Mrs. Yuigahama gazed at the boy with deep affection.
Her arms wrapped around Hikigaya's neck.
A faint blush, reminiscent of a young girl's shyness, tinged her cheeks.
Once nestled in the boy's embrace—
She simply couldn't bring herself to let go!
Hikigaya-kun was just too warm.
Too... intoxicating.
And as time passed, this possessive desire only grew stronger.
Mrs. Yuigahama became increasingly unwilling to break free from the boy's arms.
She wanted to be held forever, always—
Just like a husband holds his wife.
As for her daughter, Yui...
Her once unwavering resolve slowly eroded under the overwhelming presence of the boy, little by little, until she nearly forgot.
Mrs. Yuigahama felt conflicted, but Hikigaya's gaze remained steadfast.
Pure.
Resolute.
He only wanted to do squats.
Exercise felt great!
Doing squats while holding Mrs. Yuigahama? Even better!
After all, doing squats alone was far too easy.
But now, carrying someone while squatting? That pushed his entire body to its limits, and for someone who loved training, this sensation was exhilarating.
Moments later—
The set was complete.
Yuigahama never once switched places with her mother, only standing aside, watching in silence.
"Auntie, I'm putting you down now."
"O-Okay..."
Mrs. Yuigahama reluctantly let go of Hikigaya's embrace.
She stood there, dazed.
Not satisfied.
"Well, I'm off to do some parallel bars. You two take a break."
Hikigaya didn't dwell on it and headed straight for the bars.
With a jump—
Then—
"Phew!"
"Huff!"
"Haah!"
One after another.
"Wow, Hikigaya-kun is amazing..."
Watching the boy work out intensely, Mrs. Yuigahama covered her flushed face with her hands, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
"Mom, are you okay?"
"!!"
Her daughter's sudden words yanked Mrs. Yuigahama back to reality.
"Y-Yui?!"
Seeing her daughter's concerned eyes, a deep sense of guilt and regret welled up in her heart.
What had she been doing just now?!
How could she forget about Yui?!
And even towards Hikigaya-kun...
Ughhh!
She was a complete failure as a mother.
Forcing a gentle smile onto her mature face, Mrs. Yuigahama reached out and stroked her daughter's cheek, speaking calmly:
"You... You saw what happened, didn't you? Next time... when Hikigaya-kun is doing squats, you need to seize the opportunity, understand?"
"Mm, I got it, Mom. Thank you, Mom."
Yui's face turned slightly red as she nodded.
My Yui is too pure—
She even thanked her failure of a mother.
I...
I'm such a disgrace of a mom... Ughhh!!
Mrs. Yuigahama's expression tensed for a moment, squeezing her thighs together as she unconsciously bent forward slightly.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Yui asked, startled, full of concern.
"Hiss—"
Mrs. Yuigahama took a sharp breath before forcing a smile at her daughter.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. Mommy just... just needs to go to the restroom. Yes, the restroom..."
As she spoke—
A thin layer of sweat glistened on her pale thighs.
"Oh, so you just need the restroom. Mom, then go quickly!" Yui patted her chest in relief.
"Mm."
Mrs. Yuigahama nodded, gave Yui a few reminders, and then hurriedly dashed toward the public restroom.
Her expression filled with panic.
Her neck flushed red.
She was done for.
She had completely lost all sense of shame!
Clutching her chest in turmoil, Mrs. Yuigahama never imagined that she, a grown woman, would lose control because of a boy.
Meanwhile, after her mother left—
Yuigahama tried to strike up a conversation with Hikigaya.
This was a golden opportunity to be alone with him!
Unfortunately—
Hikigaya didn't give her the chance.
After finishing his parallel bars routine, he moved straight to the pull-up bar.
"One, two, three..."
Yuigahama stood beside him obediently, silently counting for him.
Moments later—
"Hikigaya, let me wipe your sweat." Yuigahama took the initiative to approach.
"No need."
Hikigaya shook his head and stepped back, then glanced around, puzzled.
"Where's your mom?"
"She went to the restroom."
"Oh."
"Hikigaya, I..."
"Perfect timing, I need to use the restroom too."
Before Yuigahama could finish, Hikigaya swiftly headed for the public restroom.
Yuigahama held a towel and water bottle, pursed her lips, and watched his back disappear, feeling bitter.
Hikigaya understood what Yuigahama wanted.
But—
His feelings for her were simple. He only saw her as a friend.
Anything beyond that was impossible.
Hikigaya sighed, making his way toward the public restroom.
Just as he was about to enter the men's room—
A faint noise reached his ears.
"This is...?"
Hikigaya stopped in his tracks, furrowing his brows slightly.
From the women's restroom—
There was a muffled cry for help?!
And this voice sounded like...
"Mrs. Yuigahama?!"
Hikigaya's expression changed.
After hesitating for a moment—
He ultimately decided to check it out.
Sure enough—
The sound was coming from the last stall in the women's restroom.
"Hikigaya-kun, help... help me, please..."
"!!!"
Hikigaya quickly stepped forward and pushed the door open—
"Auntie, are you alri—"
Mrs. Yuigahama: "!!!"
Hikigaya: "???"
If Hikigaya had to sum it up—
Mrs. Yuigahama, you and Mrs. Sawamura truly deserve to be best friends.
Birds of a feather, indeed.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side...
"You're here alone?"
"Mom and Hikigaya-kun went to the restroom."
Yuigahama sat alone on a bench. When Miura passed by, she immediately smiled and explained.
"Hah? The restroom?"
Miura mumbled, not giving it much thought, then casually asked:
"So, how are things going between you and Hikigaya?"
"Eh? Ugh..."
Yuigahama's face turned red as she stammered:
"I guess... not bad?"
"..."
Miura fell silent for a moment, then sighed.
"Keep at it. Your mom and I will do our best to help you."
"Ugh, mm... Thank you, Miura."
Yuigahama's face burned as she lowered her head.
"You should also thank your mom."
Miura shook her head and said seriously:
"Auntie is putting in so much effort, going out to jog just for your sake. It's not easy for her—you have to make it count."
"You're right."
Yuigahama nodded firmly.
"I will definitely repay my mom in this lifetime."
***************************
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