Chapter 194 – Yukinoshita: Katou, Why Not Give a Man a Try?
After a long back-and-forth, Kawasaki and Kasumigaoka finally left the girls' restroom.
Sitting on the toilet, Yukinoshita let out a long breath of relief.
The groundwork had been laid.
Thanks to Kasumigaoka's tireless persuasion, Kawasaki was clearly wavering.
Just a little more—just a tiny bit more—and she would have agreed to Kasumigaoka's proposal for the two of them to… jointly take care of her dear fiancé.
However—
The idea of three people together was a bit too much, even for someone as shaken as Kawasaki.
After all, Kawasaki was still a traditionally-minded girl with a relatively reserved way of thinking.
So in the end—
She couldn't accept it all at once.
For now, they'd have to settle for taking turns training her dear fiancé.
"Well, no rush, no rush. We'll take it slow. Once we've started, the rest will naturally follow, hehehe..."
Stepping out of the stall, Yukinoshita walked over to the sink, washing her hands as the corners of her lips curled up uncontrollably.
"It won't be long now. Just a few more times, and I'm sure Kawasaki and Kasumigaoka will be able to take care of my dear fiancé together. One on the left, one on the right… If I let Hikigaya-kun choose, who would he start with first? Hmm... Personally, I'd suggest..."
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, a voice suddenly interrupted her.
"Yukinoshita-san."
—!?
A shiver ran down Yukinoshita's spine, snapping her out of her daydreams. She looked up, and her entire body stiffened.
"Ka… Katou-san?!"
Nani?!
Why is this demon standing right behind me?!
"H-how long have you been here?" Yukinoshita asked nervously.
"I called your name three times." Katou's voice was calm and matter-of-fact.
"Ha?"
Three times?!
No way!!
Tragic!!
She's been here the whole time?!
Yukinoshita pressed her lips together, realizing there was no way to avoid this. She sighed bitterly.
"So… You heard everything I just said?" she asked cautiously.
Katou nodded slightly. "Yukinoshita-san, you have a very open mind."
"—!!"
"No, no, no, I'm actually a very selfish woman!!"
"I am not open-minded at all!!"
Yukinoshita wanted to cry, but she forced a smile instead.
"Katou, let me explain. You see, it's not what you think. Actually, deep down, I… I feel really, really conflicted about all of this. I mean, what girl would ever want her boyfriend to… well, be with other girls?"
"That's true."
Katou nodded in agreement, but her eyes were filled with confusion.
A chill ran through Yukinoshita as she scrambled to continue:
"B-but the reason I can… accept my boyfriend having affairs with other women… is because I have a reason for it."
There was no other choice.
Now that this demon had caught her, she had to find a way out.
Katou tilted her head. "A reason?"
Yukinoshita's mind raced.
Then, inspiration struck—
"I… I have a medical condition."
"A condition?"
"Y-yeah, it's a pretty strange one."
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she stammered out an explanation.
"Most of the time, I feel this heavy pressure in my chest, like there's a rock weighing down on me. It's really uncomfortable. Even the doctors don't know what it is. But then—one day, I realized something. When I see my boyfriend with another woman, the pressure in my chest… eases a little. Sometimes, it even feels like it's completely gone."
"Huh?"
Katou blinked in surprise. "That's… a very peculiar condition."
"I know, right?"
Yukinoshita forced a smile.
"I have no idea why I developed such a ridiculous illness. But since it's the only thing that helps, I have no choice but to go along with it… Sigh."
"I see."
Katou nodded thoughtfully.
"So that's why Yukinoshita-san tolerates other girls being with Hikigaya-san—it's because of your medical condition…"
Wait.
Why does it feel like she's subtly roasting me?!
Yukinoshita swallowed her frustration and forced another smile.
"Ahem. Anyway, as long as I can manage it, I'll try to accept it. Besides, Hikigaya-kun… He's never actually betrayed me. It's always the other girls seducing him."
"That's true."
Katou nodded again. "Hikigaya-san really loves you."
"If Hikigaya ever stopped loving me on an emotional level, I don't know what I'd do… Sigh, this terrible condition of mine!"
"Yukinoshita-san..."
Katou hesitated for a moment before speaking in a soft, reassuring voice.
"Stay strong. You'll get through this."
"Katou-san… Thank you."
Yukinoshita gazed at Katou sincerely. Then, as if overcome by emotion, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Katou's slender frame.
"Waaah, Katou~ Katou~ Katou~"
"Uh…"
Katou stiffened slightly at the unexpected hug.
After a few seconds—
She gently patted Yukinoshita's back, offering another comforting word.
"I believe that one day, you'll be cured, and you and Hikigaya-san will be happy together."
"Mmm…"
Yukinoshita hummed in response—
But in reality, her mind had already shifted focus.
Holding Katou like this…
She had to admit—
Katou was very well-proportioned.
A truly impressive figure.
Ahem!
Stay focused, stay focused!
That wasn't the main point here!
The main point was…
"Katou, can I ask you something?"
Pulling away, Yukinoshita looked at her seriously.
"Huh? Ask me what?"
Katou tilted her head in confusion.
"Do you… have a boyfriend?"
"Eh? A boyfriend?"
Katou blinked, then sighed.
"Nope. A plain girl like me probably won't get a boyfriend even after ten years."
"Don't be so hard on yourself~ You're actually really cute, Katou." Yukinoshita complimented her, eyes subtly glancing downward.
"Thanks."
Katou smiled politely.
Yukinoshita shook her head and continued.
"But you know, being cute isn't enough. A girl has to be a little proactive, too. From what I've seen, Katou-san doesn't seem all that interested in boys."
This was her chance.
It was time to complete that mission—
"Do you have any advice, Yukinoshita-san?" Katou asked curiously.
Yukinoshita's lips curled into a sly smile.
"Katou-san, don't you think… it's time to get a taste of what a man is like?"
"…Huh?"