"Sorry, sorry, I'm late~!"
The door to the Service Club slid open, revealing a cheerful short-haired girl who bounded inside with a smile as warm as spring sunlight. Her little fang peeked out when she grinned, giving her that extra dose of cuteness that only a true imouto could pull off.
Komachi Hikigaya had arrived.
She waved lightly at the group, but as soon as she stepped in, her nose twitched. Years of living with her gloomy brother had sharpened her instincts, and instantly she sensed it—the thick, awkward tension floating around the room.
Her brother sat slouched with his head down, pretending to read but not turning a single page. Across from him, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were both pink-faced, sneaking glances away from each other, like they'd just barely survived some embarrassing disaster.
"…Oh? Did Komachi walk in at a bad time?" she asked, blinking innocently, though deep down her heart was skipping with excitement.
Fufu… something happened here, didn't it? Komachi can smell drama~
Luckily for everyone, Yuigahama reacted first. The pink-haired gyaru slapped on a bright smile and waved energetically, her voice as cheerful as ever.
"Yahallo, Komachi! You're just in time, really. We were totally just… uh… talking about class assignments for the new semester!"
Truly, Yuigahama Yui was Yuigahama Yui. She had a natural gift for dissolving tension with her easygoing charm. Her words worked like magic, pulling Komachi's curiosity away from the silent storm and back toward a safer topic.
"Ohhh, class assignments?!" Komachi's eyes lit up as she quickly joined in. "Komachi just got hers too! What class are you guys in?"
Within seconds, the mood lightened. Yuigahama leaned in, happily chatting about which friends she got separated from, and Komachi responded with bubbly laughter and playful pouting. Their voices overlapped in a lively rhythm, the room filling with warmth once more.
Meanwhile, Hikigaya and Yukinoshita both sat a little straighter, releasing subtle sighs of relief.
For Hikigaya, this was just another case of "let the extroverts carry the room, thank you very much."
But for Yukinoshita… her heart was pounding. Her palms were slick with sweat. It had been her first time "sending her husband off"—or rather, deliberately setting up a romantic accident for Hikigaya—and she was painfully inexperienced. Every nerve in her body screamed that someone might notice what she'd done.
Calm down, Yukino. Just… calm down. No one saw. Right?
She took a steadying breath, her usual serene expression never faltering, even as her insides twisted into nervous knots.
The minutes trickled by. The four of them talked about classes, teachers, and the dreaded mountain of third-year expectations. Laughter sprinkled the room here and there, but before long, the clock signaled the end of the day.
Komachi, ever the responsible president of the Service Club, clapped her hands lightly.
"Alright! Since it's only the first day of school, let's wrap up early. Today's Service Club activities will officially end here~!"
No one objected. After all, not much usually happened on the first day.
But just as everyone was about to leave, Komachi's sharp little eyes sparkled mischievously. She slipped her arm through Yuigahama's and leaned in with an affectionate smile.
"Hehe~ Yui-nee, would you come with me to buy a hair clip later? Komachi's suuuper indecisive, and I really need your help choosing!"
"Eh? Oh, sure! I was planning to stop by the shops anyway." Yuigahama agreed without hesitation, her cheerful grin never fading.
"Yay! Thank you, Yui-nee~ You're the best!" Komachi squeezed her arm tighter, then turned back toward her brother. "So, big brother, I'll be going with Yui-nee first, okay?"
"…Oh. Uh, yeah, go ahead." Hikigaya forced a crooked smile, but inside he was groaning. Komachi's pointed little glance at him made it clear she'd done this on purpose.
Traitorous little sister. Just whose side are you on?
With that, Yuigahama and Komachi left together, their chatter fading down the hallway.
And suddenly—
Only Hikigaya and Yukinoshita remained.
The air grew delicate again, like the fragile surface of glass that might crack at the slightest touch.
Yukino kept her posture flawless, but inside she was trembling. She couldn't stop replaying the scene earlier—her pushing Yuigahama into Hikigaya's arms.
If he realized what I did… if he figured out I did that on purpose…
Her cheeks burned at the thought.
No! That was far too reckless. Absolutely unladylike. It must never happen again.
She pursed her lips, gathering courage to say something—anything—before the silence swallowed them whole.
"Hikigaya-kun—"
"I… I have nothing to do with Kato!"
Yukino blinked, stunned.
"…Eh?"
Before she could continue, Hikigaya blurted out his explanation, eyes wide and defensive, as if he'd been rehearsing it all day.
Her heart eased instantly, though she hid it behind a mask of composure. Relief washed over her. He'd misunderstood her silence, and in his own awkward way, he wanted to reassure her.
Honestly… I was so scared for nothing.
Later, she would confirm what the system's data panel already showed: Kato's favorability toward Hikigaya was only 50—just the level of a normal friend. And Hikigaya's own was negative. There was no way he'd betray her that easily.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at her lips.
My Hikigaya-kun is far too strict with himself. Cheating? As if.
....
A tense silence hung in the air. Hikigaya Hachiman stood frozen, looking every bit like a background character who had accidentally triggered a flag with the story's main heroine. His posture was rigid, his face a mask of barely-concealed panic.
Watching his utterly flustered state, Yukinoshita Yukino's expression involuntarily softened. A slight, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips, a stark contrast to her usual ice-queen demeanor.
"Mm. I believe you, Hikigaya-kun," she said, her voice cooler and more melodic than the gentle afternoon breeze. "What happened this morning was surely just an accident."
Huh? Her sharp, observant eyes noticed a slight tremble in his knees. Is he… is he actually about to kneel and beg for forgiveness right here? That would be so pathetic it's almost endearing.
"Huh? R-Really?" Hikigaya's voice was weak, a squeak of disbelief. In truth, the thought of a dramatic dogeza had indeed flashed through his mind as a last resort. He looked up at her, his eyes wide and hesitant, like a lost puppy seeking confirmation.
"Really," Yukinoshita affirmed, her tone leaving no room for doubt. She paused for effect, allowing the tension to build before delivering her verdict. "However… you did give her a ride today." A faint, playful 'Hmph~' escaped her. "Even though you have a girlfriend, you did something so… immoral. As punishment…" She drew out the word, savoring the way he flinched. "I'll punish you by making you take me home!"
Seeing Hikigaya still looking so anxious, Yukinoshita's lips curled upward ever so slightly. Though she kept her usual cool, composed expression, deep down she felt a strange satisfaction. Still, she made sure to maintain her stern façade, as if scolding him was her natural duty.
Hikigaya, of course, didn't dare object. He gave a quick nod, his voice as weak as ever. "No problem… I'll take you home."
And so, the two of them set off together.
Yukinoshita sat quietly on the back seat of Hikigaya's bicycle, her hand lightly resting against his back. It wasn't exactly a hug, but the faint warmth of contact between them made her heart beat faster.
Yet, as the cool breeze brushed against her cheeks, Yukinoshita's sharp mind immediately drifted to the system. She realized there had been no notification, no prompt, nothing to acknowledge this moment. That faint sense of disappointment pressed against her chest.
(Tch… not even a single point from this? How stingy…)
Finally, she gave in and whispered to the system in her heart: "By the way, explain this to me. How can Hikigaya-kun and Yuigahama-san 'sticking together' also generate system points? I thought only Katou-san was supposed to count?"
[Yuigahama Yui is a potential match, meaning she is also a capture target. 'Sticking together' with her will yield a certain number of points.]
"What… she's also a capture target?" Yukinoshita's voice nearly cracked, though she quickly suppressed it. For a few seconds, she sat stunned before narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "…Can I see her data panel, then?"
[Not permitted. Until Katou Megumi's capture is completed, the host cannot normally view the panels of other potential targets.]
"Eh?! Can't see it at all?" Yukinoshita's brows furrowed, frustration blooming in her chest.
The image of Yuigahama blushing in Hikigaya's arms replayed in her mind. That sudden jolt of anxiety earlier—what if she really lost him? What if Yuigahama slowly chipped away at her position? The thought made her chest tighten in ways she didn't want to admit.
[While the detailed panel is unavailable, the host may check Hikigaya Hachiman's favorability toward Yuigahama Yui.]
"Oh? Then show me that much, at least."
[Hikigaya Hachiman's favorability toward Yuigahama Yui: 67/100 (Good Friend).]
"…Hah." Yukinoshita blinked, then let out a very quiet sigh of relief.
So, Yuigahama-san was only at 67.
Thank goodness.
"As expected of my Hikigaya-kun," Yukinoshita murmured inwardly, her lips curving into a smile that was both tender and smug. "Even after all this time, you're still so reliable."
For a fleeting moment, her heart swelled with joy. Maybe it wasn't so bad that she had pushed Yuigahama into that awkward situation earlier. After all, if Hikigaya himself only viewed her as a friend, then she didn't need to panic.
Her Hikigaya-kun really was like iron pants—unyielding no matter the temptation.
[Be advised: Hikigaya Hachiman's low favorability toward other girls is not conducive to further 'sticking together'. The host should keep this in mind.]
The system's interruption made Yukinoshita's brow twitch. "What, are you seriously telling me I have to make him… fall in love with other girls? Don't be ridiculous! Hikigaya-kun is my man."
[I'm only reminding you of what's necessary, host. Unless you want Hikigaya Hachiman to die in three years, this is the most effective route.]
"…" Yukinoshita bit her lip, her shoulders stiffening. She wanted to snap back, but ultimately she sighed in silence. Arguing with some faceless system only made her feel small and petty.
[In short, the host's top priority is to raise Hikigaya Hachiman's charm. That will significantly increase his chances of attracting girls.]
"…Charm, huh?"
Her eyes softened, though her heart ached just a little. Hikigaya-kun's charm stat really was depressingly low. It almost hurt her pride to admit it.
But if it meant saving him…
"—Hikigaya-kun. Stop here for a second."
He glanced back, blinking. "Eh? Did something happen?"
"…I'm thirsty." Yukinoshita brushed her bangs back with practiced calm. "Let's get something to drink."
A few minutes later, she returned from a vending machine with two bottles. One was Hikigaya's beloved Max Coffee. She opened it, casually drank half, then slipped the Charm Enhancement Potion in without hesitation. With a perfectly composed smile, she handed the bottle back.
"Here. You like this one, don't you? Finish the rest."
Hikigaya looked at it suspiciously for a moment, then sighed, muttering something about "pushy girlfriends." Still, he obediently took the bottle and drank it all down.
[Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's charm +20] [Ding! Hikigaya Hachiman's current charm: 59/100] [PS: Current temperament: 29/100. Appearance: 89/100. (Still gloomy and solitary, but when his bangs shift slightly, his unexpectedly handsome face can be glimpsed.)]
"…Huh?"
Yukinoshita nearly tripped off the bicycle. Her expression stiffened as the system's words echoed in her head.
Wait, wait, wait!
"Appearance score… almost ninety?!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she clenched her fists against Hikigaya's back.
Hey! Isn't that way too high?!
Her mind spun in circles. If his appearance got that much of a boost, wouldn't every girl who glanced at him start blushing uncontrollably?
"…System," Yukinoshita whispered under her breath, her cheeks twitching, "you'd better not be turning my Hikigaya-kun into some kind of… male succubus!"