"I... I really can't go on anymore..."
"You're already giving up at this level? Keep going!"
"You—!"
Eriri's lips twitched in frustration. Drenched in sweat, she shot an irritated glare at Miura, who was effortlessly leading the way.
After all—
The real reason Eriri came to the park today was Hikigaya.
She was here to chase after a man!
She was supposed to team up with her mother to win over Hikigaya!
And yet, now she had gotten tangled up with Miura instead.
Sigh, looks like I'll have to count on Mom for this one… Eriri lamented internally.
"Zaimokuza, pick up the pace! Keep up!"
Miura continued pushing Eriri to her limits.
"You... ugh!"
As a long-time shut-in, Eriri felt like her legs were about to give out.
"Miura-san, I... I really can't do this anymore. I'm at my limit."
"Hmm? You're at your limit?"
Hearing the girl's labored breathing, Miura slightly slowed her pace.
The reason she had been pushing Eriri so hard was simple—she was worried Eriri might still have the strength to go after Hikigaya.
But now—
Seeing how Eriri was about to collapse, Miura figured the problem had been solved. Hikigaya was safe.
Hmph!
That's Yui's man! No other woman is allowed to take him!
If anyone's gonna do the stealing, it's gonna be me!
"Alright, let's take a break."
Miura finally came to a stop, glancing toward an open area not far away.
"Let's go over there."
"Okay..."
Eriri sighed in relief.
The two of them headed toward the clearing.
As they approached, Miura suddenly let out a surprised noise:
"Huh? Looks like… Hikigaya and Sayuri-san are here too?"
"That's definitely Mom! Mom!"
Beside her, Eriri instinctively called out to the two figures in the distance.
"!!!"
At that moment, Hikigaya and Sayuri both stiffened.
A moment later—
The group converged.
Both Sayuri and Hikigaya had unusually flushed faces.
Miura frowned slightly. Something felt off.
Sayuri pursed her lips before stepping up to her daughter, smiling warmly.
"Sweetie, what's wrong? You look like you're about to cry."
"I..."
"Ah, sorry, Sayuri-san," Miura quickly apologized. "I pushed Eriri a little hard just now, so—"
"Oh my, is that all? I was wondering what happened."
Sayuri chuckled and waved it off, smiling at Miura.
"It's no big deal. A little intensity is good for her. My daughter should be pushed harder. Yumiko-chan, you don't need to apologize—in fact, I should be thanking you."
"Eh? No, that's too much praise, Sayuri-san," Miura said, waving her hands in embarrassment.
"Mom!"
Eriri, on the other hand, wasn't amused.
"How could you say that?!"
"Hehe~ Sweetie, I'm just speaking the truth. If you don't work out, how will you take care of your future husband someday? You need to build up your endurance~~"
Seeing her daughter's frustration, Sayuri hugged her gently and coaxed her in a soft voice.
"I... uh..."
Flustered, Eriri instinctively stole a glance at Hikigaya—only for him to immediately avert his gaze.
Meanwhile, Miura—
Her expression darkened.
She declared seriously, "Sayuri-san, I'll make sure to train Eriri properly!"
"?!?!"
Seeing Miura's demonic expression, Eriri trembled in fear.
"Go on, sweetie."
Sayuri released her daughter and gave her a light push.
"Huh? I..."
Eriri was horrified.
"Don't worry, it's just some post-run stretching," Miura reassured her.
"Oh… oh, I see. I thought we were going to start running again."
Relieved, Eriri reluctantly followed along.
The two girls headed toward a stretching rack.
Now that they were a little farther away, Sayuri's lips curled mischievously as she leaned in and whispered:
"We were this close to getting caught just now, Hikigaya-kun~"
"!"
Hikigaya's body tensed up. His gaze flickered toward Sayuri's lips before quickly darting away as he took a deep breath.
"Sayuri-san! You tricked me again! How could you—"
"What's the big deal?"
Before Hikigaya could finish, Sayuri suddenly stepped closer, smirking.
"More importantly… Hikigaya-kun, did you like it?"
"!!"
Hikigaya immediately turned his head away, refusing to meet Sayuri's teasing gaze.
"Hehe, I'd say I'm not bad, right~? Compared to your Yui-san's mother, Hikigaya-kun, who do you prefer?"
Hikigaya remained silent.
But—
His lack of response didn't mean Sayuri would let him off the hook.
"Come on, Hikigaya-kun~ Since I helped you earlier, won't you do me a little favor? I could really use your… assistance right now."
Sayuri pressed her thighs together and gave him a sultry look.
"Eriri is calling you."
Instead of answering, Hikigaya simply looked toward Eriri in the distance.
"..."
Sayuri frowned slightly but followed his gaze toward her daughter, who was waving at her.
"Tch... This kid really knows how to ruin the mood."
But—
The next second, Sayuri smiled sweetly and called out,
"Sweetie, what is it this time?"
She then walked over toward Eriri.
Hikigaya: "..."
She calls her 'sweetie' and acts all motherly—
Yet in her heart, she's completely ready to throw her daughter under the bus.
Sayuri-san, you really are... sigh.
If Eriri and Sayuri didn't look so much alike, Hikigaya might've seriously started doubting if Sayuri was her real mother.
"Let's go home, Mom. I'm seriously about to die here." Practically collapsing, Eriri groaned.
"Alright, alright. Let's head back."
Sayuri gently patted Eriri's head, though her gaze still lingered on the boy nearby.
Hikigaya quickly avoided her eyes.
A sly smile played on Sayuri's lips. Heh heh, don't think this is over just yet, Hikigaya-kun. Next time, I won't hold back.
With that, mother and daughter bid farewell to Hikigaya and Miura.
"Mom, how did it go?" Once they were away, Eriri asked expectantly.
"Hikigaya-kun's quite the tough one. We'll have to take it slow~~"
"Ahh, I see… Well then, Mom, I'm counting on you. Please do your best!"
"Don't worry, sweetie. Leave it all to me~~"
Sayuri smiled faintly, a glint of amusement in her eyes.
Sweetie…
Don't blame your mother for this.
If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being so useless. If you had any skill, I wouldn't need to step in.
Women are selfish creatures, after all.
With that thought, Sayuri pulled out her phone and sent a message to Yui's mother.
[Sayuri: Nana, Hikigaya-kun really does have an amazing taste… Too bad I couldn't go all the way this time. But no worries—how about we make a bet? Let's see which one of us can get to him first.]