Hikigaya and Yukinoshita had been busy late into the night.
The moonlight outside was beautiful tonight, casting a soft glow over the couple's bed.
Both of them had their eyes closed, lying quietly.
However…
As a gentle breeze drifted in through the window and brushed against Yukinoshita's face, her eyelids fluttered slightly before she slowly opened her drowsy eyes. A faint light seemed to flicker in them as she gazed at the boy beside her, a look both indulgent and complicated.
She wanted to sleep. She really did. But no matter what, she just couldn't fall asleep.
[Hikigaya Hachiman's Corruption Level: 20/100]
Ugh…
Why is it still stuck at 20?!
Yukinoshita had tried everything to lower her beloved husband's corruption level. She'd poured her heart and soul into showing him her love—putting everything she learned into practice.
And yet…
Even after all that effort, it had stopped at 20. No matter what she did.
It was enough to make her want to scream.
She pursed her lips, looking at the handsome boy beside her as her heart thudded in her chest.
Hikigaya was hers. That wasn't up for debate.
Tonight, she had to find a way to bring that corruption level into the single digits—or she wouldn't be able to sleep in peace.
She quietly lifted the covers and got out of bed, heading for the bathroom.
First things first: the restroom.
On the way, she opened her system's shop and bought another enhancement potion.
"Maybe it's just a time issue... Looks like I'll have to work even harder..." she murmured, staring at the pink vial before downing it in one go.
Once she'd carefully finished the potion, she pulled her pajama pants back on and flushed the toilet.
Then she tiptoed back into bed.
She made a few small, deliberate noises, hoping to wake Hikigaya.
No luck.
The boy was sound asleep—completely unbothered.
Sighing, Yukinoshita gave his shoulder a gentle shake.
"Hikigaya-kun... Hikigaya-kun…"
"...Hmm?" He didn't open his eyes, just mumbled groggily, "What is it?"
Ack!
Now what?!
She couldn't just blurt out "Honey, I wanna keep going with... you know..."
No way. Too embarrassing.
"Ahem... It's just... a little cold. Can you hold me?" she asked timidly.
"Mm..." he responded, pulling her into his arms without hesitation. In his sleep, he murmured, "Yukinoshita... love you..."
I love you too, darling~
"Ugh..."
Yukinoshita snapped out of her lovestruck haze.
Seriously?
That's it?
Just a hug? No further reaction?
She looked at the sleeping boy in disbelief. Was this all she was getting?
Well, if that's the case...
She'd just have to take the initiative herself.
Taking a deep breath, she leaned in and kissed him gently.
Still sleeping, huh?
Let's see you try to sleep through this.
"Mm... mm??"
After only a few seconds, Hikigaya's eyes flew open. Instinctively, he pulled away, coughing awkwardly.
"What... what are you doing?"
"That wasn't me... Y-you kissed me first," Yukinoshita stammered, feigning innocence and turning away shyly.
"I kissed you?" Hikigaya touched his lips in confusion. "Wait... was I dreaming just now and accidentally...?"
"Must've been," she replied calmly, blinking at him. "What were you dreaming about? What kind of dream makes you kiss me in your sleep?"
"Er…"
He looked away, avoiding her gaze.
"Nothing, really."
"Nothing?" she pressed. "Tell me honestly. Was it a dream about another girl?"
"What? No way!" he protested immediately.
Liar. He couldn't even look me in the eye!
He probably was dreaming about some other girl, doing who-knows-what with her!
Hmph. Honestly, even if you were with another girl… as long as she was part of the questline and helped you gain points, I could maybe live with it...
With a soft smile, she gently cupped his face and said sweetly, "Of course, I know you'd never think about another girl. The girl in your dream... it was me, wasn't it?"
"Uh... yeah."
His face turned bright red as he nodded.
"You should've just said so," she giggled. "So Hikigaya-kun... you do want to do... that, right?"
"Eh?"
He blinked.
"That?" he repeated dumbly.
"Don't play innocent."
"I-I'm not! I really wasn't thinking that way!"
"Hmph, says the guy who kissed and hugged me…" Yukinoshita pouted.
"Wait, that was—"
"Your mouth says no, but your actions… you're a very dishonest husband, you know~" she poked him lightly in the chest.
"I-I really don't have that kind of thought right now!"
"It's almost 11!" he added frantically. "I just want to sleep—seriously, I need to rest!"
"Okay, okay~ Don't be so tsundere."
Yukinoshita blushed and whispered:
"I-I'm saying yes, okay? I'm agreeing this time…"
"Huh?"
Hikigaya stared at her in disbelief, totally stunned by her soft, bashful expression.
But then he snapped back to reality and shook his head.
"Let's just leave it tonight. It's already really late. We should sleep."
With that, he dove back under the covers.
"…???"
Yukinoshita stood frozen.
What?!
Even after this, you still say no?!
No way!
You can't just fall asleep now!
What about me?!
I even took the potion! If you say no, I'm going to explode tonight!
"Ugh, get up! Don't pretend to sleep! Come on, wake up!"
She shook him hard.
"I'm seriously tired... Can we just do this in the morning?"
"Oh, still trying to play hard to get, huh? Want me to be the one to initiate again?"
"I'm not playing! I'm just exhausted!"
"Yeah, sure, keep pretending!"
Whether you agree or not—you're agreeing tonight!
"Hikigaya, please, I just want to sleep. Have mercy, babe... please..."
"Oh, now you're begging?!" she snapped.
Watching him curl up under the covers, trembling like a scared animal, Yukinoshita put on a calm, teasing front—but deep inside, she was starting to panic.
Begging won't help!
A wife's duties must be fulfilled!