Sayuri patted the hem of her kimono.
Her face was flushed, her breath unsteady, and her entire being exuded a mature, alluring charm like never before.
Stepping out from behind the tree, she slowly approached Hachiman.
Sayuri bit her lip, looking somewhat embarrassed as she spoke.
"Hachiman-kun, y-you saw me again…"
"…Sorry."
"Sigh, this is the second time, you know? Honestly, Hachiman-kun, peeking at girls like this…" Sayuri's tone carried a hint of teasing mixed with shyness.
"I-I'm really, really sorry!!"
Standing stiffly, Hachiman blushed as he bowed his head in apology.
First, it was in the restroom. And now…
To be honest, he felt like he was about to crack.
Of course, it wasn't his fault.
Who could've predicted Sayuri would be *
this outrageous?
"Hehe, oh well, let's just forget it."
Seeing the boy's thoroughly flustered expression, Sayuri's earlier frustration vanished. Instead, she gave a sultry smile.
"If it's Hachiman-kun, I don't really mind… In fact…"
The corners of her lips curled up as she leaned in closer.
"Huh?"
Hearing her seductive tone, Hachiman instinctively leaned backward.
"Ahh… this scent… ahh…"
As she caught another whiff of Hachiman's scent, Sayuri's expression shifted. A shiver ran through her body as she gasped softly, before hastily retreating behind the tree again.
"???"
Watching her go back behind the tree as quickly as she had come out, Hachiman raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"H-Hachiman-kun, I… I need to use the restroom. Can you keep watch for me? Make sure no one comes!"
"…Huh?!"
Hachiman was dumbfounded.
Right here?!
She was going to relieve herself right here??
"But, uh, Auntie, this is—"
"Ugh, I can't help it! I-I really need to go, I can't hold it in any longer!"
"…Uh."
Was she really using the restroom, or was this just an excuse?
"P-please, Hachiman-kun, I'm begging you… just keep watch for me, okay?"
"Uh… uh… o-okay, fine."
Faced with his classmate's mother pleading like this, Hachiman had no choice but to stand guard.
"Thank… you~"
"It's nothing. Just hurry up and—"
"Ugh, don't rush me! You're making me shy."
"…Huh?"
Well.
That was true.
Even if they were separated by a tree, he was still a guy.
A girl using the restroom with a guy standing right outside… cough, cough.
Hachiman did his best to stay composed.
But then—
His pupils contracted slightly.
He was facing away from Sayuri.
But he could hear everything.
Hachiman sucked in a sharp breath.
Calm down. Calm down.
---
Meanwhile—
Yuigahama's mother was still sitting on the bench, lost in thought.
Her mind was filled with images of that boy.
"Hachiman-kun… so strong… and those thighs… incredible…"
Muttering to herself, she subconsciously raised her sleeve, wanting to take in the lingering scent of the boy who had been holding her.
But—
Just as she was about to press the fabric against her face—
A voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
"Um… Yuigahama-san?"
"Ugh!!"
She jolted upright in shock, snapping her head up.
A blonde girl with a high ponytail was standing there, looking at her in confusion.
Regaining her composure, she smiled gracefully.
"Oh, it's Yumiko-chan. Good evening! Out for a run?"
"Yeah."
Miura nodded before asking curiously, "Are you out for a walk, Yuigahama-san?"
"Yes, I came out with a friend for a little stroll. Staying home all the time can get boring."
As they chatted, Yuigahama's mother observed the girl in front of her.
Her gaze lingered on the well-toned lines of Miura's thighs and hips beneath her workout gear.
She sighed.
"Yumiko-chan is so disciplined… Unlike my Yui, sigh…"
Miura shook her head.
"That's not really fair, Yuigahama-san. It's not like Yui's physique is suited for running, and besides, everyone has their own interests. I just happen to like exercising, so I run at night."
The two continued to chat.
During their conversation, Yuigahama's mother noticed that Miura kept glancing around, as if looking for someone.
Curious, she asked, "Yumiko-chan, are you looking for someone?"
"Yeah, I came running with a classmate."
"…Your boyfriend?"
"Cough!"
Miura's face immediately turned red as she quickly denied it.
"Just a regular classmate! We're not dating!"
"Oh~"
Yuigahama's mother chuckled knowingly, covering her mouth with her hand. Then, as if a thought suddenly occurred to her, she asked,
"…Is it Hachiman-kun?"
"Yeah, it's him."
Miura nodded, not bothering to hide it.
"He's out of shape, so he asked me to help him train. So, we've been running together at night."
She gave a brief explanation of her training sessions with Hachiman.
"So Hachiman-kun became this strong because of Yumiko-chan…" Yuigahama's mother murmured to herself.
Not catching her quiet remark, Miura quickly clarified,
"Just so we're clear, I only go running with him! There's absolutely nothing going on between us, Yuigahama-san. You don't have to worry!"
"…Hmm."
Yuigahama's mother smiled warmly at her.
"Yumiko-chan, every girl has the right to pursue her own happiness. If my foolish daughter doesn't step up… well, don't hold back."
"A-Auntie, I really don't—"
Flustered by Yuigahama's mother's teasing gaze, Miura waved her hands frantically.
Still smiling, Yuigahama's mother continued,
"Well, if you're looking for Hachiman-kun, he just went to the restroom. You might find him at the public toilets."
"W-Who's looking for him?! I—I'm going back to my run!"
Blushing, Miura quickly turned and jogged away.
"…Sigh."
Watching the girl flee, Yuigahama's mother couldn't help but sigh.
"What a sweet girl."
If Yui weren't her daughter, she wouldn't even bother worrying about her.
So many competitors… How was Yui supposed to win?!
"…Oh, right! Why has Sayuri been in the restroom for so long?"
Had she fallen in?
Wait, no—
"Oh no! I totally forgot—Hachiman-kun went to the restroom, too! This is bad, really bad…"
A sinking feeling settled in her chest.
Slapping her forehead, Yuigahama's mother hurried toward the public restroom.
They both wanted to find a husband for their daughters.
And they both had their eyes on Hachiman.
She couldn't let Sayuri get ahead of her!
****************************
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