Sayuri persistently pleaded for "research purposes."
Sensing that something was off, Hachiman remained on high alert and asked warily,
"A shounen battle manga? What does that have to do with me?"
"Oh, it has plenty to do with you."
Sayuri shook her head, her eyes fixated on the teenager's well-toned physique. She explained,
"I'm working on a character—a boy who looks weak on the surface but is actually incredibly strong and brave. The problem is, I haven't found the right reference material, so I've been stuck."
"But just now, after watching you train, I realized—Hachiman-kun, you're a perfect fit! So..."
"Help me out, would you? Just for a little bit."
As she spoke, Sayuri kept inching closer.
"Uh..."
"Come on~ Help me out, Hachiman-kun~ It's just a bit of research, nothing more."
"What exactly... do you need me to do?"
Feeling the faint fragrance of a mature woman, Hachiman turned slightly away, not immediately agreeing.
"Hehe, it's simple," Sayuri said with a sultry smile.
"You just need to take off your shirt and let me take a look at your upper body muscles."
"...What? Take off my shirt?"
"Exactly."
Sayuri nodded.
"To truly create an amazing character, a mangaka needs to carefully observe real-life details. Only by studying the male physique up close can I draw it properly. Hachiman-kun, for the sake of manga, please contribute a little. I'd really appreciate it~"
"For the sake of manga, huh..."
Hachiman still felt reluctant.
But looking at Sayuri, who clearly wouldn't take no for an answer, he knew that refusing her would only lead to her pestering him even more.
After some thought, he sighed.
"...Fine. Just make it quick."
"Of course~"
Sayuri's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Alright, let's begin!"
"..."
Hachiman took a deep breath, scanned the surroundings to make sure no one was around, and finally, with some hesitation, pulled off his workout shirt.
His well-defined chest and abdominal muscles were now fully exposed in front of Sayuri.
"Wow..."
Sayuri's eyes widened slightly, and she sucked in a breath.
"That's... quite impressive. You didn't look this muscular with your shirt on."
"Are you done looking yet?"
Being stared at so intently made Hachiman uncomfortable.
"Not yet, not yet."
Sayuri shook her head repeatedly, her gaze locked onto his chest and abs. Then, as if unable to resist, she slowly raised a hand.
"Hachiman-kun, can I... touch them?"
"Huh?"
Hachiman instinctively took a step back, his body tense with vigilance.
"Didn't you say you were just going to look?"
"Well~ If I can feel them too, I might gain even deeper insight. Hachiman-kun, what do you think? Would that be okay?"
Her voice was soft and coaxing.
"You like reading manga too, don't you? Maybe you don't realize this, but every great manga requires extensive research. Mangakas have to continuously gather references to keep their work fresh and engaging.
Good research makes for better stories, so... for the sake of the industry, Hachiman-kun~~"
"Uh..."
"Just let me touch a little. Just for research. Just once..."
"But I—"
"Thank you so much, Hachiman-kun~"
As Sayuri's hand was about to make contact with his chest, the corners of her lips curled up in satisfaction.
Oh, sweet child. You're still too naive.
---
A few minutes later...
"Is... is it over now?"
Hachiman exhaled slowly, trying to keep his composure.
"Mmm, the first phase of research is complete. However..."
Sayuri smiled subtly and let her gaze drift downward.
"!!"
The ahoge on Hachiman's head stood on end.
His expression changed instantly.
"Sayuri-san, this wasn't part of the deal! You said—"
"Hachiman-kun, it's all for the industry~~"
"No, no, no! I refuse!"
Hachiman turned to leave immediately.
For the sake of the industry?
That's way too big of a sacrifice!
However...
Just as he was about to walk away, Sayuri suddenly lunged forward and grabbed his arm.
"Uuuu, Hachiman-kun, don't go~ Help me out, please~"
"Sayuri-san, let go!"
Seriously, why is a woman's strength such a mystery?!
Why did Sayuri suddenly seem so strong?!
"Hachiman-kun, listen to me."
Sayuri continued,
"Ahem... You know, you've already seen me... twice before. So shouldn't it be fair if I get a look too?"
Before...?
Wait!!!
Hachiman's body stiffened, his pupils shrinking in horror.
"Sayuri-san... Don't tell me you actually mean—"
"Just for research! I'll only look. For the industry. Okay?"
"NO WAY!!!"
Hachiman immediately rejected her.
Seeing his unwavering stance, Sayuri quickly switched tactics.
She let out a soft whimper and suddenly looked pitiful.
"Hachiman-kun, you did something so awful to me before, and I didn't even hold it against you. I didn't make a big deal out of it.
But now... now all I want is a tiny bit of research, and you— You're being so unfair! I feel so hurt..."
Were those crocodile tears? Or real ones?
Sayuri looked on the verge of crying.
"Uh..."
Hachiman hesitated.
He wasn't the type to handle a girl's tears well.
And to be fair, even if it was an accident, what happened before was kind of his fault.
That's why he felt guilty toward Sayuri in the first place.
If not, he wouldn't have agreed to this "research" session at all.
"Sayuri-san, you're absolutely sure it's just—"
"Of course! I'm a professional mangaka. It's purely for research. I'll just take a quick look, nothing more! I promise!"
Sayuri nodded sincerely.
Hachiman let out another sigh.
Seeing this, Sayuri knew—he had agreed.
The corners of her lips twitched upward.
Her heart began to race.
Hehehe...
Boiling a frog slowly.
Maybe swallowing him whole tonight would be too much.
But...
Step by step.
Bit by bit.
It's only a matter of time before I eat you up completely.
Did you really think you could escape, Hachiman?
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
[Ding! Just like yesterday, when he did that with Yuigahama Asuna in a public restroom, Sayuri Sawamura ignored Hachiman Hikigaya's protests and suddenly—]
Hearing the system notification, Yukinoshita, who had been lying in bed reading, suddenly sat up straight.
"...Things escalated this fast?!"
***************************
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