Mrs. Yuigahama hurriedly rushed into a public restroom.
Without thinking too much, she chose a stall, lowered the toilet seat, and sat down quickly after pulling her pants down.
Sigh...
Taking a few deep breaths, Mrs. Yuigahama sat there, her thoughts swirling, her expression a chaotic mess.
She clutched her chest, feeling her heartbeat quicken.
A certain boy's silhouette flickered faintly in her mind.
Anticipation, surprise, shyness, anxiety...
"Ugh, I'm really... getting more and more ridiculous."
She let out a long, helpless sigh.
It was just a bathroom break, nothing more.
Yet she found herself involuntarily remembering the last time she had been here — when that boy accidentally walked in on her. The memory of that accidental encounter, of the two of them momentarily caught in a daze... it had left too deep an impression.
"Hachiman-kun, I just want to..."
"Hachiman-kun, I... I need you... I need your help..."
Her legs tensed instinctively.
Whispering to herself, bold thoughts began to bubble up again.
However—
The next second, an image of her sweet daughter flashed through her mind. Mrs. Yuigahama suddenly clenched her legs together and shivered.
"Wait! What am I even thinking?! H-Hachiman is the boy Yui cherishes most. As the adult here, how could I even... No, this is absolutely not okay. I have to control myself... N-no! I don't even feel that way about him!"
---
Meanwhile...
"Hikigaya-kun, I really didn't expect you to be... involved with that Kawasaki girl."
Sayuri's voice was soft and teasing as she stepped closer to the now visibly nervous boy, her slender hand lightly touching his chest.
"Did you have fun spending time with her?"
"!!"
Startled, Hachiman instinctively took a step back, creating distance between them. He spoke in a low voice:
"Mrs. Sawamura... don't tell me you were..."
"Who told you two to be so focused? I was in the stall right next to you. You didn't even notice."
"?!"
A cold chill ran down Hachiman's spine.
There was no mistaking it.
Sayuri had heard — and possibly seen — everything between him and Kawasaki.
He'd really let his guard down this time.
Though he tried to maintain composure on the outside, Hachiman's heart was practically leaping out of his chest.
Taking a deep breath, he replied as calmly as he could:
"Kawasaki and I... it was an accident."
"Hehe~ Hikigaya-kun, no need to be so tense."
Seeing through his anxiety, Sayuri chuckled softly, her tone soothing:
"Young people all have their little secrets. A passionate boy like you — it's not unreasonable for you to get involved with someone else. It happens."
"N-no, it's not like that. Kawasaki and I really... it wasn't intentional, we just—" Hachiman fumbled his words, avoiding her gaze.
"And then she led you in, and you accidentally gave in, and now you're enjoying a little guilty pleasure together? Tsk, and here I thought you were all about loyalty."
Sayuri's eyes twinkled mischievously as she looked at him.
"I..."
Knowing he didn't have a leg to stand on, Hachiman didn't know how to argue back.
After all—
It had happened with Kawasaki.
Sigh.
He was cornered.
But instead of pressing the advantage, Sayuri gently took his hand and spoke with surprising warmth:
"Hikigaya-kun, I was just teasing you. Honestly, I could tell from the start — it wasn't you who crossed the line first. That Kawasaki girl kept tempting you. You tried to resist, even until the end... and for that, I actually admire you."
As she spoke, she slowly pulled Hachiman into a light embrace, one hand gently stroking his hair in a comforting gesture.
"Eh? Mrs. Sawamura..."
Flustered by the sudden tenderness, Hachiman blushed, his voice wavering:
"Th-thank you... for believing in me."
"Hehe~ If you really want to thank me, how about showing it with action? Like... letting me help train you a bit, okay?"
"Huh?!"
Hachiman jumped, quickly pulling away from her.
Danger!
He almost fell into her "comfort trap"!
Sayuri truly was a woman of the world — she knew how to handle men with finesse.
Calm, composed — lethal.
"Mrs. Sawamura, th-this really isn't appropriate!"
"It's okay for you to be with a classmate, but not with your aunt?"
Watching his flustered resistance, Sayuri sighed dramatically, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You know I have principles..."
"And that's exactly what I like about you, Hikigaya-kun."
Taking his hand again, Sayuri smiled sweetly.
"A-Auntie! Please don't..."
"Hikigaya-kun, since you've already stepped out of bounds once... why not just enjoy it a little?"
The teasing in her voice grew stronger. Intertwining her fingers with his, she whispered:
"Hehe~ If you say yes, I'll even delete the recording. Cross my heart."
"Auntie, you—"
Hachiman's eyes widened, his voice trembling.
"No, this really isn't right. You're my elder...!"
"What, are you looking down on me?"
Sayuri rolled her eyes at him.
"I'll have you know — I'm not some clueless teenager. I can show you things that'll make your head spin~"
Her gaze turned sultry, making Hachiman's heart race.
He quickly looked away, mumbling, "Yuigahama-san... she'll be back any moment!"
Sayuri's eyes lit up in amusement.
"Oh? So if she weren't around, would you let me help you 'train' right now?"
"N-no! That's not what I meant!"
"Hehe~ Such a dishonest little boy."
Standing on her toes, Sayuri suddenly leaned in and, before he could react, kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Mm—!"
Hachiman pulled back in shock.
"Auntie, you—!"
"You're still just a kid. That kiss? So amateurish. Let Auntie teach you how to kiss properly~"
Eyes twinkling like crescent moons, Sayuri didn't even wait for a response before leaning in again.