The moment Eriri Spencer Sawamura heard Kasumigaoka's insinuating tone, implying she and Hikigaya had 'that kind of relationship', the blonde artist immediately exploded. Her small face flushed a brilliant, mortified red as she pointed an accusatory finger.
"Kasumigaoka, have you lost your mind?! Hikigaya and I... we are not that kind of relationship at all! Don't just make things up!" she chided, her voice a mix of fury and fluster.
"Oh? Is that so?" Kasumigaoka purred, her voice dripping with sarcastic honey. "Not only are you two having a secret rendezvous here during self-study, but you were just locked in such an... intimate embrace. And you still have the nerve to claim it's nothing? Hehe~ I see how it is. On the surface, Sawamura-san plays the pure, reserved artist, but secretly, you're 'that kind of woman', aren't you? You've had your sights set on Hikigaya-kun for a while now, haven't you?"
"You—!" Eriri gritted her teeth so hard it was a wonder they didn't crack. Instinctively, she took a half-step away from Hikigaya, putting more distance between them as if to prove a point. "How could I possibly like a guy with dull, dead-fish eyes like his! I... I have absolutely no interest in him whatsoever! Not a single... tiny thought! Hmph!" she declared, turning her head away with a proud, dismissive sniff.
"Oh? Is that so?" Kasumigaoka mused, a thoughtful finger to her chin before letting out another soft, mocking chuckle. "'Dead fish eyes'? Hehe~ I didn't take you for someone so shallow, Sawamura-san, judging a book by its cover. Personally, I find Hikigaya-kun's eyes to be quite... captivating."
As she said this, Kasumigaoka shot Hikigaya a slow, deliberate, and deeply suggestive look, causing the boy in question to quickly avert his gaze, his own cheeks warming.
"Eh? I... that's not what I meant, I just..." Seemingly realizing her words had been excessively harsh, Eriri Spencer Sawamura instinctively glanced toward Hikigaya, her mouth opening and closing like a stranded goldfish. She wanted to explain, to backtrack, but with Kasumigaoka's relentless, knowing chuckle echoing in her ears, the words got tangled in her throat, and she ultimately swallowed them down, unable to speak.
Not wanting to give her a chance to redeem herself, Kasumigaoka immediately pressed her advantage. "Hehe~ Just stop the act, Sawamura. If you look down on him, then just admit you look down on him. There's no need for the theatrics."
"Kasumigaoka, you—!"
Ahem."
Hikigaya, feeling like a piece of driftwood caught between two tidal waves, was sweating bullets. He let out an internal sigh, desperate to prevent their personal war from escalating into a full-blown library scandal because of him. "Ladies," he interjected, his voice strained, "this is the library. If you continue this... debate... you're going to disturb everyone else who's trying to study. If someone complains, you know Kirisu-sensei will have our heads."
The moment the name 'Kirisu-sensei' was invoked, a visible change came over both girls. The mention of their strict homeroom teacher was like a bucket of cold water.
Seizing the opportunity to disengage, Kasumigaoka finally turned her attention away from the fuming Eriri. She looked at Hikigaya, her expression shifting to one of cool authority. "Hikigaya-kun, you haven't finished today's math worksheet. Go back to the table and complete it immediately. If you encounter any problems, you may ask me. I will... mercifully... guide you through them."
"Eh?" Hikigaya was taken aback. He hadn't expected that even after rejecting her confession, the senior would still insist on tutoring him.
Is she using tutoring as an excuse to get some subtle revenge?!
Of course, no matter his private suspicions, he couldn't openly refuse a direct order from the study group leader. "Understood," he grumbled in resignation.
Seeing that Hikigaya and Kasumigaoka were preparing to leave her behind, Eriri Spencer Sawamura, left standing alone, pursed her lips. A complex mix of guilt and frustration welled up inside her.
"Hikigaya, I... what I just said..." she began, her voice much smaller now.
Hikigaya paused but didn't turn around. "I don't mind, Sawamura-san," he said, his tone flat and dismissive.
Kasumigaoka, however, couldn't resist one final jab. "Hehe~ Hikigaya-kun, you're far too gentle. You don't need to waste your concern on a shallow little show-dog who judges people solely on their appearance."
"Kasumigaoka!!"
The brief relief Eriri had felt evaporated instantly, replaced by pure, unadulterated rage. She was so angry she was rendered speechless, her small hands clenching into fists as she fantasized about strangling the smirking novelist.
With the atmosphere thoroughly soured, the three of them made their way—stumbling in shared social exhaustion—out from behind the bookshelves and back to their study group table.
At the same time.
Yukinoshita, who had witnessed the entire exchange from her hidden perch, was not pleased. Not pleased at all.
She had initially been looking forward to a bit of entertainment, to watching her Hikigaya be fought over by two other girls—a scenario she found strangely validating. But... she hadn't expected this Sawamura girl to be so utterly ungrateful! How dare she speak about her Hikigaya-kun in such a demeaning way!!
Is my Hikigaya-kun someone you can just look down upon and insult?!
Of course, on an intellectual level, Yukinoshita understood. She knew Eriri Spencer Sawamura's words were a classic defense mechanism of a tsundere. For that personality type, saying such things was practically a reflex.
But... NO!
Understanding the reason didn't quell the fury burning in Yukinoshita's chest. She was just plain unhappy about it!
After all, the only woman with the right to speak about Hikigaya in such a blunt, critical manner was her, Yukinoshita Yukino!!
[Hikigaya Hachiman's Favorability towards Eriri Spencer Sawamura: 35/100]
"And you!" she mentally scolded her boyfriend, staring at the data panel. "I really don't know what's going on in that head of yours! Your favorability for her actually increased?! How is that even possible?!"
Seeing the number tick upward made her eye twitch. "So, the girl who openly disdains you gets more favorability points? Is that how your messed-up logic works? Sure enough, it's just like you... you really are a hopeless, self-deprecating small fry at heart!"
Sigh... No!
Even if your favorability for her has increased...
But—
As your wife, I can't just let this slide! When you're bullied, it makes me incredibly upset!
Yukinoshita took a deep, shuddering breath, trying and failing to calm the storm of indignation swirling within her. One thing was crystal clear in her mind: Eriri Spencer Sawamura had to pay a price for her words!
If you won't stand up for yourself, Hikigaya-kun, then I, your rightful wife, will get revenge for you!
"You have 'no feelings' for my Hikigaya-kun, do you? You dared to speak about him like he's worthless? Hmph~ Just you wait," she vowed, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Tonight, I'll use the Dream Simulation Card on you. And tomorrow, a Forced Affection Card will be coming your way!"
Yukinoshita began to meticulously plot her retaliation, her heart set on making the blonde tsundere deeply regret every single insult she had uttered.
You say you don't like my Hikigaya-kun now, do you? Just you wait! In the future, I will make you completely and utterly infatuated with him! You'll be eating those words!
The normal school day finally ended.
After Yukinoshita returned to the serene quiet of her home, she set her plan into motion. The first step was to purchase the Dream Simulation Card. However, when she pulled up the system shop, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Huh? Why has the price increased so much?" she muttered aloud. The card now cost a hefty 500 points! She distinctly remembered it being only 100 points before!
[As the Host's system authority level increases, the functionality of the Dream Simulation Card has been enhanced.]
"Enhanced functionality?" Yukinoshita asked, her curiosity piqued. "What new functions have been added?"
[The Host may now adjust the Stamina stat values for both Hikigaya Hachiman and the designated target within the dream simulation, allowing for a more customized viewing experience.]
Yukinoshita's eyelid twitched. She was momentarily speechless. "Huh? Adjust... Stamina values? You mean, like... ahem~... that kind of stamina? Is that even possible?"
It sounded utterly outrageous. But after a moment's consideration, a slow, wicked smile spread across her lips. This new function was actually... pretty fantastic!
This is perfect! I can make Sawamura-san dream that Hikigaya is severely... ahem! Let's just say... relentlessly energetic.
To be honest, watching the senior bully Hikigaya-kun every time was getting a bit repetitive. It was time for a role reversal.
"Buy it!" she commanded.
[Dream Simulation Card purchased successfully.]
After completing the purchase, Yukinoshita patiently waited, biding her time until the clock neared midnight.
Sigh, this Sawamura-san is such a night owl! She's never asleep early!
Finally, the moment arrived.
[Please enter the designated target for dream simulation—]
"Eriri Spencer Sawamura," Yukinoshita stated firmly.
[Initiating dream simulation for Eriri Spencer Sawamura...]
[Adjust Stamina values?]
The stats appeared before her:
[Hikigaya Hachiman Dream Stamina: 46]
[Eriri Spencer Sawamura Dream Stamina: 30]
A devious smile played on Yukinoshita's lips. "Keep Sawamura-san's stamina value unchanged," she instructed. "But raise Hikigaya-kun's stamina value... to 90!"
[Value corrected. Hikigaya Hachiman Dream Stamina: 90]
"Very good," Yukinoshita purred, immensely pleased with her adjustments.
[Host, do you wish to watch the simulation?]
"This..."
Hearing the prompt, Yukinoshita hesitated for a brief moment, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. But the thought of watching her Hikigaya-kun thoroughly dominate the tsundere artist in her own dream sent a thrilling, vengeful tingle through her.
"Hmm," she finally conceded, trying to sound nonchalant. "I'll just... watch a little. Just to see how it plays out."