Inside the infirmary.
Once again, it was just the two of them.
Hikigaya remained calm, reading his book.
Meanwhile, Iroha was visibly restless.
Not because of her illness—
But because of what Yukinoshita had just said, along with the completely at-ease look she had given her.
Wait a minute.
Yukino-senpai, I'm alone in a room with your boyfriend, and you're this relaxed about it?
Sigh.
Well, that's just Yukino-senpai for you—truly broad-minded.
"Senpai, now it's just the two of us~"
Iroha broke the silence.
Hikigaya responded with a simple grunt, not even looking up from his book.
"..."
Iroha's eye twitched. She was not happy.
No way!
Not being able to fluster Hikigaya—it was unbearable!
She still remembered how, back in the day, she could tease him until his face turned bright red.
But now...
He was so calm!
Did she get weaker, or did Hikigaya get stronger?
This couldn't go on!
Seeing no amusing reaction from him was a hundred times more painful than being sick!
"Senpai, here, take this..."
"What?"
Hikigaya instinctively caught the small box Iroha tossed to him.
"I... I'm still not feeling well... Help me lower my fever..." Iroha coughed lightly, pretending to be indifferent.
"You want me to use this?"
Hikigaya hesitated as he looked at the box—the same fever medicine he had handed her earlier.
"What? Chickening out?"
Iroha smirked, her voice teasing.
"Weren't you just saying it's no big deal? Well then, go ahead~"
She had to get the upper hand on this senpai!
She had to make him flustered!!
"You..."
Hikigaya stared at Iroha, box in hand, and fell silent.
Iroha's smirk widened.
"Heh~? Senpai, are you scared?"
"No."
Hikigaya took a deep breath and—
His gaze shifted toward Iroha's lower body.
"Well, since you insist, I'll help you out just this once."
"!!!"
Iroha's smirk instantly froze.
Her legs instinctively pressed together.
"S-Senpai... Are you serious?"
"You're the one who asked, aren't you?" Hikigaya countered.
"I-I'm not scared!"
Iroha bit her lip, glaring at him.
"I just... worry about your experience."
"Don't worry, I have some."
"From who?! Yourself?!"
"That's classified." Hikigaya ignored her and opened the box.
"Ah?"
Iroha's eyes widened in horror as she watched.
Her body trembled.
"S-Senpai, w-wait a second... I... I'm a little nervous. Senpai, you have to be gentle, okay? You must be gentle... Yukino-senpai told you to be gentle with me..."
"No problem."
Hikigaya nodded, expression calm.
"Ugh..."
Why was she the one getting played now... Iroha bit her lip, then shut her eyes.
"Senpai, it's my first time, so be careful..."
But just as the tension peaked—
The infirmary door swung open.
A woman in a white coat walked in, blinking in confusion.
"Uh... What are you two...?"
"!!!"
Iroha's entire body stiffened in shame.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya—seeing the doctor return—let out a long, relieved sigh.
"Doctor, you're finally back."
And the box in his hand?
He immediately shoved it back where it came from.
Ten minutes later, Hikigaya and Iroha left the infirmary.
"Get your things. I'll walk you home."
"Okay..."
Iroha nodded weakly. Even though she was leaning against Hikigaya, she still walked a little funny.
After gathering her belongings from the classroom, the two of them headed out.
Iroha clung to Hikigaya's arm, while he carried both their bags.
Fortunately, her house wasn't far from Sobu High—
Just a fifteen-minute walk.
Soon, they arrived at a small, single-family home.
"Senpai, w-we're here."
"Yeah."
Hikigaya handed Iroha her bag, then reminded her:
"Get some rest when you're inside."
"Mm..."
Iroha nodded obediently.
She had been utterly defeated today.
Completely—
Absolutely—
Owned by Hikigaya.
And yet.
Even though she was sulking... Even though she was annoyed...
She still looked up at him with a bright, sincere expression.
"Senpai, thank you for today—really."
"...No need to thank me."
Hikigaya quickly averted his gaze.
"Eh? Senpai, your face..."
"..."
Without another word, Hikigaya turned away.
"If there's nothing else, I'll get going."
"Senpai..."
Iroha blinked as she watched him retreat.
Then—
She realized something.
A smirk crept onto her lips.
"Hehe~ You say you think of me as a little sister, but in the end..."
Well.
Her body still felt awful, but—
Her mood?
Through the roof.
"Hehe, sooner or later, I'll have you wrapped around my finger, Senpai~"
"...Also, if the doctor hadn't come in just now, would something have... happened...?"
Her legs tensed at the thought, and her face burned.
Meanwhile.
Hikigaya let out a long, exhausted breath.
Iroha's tricks today had been way too advanced.
If not for his strong mental fortitude—
He might not have survived that little demon's assault.
"Sigh... she really is like a mini-Haruno."
Hikigaya muttered to himself.
And then—
A car horn honked loudly behind him.
Several times.
Hey, hey, hey!
I'm not in the middle of the street, what's your problem?!
Annoyed, Hikigaya turned around.
A blue sports car.
Wait.
A blue sports car.
No way—
Sure enough.
The window rolled down.
And the last person Hikigaya wanted to see appeared.
His face paled.
"H-Haruno-san?"
He had just dealt with mini-Haruno—
And now the real one showed up?!
"Dear brother-in-law~"
Haruno beamed at him.
"You sure seemed to be having fun with that junior of yours. You even made her wobble when she walked~"
"...!!!"
Hikigaya froze.
Oh god, she's been watching me this whole time?!
The blue sports car pulled up beside him.
Haruno smiled sweetly.
"Hop in, dear brother-in-law."
"Uh... wait, I—"
Haruno's expression didn't change.
But her tone left no room for argument.
"I said—get in the car."
***************************
Read advanced chapters ahead of everyone else on my P@treon.
P@treon/GodDragcell