Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

Inside the women's restroom—

Both Hikigaya and Mrs. Yukinoshita were still inside.

Mrs. Yukinoshita sat on the toilet, while Hikigaya stood with his back toward her, making sure not to turn around.

From the next stall over, the voices of two women chatting—and using the toilet—could be heard clearly.

"I'm telling you, younger boys are way more fun. High schoolers especially, they're adorable."

"Huh? Seriously? You've messed around with a high school boy before?"

"Just last night, actually. He kept calling me 'Onee-chan, onee-chan, you're amazing~' I was dying from how cute he was."

"You're over thirty, aren't you? He still calls you 'onee-chan'?"

"What, should he be calling me 'Auntie' instead? Obviously not. It's gotta be 'onee-chan'!"

"Tch. Your kid's already in middle school—bet that high school boy's the same age as your daughter."

"He is my daughter's childhood friend~"

"…What?!"

"How about that~?"

"…."

The two women's risqué conversation made Hikigaya's face flush red.

Good grief. He'd always thought guys were the lewder ones, but now it seemed girls could be just as bad—if not worse.

And seriously...

What kind of messed-up plotline was this?!

Fooling around with your daughter's childhood friend? Women were terrifying creatures.

Especially older women.

Several minutes later—

The two women from the next stall finally left the restroom.

Hikigaya let out a small sigh of relief.

Still, he didn't turn around.

He spoke cautiously to the woman behind him.

"Um, Auntie… I'll just go ahead and—"

But before he could finish—

A faint sound reached his ears.

"...!!"

That sound—

The moment Hikigaya heard it, his cheeks flushed slightly, and his heart skipped a beat.

No way… Auntie still wasn't done going to the bathroom?!

"Hi-Hikigaya-kun… what were you saying just now?"

came Mrs. Yukinoshita's slightly flustered voice from behind.

"Uh…"

He paused, steadied himself, and took a deep breath.

"I was saying I'll head out first, Auntie."

"W-Wait!"

Just as Hikigaya was about to slip out, Mrs. Yukinoshita called out hastily:

"Hikigaya-kun, don't go yet."

"Did… you still not have enough tissue?"

"No, it's not that," she replied. "Actually, Auntie needs a little help."

"Help?"

"Yes. You see… Auntie's legs… they've gone a bit numb from sitting too long."

She sounded embarrassed.

"So I'll need to trouble you a little, Hikigaya-kun."

"Ah, I see. No problem."

Hikigaya felt secretly relieved.

"Then, um… are you finished? Should I turn around?"

"Just give me a moment, I'm almost done."

"Got it."

Hikigaya kept facing away, patiently waiting.

Soon after—

He heard the sound of wiping, followed by clothes being adjusted.

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to think about what was happening behind him. He focused on not imagining anything—especially not Mrs. Yukinoshita.

"Alright… all done, Hikigaya-kun. You can turn around now."

At her words, Hikigaya cautiously turned. He saw her bracing herself against the wall, looking a little unsteady.

He quickly stepped forward to help her up.

"Auntie, are you okay?"

"I-I'm alright…"

Suddenly remembering something, Mrs. Yukinoshita rushed to flush the toilet. Hikigaya's face turned red, and he hurriedly averted his gaze.

The atmosphere was more than a little awkward.

Thankfully, Mrs. Yukinoshita cleared her throat and broke the silence. "Help me out, would you, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Of course. Careful, Auntie."

"Yes… oof… ugh, my legs really are numb…"

She sighed.

"If it's too difficult, would you like me to carry you out?"

Hikigaya offered.

"Eh? Carry me?"

As they walked, Mrs. Yukinoshita suddenly lost balance—probably due to the wet floor—and stumbled right into Hikigaya's arms. Fortunately, he caught her in time.

"Auntie, I really think I should just carry you."

"W-Well… I suppose that's fine…"

She'd originally wanted to decline. After all, she'd never let a boy carry her before. But then again… this was Hikigaya-kun, Yukino's boyfriend. It wasn't that inappropriate.

"Alright."

Hikigaya nodded and gently lifted the mature and graceful woman into his arms.

Being held like that, Mrs. Yukinoshita's expression turned complicated. As they exited the restroom, she couldn't help but ask:

"H-Hikigaya-kun… do I… do I have a strange smell on me?"

"A strange smell?"

Hikigaya blinked in confusion as he set her down.

"I mean… does Auntie smell like anything unusual?"

As she washed her hands, she asked the question as casually as she could.

"Not at all! Auntie smells really nice—there's nothing weird."

Standing behind her, Hikigaya answered instinctively.

"Eh? I smell… nice??"

"Uh… I…"

Realizing what he'd just said, Hikigaya panicked, fumbling for an explanation. But in the end, he gave up and just rolled with it:

"Yeah… Auntie, you smell really nice. Definitely no weird smells."

"Hikigaya-kun, don't tease me. I just used the bathroom, I probably reek of toilet or something…"

Mrs. Yukinoshita sighed.

"No way! I'm being serious, Auntie!"

Hikigaya insisted earnestly.

"You silly boy…"

As she finished washing her hands, her heart gave a strange flutter. Her thoughts drifted—just for a moment—before she gave a small, helpless smile.

"Auntie's not young anymore… there's no way I'd smell as nice as Yukino or Haruno. Don't tease an old lady like me."

"That's not true."

Hikigaya shook his head and said sincerely, "Auntie, you smell just as nice as Yukino and Haruno. Honestly… maybe even more than the both of them."

"Well, well—Hikigaya-kun, is your flirting now reaching Mom-level?"

A teasing voice suddenly cut through the air.

"?!"

Hikigaya jumped and looked up in surprise—only to see Haruno strolling toward them with a sly grin on her face.

Wait—why was this devil-woman here too!?

"Haruno, stop that. Don't talk nonsense."

Mrs. Yukinoshita shot her daughter a warning glare, clearly annoyed.

"Hmm…"

Sensing something strange in her mother's gaze, Haruno hesitated. She'd been joking at first, but now… she was starting to wonder.

Was it just her imagination, or did her mom seem to have… unusual feelings toward Hikigaya?

No way… right?