The next day.
From her usual covert post behind a bookshelf, Yukinoshita Yukino continued her stealthy surveillance of Hikigaya's study group in the library. But today, a cloud of profound distress hung over her. The usual cool, analytical gleam in her eyes was replaced by a furrow of frustration.
Her plan had seemed so flawless. After administering another intensive dream simulation to Kasumigaoka Utaha yesterday, she had been confident that the senior would be even more forward and aggressive in her approach to Hikigaya today. With Kasumigaoka-senpai alone being so proactive, Yukinoshita could effortlessly harvest a steady, substantial daily income of points, no longer needing to bother with other, less reliable female targets.
But reality was cruel. As the afternoon wore on, the tally of points she had earned for the day remained stubbornly at a big, fat zero.
This dismal result was enough to make even the normally unflappable Ice Queen feel a spike of anxiety.
"How can this be?" she muttered under her breath, nervously fiddling with the pages of a book she wasn't actually reading. "Did the simulation fail? It shouldn't have... During yesterday's simulation, Kasumigaoka-senpai clearly launched such a... forceful offensive against Hikigaya-kun..."
Her mind raced, searching for an explanation. Could it have backfired? Did it somehow make Kasumigaoka-senpai develop an aversion to Hikigaya instead? No, that can't be right... can it?
Whatever the reason, Yukinoshita was growing desperate. She desperately wanted to check Kasumigaoka-senpai's current affection level for Hikigaya, but the system was frustratingly restrictive. Apart from the main capture target, Katou Megumi, the affection levels of secondary targets like Kasumigaoka were completely hidden from view.
No! No! This simply won't do!
Yukinoshita had already grown accustomed to the comfortable, point-filled life provided by her senior. If this lucrative stream dried up, she had no idea how she would meet her daily point quota.
What about Yuigahama in the Service Club? That wasn't a viable option. Not only were the points from Yuigahama far less substantial than Kasumigaoka-senpai's, but constantly engineering "accidental" intimate situations in that isolated clubroom would definitely arouse suspicion!
Should I focus on the main quest and capture Katou? The mere thought made her sigh. The difficulty level was astronomically high. After observing her for several days, Yukinoshita concluded that Katou Megumi was like a serene, untouchable Buddha—pure, detached, and seemingly without desire. It was simply outrageous! No wonder the system had identified her as a monster comparable to her own older sister, Haruno.
Sigh... I have no choice.
The main quest with Katou was a long-term project. For now, she could only hope to complete a few side quests, gather enough points to upgrade her skills, and then deal with the formidable Katou properly.
"System," she inwardly queried, her voice laced with reluctant dependency, "what should I do about this?"
She was determined to continue milking Kasumigaoka-senpai for points, but her own ingenuity was failing her, forcing her to seek help from the very entity that started this mess.
"This system suggests that the Host use today's Forced Closeness Card on Kasumigaoka Utaha."
"Eh?" Yukinoshita exclaimed in surprise, barely remembering to keep her voice down. "Use it on the senpai? I thought that card was only for use on Hikigaya-kun?"
"As the Host's point total increases, system permissions will also expand. You may now use it to compel other females to initiate closeness with Hikigaya Hachiman. To a certain extent, even high-quality targets like Katou Megumi can be influenced."
"Ah, this..." Yukinoshita's eyes widened slightly. It could even make the robotic, unflappable Katou proactively get close? The upper limit is that high? Hmm... It seems I really need to focus on earning points vigorously from now on!
"Phew... Fine, let's do it!" After a moment of internal struggle, Yukinoshita made her decision. She would use the precious Forced Closeness Card on Kasumigaoka Utaha. Since she had already targeted the senior as her primary point source, Yukinoshita wasn't about to let her go that easily!
However... Yukinoshita's sharp gaze swept over the four people studying diligently at the table. Using the card right now, in front of an audience, would be a disaster. It would be far more effective to use it when Kasumigaoka-senpai and Hikigaya-kun were alone.
And so, she continued her vigil, pretending to read while waiting for the perfect opportunity.
Half an hour later.
"I'm going to the restroom," Hikigaya announced, standing up and addressing the study group leader, Kasumigaoka.
"I'll go too," Kasumigaoka replied with a nod, also rising to her feet.
"..."
It was a basic human need, so Hikigaya had no grounds to object. He simply slumped his shoulders in his usual world-weary manner and trudged off toward the restrooms first.
Seeing the perfect opportunity for Hikigaya and Kasumigaoka to be alone finally present itself, Yukinoshita's eyes lit up with a predatory gleam.
This is it! This is my chance!
After watching them both head in the direction of the restrooms, Yukinoshita hesitated for only a brief moment before a determined glint solidified in her beautiful, calculating eyes. The restroom... The library restrooms are almost always deserted at this time of day... It's the perfect, secluded spot to force Kasumigaoka-senpai and Hikigaya-kun into a close encounter!
With this devious plan solidified in her mind, Yukinoshita quietly slipped from behind her bookshelf and began to stealthily follow the two.
Hikigaya was, predictably, efficient. In less than a minute and a half, he was finished in the men's restroom. He exited, walked over to the sinks, and turned on the faucet to wash his hands.
However, there was no sign of Kasumigaoka emerging from the women's restroom.
"Huh? What's going on? Is Kasumigaoka-senpai really that slow? No, no, no! Hikigaya-kun is about to leave!"
Yukinoshita, who had been poised to create her opportunity, felt a spike of panic upon seeing this. Why are women always so much slower in the restroom than men?! Sigh, Senpai, hurry up and finish! Hikigaya-kun is going to get away!!
Just as Yukinoshita's anxiety was reaching its peak, a voice suddenly called out from within the women's restroom. "Hikigaya-kun? Are you still out there?"
"Eh?" Hikigaya, who had been about to make his escape, paused. He hesitated for a few seconds before replying, "Y-yeah. I'm still here."
"Phew, thank goodness." Kasumigaoka's voice came again, laced with a note of relieved distress. "Hikigaya-kun, could you... could you be a dear and get me some toilet paper? The dispensers in here are completely empty."
Hikigaya's eye twitched. "...But I'm a guy. I can't just walk into the women's restroom."
Kasumigaoka's pleading voice was persuasive. "There's no one here right now, I promise! No one will see you. Please, hurry up and help me? It's not like I haven't helped you with your homework, you know."
Hikigaya wavered. He glanced around furtively, confirming the coast was indeed clear. Hearing the genuine urgency in her voice, he finally relented with a resigned sigh. "...Alright, fine. Just... just a second."
From her hiding spot, Yukinoshita watched in stunned disbelief as Hikigaya actually, foolishly, stepped into the women's restroom.
Hikigaya-kun! You're far too kind-hearted for your own good! You'd actually agree to something like that?!
But then, a wicked thought crossed her mind. Then again... this might be even better! The inside of the women's restroom is far more private. If they were to get close outside, someone might accidentally walk by and see them.
To ensure her plan went off without a hitch, Yukinoshita's mind raced. She immediately focused her will and activated the Forced Closeness Card on Kasumigaoka Utaha.
She couldn't help but wonder, with a sadistic sense of curiosity, How exactly will Kasumigaoka-senpai proactively get close to Hikigaya-kun in there? Hehe, I'm almost looking forward to seeing Hikigaya-kun's utterly flustered and uncomfortable expression afterward.
However, in the very next second, the previously anxious Yukinoshita suddenly froze, a horrifying realization dawning on her. "Huh? Wait! Was I too hasty?! What if... what if Kasumigaoka-senpai is still... you know... in the middle of things?! How are they supposed to get close in that situation?!"
And just then—
[Ding! Under the effect of the Forced Closeness Card, Kasumigaoka Utaha forcibly pulled Hikigaya Hachiman, who was handing her toilet paper, into the restroom stall and directly kissed Hikigaya Hachiman on the mouth. System Points +200.]
[Ding! As Hikigaya Hachiman was kissed by a second woman other than the Host, the achievement 'Second First Kiss' was unlocked. System Points +300.]
"??"
Upon hearing the word "kissed," Yukinoshita, who had been idly speculating about what form of closeness would occur, felt her mind short-circuit.
Kissed?!
Wait a minute! This time, why did it have to be a kiss?!
"How could this be... how could this be happening..." she muttered to herself, her body beginning to tremble uncontrollably. She could endure—even orchestrate—all sorts of intimate scenarios in her dreams! But this... this was REALITY!!!
Oh my god! Hikigaya-kun's first kiss with another woman... and it wasn't with me!
The most galling part was that she had just been the one to set it up with her own two hands?!
Unable to vent her overwhelming fury, Yukinoshita naturally directed all of her rage inward, toward the seemingly omnipresent System. She mentally shrieked, her voice a mixture of betrayal and fury, "System! What in the world is going on?! Explain yourself this instant!"