Hiyori's Goodnight Kiss

Although being invited by Horikita to join the student council was unexpected, the rest of the day passed by peacefully until school let out.

In the classroom, Hirata and Kushida were running around for Sudo's sake just like yesterday, but I personally felt it wouldn't matter if Sudo were expelled. After all, he wasn't exactly useful to the class.

Thinking this, I grabbed my bag and walked out of the classroom. I ran into Hiyori in the hallway and greeted her, "Yo, Hiyori, do you have club activities today?"

"Ah, Hachiman. The club is off today, so I was just heading to the library. If you're free, would you like to come along?"

"Sure, let's go." I was bored anyway. Class affairs? Who cares about that.

"By the way, has your class made any moves regarding that violent incident?" I asked casually. Hiyori struck a thoughtful pose before answering, "Ishizaki and the others who were beaten are injured, but they haven't made any major moves for the time being."

Are they lying low because they're certain of victory, or are they afraid of leaving evidence behind? If it's the former, that's troublesome...

"Also, although there is no concrete evidence, Ryuen might be involved in this incident."

For real? If that guy is involved, things are going to get tricky. I've only spoken to him a few times, but he radiates a dangerous aura.

"I see. Is that all you know?"

"Yes. Besides, I wasn't really interested in this commotion to begin with."

That said, if Ryuen really is making moves, he's likely plotting in the shadows where Hiyori can't see. Even if I know Hiyori is indifferent to class affairs, it's only natural for Ryuen to be wary of her if he sees me, a student from another class, walking with her.

"I see. Then let's go, to the library."

"Mm."

Hiyori nodded and suddenly linked her arm with mine, dragging me toward the library just like that.

▁▁▁▁

"Hachiman, about the bento... I've mostly been making Japanese food, but would you like to try Western-style dishes?" While reading in the library, Hiyori suddenly held up a bento cookbook and asked.

"No need, I'm perfectly happy with the current bentos. You cook much better than the cafeteria. If anything, I feel bad for always eating for free; I can pay you if you want compensation."

I haven't had to buy convenience store bentos lately. Although I occasionally eat something nice at a restaurant, I basically eat the meals Hiyori prepares for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But seeing her pay out of her own pocket all the time, I really feel guilty.

"No, that's not necessary. I'm doing it because I want to, so... if you're talking about a reward..." She suddenly blushed and stammered.

"What? If there's something you want, just say it."

Under my urging, Hiyori's entire face turned bright red. "Um... for every meal I make, I want a hug as a reward... and then before bed... could you... kiss me on the forehead..."

"Ha... hah?" I looked at her instinctively, and the way she kept her head down confirmed I hadn't misheard.

"Are you serious?" The moment I confirmed it, she nodded gently.

"Mm... because every time we sleep together, Hachiman, you hold me, and that warm feeling is addictive..."

Her straightforward words made my cheeks burn. At this moment, Hiyori placed the cookbook on the table and took my hand.

"Please... once I said it out loud, I couldn't hold it back anymore..."

Bad, bad, bad! Hiyori's pouting offensive was too lethal; I almost nodded and agreed. Just as I was struggling—

"Hachiman... is it not okay?" She looked up with watery eyes and continued her assault.

▁▁▁▁

Three hours later.

"Thank you for the meal."

"It was just a simple home-cooked meal. Was it good?"

"Yeah, super delicious."

"I'm so happy to hear you say that, Hachiman... then..." Hiyori said as she stood up, and despite her face being bright red, she opened her arms.

Seeing her like this, I stood up with a flushed face and leaned in—

"Ah..."

I hugged her tightly. Hiyori let out a small gasp in my arms, her hands wrapping around my back, turning our posture into a mutual embrace.

In the end, I couldn't refuse Hiyori's request in the library, agreeing to hug her after breakfast and dinner every day, and to give her a goodnight kiss on the forehead before bed. Honestly, it was embarrassing as hell, but I've been taken care of by her quite a bit, and the destructive power of her looking up at me while acting spoiled was just too absurd to resist.

As a result, I'm currently holding Hiyori in my arms, and we are embracing.

"Hachiman..." Hiyori murmured while rubbing against me in my arms; this girl is truly skilled at dismantling my reason. Although Sakanayanagi is also good at shaking me, she does it to tease me on purpose, so I can still endure it; but Hiyori is acting spoiled completely unconsciously. If I stay in this state for too long, my reason really will turn to ash.

"I didn't expect you to be so clingy."

"Is it Hachiman who turned me into a clingy person?"

Me? I don't recall spoiling her. I haven't done anything special since enrolling, at most I just bought the right to date Hiyori from Ryuen. But whatever, although it's embarrassing to be clung to, I do feel happy deep down. After all, the girls I knew before entering this school, including my sister, were hardly normal.

Speaking of which, what if Komachi gets into this school when she reaches her third year of middle school? That idiot failed to get into Sobu, but the requirements to enter this school aren't just based on grades. (If she really came, she would definitely destroy my peaceful life with her constant chatter.) That time she rushed to the school gate, it made me worry sick about being hated by Sakanayanagi and Hiyori. Although I was relieved that I wasn't hated in the end, I was still furious at the time.

Maybe I should join the Sakanayanagi Faction in advance just in case. If Komachi dares to cause trouble, I'll ask her to suppress it, even if I owe Sakanayanagi a favor.

"...What's wrong? Your expression is suddenly so scary, do you hate being hugged by me?" Just as I was thinking about this, Hiyori suddenly lifted her uneasy face to look at me.

"Ah, no, I was just thinking about some annoying things from before I enrolled. I definitely don't hate being hugged by you."

"I see... Hachiman."

"Hmm?"

No sooner had I responded than Hiyori suddenly hooked her arms around the back of my neck, pressing my face into the softness of her chest. Warmth and pillowy softness enveloped my cheeks all at once.

"I've said it before: no one here will bully Hachiman, so please take these three years to heal slowly. I will always be on your side." As she spoke, she began to stroke the back of my head. It was just like when we ran into Yukinoshita and the others earlier—gentle, and filled with pity.

Ah, being treated like this is enough to purify even the most painful memories. This is bad; Hiyori's presence is practically a narcotic, and hearing her say that just makes me want to lean on her even more...

"...Hiyori."

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"Hehe... you're welcome."

The moment I thanked her, Hiyori let out a soft chuckle and tightened her embrace. Influenced by this, I subconsciously tightened my arms around her waist as well.

▁▁▁▁

"Haa~ I'm sleepy, time for bed." I stopped my pencil, let out a yawn, and checked the clock only to realize it was well past midnight. I should call it a day.

"I suppose so. Though I should technically say 'this morning,' the morning meeting is still a while away, so let's get some rest." Hiyori, sitting across from me in her pajamas, began to tidy up her stationery. She had already showered and brushed her teeth, ready to turn in at a moment's notice.

...It's strange to think about, but Hiyori doesn't just use my bathroom now; she keeps her toothbrush and uniform here, and lately, she's been spending every night in my room. Is this basically semi-cohabitation?

As I was thinking this, Hiyori leaned in and hooked her arm through mine.

"Let's go to sleep, then..."

"Oh, right."

We shuffled slowly toward the bed, and the moment we pulled back the covers and lay down, Hiyori immediately pressed against me and tilted her face up.

"Hachiman, please." She said, offering her forehead to me. Even though I was so embarrassed I wanted to die, a promise is a promise.

I took a deep breath and slowly leaned toward her forehead—

Chu.

A light kiss. Although Hiyori and Sakanayanagi had kissed my cheeks before, this was my first time initiating a kiss, and my entire face felt like it was about to burst into flames.

"G-goodnight, Hiyori."

Seeing me so flustered, Hiyori nodded with a blushing face. However, the next second—

"...Goodnight, Hachiman."

Chu.

She actually kissed my forehead in return! My body temperature spiked to a lethal level instantly; if this keeps up, I'm definitely going to die of tachycardia!

Does this routine mean we have to do this every night before bed from now on?... This is seriously going to be the death of me.

▁▁▁▁

As a result, I didn't fall asleep until three in the morning. Even though, just like when I was rumored to be two-timing everyone, I feel like I'll eventually get used to this situation—which is exactly what makes it even more terrifying.