Chapter 256 – Dragged into the Woods by Sayuri… and Bullied

After fetching water from the clearing, Hachiman quickly made his way back toward Sayuri. At that moment, she was busily wiping sweat off her brow and even fanning herself with her shirt. When she saw Hachiman approaching, she waved at him with a coquettish call:

"Hachiman-kun~ over here~!"

He picked up the pace and handed the water bottle to her once he reached her side.

"Sayuri-san, here."

"Ugh... Auntie has no strength left, boo hoo. Hachiman-kun, could you help me open the cap?" Sayuri panted heavily, her face flushed with fatigue as she looked at him pitifully.

"Sure."

Hachiman nodded, twisted the cap open for her, and handed it back.

"Thank you~"

Sayuri thanked him sweetly, but just as she took the bottle, her hand gave a sudden shake, splashing some of the water onto her body.

"Kyaa..."

"Auntie, hold it steady!" Hachiman quickly caught the bottle again, sighing in exasperation.

"Waaah, my hands... I barely have any strength left..." she whimpered, looking utterly helpless.

"Huh? But..."

Weren't you just running earlier?

Having weak legs made sense, but what's with the arms too?

"Hachiman-kun, how about... you feed me instead?"

"Huh?"

"Hachiman-kun~"

"I-I got it."

Faced with her pleading, puppy-dog eyes, Hachiman had no choice but to relent.

He lifted the bottle for her.

Sayuri obligingly tilted her head back and parted her lips. The shape of her mouth, combined with the damp patches on her shirt, made for an oddly suggestive image.

"Hachiman-kun, hurry~ I'm thirsty~"

She urged him on.

"Eh? R-right..."

Even Hachiman, normally composed, felt his face flush.

He raised the bottle and slowly brought it to her lips.

"Mmph, s-slow down, Auntie can't drink that much at once..."

"Ah, s-sorry."

"It's fine. This must be your first time feeding a girl like this, huh? You're kind of awkward~"

"Y-yeah, it's my first time..."

"Hehe~ and you gave your first time to Auntie? I'm so flattered~" Sayuri giggled, her mature charm shining through her teasing smile. Hachiman's heart gave a few involuntary thuds.

Even though he was just helping her drink water…

Why did it all sound so weird?

"Hachiman-kun, e-enough! You... you can stop now!"

"Eh? Ah! Sorry..."

As Sayuri nearly choked on the water, Hachiman quickly pulled the bottle away.

"You gave Auntie too much…" she said with a faint, reproachful glance.

"Sorry..."

But seriously—

This was just drinking water!

Mrs. Sawamura is just... calm down, stay cool, don't get seduced.

"Don't keep apologizing~ Auntie's not mad at you."

Sayuri gave him a gentle smile and asked:

"Hachiman-kun, are you thirsty too? Want a sip?"

Glancing at the bottle she just drank from, Hachiman quickly shook his head. "No thanks, I drank some earlier."

"Alright then."

Sayuri nodded, but then her expression suddenly changed. She clutched her stomach, squeezing her thighs together, her face filled with panic.

"Uh-oh... this is bad…"

"What's wrong?!"

Startled by her reaction, Hachiman immediately asked with concern.

"Ughhh... not good, not good... Auntie's in serious trouble right now, Hachiman-kun, I... I need to…"

"Auntie, you need to what?" Instinctively stepping back, Hachiman looked at her with both concern and a hint of wariness.

"Waaah, Auntie needs to—go to the bathroom!"

"Oh, so it's just that."

Relieved, Hachiman let out a breath.

"Well, Auntie, go quickly then."

"B-but..."

Sayuri whimpered helplessly:

"My legs don't have any strength... I don't think... I'll make it in time!"

"What? That bad?"

"R-really bad, boo hoo..."

"I'll carry you over," Hachiman offered.

"It's... too late already. I need to go now! Hachiman-kun..."

Sayuri gave him a pleading look.

God, what a dangerously cute Auntie...

Avoiding her eyes, Hachiman sighed.

"But there's no bathroom around here."

"No, anywhere in nature can be a bathroom."

"???"

Hachiman blinked in disbelief.

"Auntie... you're not saying..."

"Hachiman-kun, come this way. Auntie's going to use behind that tree. Come on, hurry~" Before he could respond, Sayuri grabbed his hand and led him into the thicket.

"W-wait, Auntie, why do I have to come?"

"You're going to keep watch for me~ If anyone comes or if there are animals, you can shoo them away."

"Uh..."

So I'm supposed to guard her?

Well, makes sense.

Animals especially—this park does have its share.

Helpless, Hachiman let himself be dragged behind a tree.

"Sayuri-san, you go ahead. I'll keep watch from here," Hachiman said.

"Okay~ I'll start right away."

Sayuri nodded with a bright smile.

"Hm... huh?!"

Hachiman had expected her to turn around and take care of business. But to his surprise, she just kept smiling at him—and made no move at all. What's more, she was still firmly holding onto his hand.

"Sayuri-san, aren't you going? Why are you still holding my hand?"

"Hehe~ Auntie does need to go... but she needs your help, Hachiman-kun. Otherwise, I don't think I'll be able to go~" Sayuri grinned.

"H-huh? Help? Auntie, you—"

Just as Hachiman started to respond, Sayuri suddenly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. Her delicate hands slithered around him like water serpents, locking him in place.

Hachiman's face turned pale.

"Auntie, w-what are you doing?!"

"Hachiman-kun~ won't you help Auntie out? Please? Just say yes~" Her smile turned mischievous as she looked up at him.

Panicked, Hachiman began to struggle. "Sayuri-san, let go—"

Crap! I've been played!

That exhausted look earlier—she faked all of it!