[224] Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 224: Unexpected Encounter

"Oh? Didn't expect someone to be here already," Hachiman turned around to see the robust figure of Dojima Gin, draped in a bath towel, standing at the doorway.

"Good evening, Dojima-senpai," Hachiman greeted with a smile.

"Oh, it's Hikigaya-kun. Good evening," Dojima replied, smiling as well, rinsing off briefly, and entering the large bath.

As both were now completely unclothed, Hachiman could clearly see the sculpted muscles on Dojima's upper body—the solid pectoral muscles, broad latissimus dorsi, giving the impression of explosive strength throughout his body.

In comparison, Hachiman appeared much leaner, though his well-defined muscles drew an appreciative expression from Dojima.

"Didn't expect Hikigaya-kun to have quite a good physique," Dojima remarked.

Um, why does that sound a bit... never mind.

Hearing this, Hachiman's expression became somewhat odd, but he still smiled.

"Oh, not at all. Compared to you, Dojima-senpai, there's a long way to go."

"Hahaha, this is the result of my training," Dojima proudly spoke of his muscles.

"I'm used to doing muscle training during baths. Hikigaya-kun, want to join me?" Saying this, he struck a bodybuilding pose.

Seeing him in a "royal invitation" manner, Hachiman twitched his mouth.

"I'll pass. I think I'm fine the way I am now."

"Is that so? That's a pity."

Hearing Hachiman's refusal, Dojima shook his head regretfully. However, he suddenly remembered something and spoke again.

"By the way, Hikigaya-kun, are you close to Erina?"

Before, in the surveillance footage, he had seen the two of them looking quite familiar and even planning to have dinner together.

This made Dojima curious because, in his impression, Erina wasn't one to show friendliness to anyone of the same age.

"Me and Erina?" Hachiman paused for a moment, then chuckled as he began to explain.

"In fact, my acquaintance with Erina was also a coincidence."

He then recounted the conversation he had with Isshiki in the Home Economics Cooking class.

"Oh? So, you met through a cooking duel?" Dojima nodded.

He didn't doubt Hachiman's words; after all, Hachiman's culinary skills were not inferior to his own. Winning against Erina wouldn't be an issue.

"That's right. Since winning against her that time, Erina and I have been having a monthly cooking competition, and through that, we gradually became acquainted," Hachiman shrugged.

"Haha, that's a kind of fate!" Dojima laughed heartily.

"Perhaps."

After a brief exchange, Dojima once again immersed himself in his muscle training.

For a while, the spacious bathroom echoed with philosophical sounds like "Hmm" and "Ah," as if the air was filled with a purple hue.

This made Hachiman a bit uneasy, fearing that Dojima might suddenly decide to engage in a wrestling match between men.

Considering he had soaked long enough, Hachiman stood up.

"I've soaked for long; let's call it a day here, Dojima-senpai. I'll head for dinner. See you!"

Dojima waved to him as he spoke, "You go ahead, Hikigaya-kun. I'll soak a bit longer," and resumed his exercises.

Hachiman nodded, got up, and left the bath.

After changing into a yukata and just stepping out of the bathroom, he collided with a warm and fragrant body.

"Ah... That hurts!"

A familiar cry of pain sounded, and the person directly fell to the ground.

Hachiman looked down and realized he had bumped into Erina.

The girl, also dressed in a yukata, had her neckline slightly askew due to the fall, revealing a large expanse of delicate, snowy-white skin and a deep cleavage.

"Erina, are you okay?"

Seeing the girl on the ground, Hachiman quickly inquired.

"Eh?! It's you, the guy who doesn't watch where he's going."

Erina looked up, discovering that the person who collided with her was Hachiman. She angrily waved her small fist.

However, due to her vigorous movement, her ample bosom jiggled, catching Hachiman's attention.

Quickly realizing this, the girl followed his gaze downward, noticing the exposed whiteness at her chest.

"Ah, you pervert! No peeking allowed." Erina screamed, quickly covering the revealed sight and then glared at him with embarrassment and anger.

Hearing her words, Hachiman smirked.

When you wore a swimsuit at the beach, you exposed even more. I've seen it all, so what's there to be shy about now?

Hachiman couldn't comprehend the modesty points of girls. After all, the styles of swimsuits and underwear are similar. Why is one embarrassing to be seen in and the other not?

But considering he was the one who accidentally knocked Erina down, Hachiman reached out a hand, intending to help her up.

"Come on, I'll pull you up."

Seeing his hand, the girl hesitated for a moment but eventually extended her hand to let Hachiman pull her up.

Once on her feet, Erina adjusted her slightly disheveled yukata.

As the hem fluttered, revealing some fair skin, it naturally drew Hachiman's gaze.

When the girl looked up again, she noticed Hachiman still glancing at her chest. Blushing, she covered her chest with both hands. "P-Pervert! Where are you looking?!"

Why do girls always resort to the same phrases when scolding, Hachiman wondered. Nevertheless, he had to admit, the girl's figure was indeed perfect. Unable to resist, he complimented her.

"Erina, you have a great figure. You could easily become a model!"

As it turned out, girls like compliments. Hearing Hachiman's words, Erina's lips curled slightly, but her tsundere nature made her turn her head, emitting a light snort.

"Hmph, even if you compliment me, I won't be happy!"

Familiar gestures, familiar tsundere snorts—Hachiman was used to it. However, he was also a bit puzzled. Why did the girl appear here at this time, looking like she had already finished bathing?

Remember, he had come to take a bath not long after the evening assessment started. Even if he had chatted with Dojima for a while, the entire bathing time was around 30 to 40 minutes.

No matter how fast a girl is, preparing fifty servings of steak rice would take at least half an hour, not to mention the time needed for a typical girl to bathe. It was impossible for anyone to walk out of the bath within less than forty minutes.

How did she manage to finish bathing at the same time as me?

After thinking it through, Hachiman believed there was only one possibility.

"Erina, you didn't participate in the evening assessment, did you?"