Hachiman didn't slow down just because he was holding Mrs. Yuigahama.
On the contrary.
He actually felt as if his body was brimming with even more power.
However—
Even if he had the stamina, someone else was definitely going to suffer for it.
"H-Hachiman-kun, s-slow down a little..." The woman in his arms couldn't help but speak up.
"Ah, sorry."
Hachiman quickly apologized.
At the same time, he forced himself to suppress his strength and slowed the pace of his squats.
He had almost forgotten—
He was carrying an auntie right now.
How could he not be mindful of her feelings?
Hachiman did his best to control the rhythm of his squats.
"Mm... Hachiman-kun, you're holding me a little too tightly..."
"Ah—sorry!"
After all, this was a princess carry.
One hand was supporting Mrs. Yuigahama's slender waist, while the other was wrapped around her legs.
Holding her waist was fine.
But when it came to her thighs... he had gripped them pretty tightly just now.
"I-It's fine."
Mrs. Yuigahama shook her head and lowered her gaze with a somewhat flustered expression.
"Hachiman-kun only did it to keep Mom from falling, so I won't blame you. There's no need to apologize."
What a gentle woman.
Hachiman acknowledged her words with a nod and silently continued his squats.
However—
Compared to how focused he had been before...
Now that his pace had slowed, he actually found himself getting distracted. Without even realizing it, his gaze drifted toward the woman in his arms.
Even with a kimono covering her figure, it still did nothing to hide the mature, alluring curves of Mrs. Yuigahama.
Especially that pair of slimes in front...
Truly worthy of being Yuigahama's mother.
And it wasn't just her body.
Her face, too, was the perfect blend of soft and beautiful. Not a single wrinkle could be found on her smooth skin. If not for the mature charm she carried as a married woman, her age didn't seem all that different from Ms. Hiratsuka's.
A stunning beauty, through and through.
And beyond that...
The natural, alluring fragrance emanating from her body constantly tempted him.
Hachiman involuntarily took a few deep breaths.
Meanwhile, the woman in his arms was feeling it even more.
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest.
The overwhelming masculinity of his scent constantly stimulated her hormones.
Her hands, whether intentional or not, brushed against the solid muscles of his chest, and the firm sensation beneath her fingertips made her unconsciously bite her lip.
The young man before her...
Was far too manly.
Before she even realized it—
Mrs. Yuigahama tightened her hold around Hachiman.
Hachiman's eyelid twitched slightly.
The two of them were getting closer and closer.
The atmosphere had shifted into something entirely different.
This couldn't go on.
Hachiman wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure how to bring it up.
In the end—
It was Mrs. Yuigahama who hesitantly spoke first.
"Hachiman-kun, y-you're incredible. I can't believe you're still going... B-But, isn't it too much for you to keep carrying me like this? Won't it... strain your arms?"
"Uh..."
Hachiman shook his head.
"Not at all. You're really light, Mrs. Yuigahama. Besides, holding you is actually good for training my arm muscles."
"Mm... It doesn't strain your arms?"
"Not even a little."
"I see..."
Mrs. Yuigahama lowered her gaze, her face subtly flushed.
"In that case, Hachiman-kun... keep going, then. I-I mean... You don't have to hold back your strength anymore."
"Huh?"
Hachiman hesitated.
"But I was worried..."
"It's okay. I've... gotten used to it now. Hachiman-kun, go ahead and pick up the pace. Don't slow down just because of me."
Although Mrs. Yuigahama was embarrassed, she had noticed something unusual about Hachiman.
At first, he had been like a relentless beast, focused solely on his training.
But ever since she got involved, he had been forcing himself to hold back.
That... made her feel guilty.
"...Alright, then."
Hachiman nodded.
This was exactly what he wanted!
Finally—
By throwing himself completely into training, he could clear his mind of all distractions!
"Then... here I go!"
"Mm."
As soon as Mrs. Yuigahama responded—
Hachiman pushed himself to the limit.
His muscles tensed.
His masculine presence surged outward.
Squats—felt amazing!
Training—felt amazing!!
As for Mrs. Yuigahama, holding onto his body, her heart pounded like crazy.
Oh my god!
Hachiman-kun is incredible!
Such sheer lower-body strength...
If he were her husband—
Who could possibly handle that?!
It was beyond imagination!
If that really happened, she would probably die of happiness.
And right now, that same boy was right in front of her, holding her in his arms... Ugh!
The overwhelming masculinity radiating from Hachiman sent shockwaves through Mrs. Yuigahama's senses.
At that moment—
A bold, instinctual thought crossed her mind.
She wanted...
To feel like a woman again.
—
A few minutes later.
Hachiman finally stopped his squats.
Not because he was exhausted.
Far from it—he could have kept going.
The real reason he stopped was that he had suddenly noticed something...
Mrs. Yuigahama's hands had started acting a little too freely.
Sensing that things were getting out of hand, he quickly made up an excuse to leave.
"Mrs. Yuigahama, I, uh... need to go to the restroom."
Using the bathroom as a cover, he immediately walked away.
Mrs. Yuigahama responded softly, placing a hand over her flushed face, a hint of lingering reluctance in her expression.
"That boy... he's absolutely amazing..."
Such a shame.
She was just an old woman now.
If only she were the same age as Yui...
Mrs. Yuigahama sighed, feeling a mix of regret and longing.
She shook her head, trying to clear her messy thoughts.
Then, her mind drifted to her sweet, innocent daughter.
"If Hachiman-kun became Yui's husband... Sigh, Yui, you have to step up your game."
Just imagining her daughter's soft, petite frame...
If Yui really ended up with him, she'd probably be overwhelmed, wouldn't she?
But as a mother, Mrs. Yuigahama wanted nothing more than for her daughter to find happiness.
—
Meanwhile.
Hachiman made his way toward the public restroom.
Just as he was about to reach it—
He suddenly heard something.
"Hm? Someone's calling me?"
Hachiman froze in place.
He could faintly hear someone calling "Hachiman-kun."
The voice seemed to be coming from the nearby forest.
After hesitating for a few seconds—
Hachiman decided to check it out.
Maybe Miura was in trouble or something.
He stepped past the roadside bushes—
Slowly approached a large tree—
And the voice became clearer.
Someone was calling him.
"Wait a second... That voice sounds like..."
Hachiman furrowed his brows.
He instinctively walked over, peering behind the tree.
Sayuri: "!!"
Hachiman: "??"
There's no way this is happening again—
****************************
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