"As expected, spending time alone with Miura at night is the most comfortable."
After the Sawamura mother and daughter left, Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"Huh??"
Hearing this, Miura's expression shifted slightly before she snorted in mock annoyance.
"Most... comfortable with me? Ahem~ You're underestimating me! Looks like I need to ramp up the intensity for you! Come on, let's go for a run!"
"Uh? No, I—"
Hikigaya hesitated but ultimately followed behind Miura.
However.
In that moment.
He vaguely noticed that the girl's cheeks seemed a little flushed.
"What are you looking at?! Is my face part of your running route?"
"Oh, uh, sorry..."
Yep, Miura is still Miura.
Indeed.
This kind of gentle personality suited him best.
The two continued their run to stay in shape.
After another half an hour.
Hikigaya, now gasping for breath, finally surrendered and begged for mercy.
Seeing this, Miura nodded in satisfaction.
With their workout complete.
The two parted ways.
---
On his way home.
Despite being utterly exhausted from Miura's torturous training, his mind instinctively drifted back to what had just happened with Mrs. Sawamura.
Sigh...
Mrs. Sawamura and Mrs. Yuigahama were completely different from younger girls.
That feeling was just... Calm down! Calm down!
Hikigaya took several deep breaths.
My girlfriend is Yukinoshita!
Yukinoshita!
I absolutely cannot be swayed by those two!
I cannot betray Yukinoshita! No way!
As soon as he got home, he was going to take an ice-cold shower to clear his head.
Like a lone wanderer, Hikigaya quickened his pace along the dimly lit streets.
Even with streetlights casting their glow, the night felt unusually dark.
Then, after walking a little further—
He suddenly heard a heated argument not far away.
Weird… Who picks a fight this late at night?
Hikigaya was surprised.
Since this was a path he had to take to get home, even if they were actually fighting, he'd have to brace himself and walk through it.
As he got closer.
The voices became clearer.
"Ai... Ai..."
"I like you! I like you! I like you!"
"Ai!!!"
"I'm sorry, but I already have someone I like... So, I really have to apologize."
"No way! Who? Who is it?! I don't believe you, Ai..."
"I'm very sorry."
"Give me a chance! Give me a chance... Ai, I'm your fan! Your most devoted fan! I've attended every one of your performances! My whole room is covered with your posters, Ai..."
"Thank you, really... but I'm truly sorry."
"..."
It was a conversation between a man and a woman.
The man's voice, in particular, was filled with intense emotion.
"Wait... That girl's voice..."
Hikigaya furrowed his brows.
It sounded so familiar.
Almost like...
Hoshino Ai?!
His heart filled with doubt as he continued approaching.
And soon enough.
He could see them clearly.
The girl being harassed was none other than the idol, Hoshino Ai!
Of course.
His sudden arrival didn't go unnoticed.
The moment Ai's beautiful eyes spotted him, they instantly lit up, and without hesitation, she called out—
"Hubby!"
Before Hikigaya could react.
The violet-haired girl rushed to his side and—
Right in front of the hooded man in black.
She clung to his arm, grinning mischievously.
"Hehe, hubby, you're finally here! I was this close to getting bullied."
"???"
The hooded man froze in shock.
Hikigaya: "???"
Hubby?
Since when did I become Hoshino Ai's husband?!
"Ai, he... Who is he...?!"
The hooded man's expression was obscured, but judging by the way his body trembled, his mental state was on the verge of collapse.
"My new boyfriend."
Ai clung to Hikigaya's arm even tighter and spoke seriously to the hooded man.
"So, I'm really sorry. I understand your feelings, but I already have someone."
After speaking, the violet-haired girl turned and flashed Hikigaya a sweet smile.
"???"
Hikigaya, who had been about to protest, froze when he saw that smile.
Because of last night's events.
He had done some research on Ai.
As an idol, she always wore a professional smile on stage... or rather, a fake smile.
Most of the audience probably couldn't tell.
But Hikigaya could recognize it instantly—the way she smiled was far too artificial.
And yet.
Right now, as Ai smiled sweetly at him, for the first time, Hikigaya couldn't tell if it was fake.
Was she just that good at acting? Or was this real?
Why does it feel like she actually wants me to be her boyfriend?!
Meanwhile, the hooded man stumbled back, his voice shaking with disbelief.
"No! You... There's no way you have a boyfriend! I don't believe it! AAAAAAHHHH!!! I don't believe it! This isn't real! This can't be happening!!!"
"Ai, you're mine! Your boyfriend is me! No matter what it takes, I will have you! No matter the means, I will make you mine!"
As he ranted with growing fury, his focus remained locked on Ai.
Then.
From his coat, he pulled out a weapon.
More specifically—a sharp dagger.
"You—calm down! Put the knife down!"
Ai's pupils shrank at the sight.
Fear flickered across her face, but—
Instead of hiding behind Hikigaya.
She stepped in front of him.
What?
Are you serious?!
Onee-san, are you actually this fearless?!
That dude has a knife!
Hikigaya was stunned.
To be honest.
Even he was terrified and was considering running away.
"Ai, you're mine, you're—"
The hooded man, now completely unhinged, started moving toward them.
"Watch out!"
Seeing him lose control and preparing to lunge at them, Hikigaya instinctively pushed Ai aside.
Then, without thinking.
He threw a punch.
Aimed straight at the man's face.
Perhaps due to his recent training.
His punch packed serious power.
And it was dead on target.
With a loud smack.
The previously furious hooded man collapsed to the ground.
"AAAAAGHHHHH!!!"
A scream, like that of a pig being slaughtered, echoed through the street.
His face looked as if it had been hammered—he clutched it in agony, writhing on the ground.
"???"
Hikigaya stood there, stunned.
I knocked him out in one punch?
Am I... One Punch Man?!
As for Ai, she blinked at the scene before her.
Then, in the next second, her eyes sparkled.
"Hubby, you're amazing!"
You're still calling me that?!
How many times have you said it already?!
Stop making me feel like your actual boyfriend!!!