Library, study group.
"I'm heading to the bathroom."
After finishing today's assignments, Hikigaya turned to the group leader, Kasumioka.
"Didn't you just go a moment ago?"
"Got an upset stomach."
Leaving those words behind, Hikigaya swiftly left his seat, walking briskly toward the public restroom, his face carrying the strained look of someone barely holding it together.
Seeing this, Kasumioka looked like she wanted to say something but, watching his hurried figure, she ultimately kept silent.
As for Hikigaya, after walking far enough to slip out of Kasumioka's line of sight, he slowed his steps.
He didn't continue toward the restroom but instead turned toward the library exit.
Moments later.
Hikigaya arrived at the student council president's office.
He knocked.
"It's me."
He called through the door.
"Oh, senpai~ heehee, come on in~"
Isshiki's voice came from inside.
Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya glanced around, then reluctantly pushed open the door.
Inside was just Isshiki, sitting dead center at the desk. When she saw Hikigaya enter, she cheerfully got up, bounding over like a cute little bunny.
"Senpai~ you're so slow~ I've been waiting for you forever, you know."
"I needed to finish up my study tasks this afternoon."
"My, my, senpai, you're so hardworking. Not bad, not bad."
Isshiki giggled as she spoke, then circled behind Hikigaya and—click—locked the office door.
"??"
That move made Hikigaya's eyelid twitch.
"There, now no one will come bother us~"
Isshiki gave a satisfied nod.
"What do you want me to do?"
Hikigaya stayed composed, looking calmly at Isshiki.
Back during lunch break, they hadn't had time to talk much before parting. Naturally, their business wasn't over—Isshiki had told him to come find her at the office around three in the afternoon. Hikigaya had wanted to refuse, but alas, the little devil had dirt on him, leaving him no choice but to grit his teeth and show up.
"Is it another troublesome request?"
He asked.
"Senpai, you're very perceptive~ But no, nothing too difficult lately. If anything tricky comes up, you'll be the first I call for help~"
Isshiki shook her head with a mischievous smile.
—That completely matter-of-fact attitude of of course you'll help me!
You damn little devil!
"So then, what do you want me to do?"
Hikigaya kept his cool.
"Oh, it's just a small thing. Hmm… for senpai, it might even be kind of fun~"
Isshiki's eyes sparkled as she rubbed her hands together.
"??"
Hikigaya frowned, clearly skeptical.
"I'll… be happy?"
There's no way I'll be happy when it comes to you, you little demon!
"Heehee, I've been wanting to try this for so long~ but I never had the chance. Now that we've got time, I figured why not give it a shot~"
"…What exactly?"
"Senpai, um… can you get down on all fours? Whew, I finally said it!"
Isshiki looked at him with gleeful anticipation.
"???"
Hikigaya stared, dumbfounded.
"…What do you mean?"
"Ahem~ I want to play horsie! But I never had the chance before. I hope senpai… heehee, can indulge your adorable kouhai's little request~"
Standing in front of him, Isshiki drew circles on Hikigaya's chest with her finger.
"Pl–play horsie??"
The corner of Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
"I'm a person, not a horse."
"Just pretend a little~ What's the harm? Your darling kouhai only wants to relive the joy of horsie rides. When I was little, I used to ride on my daddy's back all the time!"
"Sure, when you were little that was fine, but how old are you now? You're heavy as hell, no way."
"…What did you just say?"
Isshiki's face darkened.
"Ugh! You awful, sharp-tongued senpai, did you just call me heavy?! I'm not even heavier than Yukino, you know!"
"What's your weight, then?"
"My weight is… huh?!"
Almost blurting it out, Isshiki caught herself, then shot Hikigaya a glare.
"Senpai, don't you know? Boys must never, ever ask a girl's weight! You're treading dangerously close to my taboo, you know!"
"…Sorry."
"Hmph! Mere senpai."
Isshiki pouted, then leaned in forcefully:
"So? Do you agree or not? Last chance to answer."
"…"
Of course Hikigaya wanted to refuse, but realistically, he had no room to argue—he was totally at her mercy.
With no other choice, Hikigaya sighed and nodded.
"Heehee, that's more like it. Okay, let's begin~"
Isshiki smiled in satisfaction, motioning him toward the cleared-out space in the center of the office.
Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya silently moved to the center.
…Just think of it as letting a little kid ride on your back.
Yeah.
In his eyes, Isshiki was basically just a kid anyway.
"Good boy, senpai~ So, I'm going to sit on your back, okay?"
Seeing Hikigaya in position, Isshiki blinked eagerly, unable to wait.
Hikigaya offered no objections.
Carefully, Isshiki came to his side, eyed his back, and slowly bent down, trying to perch herself as if he were a bench.
Hmm? This feels completely different from when Komachi sat on my back.
Hikigaya felt a subtle shift inside. After all, back home, when he was doing push-ups, his cute little sister Komachi would sometimes sit on his back to help him train.
Meanwhile, Isshiki, legs crossed in amusement, swayed her small feet back and forth, clearly enjoying herself. She pursed her lips and couldn't help but ask:
"Senpai, senpai, I have another… slightly daring idea~ Wanna hear it?"
"No."
Hikigaya shot her down without hesitation.
"Aw, come on, senpai, just listen for a sec~"
Isshiki pouted.
"…Fine, let's hear it."
Seeing him give in, Isshiki smirked triumphantly, her delicate feet swinging back and forth.
"So, um… senpai, can I… maybe… step on you a little? Ahem, don't worry! I'll be super gentle, I promise~"
"??"
Hikigaya turned his head, staring at the girl on his back in complete disbelief. After a few seconds of stunned silence, he spoke again:
"Isshiki-san… are you a pervert?"
"Ugh~ I'm not a pervert, okay!"
Isshiki clung to his back, pouting again:
"Senpai~ just indulge your cute kouhai's little quirk, okay? I know you adore me the most, so say yes, please? Pretty please?"