The first time is always something special.Even if it might happen often later, for Hayase Saki, just daring to sneak a glance at that blush-inducing scene on the other side of the room took all the courage she had.
It wasn't even the first time she'd seen something like that.But to her, the real shock had always been that overwhelming pressure whenever the club president got angry.
If she hadn't been so terrified that the president would really start ignoring her, she never would've had the guts to cast that little "cooling spell" to calm him down.
But this—this kind of thing, right out in the open, in the middle of the living room, with everyone just… casually around?
That was something that only happened in manga or light novels.She never imagined she'd get to witness it firsthand one day.
Good thing she didn't have to help out this time. Otherwise… ugh…Just remembering that she'd already secretly gone through something like that with the president made her brain feel like it was going to short-circuit.
Saki shook her head violently, trying to fling the increasingly indecent images out of her mind.
"Yukinoshita-san… you're really not bothered by what the president and the others are doing?"
Still flustered, Saki finally noticed Yukinoshita Yukino sitting with her back to them, quietly sipping her tea.After a moment's hesitation, she tiptoed closer and whispered the question.
"I'm not his girlfriend," Yukinoshita replied coolly without turning around."And unlike you, I don't have that much free time. I'm simply here to supervise—to make sure those girls don't use the pretense of a 'request' to drag Hikigaya into anything outside the scope of their actual mission."
Even if the so-called "reward" right now had little to do with the original request, it was still a condition they'd added just to make Hikigaya Hachiman agree to help them.
"So you really don't care, Yukinoshita-san? That's such a relief…"
Saki's shoulders relaxed at once.If Yukinoshita wasn't bothered, then she hadn't done anything wrong.
To her, the president was a good person—the one who'd stood up to Miwa Kenichirō and stopped him from threatening her.And Yukinoshita Yukino had also stepped in to protect her.
Sure, when either of them got angry, they could be downright terrifying.Just the sight of them with a stern face was enough to make Saki too nervous to speak.But somehow, both of them gave her an incredible sense of safety.
Especially after discovering that the president could actually be that cool—she'd started thinking Yukinoshita and the president looked amazing together, like they were made for each other.
So when Yukinoshita herself flatly denied being in a relationship with him—
That was… honestly, a huge relief.
"...Why would I care?"
But the moment Saki mumbled under her breath, Yukinoshita's body froze.Expressionless, she slowly turned her head, her sharp gaze locking straight onto Saki.
"You actually think I'd fall for that kind of man? Someone with those lecherous eyes and that utterly degenerate personality?"
Her tone was cold and cutting.
"This is the greatest insult I've ever received."
This empty-headed, big-busted girl's misunderstanding of her character was even more insulting than Hikigaya's usual rude remarks!
"The president's not that bad… he's actually a really nice person…"
Saki tried to summon the courage to defend Hachiman, but under Yukinoshita's piercing glare, she shrank back, her voice barely a whisper.
"You're even defending him now? Don't tell me—you actually like him?"
Yukinoshita's brow twitched slightly.Saki's nervous fumbling made her look even guiltier.
Before, this girl's first reaction to anything was to apologize.She'd always retreated under pressure, never expressing her own opinion.
But now, when it came to Hachiman—she actually spoke up for him.
"N-no! Someone like me isn't even qualified to be the president's friend..."
The moment Yukinoshita asked, Saki panicked completely, shaking her head desperately.
"..."
Yukinoshita stared at her silently.Was this girl simply naïve—or just plain foolish?Saki was too easy to read.
Still, Yukinoshita couldn't help wondering—when did this even start?When did Hayase Saki begin to like Hikigaya Hachiman?
Could it have been because of what happened yesterday?But that hadn't even been a proper case of "saving the damsel in distress." Yukinoshita herself had been there!
If Hachiman had already transformed into that impossibly handsome guy from those phone photos, she might've understood.
But right now, his eyes were still as dead-fish as ever.How could this girl fall for him after knowing him for such a short time?
Or was Saki just that hopelessly airheaded?
Yukinoshita glanced at the girl's pure, snow-white face and the ridiculous, sinful curves beneath her clothes—and recalled how pitifully stupid she'd been when those delinquents cornered her before.
Yes. This one definitely needed some "training."
Meanwhile, Shirosaki Yuna had just finished giving Hachiman his "reward" and gone off to wash her hands.
"So? Yuna's so gentle, right? Feels amazing, doesn't it~?"
Sitting next to Hachiman on the couch, Kousaka Minami chuckled teasingly as he pulled his pants back on.
"Bet you feel the training's finally paying off now, huh? Don't slack off next time."
Nijou Rin, arms crossed, stood nearby, sniffing the faint scent still lingering in the air.
"Yuna really is thoughtful and kind..."
Hachiman nodded, recalling how gentle she'd been a moment ago.
Honestly, it wasn't like he'd accepted their request just for the rewards.His main goal was still the ability he'd gain from completing the quest.
If anything, that little "session" with Saki back in the Service Club room had left a stronger impression on him.
Still, since Yuna and the others were all trying so hard—offering training and rewards just to help him "become cooler"—he'd be ungrateful to complain.
"Today's training is over. We're leaving."
Having noticed the end of the "reward time," Yukinoshita approached with Saki in tow.
"Huh? Already? But the club time's not even close to over yet!"
Minami blinked in surprise.She'd expected the "training" to last way longer—especially since they'd all come to Hachiman's house.
"His eyes aren't suited for long sessions."
Yukinoshita's tone was cold as ever.If it hadn't been for these girls trying to use "rewards" to tempt Hachiman, they wouldn't have needed to train off-campus at all.
"Then how about we add a bit of body training next time? If your face gets just a little slimmer, you'll look even better!And if you complete two types of training, the reward's doubled~"
Minami grinned slyly at Hachiman.
"You're such a pervy muscle freak," Rin shot back without hesitation.
"What's wrong with liking muscles? A hot guy without any is just a pretty decoration!You're the one obsessed with that useless 'whitening' stuff."
Minami rolled her eyes but didn't back down.
"Heh. I'll bring some face masks tomorrow," Rin smirked."Then I'll show you what a real handsome man looks like."
After all, if there was one thing she had in abundance, it was skincare products.
Most guys didn't care about that kind of thing, but she'd make sure Hachiman got fairer skin if it killed her.
"..."
Watching them argue over whether he should build muscle or lighten his skin, Hachiman couldn't help feeling weird about it all.Personally, he liked his healthy tan just fine.
Still… these girls were unbelievable.They kept finding new ways to make him stronger—and, somehow, "cooler."
At first, he'd only taken their time-consuming request for the mission's system reward.But seeing how earnestly they were working for his sake...
"..."
Yukinoshita watched, stone-faced, as Hachiman got swept up in the whirlwind of female energy.
Originally, she'd come along to prevent these three from crossing any lines.But now, she almost felt unnecessary.
The guy was clearly enjoying himself.
"Let's leave it for tomorrow," Yuna said quickly, noticing Yukinoshita's mood."It's only his first day of training—we should let him get used to it."
"See you tomorrow, Hikigaya."
"Then… we'll head out too, President."
Saki followed along nervously, still avoiding Hachiman's eyes after Yukinoshita had exposed her secret feelings earlier.
"Yeah. Be careful on your way back. Text me when you get home, just to be safe."
Hachiman didn't notice her unease.He checked the time and didn't stop them from leaving.
They were all on his "romance list" now—if anything happened to them, the system would notify him.No need to worry too much.
Once Yukinoshita and the others left, Hachiman's face grew serious.He splashed some cold water on his face, then stepped out of the house.
It was time to deal with Miwa.
He'd already scared that guy off several times, even threatened him outright—and yet, Saki's character quest still hadn't ended.
That could only mean one thing: Miwa wasn't done yet.
Whether he was still plotting something—or whether Hachiman needed to end things for good—
Tonight, he'd make sure there were no more loose ends.