A secluded clearing.
A gentle breeze blew past, carrying the scent of youth.
Yukinoshita's expression was somewhat unusual.
"We... we finally did something sneaky for once."
Her face was still thin-skinned.
Doing this outdoors was too much of a challenge for her.
She didn't dare to be reckless.
But still—
This particular moment of intimacy was rather extraordinary.
Yukinoshita had gained quite a bit from it.
"Sigh, that was still too risky."
Wiping his mouth, Hikigaya took a deep breath and glanced at his girlfriend's snow-white thighs, feeling his heart race uncontrollably.
Stepping out from behind the slide, they walked side by side, ready to leave the clearing.
As they walked, Yukinoshita, next to him, gently brushed her hair with a delicate touch and cautiously asked,
"H-how did it feel?"
"Huh?"
Hikigaya paused slightly and took another deep breath.
"It was... alright, I guess."
"Just alright?"
Yukinoshita sighed in disappointment.
"I knew it... it was too dirty, all that sweat and... ugh, I should just take a bath first next time."
"No!"
Seeing her dejected look, Hikigaya quickly shook his head.
"No, it's not what you're thinking! I mean... ahem, you're very clean, completely clean, there's nothing gross at all... don't overthink it."
As he spoke—
His face flushed red.
Seeing his embarrassed expression, Yukinoshita was momentarily dazed.
Then—
A soft blush spread across her own cheeks.
"R-really? It wasn't dirty at all?"
"Mhm. If anything..."
Hikigaya hesitated.
Yukinoshita looked at him expectantly.
"W-what?"
"Nothing!"
"Hmph! Say it~"
Annoyed at his sudden silence, she pouted.
"How can you just stop there? Tell me~~"
Hikigaya sighed, turned his head slightly, and hesitated before mumbling,
"I... I really liked it..."
"Eh?!"
Hearing this, Yukinoshita's heartbeat stuttered violently, and she quickly lowered her head in embarrassment.
"I-I see..."
The wind carried the vibrant scent of youth through the air.
The two stood there, faces red, silent for a few seconds.
After a moment—
Yukinoshita murmured,
"Um... next time... I'll help you."
"No need."
Hikigaya rejected her outright without a second thought.
"I sweat a lot since I'm a guy. Forget it."
"What does that matter? I don't mind..."
"Huh?"
"So?"
"I..."
Hikigaya opened his mouth, wanting to refuse, but found himself reluctant.
Seeing his hesitation, Yukinoshita giggled.
"You're actually embarrassed?"
"N-no way! Fine, if that's how it is, let's do it!" Hikigaya grumbled.
Seeing him give in, Yukinoshita's smile grew even brighter.
However—
As pleased as she was, she couldn't help but occasionally reach back to touch her own rear, her mind flashing back to the scene in the bookstore where Hikigaya had smacked Kasumigaoka.
For some reason, an odd feeling stirred within her.
Hngh!
This... this wasn't good!
Yukinoshita sighed inwardly, realizing something was off about herself.
Maybe it was because she had seen her beloved doing that with another girl.
And now, a part of her instinctively wanted to experience it, too.
Ughhhh!!
This was way too weird!
Why on earth was she feeling this strange sense of jealousy?!
She was seriously conflicted.
It wasn't that she wanted Hikigaya to bully her—no, no, no! It was the other way around!
She wanted to be the one bullying him!
Seeing her boyfriend looking all flustered and pitiful was simply delightful!
But...
She really wanted to try it just once.
Just once.
Honestly—
She had subtly hinted at it earlier, but Hikigaya hadn't picked up on it at all, which was beyond frustrating.
"Yukinoshita, what's wrong?"
Just as they were about to leave the clearing, Hikigaya noticed her distracted expression and asked with concern.
"Huh? N-nothing, it's just..."
Well, they were already a couple. Why was she still feeling shy about this? Yukinoshita bit her lip and finally asked,
"Hikigaya-kun, do you like spank—"
"Wait a sec, your sister's over there."
Hikigaya suddenly cut her off.
"??"
Yukinoshita blinked in confusion, then followed his gaze.
When she saw the blue sports car parked in the distance, she nearly fainted on the spot.
"Ah?! Is she a stalker or something?!"
"Haruno-san does care about you a lot," Hikigaya sighed.
"Ughhh... can't she just give us some privacy?"
Yukinoshita was dying of embarrassment.
At that moment—
Haruno rolled down her car window, revealing her usual mischievous smile as she gestured for them to come over.
Resigned—
The two walked over.
A few minutes later—
Hikigaya and Yukinoshita were sitting in the back seat of Haruno's car.
"Hm?"
The moment he entered the car, Hikigaya frowned slightly.
He noticed an unusual scent lingering inside—one that, to a guy, could only be described as fragrant.
"What's wrong?" Yukinoshita sensed his reaction.
"Nothing."
Just then, he noticed Haruno sneaking glances at him.
Quickly, he shook his head.
Haruno simply kept smiling and casually chatted with them while driving them home.
After a short ride—
They arrived at Yukinoshita's house first.
As she was about to get out, her face flushed, and she grumbled,
"Onee-chan, could you not show up next time?"
"Ara, what a coincidence~ It was really just a coincidence! I just happened to be passing by~"
"Coincidence?"
Yukinoshita felt utterly drained.
No matter what—
She definitely couldn't use that secret hideout with Hikigaya anymore!
It was no longer a secret hideout!
"You know, instead of messing with us, why don't you go find yourself a boyfriend? Seriously, go get a boyfriend."
"Hehe, don't worry~ I've already got someone in mind."
"...Sigh."
Shaking her head at Haruno's playful tone, Yukinoshita sighed and shut the car door.
Now—
Only Hikigaya and Haruno remained inside the vehicle.
The atmosphere suddenly grew oddly silent.
Hikigaya tried to remain calm, but with his sharp senses, he noticed something placed on the dashboard—
A telescope.
Wait, a telescope?
He didn't dare to think too much about it.
Instinctively, he lowered his head to distract himself.
And that's when—
He noticed something else at his feet.
"...Huh?"
Frowning slightly, he instinctively reached down to pick it up and throw it away.
It was a crumpled tissue.
Or rather—several crumpled tissues.
Carelessly discarded on the floor of the backseat.
Wait—
Tissues?
Hikigaya's pupils contracted sharply as his body jolted, and he instantly withdrew his hand.
The strange scent in the car, the telescope, the tissues, and the way Haruno had been eyeing him ever since they got in…
Just then, Haruno broke the silence with a teasing smile.
"Hikigaya-kun, are you interested in trash again?"
"!!!"
Faced with her devilish grin, Hikigaya's scalp went numb.
Stop looking at me like that! You're this lonely, just go find a boyfriend already!!
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