Chapter 20: "I’ll Take Good Care of You, Air-Kun~"
Hikigaya naturally wanted to resist Yukinoshita.
But when he caught sight of Yukinoshita's steely gaze, he sighed inwardly and decided not to go against his girlfriend's orders.
Sigh, Hachiman, oh Hachiman... Can't you man up just a little?
If this keeps up, you're only going to be more and more oppressed by Yukinoshita in the future!
Hikigaya knew he couldn't let things continue this way. After being tormented by Yukinoshita the entire afternoon, he felt something was off about his mindset.
Even though I went through so much during our second year and overcame my fear of girls...
But now...
It wasn't just Yukinoshita. Whenever he faced a strong-willed girl, he instinctively shrank back.
Hachiman, oh Hachiman!
You need to toughen up! Regain your confidence by taking Yukinoshita down a notch one of these days!
---
Seeing Hikigaya finally settle down, Yukinoshita smiled and turned to Kasumigaoka. "Senpai, I've already 'educated' Hikigaya-kun. This weekend, he'll head to your house to help you beat your game. Does that work for you?"
"...Eh?" Kasumigaoka snapped out of her daze and hesitated. "Of course... that's fine. But are you sure? Hikigaya-kun is your boyfriend. Isn't it a little...?"
Honestly, even Kasumigaoka, who was usually composed, found it hard to believe what she'd just heard.
In this world, there are actually girls who are okay with their boyfriend going to another girl's house?!
"Hehe, it's no problem at all. I trust both you and Hikigaya-kun," Yukinoshita replied with a serene smile, showing no sign of concern.
"...Thank you for your trust." Kasumigaoka took a deep breath, thought for a few seconds, then gave Yukinoshita a meaningful look. "Still, the reason you're so willing to let Hikigaya-kun come to my house must involve something else, doesn't it? If you have any requests, just say it outright."
"Hehe, as expected of you, Senpai." Yukinoshita's smile faded as her expression grew serious. "Actually, there is something I need to trouble you with."
Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it?"
Yukinoshita glanced at the silent Hikigaya, who seemed caught between wanting to speak and staying quiet. She sighed in exasperation, as if disappointed. "Sigh, here's the thing—Hikigaya-kun's grades are terrible..."
"What? My grades aren't that bad! My Japanese is—" Hikigaya, who had been keeping quiet, couldn't help but interject, protesting his unfair treatment.
"Don't interrupt."
Yukinoshita arched an eyebrow, her stern gaze immediately making Hikigaya freeze. His lips twitched before he reluctantly closed his mouth, unwilling to make another sound.
Fine, it's not that I'm scared. I just don't want to argue with a girl!
Satisfied, Yukinoshita continued, "Senpai, while Hikigaya-kun is decent in Japanese, his other subjects, particularly math, are disastrous."
As she spoke, Yukinoshita cast a pained glance at Hikigaya.
Hey, hey! Math is the scariest subject in the world! Only aliens could find it fun! All those random symbols and formulas—it's even scarier than English!
Yukinoshita turned back to Kasumigaoka and said earnestly, "Since you and Hikigaya-kun are in the same class, could I ask you to help him with his studies? If you ever need my help with something in the future, I'll gladly return the favor."
"Oh, I see. You want me to help Hikigaya-kun with his studies... Sure, I'll do it."
Kasumigaoka only thought about it for a few seconds before agreeing without hesitation. Then she looked at Yukinoshita and added, "But you don't need to be so formal with me. Since Hikigaya-kun will also help me beat my game, we can call this a mutually beneficial collaboration."
"Still, one thing doesn't cancel out the other. I'll leave Hikigaya-kun in your capable hands," Yukinoshita replied, her tone firm.
"Of course." Kasumigaoka's mature features softened into a rare smile.
Hey, hey, hey! Senpai, that smile of yours is terrifying!
And Yukinoshita, you can't just hand me over to Kasumigaoka-senpai! She's definitely trouble!
---
Hikigaya protested silently, but Yukinoshita shot him a glare as if to say, Hikigaya-kun, you are not allowed to resist. You must follow orders!
Wait a minute. Yukinoshita, are you trying to make me friends with Kasumigaoka-senpai? That woman must have ulterior motives!
Yukinoshita nudged Hikigaya, who was still wailing internally. "Hikigaya-kun, thank Senpai properly. You're lucky someone like her is willing to deal with a slacker like you."
Hikigaya sighed in defeat. "...Thank you, Senpai."
Kasumigaoka's eyes sparkled as she smiled brightly. "Looking forward to working with you, Hikigaya-kun~"
In the end, under Yukinoshita's oppressive gaze, Hikigaya was forced into a partnership with Kasumigaoka: he'd help her beat her game, and she'd tutor him.
---
That afternoon, whether in class or during breaks, Hikigaya wore a perpetually gloomy expression. To make matters worse, Kasumigaoka took every opportunity to tease him.
At one point, she even used her foot to poke the back of his chair, causing him to shiver.
Senpai, if you keep this up, I swear... I'll unleash my inner darkness and—crush your foot!
By the final homeroom session, Hikigaya had reached his limit. Unable to endure her teasing any longer, he glanced down at her legs, seemingly ready to retaliate.
Sensing his defiance, Kasumigaoka smirked devilishly and poked his back. Her gaze seemed to say, Go ahead, if you dare.
Damn it! This is so infuriating!
Hikigaya clenched his fists, doing his best to stay calm.
After all, their teacher, Kirisu-sensei, was still speaking on the podium, discussing the formation of study groups for senior year.
Study groups? Ugh, more pointless stuff...
---
When Kirisu-sensei announced the groups, Hikigaya's despair reached new heights.
"Group six: Sawamura, Katou, Kasumigaoka, and Hikigaya."
The boys in the class immediately cast envious glances at him.
What's there to envy?! This is pure misery!
Hikigaya, wishing he could escape, stared at Kirisu-sensei with a look of betrayal. But her death-stare quickly silenced him.
And then, as if mocking his plight, Kasumigaoka whispered, "Hehe~ Fate sure is funny, isn't it? I'll take good care of you, Air-kun~"
---
Wait, is she holding a grudge over that leg incident? Or does she have some grander scheme?
Suddenly, a wild thought crossed Hikigaya's mind.
Senpai... do you like Yukinoshita? And because I'm her boyfriend, you're targeting me?!
Considering her all-female Genshin Impact roster, the odds of her being into girls are pretty high.
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