Chapter 316: Do Not Violate a Woman's Taboo
"Oh? Given the current situation, how does Lolicon-kun plan to explain himself?"
Seeing Hikigaya Hachiman's panicked expression, Yukinoshita Yukino stared at him with a meaningful gaze and questioned him.
"Lolicon-kun?"
Hearing the new nickname Yukino had bestowed upon him, Hachiman didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"If you are unsatisfied with that title, would Paramecium-kun suffice?"
Yukino spoke in a perfectly polite tone, yet the words coming out of her mouth were utterly vicious. Furthermore, he had clearly been a "pervert" just a moment ago—why had his species been downgraded from a mammal to a single-celled organism in a matter of seconds?!
"Please, you should know I'm not that kind of person, right?"
Cold sweat broke out on Hachiman's forehead as he tried to change Yukino's perception of him.
"Indeed. Previously, Paramecium-kun would merely use a peculiar gaze to stare incessantly at Yuigahama-san's and my breasts and thighs. However, that does not mean you couldn't have awakened a new fetish in such a short period of time."
"I haven't awakened anything! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻"
Besides, he hadn't been staring at their chests and legs all the time! At most, it was the natural attraction of adolescent hormones causing him to occasionally scan them with his eyes.
Furthermore, was there really any need to stare at the flat "racecourse" in front of him? Even if he were to stare, he'd be staring at Yuigahama Yui, wouldn't he?
"It seems you truly wish to die once."
Yukino, having guessed what he was thinking through his facial expressions, instantly entered a state of "blackening."
"Wait—wait a minute! It's not what you think!"
Watching Yukino approach him step by step, Hachiman thought of getting up to run, only to realize his arm was still being used as a pillow by the sleeping Tsurumi Rumi. He couldn't escape at all!
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A few minutes later, Tsurumi Rumi—who had been woken up by the commotion—opened her eyes only to see Hachiman sitting in a formal seiza position before Yukino with his head hanging low, listening to her lecture.
"Eh?"
Rumi blinked in confusion, wondering what on earth had happened. She had only caught up on a bit of sleep; why had Hachiman turned into such a pathetic sight?
"Good afternoon, Tsurumi-chan."
Hearing the movement beside her, Yukino turned her head and greeted Rumi with a gentle tone that was completely different from how she treated Hachiman.
"Good afternoon. Um... did he do something wrong?"
Facing Yukino's greeting, Rumi responded instinctively before curiously asking why Hachiman looked so miserable.
"Well, it's best if Tsurumi-chan doesn't know about this..."
At Rumi's question, Yukino's expression darkened once again. Feeling the chill emanating from her, Hachiman's body involuntarily shivered. A Yukinoshita whose taboos had been violated was far too terrifying!
"Ah, is that so?"
Rumi was also startled by Yukino's aura. However, after regaining her composure, she became even more curious about what Hachiman had actually done...
.
.
.
"Where's Yuigahama?"
A few minutes later, Hachiman—having finally been let off the hook—sat back in his seat with a look of immense relief. He returned to his usual lazy self and asked about Yuigahama Yui's whereabouts.
"Yui is helping Miura organize the children."
Looking at Hachiman's slouched posture, Yukino subconsciously frowned.
[If Mother saw him like this...]
Yukino froze for a moment, and as she realized what she had just been thinking, her skin instantly turned a deep shade of crimson.
"What's wrong?"
Hachiman looked at the suddenly bashful Yukino with confusion, wondering what could have possibly crossed her mind.
"It's nothing."
Yukino let out a couple of light coughs to alleviate the embarrassment in her heart, quickly adjusting her emotions.
"So, the reason you came back early is...?"
"I didn't want to work anymore."
Yukino spoke the words of a "slacker" with a perfectly serious face.
"......."
Hachiman looked at her in silence. Was this really the meticulous Yukinoshita Yukino he knew?
"Well, actually, it's because I felt a bit of heatstroke, so Hiratsuka-sensei told me to head back first..."
Faced with Hachiman's skeptical gaze, Yukino guiltily turned her head away and revealed the true reason for her return.
"Heatstroke?"
Hachiman looked up thoughtfully at the sun that had just reached the zenith. While Japan was hot during the summer, they were currently in the mountains, and the climbing had taken place in the morning. To get heatstroke under these conditions was really...
"If you think my constitution is frail, you are perfectly free to say it, Lolicon-kun."
Seeing the strange look on Hachiman's face, Yukino—having already given up on her image—abandoned her struggle and told Hachiman he could speak freely.
"Instead of that title, I would much prefer you call me by my name."
With his signature dead-fish eyes, Hachiman reached out and placed his hand on Yukino's fair arm.
"I must decline that request," Yukino whispered with a slight pout, as if throwing a small tantrum.
"Is it really a bit of heatstroke?"
Circulating his spiritual power, Hachiman felt that Yukino's bodily functions were indeed slightly disordered, so he began helping her with treatment.
Yukino did not resist Hachiman's actions at all. Though she sniped at him verbally, she trusted him deeply in her heart. Besides, it was just touching an arm—nothing to make a fuss about...
However, the scene that seemed unremarkable to the two of them appeared quite different to Tsurumi Rumi. In her eyes, Hachiman and Yukino were gazing into each other's eyes before Yukino "shyly" turned away. Then, Hachiman had boldly grabbed Yukino's arm...
Noticing the "pink aura" surrounding the two of them, Rumi tactfully hopped down from her seat and ran back to her tent.
By the time Hachiman had cleared Yukino's heatstroke symptoms and looked around, he realized Rumi was nowhere to be found.
"Thank you."
Withdrawing her arm, Yukino covered the spot Hachiman had touched with her other hand, whispering her thanks.
"It was nothing."
Mild heatstroke wasn't a major issue, and Hachiman didn't harbor any ulterior thoughts because of it. After a few more simple words of conversation, Yukino checked the time and stood up, heading toward the kitchen.
Currently, only the three of them were in camp. Whether by reason or duty, the job of preparing lunch fell to her.
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