"Hmm... that felt nice."
Reflecting on what had just happened, Megumi Kato lightly touched her lips and spoke softly.
"Really? I'm glad you liked it," Yukinoshita replied with a smile.
"So..."
Megumi turned to Yukinoshita and asked,
"Are you really okay with it? That I did something like that with your boyfriend?"
"It's fine, it's fine. It was just a kiss—nothing to worry about," Yukinoshita waved it off, though her voice faltered slightly. "That... um... cough..."
"Is there something else you want to say? Please feel free to." Megumi looked at her calmly.
"Well... Kato-san, what you just helped me with really did wonders for my condition. So, I was wondering... would it be alright to ask you to help again sometime?"
Her cheeks flushed pink as she carefully phrased her request.
"Eh?" Megumi blinked in surprise. "You mean, again in the future?"
"Of course, I wouldn't force you! If you're uncomfortable, I totally understand," Yukinoshita said with a forced smile.
Megumi didn't reject the idea, however. "If you're ever in trouble again, I don't mind helping."
"Really?!"
Yukinoshita suddenly grabbed Megumi's hands, her voice full of excitement.
"Thank you, Kato-san! Um... do I need to pay you?"
"Eh?! No, no, that's not necessary."
"Ugh... thank you. It's so nice to have a friend like you."
"You're being too polite. I'd say it's mutual support. And... maybe if I experience more of this, I'll start to understand how I really feel about boys."
"Mhm," Yukinoshita nodded firmly, though her gaze drifted slightly, and she spoke hesitantly again:
"Kato-san... since the kissing wasn't an issue, would you be open to... doing something a bit more... daring?"
"Daring?" Megumi tilted her head.
"Yes... something that takes it a step further, between a boy and a girl..." Yukinoshita glanced around quickly, then leaned closer and whispered into Megumi's ear, "In the future, maybe I could have Hikki... kiss you somewhere a little more... intimate."
"??"
Megumi's usually calm expression shifted slightly, eyes wide in disbelief.
"You want him to kiss me... there? Isn't that kind of... gross? I mean, we go to the bathroom every day and all."
"It's okay, it's okay," Yukinoshita said quickly, her cheeks bright red. "That way you can really get a sense of what it's like to be touched by a boy... ahem, so how about it?"
"That... feels a bit too much." Megumi seemed unsure. She glanced at Yukinoshita and asked, "Do you and Hikki often... do that?"
"Eh? N-no... just a few times," Yukinoshita stammered, her face glowing.
"Boys do tend to like kissing all sorts of places on a girl," she continued, clearly embarrassed. "If you ever get a boyfriend, you might end up doing that too."
"I see."
Megumi appeared thoughtful for a moment, then asked,
"Still in the grove? Feels like we could easily get caught."
Yukinoshita's eyes lit up—clearly, she took that as a yes. She quickly said, "Let's go behind the school building next time. It's more hidden."
"Behind the school? Is that where you and Hikki usually go for... that?"
"Eh? Uh... just once or twice," Yukinoshita mumbled, blushing again.
The two girls continued to chat, their conversation drifting into topics they wouldn't dare speak of in public.
---
After school.
Yukinoshita and Hachiman walked home together as usual.
Since Megumi had already agreed to let Hachiman kiss a "special" part of her, the only thing left was finding a private spot. Yukinoshita figured she'd just blindfold Hachiman to avoid awkwardness—and that would do the trick.
The real problem was figuring out how to convince Megumi to return the favor—that would be the tricky part.
Yukinoshita sighed softly.
"What's wrong? Still feeling unwell?" Hachiman asked, concerned as they strolled down the street.
"Ah, a little," Yukinoshita forced a smile. "I'm afraid I can't... you know... with you for a while. You're not too disappointed, are you?"
"Rest is good, too," Hachiman replied casually.
"You're a teenage boy, though. Are you sure you can hold back?" she pressed him.
"I'll manage."
"..."
Yukinoshita fell silent.
Even though her boyfriend said that, she couldn't help but worry. If a boy's needs aren't met, it can affect their energy and focus... Should she ask Saki to help him? Or maybe Senpai? Or even Mrs. Sawamura?
Er—cough cough! Calm down!
She shook her head, trying to stay composed. This was bad—her thoughts were getting more and more chaotic. Still... if Senpai or Saki helped, it might also count toward completing the "task."
Right now, out of the three tasks she'd set for herself, only the one about letting Saki and Senpai take care of Hachiman remained.
"Take care of yourself."
At the station, Hachiman gave her a gentle reminder.
"Mm." Hearing his soft, caring voice warmed her heart—but it also filled her with a pang of guilt. Husband, you take care of yourself too...
---
After seeing Yukinoshita off, Hachiman headed toward the supermarket.
He needed to buy a pregnancy test.
Whether or not Kawasaki was pregnant, he had to check to be sure. Only then would he have peace of mind.
A few minutes later—
Hachiman arrived at a nearby supermarket.
Buying a pregnancy test wasn't exactly a casual errand. He cautiously scanned his surroundings and, seeing no one nearby, slipped into the adult goods section and started looking at the options.
But—
It was his first time buying a pregnancy test. Faced with four or five different brands on the shelf, he was stumped.
Sigh... decision paralysis strikes again.
As he agonized over the choices, a woman entered the aisle. She blinked in surprise when she saw him, then exclaimed:
"Hikigaya-kun?"
"Huh?"
Startled, Hachiman turned—and his heart nearly stopped. It was Mrs. Yui's mom. And... was she holding a box of condoms?!
"M-Mrs. Yuigahama... what a coincidence!" Hachiman flushed, awkwardly greeting her.
"C-coincidence indeed..."
She, too, blushed, hurriedly tossing the item into her basket and trying to compose herself.
"Hikigaya-kun... are you buying a pregnancy test? Is Yukino-chan pregnant?"
"No! No, nothing like that—just taking precautions," he explained quickly.
"Oh, I see," she said with a gentle smile. "In that case, why don't I help you choose one? I can even teach you how to use it."