After some flustering by Iroha, Hikigaya finally slipped away from the Student Council president's office and reunited with Yukinoshita as they walked home.
She tilted her head with a gentle smile. "What's wrong? You look so troubled."
Sighing, he admitted, "You really shouldn't have had me go into her office."
Yukinoshita giggled softly. "Well, you are a senior in the Service Club. If Iroha had trouble, it was only right for you—her senpai—to help out."
"Yeah, I'll help… but…"
"But?"
He shook his head, masking his guilt. "Nothing."
Yukinoshita's brow flickered. "I know you're tired, Hikigaya-kun. How about a can of Max Coffee as a little treat? I'll go get it—wait for me."
Moments later, she returned—with the can already opened, half-drunk.
"Did you sneak a sip?" he asked, half amused.
"What do you mean 'sneak'? I had a few sips out in the open, if you must know." She smirked and handed it to him.
He lifted it, hesitated, then said gently, "It's not that—I'm used to being close to you, so…"
"Hmm? You used to it? Does that mean… would you like me to feed it to you—with my… mouth?"
He jolted. "What—no! That's disgusting! I'm not interested!"
[Ding—Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level −1]
She gave him a knowing look. "Disgusting? Me, feeding you with my mouth?"
"Uh… no, it's just… not on the street. That would be too… embarrassing."
"In public it's too much, but when we're alone… you'd want it?"
Her body inched closer. "Wouldn't you?"
He cleared his throat. "It's not impossible, if you really want… I—could try."
Sighing and blushing, she leaned in, smiling. "Let's wait until tomorrow. Then we'll try, but you need to clean your mouth properly first."
He frowned. "You think my mouth's unclean? Fine—you clean yours too!"
Her gaze sparked, and he felt his face grow warm again.
[Ding—Hachiman's Corruption Level −1]
Good. His husband desperately wants… well, at least he's not uninterested.
They bickered as he finished the Max Coffee—Yukinoshita beaming once he drank it. Secretly, she'd added a little "boost" potion in it to keep him sharp for her.
They reached the station.
She waved with a grin. "See you tomorrow—don't forget to clean well~"
"Got it…" Hikigaya grumbled, watching her leave before heading home.
But then… weird. Why did every girl on the street seem to glance at him? Middle-aged women, schoolgirls, girls on dates—did all of them stare? He shook his head: impossible. Either he was too handsome or too ugly. He preferred the latter.
Passing a café, he saw through the glass that two women inside glanced his way again—and one looked very familiar, almost identical to Yukinoshita.
"Wait… that's Yukinoshita-san's mom?! Chiba really is small!"
The older woman—a refined, black-haired office lady—smiled warmly and beckoned him in.
"!!"
Crap. A mother's invitation is hard to refuse.
He forced a polite grin and entered.
"Auntie," he greeted nervously as he approached the table.
"Is that your boyfriend?"
The lady in the sleek suit asked sweetly, making him blush.
"Not yet," Yukinoshita's mother smiled. "He's my daughter's boyfriend. Hikigaya Hachiman-kun, this is my good friend—please call her Aunt Nagasaki."
"Hello, Aunt Nagasaki," he responded respectfully.
"Nagasaki…" he thought. The surname rang a bell somewhere…