From her perfect hiding spot behind the bookshelf, Yukinoshita Yukino continued her covert surveillance of Hikigaya and Eriri Spencer Sawamura. The gears in her sharp mind were turning, analyzing every micro-expression and subtle shift in body language.
Almost subconsciously, she pulled up the system interface to check the vital statistics.
[Hikigaya Hachiman's Affection for Eriri Spencer Sawamura: 25/100]
"It increased by 10 points! Hmm, it seems their little manga discussion went quite well..." she murmured to herself, a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. It was working.
Unfortunately, the system's permissions were still limited. She could only see Hikigaya's affection for others, not the other way around.
Sigh. I have no idea what Sawamura-san's affection level for Hikigaya-kun is. It's so frustrating not having the full picture!
During their earlier chat, Yukinoshita had clearly noticed Eriri Spencer Sawamura blushing for no apparent reason.
Hikigaya-kun must have said something that struck a chord with her.
To be perfectly honest, a part of Yukinoshita actually hoped the blonde artist would just surrender to her feelings right then and there. It would save her, Yukinoshita, a tremendous amount of trouble later. Otherwise, if the other party remained passive, she would be forced to step in and "assist" their progress, a task she found mentally and emotionally exhausting.
Of course, she repeatedly assured herself, everything I'm doing is purely for the ruthless, efficient acquisition of points. This was a means to an end.
The core of her new philosophy was simple: As long as Hikigaya's ultimate affection remained highest for her, it didn't matter if he felt a moderate fondness for others. As long as he didn't genuinely fall in love with another girl, the situation was... manageable. Acceptable, even.
Buoyed by this logic, Yukinoshita settled in to continue her observation.
However... much to her regret, the scene she had been hoping for did not materialize.
After that initial spark, Eriri Spencer Sawamura did not reach out to tug on Hikigaya's pant leg again. In fact, they didn't exchange a single word. The two of them simply sat on the floor, immersed in their respective manga volumes, a silent, awkward bubble forming around them.
Eh?
Ah?!
Wait a minute!
You two were just chatting so animatedly a moment ago! Why has it gone completely silent now?!
Chat, dammit! Say something!
Yukinoshita was growing so anxious she almost wanted to march over and give them both a firm shove towards each other. But her own pride and thin skin held her back; she simply didn't have the courage for such a brazen act.
Sigh... I was overthinking it, wasn't I? she lamented internally. After just a few sentences, how could I expect Sawamura-san to just throw herself at my Hikigaya-kun! That was far too optimistic.
Of course, another possibility occurred to her. She had clearly pegged Sawamura-san as a classic tsundere—proud and emotionally constipated. Taking the initiative in conversation was probably incredibly difficult for her.
All in all, looking at this stagnant situation, if she, Yukinoshita, didn't actively intervene later, it would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens for these two to make any meaningful progress on their own.
Her mind instinctively drifted to the Forced Closeness Card. Using one on Eriri Spencer Sawamura seemed like the perfect, simple, and crude solution. Unfortunately, the system had a strict limit of one purchase per day.
Sigh. To buy another one, I have to wait until tomorrow. Are there any other methods I can use today?
Oh, right!
Don't I still have the Dream Simulation Card?
Yukinoshita's eyes lit up with renewed strategic fervor.
Since I want Hikigaya to grow closer to other girls, then today's Dream Simulation Card definitely should NOT be used on Kasumigaoka-senpai, whose affection is already skyrocketing. No, today's target will be Sawamura-san!
She made the calculation silently in her heart, determined to push the relationship between these two a step further. Relying solely on the senior was putting too much pressure on a single point of failure.
Another ten minutes passed.
As if bound by some unspoken, slacker's pact, the two simultaneously closed their manga books and got to their feet. Even dedicated procrastinators knew there were limits to how long they could avoid their responsibilities.
After Hikigaya slid his manga back into its proper place on the shelf, his gaze unconsciously drifted to the stack of books still clutched in Eriri Spencer Sawamura's arms.
Noticing his look, Eriri immediately hugged her manga tighter defensively. "I... I can handle such a simple thing myself! I don't need your help!" she declared, her pride firmly intact.
Hikigaya simply replied, "Oh."
Then, Eriri Spencer Sawamura rose onto her tiptoes, straining to slide the manga back into its spot on the high shelf. But no matter how she stretched, her petite stature made the task impossible.
"Uh, Sawamura-san?" Hikigaya ventured.
"Hmph! Don't mind me! I'll... I'll get it in a second!" Eriri insisted stubbornly, not wanting Hikigaya to witness her moment of weakness. "You can go back first! I'll return right after I put these away!"
"This..." Hikigaya hesitated.
Go help her, you idiot!
Yukinoshita, watching from her hiding spot, was internally screaming. Her fists were clenched in frustration.
Sure enough.
My boyfriend never fails to disappoint me in the worst ways.
Hikigaya, of course, couldn't hear Yukinoshita's silent pleas. After a moment of awkwardly looking around, he actually shrugged and made to turn and leave.
Yukinoshita was so angry she almost stomped her foot on the spot.
I'm so mad! Hikigaya-kun, you actually left her! Don't you believe I'll just march out there right now and stand behind you? Let's see if you still refuse to help then, you absolute blockhead!!
Just as Yukinoshita was fuming, disaster struck. Eriri Spencer Sawamura, in her struggle to reach the shelf, made a particularly forceful, unbalanced stretch. Her ankle twisted awkwardly, and with a small yelp, her entire body lurched backward, heading for a painful meeting with the hard library floor. Her face instantly paled with fright.
Hikigaya, who had been secretly glancing back at her, naturally saw the whole thing unfold. He let out a long, suffering sigh in his heart.
Here we go again.
Finally, he moved, stepping forward swiftly and catching her in his arms just before she hit the ground.
"Sawamura-san, be careful," he said, his voice a low monotone.
"Eh? Uh..." Though she was now held in a safe and surprisingly reliable embrace, the startled Eriri didn't feel relieved. Instead, her expression shifted to one of panic and embarrassment. "Y-you! Why did you come back?! And why are you holding me so... so tightly...!"
"I..." Looking down at the fact that he was indeed holding Eriri Spencer Sawamura's petite form securely against his chest, Hikigaya's own expression shifted. He quickly released her as if she were made of hot lava. "Sorry. I wasn't paying attention to... the positioning..."
Ahem. It seems... she's about the same size as Yukinoshita?
"You—!" Eriri Spencer Sawamura hugged her own body, her face flushed a brilliant red, a mixture of anger, embarrassment, and something else she couldn't name leaving her speechless.
Just as the atmosphere between them was thickening into something uniquely awkward, a new, chillingly familiar voice sliced through the air from behind them.
"Well, well, well! What do we have here?"
"!!"
Hikigaya and Eriri spun around in unison to see Kasumigaoka Utaha walking toward them, an unreadable, dark expression on her face. However, as she closed the distance, that stormy look melted into a sweet, yet dangerously sharp, smile aimed directly at Hikigaya.
"Hikigaya-kun," she purred, "so... your type is the small, helpless ones like our Sawamura-chan? I see... No wonder you... Heh heh."
"..."
Hikigaya could only look down in profound embarrassment, unable to form a coherent defense.
Eriri Spencer Sawamura's face burned even hotter. "Ah?! W-what are you implying?!"
Meanwhile, Yukinoshita, still hidden behind the bookshelf, felt her own cheeks grow warm. She instinctively made a weighing motion with her hands in the air.
Hmph! My Hikigaya-kun definitely prefers them more... petite!
Ahem!
Well, that wasn't the point. The point was... Hikigaya-kun had finally taken the initiative to help Sawamura-san again! And judging by the flustered, blushing reaction, it seemed Sawamura-san's favorability had just received a significant boost!
But there was more.
Senpai actually appeared! And look at her reaction! Even after being rejected, she clearly still has feelings for my Hikigaya-kun. Otherwise, why would she be so visibly upset—or rather, jealous—upon seeing him with Sawamura-san?
Regarding this sudden development, Yukinoshita didn't feel upset in the slightest. On the contrary, a strange, thrilling joy bubbled up in her heart. Watching her boyfriend become the object of a rivalry between two other girls...
Hmm... it's actually quite... interesting...