"Yui-nee didn't come today?"
In the Service Club room, Komachi glanced curiously at the empty chair.
"She's not feeling well today," Hachiman replied casually, still engrossed in his book.
"Eh? How do you know that, Onii-chan?" Komachi asked inquisitively.
Yukinoshita put down her book, her smile carrying a hint of intrigue as she looked at Hachiman.
"Uh..."
Feeling the curious stares of both his girlfriend and his sister, Hachiman coughed awkwardly and put down his book as well. He quickly recounted how Yui had started her period and had gone running last night, leading to her current condition.
After hearing the explanation, Yukinoshita sighed helplessly.
"So, in part, Yui's illness is because Hachiman-kun took her running?"
Hachiman lowered his head in surrender. "I guess you could say that..."
"In that case," Komachi interjected, "you should definitely go visit Yui-nee and make it up to her!"
"Sigh, I was already planning to leave early today to check on her," Hachiman replied, then looked over at Yukinoshita for her opinion.
"What do you think?"
"Hmm, go check on Yui-san," Yukinoshita said gently, nodding.
"Then, Yukinoshita, we—"
"Since it's Onii-chan's fault, he should go alone!"
Before Hachiman could finish, Komachi quickly hugged Yukinoshita and declared, "Hehe~ I can't let Yukino-sis go with him. Later, Yukino-sis is coming shopping with me!"
Wait a minute! Komachi, you little devil! Just because Yui isn't here, you're already calling her "Yukino-sis"?
Yukinoshita, however, seemed delighted by the title, stroking Komachi's head affectionately and agreeing, "Alright, I'll go shopping with you later."
"Hehe, thanks, Yukino-sis!"
What a sneaky little sister!
Watching this scene, Hachiman's lips twitched in exasperation.
Fine, whatever.
After all, he had promised Miura this morning that they would visit Yui together after school. It was probably better if Yukinoshita didn't come along, given the complicated dynamic between her and Miura.
---
After Service Club activities ended, Hachiman bid farewell to Yukinoshita and headed off.
A few minutes later, he arrived at a nearby mall.
"You're late!"
Miura, who had been waiting for a while, frowned and shot him an annoyed look.
"Sorry," Hachiman said apologetically.
"Hmph. Just don't do it again. Let's get moving; we need to buy some stuff."
Wait, she's not yelling at me?
"Buy stuff?" Hachiman asked, puzzled.
"We can't just show up empty-handed, can we?"
"Uh, good point..."
"Hmph. Listen up, there are lots of things girls can't eat during their period. We'll just get some fruit," Miura explained.
"Sounds good."
---
A few minutes later, they left the fruit store.
"I'll split the cost with you," Hachiman offered, pulling out his wallet.
"No need," Miura replied, shaking her head.
"Come on, it's not fair to make you pay for everything."
"I said no need!" Miura snapped, glaring at him with surprising intensity.
"This whole mess was my fault. If I hadn't taken Yui running last night..."
Her voice softened, tinged with guilt and regret.
Seeing this, Hachiman sighed.
"Miura-san... you're really kind, aren't you?"
"Huh? Wh-what are you saying? Who's kind!?"
Miura snapped out of her thoughts, her face flushed. She was about to scold him to hide her embarrassment when—
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted three familiar girls approaching.
Her body stiffened as memories of that night, when those three delinquents had tried to bully her, flashed in her mind.
Instinctively, Miura turned away and... hugged Hachiman tightly, burying her face against his chest.
"??"
Hachiman was utterly confused by the sudden embrace.
But as he noticed the three delinquents approaching, he immediately understood.
So that's it. Miura is all tough on the outside but soft on the inside.
Despite her usual confidence and domineering attitude, she was still vulnerable to threats, especially from those who had genuinely scared her before.
Without pushing her away, Hachiman wrapped his arms around her, playing the role of a protective boyfriend.
---
After a few minutes, the delinquents left without noticing them.
"They're gone, Miura-san."
"!!!"
Hearing this, Miura quickly pulled away from him, her face flushed red. Her usual haughty demeanor was gone, replaced by the look of a shy, flustered girl.
"Thank you for earlier..."
"It's getting late. We should head to Yui's place," Hachiman said, cutting her off before she could finish. He turned and walked ahead.
"..."
Watching his retreating figure, Miura felt a complicated mix of emotions. Clenching her teeth, she eventually followed after him.
---
"Wow, this is... something else!"
Meanwhile, Kawasaki, who had been hiding nearby, was left completely stunned.
"Yukinoshita, your boyfriend is out here on a date with Miura! You believe me now, right?"
She quickly took out her phone and sent Yukinoshita a message.
However...
A few minutes later, she received a calm reply:
"It's nothing. The hug was probably just an accident. Miura-san couldn't possibly have feelings for my Hachiman-kun. Besides, I trust him completely!"
What?!
Kawasaki scratched her head in frustration.
I even sent you a photo of them hugging, and you still don't believe me?!
Unbelievable!
Kawasaki was speechless.
Yukinoshita, is your heart really that big?!
This lack of vigilance is driving me crazy!
Damn it, Yukinoshita! If you keep acting like this, I swear I'll steal your man just to see if you still stay this calm!
Her frustration was through the roof.
"Calm down, calm down..."
Taking a deep breath, Kawasaki forced herself to cool off.
I can't act impulsively.
Even if I... ugh, never mind! Hachiman is Yukinoshita's boyfriend!
"Sigh..."
Exhausted, Kawasaki let out a long sigh.
"How can someone as smart as Yukinoshita be so blind and naive about this stuff? Or is she just that magnanimous?"
If they weren't friends, Kawasaki wouldn't have bothered getting involved in this mess.
Without following Hachiman and Miura any further, she turned and headed to her part-time job at a hotel, muttering to herself:
"I bet even a photo of them kissing wouldn't work. Unless I catch Hachiman in bed with another woman, Yukinoshita will never believe me!"
*********************************************
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