"If we just make sure Yukinoshita never finds out, wouldn't that solve everything?"
Facing Kawasaki's questioning glare, Kasumigaoka remained unfazed.
"As long as she doesn't know, it's as good as nothing ever happened. After all, from now on…"
With a soft smirk, Kasumigaoka pursed her lips slightly and tossed Hachiman a playful wink.
"!!"
Seeing Kasumigaoka's blatant attempt at seduction, Kawasaki instantly bristled.
"What are you saying?! Are you implying that you still plan to continue with Hachiman?!"
Kasumigaoka shrugged nonchalantly, taking a slow step closer to Hachiman.
"Hachiman and I have great compatibility. I need him, and—naturally—he needs me too~ Hehehe, isn't that right, my dear Hachiman~?"
"How was my performance just now? Did you enjoy it?"
"Have you discovered a new world? Actually, I can still—"
The suggestive whispers poured into Hachiman's ears, making his face flush crimson.
"Ahh! What do you think you're doing?!"
Panicked, Kawasaki hurriedly wedged herself between them, forcibly cutting off Kasumigaoka's encroachment.
"You're not allowed to touch him anymore!!"
"Tch~"
Kasumigaoka pouted.
"Not allowed to touch him? That's impossible. What about my needs? I'm a normal woman, and I need a man."
"But he has a girlfriend!"
Kawasaki gritted her teeth.
"And that girlfriend is Yukinoshita! You… you're friends with Yukinoshita too, aren't you? And yet you went behind her back and did that! You shameless woman!!"
"Well, it's not like I won't return him to her eventually. Don't worry, our little affair is only going to last a year."
Kasumigaoka smiled and explained,
"One year is just right. The stress of senior year is overwhelming, isn't it? If we don't relax, how can we cope with the pressure? This isn't just for me—it's for Hachiman, too. You must have noticed, right? Lately, he's been pushing himself hard, studying all the time. If he doesn't find an outlet, how do you expect him to handle it?"
"Even so… w-why you?! It should be Yukinoshita… Yukinoshita should be the one to help him with that!" Kawasaki retorted, still fuming.
"Yukinoshita? But do you really think she'd agree?" Kasumigaoka countered smoothly. "She's the kind of woman who's too reserved, too dignified. There's no way she'd let Hachiman get close like that. So, obviously, I have to step in."
"No… Not you! It can't be you!!"
"Oh? If not me… then could it be you, Kawasaki?"
Kasumigaoka suddenly turned the tables, locking her gaze onto Kawasaki.
"Ah?"
Kawasaki, already boiling with rage, froze. Her face instantly turned bright red.
"N-no! Not me either! I-I can't have anything to do with Hachiman… not anymore…"
"Oh? Anymore?"
Kasumigaoka narrowed her eyes mischievously.
"Wait! No, that's not what I meant!"
Realizing her slip, Kawasaki blushed even harder and quickly shook her head in denial.
"Hachiman and I are completely clean! There's absolutely nothing between us! Right, Hachiman?"
"Uh… yeah."
Hachiman nodded quietly.
Women fighting—terrifying.
Better to keep quiet and let them duke it out.
Kasumigaoka stared at Kawasaki for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled.
"Well then, since you refuse, I guess it's up to me. Someone has to take care of Hachiman, after all~ I'll make sure to look after Yukinoshita's boyfriend very well."
"You… you wretched woman…!"
Kawasaki trembled with anger, barely able to contain herself.
As they approached the classroom, Kasumigaoka turned back to Hachiman with a gentle smile.
"Hachiman, you finished your math exercises, right? See you at the library later~ I'll help you with whatever academic struggles you have today."
With that, she completely ignored Kawasaki's seething rage and strode into the classroom with a smirk.
"Kasumigaoka!!"
Kawasaki clenched her fists, absolutely livid.
Hachiman sighed, then cautiously said,
"I'm sorry, Kawasaki, I—"
"Hachiman, don't say anything."
Kawasaki cut him off with a firm shake of her head.
"This isn't your fault. It's her fault—Kasumigaoka started this! She seduced you first, didn't she?"
"Uh…" Hachiman hesitated.
"I knew it!!!"
Kawasaki stomped her foot in frustration.
"There's no way you'd betray Yukinoshita on your own! It has to be that woman! That damn snake! How could I have been so careless? I should've kept an eye on her from the start!"
As she spoke, Kawasaki became increasingly agitated.
"This is my fault! Ugh, Yukinoshita, I'm so sorry! If I had just paid more attention, Hachiman would never have fallen into her clutches. It's all my fault, all my fault…!"
"Uh…?"
Hachiman blinked, stunned.
Wait.
How did this suddenly become her fault?
Wasn't he the one in the wrong?
Wasn't he the one who betrayed Yukinoshita?
Kawasaki did nothing wrong.
Damn…
How could she be this kindhearted?
Honestly…
Hachiman almost wanted Kawasaki to just yell at him. At least then, he might feel less guilty.
—
Later that afternoon.
Library.
Hachiman studied as usual in their study group.
Kasumigaoka, surprisingly, behaved herself.
For once, she was genuinely focused on helping him with math.
An hour later—
"I'm going to the restroom," Hachiman said, standing up.
Kasumigaoka opened her mouth as if to say something, glanced toward the bookshelves, and hesitated for a few seconds before ultimately staying put.
—
Upon arriving at the restroom—
Just as Hachiman was about to step into the men's bathroom—
A hand suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Kawasaki??"
"Come with me."
"Eh? Wait, Kawasaki, what are you—?! That's the women's restroom—!"
"Just get inside first."
Despite his protests, Kawasaki forcibly dragged him into the women's restroom.
Once inside, she pulled him into the very last stall.
Hachiman sat down on the closed toilet seat, bewildered.
"Kawasaki, what is going on?"
Kawasaki took a deep breath, then locked eyes with him.
"Hachiman… I'll help you."
"…Huh?"
As if steeling herself for a monumental decision, Kawasaki spoke with unwavering determination.
"I've decided… If you ever feel lonely… If you ever need to relieve your stress from studying… you can come to me!"
"I'll help you!"
"…?"