Hikigaya's Inner World of Spring

[Hikigaya Hachiman's favorability toward Sawamura Sayuri: 30/100]

"Could it be that Hikigaya-kun has a particular fondness for married women?"

Yukinoshita rubbed her temples in frustration.

Her boyfriend had only just met this Sawamura Sayuri, and yet...

Sure, they had unexpectedly kissed, thanks to a little nudge from her.

But to develop feelings from just one kiss? Sigh. Forget it.

Sometimes, Hikigaya-kun's thoughts were just too enigmatic for her to fathom.

Yukinoshita let out a soft sigh.

To be fair, having a slightly higher favorability toward someone like Sayuri wasn't the worst thing.

After all, she was undeniably in a league of her own!

That kiss alone had earned Yukinoshita a whopping 350 points in system progress!

If something more intimate happened in the future... wouldn't that surpass the 500 points she'd gotten from her night with Senpai?!

"Sayuri's quality is absurdly high compared to her sister. If I had to pick someone to get close to, it'd definitely be the older sister, not Eriri."

At this moment, Hikigaya returned to Yukinoshita's side after his trip to the restroom.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Yukinoshita smiled warmly.

"Hehe, you took so long. I almost thought some girl had kidnapped you."

A flicker of guilt crossed Hikigaya's face, and he quickly waved his hands in denial.

"How could that happen! I—do I seem like the type of guy to lack resolve?"

Yukinoshita chuckled softly. "Of course not, Hikigaya-kun. Come on, let's grab lunch. Afterward, we have something important to do."

"Uhh..."

Hikigaya's face reddened at the suggestive look in her eyes.

She had been so reserved last night—why the sudden change of heart today?

Sigh. Sometimes, women were just impossible to understand.

---

After lunch, the couple wandered through a nearby shopping mall to digest their meal.

Once they'd walked enough, Yukinoshita took the lead, suggesting they rent a hotel room.

It was their first time doing this, and both of them felt equally nervous.

For Yukinoshita, however, there was an undeniable sense of excitement and anticipation.

After an entire week of restraint, she was eager to be close to Hikigaya again.

Not to mention the lingering jealousy from the fact that Senpai had "enjoyed" him last night.

Upon entering the room, Yukinoshita idly picked up a small box on the nightstand.

"Hmm, what's this...?"

Hikigaya cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ah, uh, that's... you know, for protection. I've used it before, remember?"

"Oh, I see."

Yukinoshita's face turned red as she quickly set the box down.

Protection... well, technically, contraception.

To prevent pregnancy.

Pregnancy?

Wait—pregnancy?!

The thought hit Yukinoshita like a bolt of lightning.

Hadn't Hikigaya been with Senpai last night without using protection?!

Oh no!

There was now a chance Senpai might be carrying Hikigaya's child!

"System! System! Could Senpai have gotten pregnant? Check it right now!"

[Kasumigaoka Utaha is not a primary route character. Host's current permissions do not allow for an in-depth check.]

"What?! Then what am I supposed to do?! Is there really a chance?!"

[Host, do not panic. If Hikigaya Hachiman is intimate with another woman in the future, the system recommends purchasing a Protection Card to prevent pregnancy.]

"A Protection Card? You stupid system! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?!"

Utterly exasperated, Yukinoshita could only silently pray that Senpai wasn't pregnant.

Pregnancy for anyone else was absolutely unacceptable.

At the very least, she had to be the one to bear Hikigaya's child first!

No, no, no! Only she could give him children!

This was a non-negotiable bottom line!

"Do I need to use that... thing later?" Hikigaya asked hesitantly.

"Hmm?" Yukinoshita smiled mischievously. "Hikigaya-kun, are you saying you want me to have your baby?"

Hikigaya's face turned beet red, and he quickly waved his hands.

"N-no! I didn't mean that! I'll use it, of course!"

Yukinoshita chuckled softly. "You don't have to use it if you don't want to, you know."

"W-what?! Are you serious?!"

"Of course. Today's my safe day. It'll be fine," Yukinoshita replied, her tone teasing.

The thought of attending school with a baby bump was utterly absurd.

At least until college—no, until after graduating from university—it wasn't even a consideration.

"That's... reassuring, I guess."

"Hehe, you're so relieved, Hikigaya-kun. Boys really don't like using those things, do they?" Yukinoshita teased.

"T-that's not true!" Hikigaya stammered, flustered.

Yukinoshita smiled knowingly but didn't press further.

"I'm going to the bathroom first. Afterward, I'll see just how much my little 'small fry' has grown."

"Who are you calling a small fry?!" Hikigaya protested. Then, with a confused expression, he added, "Wait, shouldn't we shower first?"

"Silly, we'll just shower again after we're done."

"That... makes sense, I guess."

Yukinoshita headed into the bathroom, but her real goal wasn't just freshening up.

She planned to take a strengthening potion beforehand.

Otherwise, she wasn't sure she could keep up with Hikigaya.

---

Two hours later, Yukinoshita lay in bed, lost in thought.

Strangely enough, she felt even more drawn to Hikigaya now.

It was hard to describe, but she found herself liking him even more.

Meanwhile, Hikigaya emerged from the bathroom, looking somewhat pale and drained.

"Are you okay?" Yukinoshita asked, noticing his tired expression.

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine. Are you feeling unwell?"

"How could that be? I'm totally fine! Don't worry about it."

"...Alright."

Yet, deep down, Yukinoshita felt an inexplicable pang of concern.

Was he... disappointed?

Wait!

Could it be that her performance wasn't good enough?!

But she'd been so much gentler and more attentive than before!

Why would he still feel disappointed?!

*****************************************

patreon(.)com/GodDragcell