1.
As I walked to the club room after school, I recalled the conversation I overheard today.
...I don't know, I don't really feel anything in particular.
However, it doesn't feel bad to hear someone praise a girl you know in that way.
...Wait, who do I think I am?
It's only natural that there are boys vying for her attention. Isshiki is so cute, so I'm sure there are plenty of boys trying to win her over. She's also the student council president now, so in addition to the cuteness she used to show, many people are probably seeing her serious and kind side as well.
...Wait, who do I think I am?
...What is this feeling? Is it spring? No, I think spring is still far away. Is it there if I close my eyes?
Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the clubroom. I could hear Yuigahama's cheerful voice and Yukinoshita's calm voice. I won't witness a yuri scene the moment I walk in, right? It'll be alright, right? ...It'll be alright, right? By the way, did you two end up taking a bath together?
I opened the door with a clatter and stepped into the clubroom.
"Oh, it's Hikki! Hey there!"
"Hey there"
"Oh, Hikitani-kun, your eyes look rotten. Are you alright? I wonder if you're feeling unwell."
"Your eyes have always been rotten, too bad for you."
I felt relieved to see the conversation unfold as usual.
I think the reason I feel so completely at ease in this space is because it's so secluded. The three of us can talk comfortably in a situation where there's no possibility of us talking to anyone else. There's no need to force conversation; we can just talk when we feel like it. This relaxed atmosphere is incredibly comfortable.
Moreover, this space we have now was created after overcoming discord that nearly caused complete collapse. The peace of mind it brings is immeasurable.
So, I guess if other guys were to swarm around these two, I feel like this space would collapse. The discomfort of having this peaceful space invaded is immeasurable. Except for Hiratsuka-sensei and guys like Isshiki who have subtly started to intrude, everyone else is unpleasant. Oh, Totsuka is okay. Zaimokuza? Who's that?
That's it, this unease is anxiety and frustration about my territory being invaded. Yes, that must be it. It's definitely not any kind of feeling towards Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, or Isshiki. Definitely not! Not!
Desperately trying to shake off the distracting thoughts in my head, I maintained a calm facade and headed to my seat.
"H-Hikigaya-kun, what are you doing?"
"Huh, Hikki...?"
"picture?"
I was lost in thought and didn't notice.
Unconsciously, I thought I was putting my bag on the desk and reaching to remove the bookmark from the book I was reading, but I was wrong.
I stood in front of Yukinoshita and gently stroked her head.
A sudden, violent act☆
Moreover, having honed his skills in petting Komachi over many years, he's stroking her with just the right amount of pressure. As expected of my big brother's skills. It's high-level, even activating automatically. No, this is no time to be calmly commentating. Depending on where it activates, there's even a possibility that I could commit a crime without realizing it. No, I mean, this is no time to be thinking about things like this.
What am I doing all of a sudden? Why? How come?
Yuigahama is frozen in place. It seems she hasn't grasped what's happening. It's okay, I haven't grasped it either.
Yukinoshita... huh? She's not resisting? It's amazing that she can read a book in this situation...
Oh, her hands stopped moving. Are her cheeks red?
"...I'm asking you, what exactly do you mean..."
Despite the accusatory tone, her voice is weak and there's no sense of rejection. Actually, it's cute. The way she's averting her eyes is super cute.
...What is this situation?
"Um, well, you see... just because?"
I said it as a question. So lame.
"...Oh, I see. Well, that's fine then..."
It's fine. I've accepted it. I've even started reading books again. Wait, is it okay to take my time with it? Don't say "take your time with it," me. You idiot!
But even I wouldn't mind accepting this situation if it meant I could enjoy the feel of Yukinoshita's hair. I can now fully enjoy its smooth texture and the faint scent of shampoo. Although Yuigahama is right next to me. She's staring intently.
"...I see, then let's just keep going like this for a little longer..."
I'm getting weirdly embarrassed, it's really creepy. But I don't give up and continue stroking Yukinoshita's head.
"Hmm..."
I heard a dog growling. Oh, no, it's Yuigahama. Uh, what kind of reaction is that?
"...It's not fair that Yukinon gets all the attention..."
She mumbled something. Huh, is she sulking? This girl is so cute.
"...Yuihama-san, this situation has arisen because, unfortunately, Hikigaya-kun's twisted desires have been directed towards me. So, in order to prevent Hikigaya-kun from directing these desires, which are stained with this color, towards anyone else, I must accept this with all my might right now. So...you know?"
"Right?" is not the right response. What kind of way of speaking is that? I'm going to cry. And besides, don't talk about colors yourself. It sounds kind of perverted, you know?
"Hmmmm..."
That growl is so long, so long. Is it a wild dog from the old days in the mountains?
I wondered what Inugahama would do with her sulky face, but she picked up a chair, rattled it over, and placed it right next to Yukinoshita.
Then, with her cheeks still puffed out, she thrusts her head in front of my face.
"...yeah"
He uttered an incredibly short word, or rather, a sound, and thrust his head forward in front of me.
...Um, what's going on here? Am I supposed to pet him? No, it's not that I don't want to, but... you know?
Yeah, that's fine, I'll pet her. Before I see Yukinoshita's reaction!
"...Well, then..."
When I hesitantly indicated my willingness to accept in a high-pitched, unsettling voice, Yukinoshita spoke sharply, as if to stop me in my tracks.
"Hikigaya-kun, you should be focusing on petting me. What are you thinking, petting Yuigahama-san too? Do you really think society will allow you to direct your lust towards more than one woman?"
With his eyes still fixed on his book, he said something incredibly stupid with incredible composure. How much does he want to be petted? Is he a cat? He's a cat.
"Well... I don't mind. Even if I get petted together with Yukinon."
Hey, Yuri, melon. Yuri melon. As expected, hey.
"...I-I see... Well, I suppose there's no helping it. Hikigaya-kun, I'll allow you to pet both me and Yuigahama-san at the same time. Now."
"Yay! Come on, Hikki, hurry, hurry!"
See, Yukinoshita has fallen! She's fallen! How soft are you on Yuigahama?!
I got their permission, though.
What, what is this situation? Aren't you two just incredibly stupid?
...I started it, so I can't say anything...
2.
It's probably been about 20 minutes since he started stroking Yukinoshita with his right hand and Yuigahama with his left. That's way too long. What's going on? When I try to stop him, he gives me a really strange look.
It would be fine if they were just fiddling with their phones or reading books as usual, but for some reason, they've both completely stopped what they were doing and are entrusting themselves to my hands.
At first, both of them had blank expressions on their faces, but as time went on, they seemed to start feeling good, and their expressions gradually became more dreamy.
"Hikki..."
I was startled when she called my name in a breathy, strangely seductive voice. Huh, what, in the middle of it? ...I'm such an idiot. But to be called by the name Hikki in such a seductive voice, it's just too much for me.
"what up?"
"Dogs seem to enjoy being petted under their chins."
Huh? What is this kid talking about?
"Hikigaya-kun"
This one's pretty sexy too. Stop showing off your individual strengths! It's making me feel weird! Sorry, I already am! I'm totally feeling it!
"what up?"
"Apparently, cats also enjoy being petted under their chins..."
...I have a really bad feeling about this.
"Hikki, please... I'm begging you..."
"Hikigaya-kun, if you don't properly release your urges, things will get bad..."
Oh no, oh no, oh no. Yuigahama is pleading with teary eyes, and Yukinoshita is still trying to come up with an excuse even at this point.
"Can you stroke under my chin?"
...Yes, here it comes. Son, please don't react.
3.
"...Mmm, ahh, mmm..."
"Ah, mm, ahh, ah, ah..."
"..."
Yukinoshita let out a troubled sigh, occasionally glancing up at me.
Yuigahama lets out a sweet voice without hesitation and keeps gazing at me with a wistful expression.
...I'm gonna die from excitement. What is this?
Why am I stroking Yukinoshita and Yuigahama's chins?
Aren't you two a little too entranced? Are you aware of how sexy you are?
I looked down, thinking that my son might be in danger, that he was on the brink.
...It's a hard erection...
Well, to be honest, there's no way I wouldn't be excited in this situation. If you just look at my posture, it looks like the Demon Lord is standing there like a guardian deity in a battle scene, wiggling his hands.
Oh no, what should I do? Can I just leave it like this? There's nothing more I can pet it, is there? What am I going to do? It's been like this since the start of club activities, so there's still plenty of time until dismissal. I wish someone would come and help me, but I'd die if anyone saw me like this. It's so embarrassing that it could rival "I want the real thing" as one of the most embarrassing things I've ever experienced. Just thinking about it makes me so embarrassed I could die.
Luckily, judging by where their eyes are pointing, they probably won't notice my son is standing up. Please, let it work out... I beg you...
As I was at a loss as to what to do, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Wow, Senpai, you're surprisingly possessive. To think you've managed to tame the two of them like this..."
"picture"
"...picture"
"Whoa!?"
When I turned around, I saw Isshiki had somehow sat down in a chair, resting his elbows on the desk, clasped his hands, and was staring intently at me with his chin on his back. He was looking at me with a "Wow" expression. Is this scene really that interesting to you?
We were so shocked that our reactions were different from usual.
Normally, when Yukinoshita panics, she'll look down or hurl some kind of insult to hide her embarrassment. I cry when I remember it.
If it were Yuigahama, she'd probably try to cover it up with excitement like, "Whaaaat?! Wait, wait, Hikki, why?! No way, that's gross!" But she cries when she remembers it.
If it were me, I'd present a logically flawed argument that's perfectly coherent. I'd cry every time I remember everyone being put off by it.
...Cry, or laugh?
But at that moment, all three of them froze completely.
...Because there's no way to make excuses...
To be continued.