"H-hey, Cruz! Wait up!"
"Anzu, come with us. It's okay—Yukinoshita-san is a friend."
"Since when?!"
Cruz didn't answer; she simply took Anzu's hand with a smile and started to follow. But before they could take a step, a hand reached out and grabbed Cruz's arm firmly.
"Wait a sec, Mamiya-san. We weren't finished talking."
"Ow… Please, let go."
"Hey! What do you think you're doing to her?!" Anzu yelled.
Yukino spun around, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. She reached out, prepared to intervene, when a hand suddenly tapped her on the shoulder. Seeing the newcomer's face, Yukino pulled her hand back.
The man stepped between Cruz and her harasser, grabbing the student's wrist and twisting it upward.
"Gah!"
"Hey. What do you think you're doing with my Cruz?"
"W-who the hell are you?!"
Cruz recognized that back instantly. Her heart gave a violent throb, and her cheeks flushed with pure joy. Seeing Cruz's reaction, Anzu held her tongue and decided to watch how this played out.
"Me? I'm…"
Hachiman Hikigaya paused, glancing at Yukino as if asking for input. Yukino was wearing a faint, mischievous smirk, clearly enjoying his predicament. This woman is loving this, Hachiman thought. On a whim, he turned back to the student and made his declaration.
"I'm the boyfriend to both Cruz and Yukino. Got a problem with that?"
"What?!"
"Ah… um… yes! That's right!" Cruz chirped, eager to play along.
Yukino sighed, looking like she'd been outmaneuvered, but she nodded in agreement with Cruz. "Yes… that is correct."
"Don't screw with me! There's no way you're allowed to hog both of them!"
"Oh?" Hachiman countered. "You're a student at Japan's top institution, aren't you? Point out the specific line in Japanese law that says a man can only have one lover."
"T-that's…"
"Besides, everyone here saw you getting aggressive with my Cruz. If I were you, I'd worry less about our relationship and more about your own reputation."
"Wait… ah…"
Under the cold stares of the surrounding crowd—who were beginning to agree that he'd gone too far—the student slunk away in defeat. In his place, Anzu stepped forward.
"Um…"
"Oh, you're Cruz's friend? Thanks for looking out for her," Hachiman said casually. "Let's get out of here. Too many onlookers."
"Wait, is it really okay for me to come?"
"We're going to have to explain things eventually anyway, right?"
"T-thank you so much!"
Hachiman took Yukino and Cruz by their hands and began walking toward the parking lot. Anzu followed behind, stealing glances at the trio. The remaining male students could only watch in stunned silence as the university's two icons were led away by a single man.
"Honestly… of all the things you could have said," Yukino muttered once they were out of earshot.
"What? You were standing there with that smug look on your face, so I dragged you into it. It's your fault, not mine."
"It is entirely your fault! First Shino, and now you're claiming every girl you know as your girlfriend on campus…"
"Ugh…" Hachiman winced as she hit the nail on the head.
"Well, given the circumstances, I suppose it couldn't be helped," Yukino continued. "But if you're going to say it, you'd better act the part while we're on campus. Understood?"
With that, Yukino tucked her arm firmly into Hachiman's. Cruz immediately followed suit on his other side. Hachiman chose not to comment on the… cruel disparity in the sensations against his arms. If anything, he felt like Yukino's presence had become slightly more substantial lately—a testament to her secret efforts, which he silently commended.
"Well, I doubt I'll be coming back here much anyway, so it doesn't matter…"
"You might think you've won one over on me," Yukino teased, "but you're so predictable. Try using that empty head of yours to come up with something new for once."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"