.
And the moment they stepped in—
Countless eyes instantly locked onto them.
Students chatting on the roadside, those training on the field, and even students standing in the school building windows—all turned their eyes toward the two.
There was surprise, fury, confusion, and even... killing intent.
Sakayanagi's smile remained radiant and composed.
Hikigaya may have appeared calm on the outside, but inside, his heart was sinking.
Crap. I've been set up.