"So it was because of a leg injury, huh."
After a round of explanation, Kawasaki finally grasped the full context.
"Yes. I'm just about to take Nagasaki-san to the station," said Hikigaya, arms still wrapped around Suyo's pale legs.
Kawasaki glanced at the two of them and let out a sigh.
"You're still as kind as ever."
Hikigaya gave a sheepish smile, choosing not to argue.
"How about I take Nagasaki-san to the station instead?" Kawasaki suggested after thinking for a moment. "I actually have something to pick up in that direction—kind of on the way."
"Eh?" Suyo's brows knit together ever so slightly.
Naturally, Hikigaya wished he could hand this walking disaster off immediately, though he pretended to hesitate. "Even though Nagasaki-san isn't heavy, having you carry her…"
"Are you underestimating me?" Kawasaki shot him a sharp glare. "You do know how strong I am, right?"
"Uh… right. Got it."
Recalling a few rather memorable experiences with Kawasaki, Hikigaya cleared his throat and turned toward the girl on his back.
"What do you think, Nagasaki-san?"
"Well… I suppose that's fine." Suyo paused, then quickly broke into a smile. "Sorry to trouble you, Kawasaki-san."
"It's nothing."
In no time, the handoff was complete. Hikigaya successfully passed this little plague goddess over to Kawasaki.
"Is it heavy, Kawasaki-san? I'm really sorry for the trouble," Suyo said apologetically.
"It's fine."
Kawasaki shook her head, though her eyes unconsciously drifted downward—to the plush softness now pressing firmly against her back.
"Kawasaki-san really is such a kind person. I really like people like you—so gentle. How about we exchange contact info later, if that's okay?" Suyo asked with a sweet, singsong voice.
"Eh? Contact info?"
"Is that not okay?"
"No, it's totally fine."
Kawasaki agreed without thinking much of it.
Watching this scene unfold, Hikigaya's eyelid twitched. He had a very bad feeling about this.
"Kawa—Kawasaki—"
He couldn't help calling out to the two as they were about to leave.
"What is it?" Kawasaki turned to look at him.
Suyo gave him a sweet, expectant glance. Hikigaya hesitated, swallowed his words, and could only offer:
"Be careful on the way."
"Relax. I do karate, remember?"
Kawasaki laughed and playfully swung her fist. "If anyone tries to mess with me this late at night, I'll knock him into next week!"
She had, in fact, won a regional karate championship. Combine that with her naturally intimidating delinquent aura, and most guys wouldn't even dare look at her funny.
But…
Hikigaya wasn't worried about male creeps. No, he was worried about her.
He glanced again at Suyo's beaming face. The more he thought about it, the more nervous he got. Sure, he was free now, but he'd just handed this disaster off to Kawasaki. Given Kawasaki's straightforward and trusting nature, he couldn't help but worry she'd be dragged around by this girl's every whim.
"I'm heading off."
Kawasaki turned and, before leaving, gave Hikigaya a final reminder:
"You should get home soon too. Don't you have something tomorrow? Rest up and get ready."
"Yeah… got it."
Hikigaya gave a resigned smile and nodded.
The three of them parted ways at a nearby intersection.
Kawasaki carried Suyo on her back, walking slowly toward the station.
It had to be said—
Suyo was still Suyo. Her social skills were simply too powerful. Within minutes, she and Kawasaki were chatting like they'd been friends for years.
They went from talking about school clubs, to everyday life, and then Suyo gradually steered the conversation where she wanted.
"Oh, by the way, Saki-chan, you really seemed to care about Hikigaya-kun earlier. It felt just like how a girlfriend worries about her boyfriend."
"Eh?!"
Kawasaki's face immediately flushed red. She coughed awkwardly and said,
"Don't joke like that. Hikigaya and I aren't in that kind of relationship. He… he's actually my best friend's boyfriend, so I'm just helping her look out for him. That's all."
"Your best friend's boyfriend?"
Suyo quickly masked a flicker of distaste and tilted her head in curiosity.
"Oh? So Hikigaya-kun is dating someone?"
"Yep. And his girlfriend is the most gorgeous girl at our school."
Kawasaki said it with zero hesitation.
"The most gorgeous girl at your school?"
Suyo blinked in surprise.
Kawasaki didn't try to hide it either. "Yukinoshita Yukino. Ever heard of her?"
"Yukinoshita Yukino?!"
Suyo's face lit up in surprise. "I've heard that name before—she's supposed to be the most beautiful girl at Sobu High, right?"
"You've heard of her? Well, that makes sense. She is Yukinoshita, after all."
Kawasaki first looked a bit surprised, then shrugged as if it were obvious. A girl that pretty and smart was bound to be discussed at other schools.
"Hikigaya-kun really is impressive… to be dating someone like that…"
Suyo muttered under her breath, her expression unreadable.
"He really is impressive," Kawasaki nodded in agreement.
"Hehe, I bet Hikigaya-kun's high school life must be pretty exciting."
Suyo's face was full of curiosity as she smiled and asked,
"Saki-chan, you seem to know him really well. Could I ask you to tell me more about him? I'm just curious, that's all."
"Hmm…"
Kawasaki hesitated. But after thinking it through—Suyo was from Tsukinomori Girls' Academy, which was far from Sobu High—she eventually nodded.
"Sure, no problem."
"Thank you, Saki-chan."
Resting on Kawasaki's back, Suyo's lips curled into a small, victorious smile.
———
Meanwhile, at the Yukinoshita residence.
Yukinoshita Yukino was in the bathroom, scrubbing her delicate skin with a bath sponge. She had a date with her boyfriend tomorrow, so she was determined to get squeaky clean tonight.
And just then—
A sudden system notification rang in her mind:
[Ding! Nagasaki Suyo is plotting something against Hikigaya Hachiman. To preemptively protect your boyfriend, the Host must create intimate "skinship" between them—through a kiss to one of his most important places—to raise Suyo's affection for him.]
[Reward: 1,000 points]
[Time limit: 30 days]
"…?"
Yukino paused.
She had noticed that Hikigaya had carried Suyo earlier. But she hadn't thought much of it. After all, it was just Suyo. Her main concern had been Toyokawa Shoko—the girl often compared to Katō Megumi.
But now she learns this girl is trying to harm her husband?
Excuse me? My dear Hikigaya-kun just helped you earlier, and this is how you repay him?
Yukino's brows furrowed deeply. It seemed she'd have to start keeping a close eye on this Nagasaki Suyo girl.
"…Seriously, how many of these 'get closer' missions do I have now?"
Yuigahama Auntie, Kawasaki-senpai…
Sigh. It's exhausting.
She needed to start clearing some of these intimacy missions fast.