Chapter 262: Don’t Want To Be Found Out, Won’t Be Found Out

Pants?

Himekoji instinctively touched the pants he was wearing.

Could it be…

“Ahem.”

Embarrassment flashed across his face. Himekoji coughed twice, then tried to look serious.

“Oh, you mean your pants? I think the nurse took them off while checking you earlier.”

“Huh? A check-up? Taking off my pants?!”

Tobe, a guy, blushed at whatever thoughts came to mind.

Well, that seemed to fool him…

Himekoji was about to relax, but then—

“But… why are YOU wearing MY pants, Himekoji-kun…”

Damn, Tobe had sharp eyes!

“Huh? Am I wearing your pants? Sorry, must’ve worn the wrong ones by mistake, haha…”

Himekoji scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly, hoping to drop the subject.

“So! How can two guys mix up their pants? We didn’t share a bed! Wait, share a bed? Hold on! What exactly happened after I passed out?!”

Several scenes flashed through Tobe’s mind all at once.

All terrifying!

He blamed Ebina’s bad influence over the past two days.

The rotten laughter of “girls-only philosophy” filled Tobe’s head.

“Heh heh heh heh heh…”

Goosebumps rose all over him. Tobe’s hands instinctively shot back to cover his buttocks.

“Hayato, I’m sorry…”

“No! What the heck am I saying?!”

He snapped out of it instantly, horrified by his own words.

Damn Ebina’s evil influence! This brainwashing was scary!

With a dark expression, Tobe shook his head hard, trying to return to normal.

At least, he realized gratefully, his butt didn’t hurt.

Which proved he was still… intact.

Thank goodness!

Sure, rumors said that when Himekoji the Pervert got going, he didn’t spare even guys.

But at least today, he hadn’t done THAT to him.

Thanks for your mercy! Thanks for sparing my dignity!

That meant he now owed Himekoji his life… twice!

What now?

In typical heroic tales, the rescued usually had to give themselves in return!

Thankfully, Himekoji didn’t know what was spinning in Tobe’s head.

Otherwise, he’d surely reply—

“Man, No!”

…

“W-well… you can keep the pants, then.”

Curled up in the hospital bed, Tobe bit down on the blanket he clutched tightly.

His small, resentful expression resembled someone whose body… no, whose PANTS had been forcibly taken by a wicked bully.

In reality though, that wasn’t the case.

True, a pant-stealing bully had taken advantage of his unconsciousness, but it wasn’t Himekoji. It was Yuigahama.

“No, I’ll take them off and give them back…”

Right as Himekoji spoke—

[Ding!]

The System suddenly popped up… again… at the worst moment…

[Please choose!]

[Option A: Thank Tobe and give a return gift—Hayama’s Underwear!]

[Option B: Thank Tobe and give a return gift—Your Own Underwear!]

Himekoji felt broken instantly.

Damn it! This stupid System was doomed! It was casually giving philosophy questions now?!

Seriously? Had Ebina’s nonsense claimed another victim? The SYSTEM too?!

Himekoji was speechless.

[Please choose!]

The System pressed urgently.

“OPTION A!”

Was there even a choice? Compared to B, A was the only way!

There was no way HE was giving away HIS underwear!

His own had turned to dust during the “Clothing Explosion” incident.

He recalled one of Hayama’s underwear sitting in his System space, obtained from some past draw.

Anyway, this chance for Tobe and Hayama to indulge their fans could be left to them. Himekoji wouldn’t play along.

…

“Then I’ll accept them. As a return gift, I have something for you too.”

Himekoji got off his bed. Blind, he felt his way to the next bed.

“Hey! Your hands! What are you trying to touch?!”

Tobe was definitely overreacting. Himekoji’s hands were only bracing against the bed frame. He hadn’t so much as brushed Tobe.

Being suddenly blinded meant it was impossible to get used quickly. Without feeling his way, Himekoji would trip in a few steps.

“What? I’m touching nothing!”

Hell, what kind of guy does this Tobe think he is?

Seriously, he must think he’s gay like you!

Himekoji casually shoved Hayama’s underwear under the sheets of Tobe’s hospital bed, considering it done. He then turned and strode off.

Seeing Himekoji leave like that left Tobe slightly stunned.

“Huh? Didn’t you say you had something to give me?”

He’d been looking forward to it, just a little.

“Already gave it!”

Himekoji snapped back.

“What? Where?”

“Why do you care so much?”

“But…”

“Enough, don’t say another word!”

Himekoji didn’t want to waste time arguing.

He signaled Tobe to shut up.

After all, this wasn’t some BL show.

You’re just a minor character! Grabbing so much screen time without any self-awareness?

Time to dial it down!

Talking way too much anyway.

Get this, not a single reader is here for you!

…

Himekoji’s words worked instantly. Tobe immediately clamped his mouth shut, scared out of his wits. He didn’t dare make a sound.

Huddled under his blanket on the hospital bed next to Himekoji, he breathed carefully, terrified of making the tiniest noise that might upset the big boss himself.

Yes, the boss.

From now on, Tobe vowed to treat Himekoji like his boss!

To repay him for raising…

Nope. To repay his lifesaving grace.

…

Finally, without Tobe’s constant noise, the hospital room regained its quiet.

But quiet often doesn’t last long—

Knock knock knock.

A sound came from the hallway.

“Come in.”

Must be Akiko, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, or maybe Hayama, Miura, or someone else come to visit.

“Na…”

Tobe started to greet the newcomer, then suddenly remembered Himekoji’s gag order.

He frantically slapped a hand over his unruly mouth, cutting himself off mid-word.

When the door opened, Nanami frowned slightly at the sight of Tobe acting so strangely.

…

Na?

Who ‘Na’?

Damn it, brainless Tobe! Can’t even finish a greeting!

Now I’m stuck guessing wildly.

Oh well, better wait for them to speak first.

Hearing their voice will probably give it away.

Also, judging by the footsteps, it seems only one person came?

So likely not Hayama and his friends. That bunch always moves in a pack.

…

Seeing Himekoji unhurt, Nanami first breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Then, as if remembering something, she quickly turned away and secretly wiped the sweat from her forehead.

She’d squeezed onto a packed bus, rushed off, and sprinted all the way to the hospital. She didn’t want him to see she’d worked up a sweat.

…