Chapter 38: Eriri Barges into the Boys’ Restroom
"Eh? So you're just going to her place to help with a game?"
"Yes, that's why I hope you don't misunderstand, Sawamura-san. It's not what you're thinking at all."
Since Kasumigaoka wasn't planning to explain, Hachiman couldn't just let things slide. He hurriedly clarified to Eriri that he was only going to help Kasumigaoka with a dungeon raid over the weekend.
"Oh, so that's all. That's a relief…" Eriri sighed, but her gaze instinctively dropped to her right hand. When she realized she was still clutching Hachiman's arm, her cheeks flushed red in an instant. "Ah! I... Ugh~! Hmph~!"
Flustered, Eriri quickly flung Hachiman's arm away with a forceful motion.
"No… but even if you're just going to her house to play games, I'm telling you, Kasumigaoka is no good. You'd be better off turning her down and not going," Eriri said, trying to sound calm.
This time, before Hachiman could respond, Kasumigaoka chuckled softly. "Oh my, what does it matter to you if Air-kun comes to my house? Why are you so worked up? Could it be... you like him?"
"Ugh!" Eriri's face turned bright red as she huffed in frustration. "I already said I don't… who would like him?! I'm just… just pitying him! That's right, I'm showing sympathy so he doesn't get tormented by you!"
Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow. "You? Feeling sympathy for Air-kun? Hmm, Sawamura-san, since when did you start caring about someone—let alone a boy?"
"I-I was just—" Eriri stammered, but she couldn't find the words to continue.
Her mouth twitched uncontrollably.
The more she tried to explain, the messier it got.
Her eyes instinctively darted to Hachiman, and her face turned even redder.
Sensing that things were getting increasingly awkward, Hachiman sighed inwardly.
What did he do to deserve this? To have these two grand dames debating over him?
To prevent things from spiraling out of control, he quickly interjected, "Uh, ladies, morning self-study is about to start, and Kirisu-sensei will be here soon. Maybe we should call it a day?"
Reluctantly, Kasumigaoka and Eriri stopped arguing.
But while the bickering ended, Hachiman couldn't shake off the uneasy glances they both kept throwing his way.
Kasumigaoka was one thing—her intentions were clear enough.
But Sawamura? What's going on with you?
Why do I feel like you really might have thoughts about me?
No way!
Aside from that library incident yesterday, haven't we exchanged fewer than three sentences a day since the semester started?
Hachiman was utterly baffled.
Sigh… Was Sawamura paying this much attention to him a good thing or a bad thing?
On the bright side, this could mean they'd become friends quickly, fulfilling Yukinoshita's task for the week. On the downside, if Sawamura turned out to be like Kasumigaoka and started crossing boundaries, things would get troublesome fast.
As Hachiman pondered the situation, he suddenly noticed Katou at the desk to his right. She was staring at him with a slightly bewildered expression. The moment their eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze and resumed playing with her phone.
Hachiman: "…"
What the heck?!
Katou, when did you even show up?!
How did I not notice at all?!
Oh no.
Did she see the argument between the two of them earlier?
Wait!
This isn't good. What if she uses this as leverage later?
Hachiman started to panic.
Being surrounded by three girls—this was just too much.
---
The morning classes passed uneventfully, and soon it was afternoon.
As usual, Hachiman and the group headed to the library for self-study.
Hachiman sat next to Kasumigaoka again.
Compared to before, her teasing had decreased significantly—probably a side effect of yesterday's failed confession.
Honestly, Hachiman found this a relief.
Slow and steady.
With time, he believed Kasumigaoka would let go. All he had to do was remain patient and composed.
However…
While Kasumigaoka was less of a concern for now, Hachiman was growing increasingly wary of Eriri.
The girl had been sneaking glances at him all afternoon.
Just in the past hour, he had caught her staring twenty-seven times!
Girl, are you not here to study?
"I'm going to the restroom," Hachiman muttered to Kasumigaoka as he stood.
She nodded with a hum of acknowledgment.
As soon as Hachiman left his seat, Eriri, who had been watching him intently, suddenly sprang up. Ignoring Kasumigaoka entirely, she declared, "I need to use the restroom."
And with that, she quickly followed Hachiman.
Hey, hey, hey!
What kind of coincidence is this?
Realizing Eriri was trailing him, Hachiman quickened his pace.
To his dismay, Eriri sped up as well.
No way!
Hachiman's face turned pale as alarm bells rang in his head.
The two of them reached the restroom at the same time.
After confirming no one else was around, Eriri pursed her lips, lowered her voice, and said, "Hikigaya-kun, I…"
"Sawamura-san, can this wait until after we use the restroom?" Hachiman said awkwardly. "I, uh, really need to go."
"Eh? Oh… okay then…" Eriri stammered, her face turning red again. After hesitating for a few seconds, she added nervously, "But… wait for me after you're done. I… I have something to tell you."
"…Alright."
Hachiman sighed internally and reluctantly agreed.
At this point, all he could do was pray it wasn't what he feared. Otherwise, things would get seriously awkward.
Hachiman entered the men's restroom.
Eriri, naturally, headed for the women's restroom.
She did feel a bit of urgency herself.
But…
Just as she was about to step into the women's restroom, a flash of her dream from the night before—one involving a rather embarrassing scenario with Hachiman—suddenly replayed in her mind.
"Darn it! Why does that scene keep popping up? Stop thinking about it already! I just want to… apologize to him…"
Eriri's intentions were simple: to apologize to Hachiman for her harsh words yesterday.
Nothing more.
And yet…
The more she tried to deny it, the clearer the dream replayed in her head, making her heart race faster and faster.
"Ugh~! Could it be that what Mom said was true? That I need a boyfriend? No way, right? Mom's at that age where she needs a man. I'm still way too young for that!"
Lost in her own thoughts, Eriri unknowingly began to walk toward the boys' restroom.
---
Meanwhile…
"Serves you right, Sawamura. Let's see you act all tsundere now!"
Hiding in the shadows, Yukinoshita smirked to herself, eager to watch the drama unfold.
"Go on, Sawamura-san. Let's see if you can keep that haughty attitude after this!"
Having finally caught the perfect opportunity for Eriri and Hachiman to be alone, Yukinoshita wasted no time in using her Forced Intimate Card.
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