Chapter 44: Saika or Yukinoshita?

…

Yukinoshita was not cute at all.

But when it came to the word “cute,” what about Totsuka, who was countless times cuter than all the girls Himekoji knew combined?

Anyway, Totsuka’s situation was more important.

“If you rejected Hikigaya’s idea, then how about this: could we instead help Totsuka improve his tennis skills?”

After Himekoji spoke, Yukinoshita suddenly widened her eyes and looked at him.

“Hikigaya too, Pervert-kun too, so strange… Are you two really the type to worry about others?”

Huh, this time Yukinoshita didn’t ignore him!

Wait, this wasn’t really something to get excited about… That was so lame.

“No, uh, it’s because it was the first time someone came to discuss things with me, so…”

Hikigaya was already there frantically explaining.

Yep, he totally got how Hikigaya felt. Being relied upon was awesome.

Also… it must be because Totsuka was just too cute. You couldn’t help but worry about him.

Remembering Totsuka’s bright, gentle, adorable eyes like a deer’s, Himekoji couldn’t help but smile.

“First time someone discussed something with you? Heh. People often discuss romance with me.”

Yukinoshita said it proudly.

Weird. What did Yukinoshita bringing up this stuff mean? It felt like she was trying to prove she was different from Himekoji and Hikigaya.

People discussed romance with her… Oh, was she trying to say she had friends?

But somehow, it just felt suspicious—like protesting too much.

Yukinoshita puffed out her chest as she spoke, but her expression got gloomier.

“…But that said, when girls discuss romance with each other, the real goal is mostly to hold others back.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“After someone says who they like, the others have to back off, right? It’s like claiming ownership. So, any girl who still makes a move afterward gets treated like a homewrecker and kicked out. Even if it’s the guy who made the first move… Seriously, those sneaky schemers…”

There it was again! Dark flames started shooting out around Yukinoshita!

Himekoji thought girls’ romance talk was all sweet and awkward, but it was really that awful?

Why did Yukinoshita have to wreck his innocent youthful fantasies every time? Was that her hobby?

Yukinoshita brushed off the bitter, annoying memory with a self-mocking smile.

“Anyway, the Service Club isn’t a place that just does whatever anyone asks without limits. An old saying goes: An eagle pushes his child off a cliff to its death.”

“Don’t kill them!”

Wait, eagles just do that to teach their kids to fly, right…

“So what do you think we should do?” Himekoji retorted, annoyed.

“Me?”

Yukinoshita blinked, then started thinking seriously.

“Everyone run until they drop dead? Swing rackets until they die? Practice until they drop?

How’s that?”

The girl who said “die die die” was smiling slightly. Terrifying…

Just when Himekoji felt too stumped to react, the clubroom door swung open.

“Ya! Hello!~~~”

With a cheerful—or rather, silly-sounding—greeting completely unlike Yukinoshita’s aura, Yuigahama arrived as usual, wearing her ditzy, clueless grin.

But this time, behind her… was someone else.

A timid, downward gaze. Fingers lightly clutching Yuigahama’s shirt. Pure white skin so clear it seemed like bright sun would make it vanish like a dream.

Such a beautiful, cute, unreal creature.

“Ah… Hachiman! Himekoji-kun!”

In that moment, the translucent skin gained color, blooming into a smile.

It was Totsuka Saika—the one just in Himekoji’s thoughts.

But… why did he call out Hikigaya’s name first?

“Totsuka…”

Himekoji replied on instinct.

Then the “girl”—no, that cute boy—hurried toward him with quick pattering steps and grabbed his sleeve.

Whoa, this was unfair… red card offense!

But… it’s a boy, so it’s okay, right?

Himekoji Akito feared close contact with girls because of the Perverse Choice System. The options would probably pop up…

But if it’s another boy, that shouldn’t…

[Please Choose!]

…be a problem, right?

How fake!

Akito didn’t even finish that thought when reality slapped him? This System sucked!

[A: In front of everyone, touch Saika’s butt.]

[B: In front of everyone, touch Yukinoshita’s butt.]

[Reward: 100 shares of Saika stock or 100 shares of Yukinoshita stock.]

Akito’s face instantly fell.

What kind of options were these? Wasn’t it upgraded? If you upgraded it, upgrade it properly!

Well, a world-class problem was before him. Time for Himekoji to agonize over this decision.

Saika or Yukinoshita? That was the question.

If he followed his heart? Probably the first one.

Think about it. Yukinoshita was ice-cold. Her whole being gave off a freezing aura—would her butt be any different? Like a chilly ice block.

As he reasoned this, Akito’s eyes flicked to her rear.

Huh? Wait. Actually… it kind of had a nice shape…

Yukinoshita’s butt was surprisingly well-curved, firm and toned. Plus, it looked like it might feel nice too…

Where a woman’s chest shows her charm, her rear defines her curves. The sway of her waist, her long legs, her grace—all backed by those lines and bounce.

But what a waste—just like her cute looks, the totally uncute Yukinoshita had totally cute assets. Life was so unfair!

So… Saika’s or Yukinoshita’s? Which to touch?

Of course, Saika’s behind seemed just as impressive. Definitely not worse than Yukinoshita’s. Especially paired with his shy, gentle look—squeezing it would probably bring its own special thrill…

Wait… squeezing? Himekoji Akito suddenly realized how filthy that sounded and stopped himself.

Since he couldn’t judge by feel alone, Akito decided to consider the consequences instead.

Touching Yukinoshita’s butt… well, he’d need to risk his life for that.

Would he die?

Stupid question—of course he would!

Touching Saika’s butt instead? A guy touching a guy?

Being seen as a pervert already sucked. But if he grabbed a boy’s butt, everyone would call him gay too. He’d never wash that off even with soap.

“yoooooooooooo!!!”

Crap. His mind already pictured the nightmare: squealing fangirls with sparkly pink eyes shouting for their “ship.”

But wait—he was one of the “Five Shadows.” If he came out of the closet, would those fangirls actually cheer him on?

Getting off track. Anyway…

[Please Choose!]

The System prompted him urgently.

So—

A or B? Saika or Yukinoshita?

His indecision hit once more—and dragged him back into its grip…