The Hikigaya Couple’s Youth Romantic Comedy Is Just as Expected

"Ugh... Did I say something wrong?" Yui let out a soft whimper, looking pitifully at the two people glaring at her with icy intensity.

"It's nothing," Yukino replied weakly, her voice lacking energy.

Yukino tugged Yui away, leading her back. Hachiman watched them go for a moment, hesitating, but ultimately decided not to follow Rumi. Instead, he turned and quietly joined Yukino to help with the food prep.

Hachiman expertly sliced potatoes with smooth, practiced movements. Yui stood beside him, watching in a trance-like state, her eyes wide with admiration.

"H-Hikki... you're amazing!" she exclaimed, clearly awestruck.

With zero cooking skills herself, Yui was completely floored.

Hachiman frowned slightly at her words, but quickly relaxed. He reminded himself that the Yui in front of him wasn't the one he'd spent over two years with, but someone he'd only known for barely two months. At best, they were casual acquaintances.

"You didn't know? My cooking's actually on par with Yukino's," he said casually.

"Really? I've never heard that before." Yui blinked in disbelief.

"Ha, your face says you don't believe me." Hachiman tapped her on the head with the back of his hand. "If you don't believe me, ask Yukino."

"Ow! Don't hit my head like that, Hikki! You'll make me even dumber!"

Yui pouted and rubbed her head, but despite her complaint, she looked strangely happy.

"Yukino? Is it true what Hikki said?" Yui turned toward Yukino for confirmation.

"Huh?" Yukino wiped the moisture from her face with her sleeve before replying, "He's not wrong. But he's so lazy that I usually end up cooking."

"Wow, I didn't know Hikki was that good at cooking." Yui tilted her head, visibly impressed.

"I'll make you a dish later. Maybe that'll shut down your doubts about my skills," Hachiman said with a rare smile.

Yui blushed, her cheeks glowing pink, the corners of her lips threatening to spill over with happiness.

Yukino overheard Hachiman's words and wrinkled her adorable nose in mild irritation, pouting.

"Hachiman, stop showing off and get over here. I'm exhausted," she complained.

"Then stop and let me take over," Hachiman replied, half-forcing her into a chair and taking over her tasks with practiced ease.

Yukino sat in the chair, beaming as she watched him work, her face glowing with quiet joy. The sight made Yui envious beyond words.

But when Yukino noticed others turning to look in their direction, she quickly masked her expression with a cool, indifferent one. By the time Tobe glanced over, all he saw was Yukino's impassive face casting him a brief, icy glance.

The glare made Tobe quickly turn away, but he could still feel an unpleasant stare lingering on his back, making him shiver. After several long seconds, the eerie sensation finally faded. Tobe wiped the sweat from his forehead and resumed his work.

Yukino, having withdrawn her gaze, went back to secretly watching Hachiman until everyone had finished their prep and it was time for dinner. Only then did she stretch and stand up, walking toward the dining table with Yui.

By the time Hachiman delivered the kids' meals to their table and returned, Yukino and the others had already started eating.

Seeing him approach, Yukino moved her chair outward to make room for him.

As Hachiman sat down, Hayama's voice rang out.

"This tastes amazing! Wait, did Yukinoshita-san cook this?"

"Only part of it. The rest was handled by someone else," Yukino replied coolly, her face devoid of emotion, as if the compliment hadn't been meant for her at all.

"Hm? Not Yukinoshita-san? Then was it you, Yuigahama-san?" Hayama turned to the girl who was still happily stuffing her face, his smile as polished as ever.

"Huh?" Yui blinked, chewing her food with wide, innocent eyes.

Hayama repeated himself, "I said, this dish is really good. You've got great cooking skills, Yuigahama-san."

Suddenly realizing she was being complimented, Yui waved her hands frantically.

"No no no! I didn't make this!"

Hayama blinked, visibly surprised. "If it wasn't Yuigahama-san, then... who was it?"

"It was Hikki," Yui said, pointing her chopsticks directly at Hachiman.

"Yuigahama-san," Yukino said in a flat voice. "Pointing with chopsticks is considered very rude."

"Ah! Sorry, sorry!" Yui quickly clapped her hands together in apology.

"You're apologizing to the wrong person," Yukino muttered with a sigh, clearly exasperated.

"That's enough, Yukino," Miura Yumiko suddenly snapped, her tone edged with irritation. Her eyes were sharp and unfriendly.

"Hey now, let's not do this," Hayama said gently, trying to calm her down.

Under the table, Hachiman quietly patted Yukino's thigh, signaling her not to take it to heart.

"Still, I didn't expect Hikigaya-kun to be so good at cooking," Hayama said, shifting the topic.

"It's nothing special," Hachiman replied nonchalantly.

Miura still looked annoyed, but Yui was whispering to her, trying to smooth things over.

Eventually, Miura sighed, her expression turning from anger to exasperated affection. She lightly poked Yui's forehead with her finger.

Yui just giggled and let her do it.

"By the way," Hayama said, as if suddenly remembering something, "have you noticed that one of the elementary school girls seems a little isolated?"

"You mean the one with black hair?" Hachiman nodded. "Yukino and I noticed too."

"I was thinking of going to talk to her. What do you think?" Hayama asked, though his tone made it sound more like a decision than a question.

"No need to trouble yourself. Yukino and I will handle it," Hachiman replied while eating, clearly unfazed.

Hayama stared at Hachiman for a long moment before nodding slowly.

Hachiman didn't respond. He just quietly continued eating. Once dinner ended and everyone began to disperse, he leaned over to Yukino and whispered in her ear.

"Come out tonight. I'll be waiting in the woods."

"Huh?!" Yukino's face turned crimson in an instant. "There are so many people around! Aren't you afraid someone might see us?"

"...What the hell are you thinking?" Hachiman sighed after a moment. "I just want to talk."

Watching Yukino's inexplicably flustered expression, Hachiman felt a pang in his gut.

Without saying another word, Yukino turned on her heel and ran off, her face still bright red.