Chapter 126: She Actually Ordered Yukinoshita to Do Such Things…

…

Say, if he wasn’t mistaken, Yukinoshita hadn’t washed her hands after going to pee just now, right?

Wha—!

She dared to touch him with dirty hands?!

Not only had she touched him, but even worse, she’d knocked him straight onto the ground— which was way dirtier than her unwashed hands!

Geez! Yukinoshita really had no manners!

…

“Did you wash your hands?”

Himekoji shouted angrily as he lay pinned on the floor.

At the same time, acting on the principle of not backing down from a fight, Himekoji Akito didn’t hesitate. He reached out with his own unwashed hand, once again grabbing toward Yukinoshita Yukino’s pale, delicate ankle.

However, Yukinoshita wasn’t the Yukinoshita from before—the one who had been clenching her legs while out of it. Having shaken off her bad state, the girl was now quick and aware, you could say? Anyways, she just had to quickly pull her leg away, and immediately Himekoji ended up grabbing nothing but air.

“And here you are, looking like this, trying to mess with me?”

Yukinoshita gave Himekoji a flat look, standing tall above him like she had all the power.

As she spoke, the girl shook her head, brushing her hair away from her shoulders with a strong pride.

Mess with her? Him like this?

Gosh, don’t think I’ll fall for your tricks just because you changed the subject!

“You didn’t wash your hands! You didn’t wash them, right? And just now, you used those same dirty hands to brush back your hair!”

Never mind what excuses she might come up with—

like girls don’t need to wash hands because they don’t hold anything while peeing—Himekoji wasn’t going to listen to that nonsense!

He was a guy with compulsive neatness!

“Wasn’t I just about to go and wash? As if you washed yours?”

Yukinoshita frowned, feeling that the pervert right in front of her—no, the pervert under her foot—was just arguing for nothing as if he was trying to be difficult, being totally ridiculous!

The sink was outside the bathroom. They hadn’t even left yet! How could she wash?

Was she going to jam her hands into Himekoji’s mouth and have him lick them clean?

Hey, wait a second…

So gross!

Thinking that, Yukinoshita shivered and held her arms close for no reason. What a disgusting thought.

How weird. Why would she—of all people—end up thinking something so gross?

No. This had to be because of some pervert!

Yep. Trash of society, maggots of humanity, a rotten pervert who never learns his lesson. It’s just better to get rid of scum like him sooner rather than later!

…

Himekoji, shot while innocent, was under Yukinoshita’s… er, by Yukinoshita’s foot when he suddenly shivered with cold.

What happened? Had the temperature in here just fallen super sharply?

That sense of familiar, bitter cold—and that chilling aura that felt like it would freeze a person’s blood vessels straight to cracking; Could it be… Yukinoshita’s iconic -21 degrees?

For some reason, he really got the feeling he was getting closer and closer to death…

Getting stared at coldly by Yukinoshita with a look saying, ‘You might as well be dead already,’ it was terrifying! Himekoji immediately became well-behaved.

Well, physically, at least. He put aside his plan of grabbing her ankle again this time.

But in words? Himekoji wasn’t going to back down easily.

“‘A girl who barges into the men’s room acting wildly—no, peeing wildly. Who acts wild herself just like a total pervert—and still thinks she has a reason on her side?’”

Himekoji lay flat on the ground, tilting his head up to look at the scenery under the girl’s skirt and feeling amazed. At the same time, he angrily went and scolded her with full force and big words as if he had all righteousness on his side.

“Th-That’s crazy! The sign outside clearly marks this as the women’s restroom.”

“Want to bet on it?”

“How childish.”

Yukinoshita curled her lip and turned her gaze away.

She couldn’t have misread the sign. She couldn’t have misremembered. Eyesight and memory were two of her strongest points.

Even so, the fact remained that she was, for some reason, currently inside the men’s restroom. No denying that.

It even became another first experience in Yukinoshita’s life—

The first time she had ever solved a physical need in the men’s bathroom in desperation, and also her first time doing so while together with a certain creep of the opposite sex…

Hmm. This first time of hers had been given to Himekoji.

…

“Oh, what? Scared to lose?”

The same trick to make her dare to do a challenge. He’d just used this yesterday on Yukinoshita.

Even so, Yukinoshita still immediately fell for it again—

“Scared? Ha. Interesting.”

Whether the challenge was a dirty trap or an open one: as long as someone dared to challenge her, she’d accept 100%. That was Yukinoshita Yukino for you.

So trying to use such a trick on Yukinoshita Yukino—yeah, anyone who tried it knew it would work. One hundred times, one hundred successful tries!

“Fine. Then I accept the bet.”

So, the girl looked down at Himekoji briefly, her voice sounding completely calm as if she didn’t even care.

As the words faded away, Yukinoshita had already walked straight out of the bathroom.

In any case, a man’s room wasn’t a proper place to stay for long.

…

Huh? She just left without saying anything? If she could just stay a little longer… Himekoji hadn’t gotten his fill yet!

The view of milky, fair legs and a faintly noticeable Underwear sight disappeared. All of Himekoji’s interest in lying down on the floor just died. He mumbled “ah, what a shame”. Then, he quickly picked himself up off the floor.

No sooner had he gone out the door than he crashed straight into the cold, expressionless face of Yukinoshita.

The girl stood silent in front of the sink, washing her hands wordlessly. She seemed to be in a particularly bad mood.

Himekoji got it right away. He made a big show of looking as if he was suddenly interested in the overhead sign.

“Huh? Am I seeing wrong? Does the sign above the entrance look to you like the restroom sign that marks the men’s room? Doesn’t it?”

Himekoji faked a frown, acting all confused.

Creak!

She twisted the old faucet shut so strongly it let out a sharp noise.

The sound of running water abruptly stopped.

“Fine. I guess you win this time. Happy now?”

Yukinoshita’s face stiffened slightly as she turned her head, eyeing Himekoji Akito with displeasure.

“‘Consider it a win for you’?”

Winning was winning, losing was losing. What did “consider it” even mean?

Unrelenting, Himekoji locked eyes with her—PONG! Sparks seemed to fly as neither backed down.

Though the way he’d won was a bit underhanded… no, he should call it clever!

For over ten seconds, they stared each other down without blinking. Finally, Yukinoshita seemed to relent.

The girl sighed softly, her forceful energy fading noticeably.

“You win.”

Hell yeah, he’d finally waited for those words!

But before Himekoji could savor the victory, Yukinoshita’s sharp follow-up jab struck:

“Are you a child? Look at you, smirking like you have your head held high. I truly don’t get why winning such a pointless bet brings you joy. And, unless I’m mistaken, there were no stakes? Is your desire to win that pathetic? Fine, fine. If you need this win so badly, I’ll give you this one. I’m used to winning anyway. Tasting defeat occasionally makes for a nice change of pace. I don’t care. I really, really don’t care…”

Words poured out of Yukinoshita like a raging tide. Whether from anger, embarrassment, or something else, her cheeks flushed pink.

Himekoji just stared, dumbstruck.

She accused him of being obsessed with winning?

Was she serious?

She was clearly the competitive one here!

While insisting she “didn’t care,” she couldn’t stop ranting, bristling with bitterness…

She obviously cared. Cared way too much!

Himekoji rolled his eyes, watching her force this supposedly “detached” act.

“H-hey! What’s that look for?”

Yukinoshita actually faltered slightly under Himekoji’s stare.

“Ha. Of course, losers like you, who struggle desperately just to scrape together one victory, could never understand me. For me, this loss carries a deeper meaning. It’s its own victory. So go ahead, Pervert-kun Himekoji. Be thrilled. Be proud. Even if you fail a thousand, ten thousand, a billion more times in life, what does it matter? Just cling to this victory I so generously gifted you. With it, I’m sure you can soldier through the rest of your dark, hopeless existence.”

Yukinoshita paused, exhaling softly.

Seemingly satisfied with her impressive speech, she subtly clenched a small, triumphant fist. Her eyes even sparkled, looking far happier than before.

Himekoji, however, felt no joy hearing this.

Because Yukinoshita was talking utter nonsense!

Had she already decided his entire future was “dark and hopeless”?

Could she at least try making sense?

The audacity to claim granting him this “one win” would sustain him for life…

How arrogant can one person be?

Himekoji flatly gave her the “you’re deranged” look.

Was her life so easy because of natural talent that she ended up this ridiculously conceited?

Spotting his gaze, Yukinoshita’s chin immediately lifted, proud and haughty.

“In a way, I’m even your savior, Pervert-kun. This victory must be deeply meaningful to you. Your very first win… and against someone as exceptional as me? What a beautiful memory! Surely that nagging thought of ending it all has finally vanished now.”

“Hold up! When did I ever think about ending it all?”

Alarmed by her drift, Himekoji cut her off.

“You did. You definitely did.”

Yukinoshita stared back, utterly convinced.

Crap, did I actually? This woman sees it, but I have no clue?

“If that harmful thought ever returns,” Yukinoshita declared softly, “just remember this victory, Pervert-kun. Clutch this precious memory tight, and scraping by through life should be manageable.”

Had the sun risen in the west?

An incredibly rare, gentle smile surfaced on Yukinoshita’s usually icy features.

Her face faintly flushed, fists clenched as if relieved to have spoken her piece.

She looked… kind of… cute…

Snap out of it!

Cute? Impossible!

Arrogant, condescending, sharp-tongued – Yukinoshita was the antithesis of cute!

“Don’t look at me with that gratitude. If you truly must repay me… forget today happened…”

“Hmm? Forget what?”

Himekoji pretended ignorance.

He just wanted to hear her say the words: “peeing,” “losing control,” “barged into the boys’ room.” Maximum embarrassment.

“Everything after we left the Service Club.”

Playing it smart, huh?

Himekoji pondered his counter.

“Tell you what. In exchange, you take Yuigahama to the movies with you this Sunday instead of me. Call it a winner’s demand from our bet. Pretty fair.”

“You aren’t going?”

“Well… I might be busy.”

“Might? Meaning you might not be busy either?”

A thoughtful frown creased Yukinoshita’s brows.

“Huh? Interpret it however you want.”

Himekoji shrugged, carelessly nudging her aside to reach the sink.

Jeez, how long was she washing her hands?

Such a damn waste of water!

Too much water to spare, lady?

Wait… Yukinoshita really does have a lot…

Both the sound and duration in the restroom earlier screamed that answer.

Claiming the sink, he started washing. Yukinoshita hastily edged back, damp hands clutching her perfectly neat collar.

“So, asking me to go with Yuigahama? Just a lame excuse to secretly ask me out, right? Mess with me, and you’re dead, pervert.”

Paranoid much?

Himekoji was speechless. Did this delusional woman really think everyone was scheming to “win her over”?

And even without schemes, would he not be “dead”?

Unlikely.

Himekoji knew better.

“Drop dead, pervert” seemed permanently attached to every word she spoke to him.

Himekoji shut off the faucet, flicking water from his hands as he turned back.

“Yukinoshita, I suggest next time you say something like that, you hold down your skirt instead of covering her collar. Ha, I doubt any guy would be interested in staring at a wall? Honestly, I’ve got everything you’ve got down there too, and maybe even bigger.”

To prove his point, Himekoji bent an arm and struck a pose, flexing his chest muscles.

Hmm… almost on par with Yukinoshita.

“So, holding down your skirt is better, right? Your underwear got wet, didn’t it? If the wind blows, you’ll catch a cold.”

Oh no, today he cared about Yukinoshita again! This was the second time!

Ah, the gentle nature of a nice guy had accidentally shone through brilliantly at that moment.

“PONG!”

Before the words fully left his mouth, Himekoji met the ground again.

Yukinoshita lightly clapped her hands and walked away without looking back.

…

Damn, Aikido was terrifying!

No, Yukinoshita was terrifying!

Seriously, she shouldn’t force him to bring out his ultimate weapon already.

If she really made him angry, he could just use “Absolute Command” instantly and turn Yukinoshita into an r.b.q who only wrote self-reflection essays for him! Hmph!

Eh, wait… Wouldn’t using an r.b.q for something else be even better?

Hmm, yes, exactly!

Let Yukinoshita help him grind in that online game!

They could work together—one grinds during the day, one grinds at night, never logging off for twenty-four hours!

Holy crap, he even thought of such an amazing way! He was a genius!

“Hahahaha, hahahaha…”

The laughter stopped abruptly after just a few seconds.

“A sigh.”

Himekoji shook his head and got up off the ground.

…

If you were the one who possessed “Absolute Command,” what would you command Yukinoshita to do?

Scary, isn’t it!

This power, and the endlessly growing evil and terrifying desires it brings out of you.

No matter how much you tried to hold back, in the end, she’d still just call you a pervert.

Then, does that kind of self-restraint even matter?

Well…

Maybe it does?

…

Perhaps such a frightening thing should be used as soon as possible to end it once and for all.

What if one day he didn’t hold back? Wouldn’t the consequences be unthinkable?

Therefore,

Watching Yukinoshita’s figure gradually recede, Himekoji spoke softly, in a voice only he could hear—

“Be friends.”

[“Absolute Command”—Use this ability? Please confirm.]

Himekoji hesitated for two seconds, then suddenly chuckled, amused by himself.

“Denied.”

Friendship won like that would undoubtedly be fake.

Himekoji didn’t need friends.

Especially a friend like Yukinoshita.

…