Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

"Huh? Back from the bathroom already?"

"It was just a bathroom trip. Doesn't take long."

As she spoke, Mrs. Yukinoshita walked straight up to Mrs. Nagasaki and Hikigaya, her expression blank as she stared at Mrs. Nagasaki's overly familiar body practically glued to her son-in-law.

"Step away from him."

"Hehe, Yukino, I've decided—I'm taking your Hikigaya-kun for myself~"

Not only did Mrs. Nagasaki not let go, she instead clung to Hikigaya's arm tighter with a smitten grin.

"Hand him over~"

"?"

Even the usually unshakable Mrs. Yukinoshita couldn't stop her eyelid from twitching.

Wow. Poaching her guy right in front of her?

She took a deep breath and tried to remain calm, her voice even, her smile refined: "What's this, Suri? Going for younger boys now?"

"Eh? Going for...?!"

Mrs. Nagasaki, still holding onto Hikigaya's arm, blushed and snapped, "What are you talking about?! You're not seriously implying I'd be interested in Hikigaya-kun..."

"You're single and lonely, it's totally natural if you're into younger guys. I get it."

Mrs. Yukinoshita replied sweetly, still smiling.

Like mother, like daughter—razor-sharp tongues.

Hikigaya thought to himself, staying silent in reality. He tried his best to inch away from Mrs. Nagasaki without making a scene. With two older women arguing, a poor junior like him couldn't afford to say a word—he might catch stray fire.

"You—! I wouldn't stoop to going after Hikigaya-kun, he's—"

Mrs. Nagasaki was ready to argue, but as her eyes landed on the boy's face, his youthful features full of energy and that raw masculinity practically oozing from his presence...

Not to mention...

Since she was holding his arm, her body was right up against his. She could feel the strength in him.

Huh? Hikigaya-kun's muscles are…!?

So firm.

Totally different from his usual appearance. Beneath this calm surface was clearly a body full of power.

Her heart thumped.

An indescribable emotion swelled inside her.

Ever since her daughter was in elementary school, she hadn't been with a man.

Which meant—this was the first time in years she'd had physical contact with the opposite sex. Even if he was a boy, a child much younger than her, that long-suppressed part of her... was suddenly stirred.

She had once resigned herself to being single for life, a single mom. But now, for the first time, she wavered. She caught a whiff of the youth's uniqueness—something deliciously dangerous.

Gulp.

Her cherry lips tightened, and with a slightly dazed look, Mrs. Nagasaki hugged Hikigaya's arm even tighter and murmured softly, "Maybe… this isn't so bad after all… mmm."

Mrs. Yukinoshita: "???"

Hikigaya: "!!!"

They both stared, wide-eyed.

Especially Mrs. Yukinoshita.

She had only been joking earlier—just a little jab to shame her friend into letting go of Hikigaya—but she never expected the woman to take it seriously!

"Suri… don't tell me you actually like younger boys?!"

Mrs. Yukinoshita was in disbelief.

"..."

Mrs. Nagasaki blushed, glanced at the flustered Hikigaya, and then calmly said, "Ahem… I mean, if it's Hikigaya-kun, I wouldn't be entirely against it…"

"If you want a high schooler, pick another one. But stay the hell away from my Hikigaya-kun."

Mrs. Yukinoshita grabbed Mrs. Nagasaki's arm forcefully. "Back. Off."

"I have no interest in other high school boys. Your Hikigaya-kun is the only one who does it for me~"

Mrs. Nagasaki replied, reluctant to let go. "Don't be so stingy. Let me have him~"

"He's my Yukino's, thank you very much!"

And just like that, the two ladies were at it again.

Though extremely unwilling to get involved, Hikigaya cautiously interrupted: "Auntie… Mrs. Nagasaki… we're in a café. There are people watching…"

"Hm?"

The two elegant women immediately snapped out of it, their faces flushed from embarrassment.

But as seasoned adults, they recovered quickly.

Instead of arguing further, Mrs. Yukinoshita simply sat herself down opposite them—right where Mrs. Nagasaki had been seated earlier.

"Oh? Giving up?"

Mrs. Nagasaki flashed a victorious smile.

"Giving up?"

Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled too and turned to Hikigaya with a warm look:

"There's no point in dragging this out. Let's have Hikigaya-kun choose instead~"

"Hikigaya-kun gets to choose? Sure."

Mrs. Nagasaki batted her eyes and gave the boy next to her a gentle gaze.

"!!"

Being stared at by two beautiful older women, Hikigaya instantly broke out in a cold sweat, feeling like he was sitting on a bed of nails.

"Hikigaya-kun, are you picking Auntie? Or your dear Mrs. Nagasaki here?"

Mrs. Yukinoshita asked with a deceptively kind smile.

Hold up—nothing about that smile is kind!!

"Hikigaya-kun, if you choose her side, then be prepared to marry into the Yukinoshita family."

Mrs. Nagasaki leaned in and said with a coaxing tone, "You're a boy—do you really want to become a live-in son-in-law and give up your name? You won't be Hikigaya-kun anymore, you'll be Yukinoshita-kun~"

"Eh?"

Hikigaya glanced at Mrs. Yukinoshita—who calmly sipped her coffee and said nothing. Clearly, she approved.

"But if you come with me, hehe… I won't make you change your name~"

Mrs. Nagasaki smiled sweetly, and even pinched his thigh under the table—covertly sending him a signal.

"!!!"

Let's be honest: no guy wants to become a live-in son-in-law and a househusband surrounded by three demons.

But then again… he was Hikigaya.

Sigh.

---

Meanwhile, back at the Yukinoshita residence…

As someone with a "system," Yukino naturally had full surveillance on everything her beloved husband was up to.

Lounging lazily on the sofa, she clapped her hands in excitement. "Not bad, not bad. Today's haul is amazing! That new auntie? She racked up a ton of points. Even Mom contributed a bit. Excellent… excellent..."

Although, this name—Nagasaki—where had she heard it before?

[Ding! Nagasaki Suri's favorability toward Hikigaya Hachiman has skyrocketed. Nagasaki Suyo's affection event has changed.]

[Nagasaki Suri is the biological mother of Nagasaki Suyo. Both are eligible affection targets. The host may continue pairing Hikigaya Hachiman with Suyo, or now also pursue a route with her mother, Suri.]

[PS: Sticking with Suyo yields the same rewards. Choosing Suri instead will double the rewards.]

"??"

Huh?

Nagasaki Suri is… Suyo's mom?!