The women's hygiene aisle.
With her arm hooked around Hikigaya's, Hoshino Ai curiously scanned the shelves lined with products. She turned and asked,
"Hey, what brand of pads does Yukinoshita usually use when she's on her period?"
Hikigaya looked helpless.
"How the hell would I know?"
"Aren't you Yukino's boyfriend?" Ai teased with a smile. "If you're her boyfriend, then you've definitely bought pads for her before, right?"
"..."
Hikigaya's face turned red, and he fell silent.
"You haven't?"
"No. I'm a guy—I don't really do this kind of thing."
Under Ai's inquisitive gaze, Hikigaya looked away.
Wait… has Yukino ever used pads?
Now that I think about it, I don't recall ever seeing her use them…
Hold on—don't tell me Yukino doesn't use pads?
No way, that's impossible. There's no way a girl wouldn't use pads. She probably just hides it really well so I don't notice.
"Hehe, when a girl uses the pads her boyfriend picked out, it gives her a real sense of accomplishment, you know. Come on, why don't you help pick some out for Yukino too?" Ai giggled.
"Huh? Me? Pick them?"
Face flushing again, Hikigaya mumbled,
"She'd roast me to death. Why don't you pick some for her instead?"
"Guys are so shy," Ai teased. "Yukino might say something snarky, but I bet deep down she'd be super touched. Come on, let's pick some out together~"
She grabbed his hand and dragged him deeper into the aisle full of feminine hygiene products.
"Wait—"
Hikigaya's mouth twitched. He struggled several times but was ultimately pulled along by her overwhelming strength.
This girl's grip is insane!
"Hikigaya-kun, what do you think about this pack?"
Ai held up a packet of pads, beaming.
"Uh…" Hikigaya gave it a perfunctory glance.
"Hikigaya-kun, take this seriously, would you?"
Pouting, Ai glared at him.
"Sigh… I really have no idea."
Hikigaya sighed in defeat.
"Heehee, then let me explain. This one has a really nice scent—it's the kind of fragrance guys tend to like. Look, it even says 'Most Popular With Men' right here~" Ai said, eyes sparkling.
"Popular with men?" Hikigaya blinked. "Isn't this stuff for girls?"
"Of course it is."
"Then why—"
"Why 'popular with men,' right? Heehee… That's because after a girl uses it, she gives it to her boyfriend. Get it now, Higaya" Ai whispered with a mischievous grin.
"???"
A girl uses it… then gives it to a guy??
What kind of twisted nonsense is that??
"Who the hell would… would take a used period pad from a girl? That's seriously messed up!"
Face now bright red, Hikigaya couldn't help but blurt out.
"Who said it had to be during her period?" Ai chuckled. "Girls don't only wear pads when they're on their period, you know. Sometimes we just wear them normally~ Hikigaya-kun, you really are clueless when it comes to girls~"
"I-I am a guy!"
Hikigaya's face reddened further.
"Fufu, so now you've learned a little, haven't you~?"
"I haven't."
"Don't play dumb. Like, what if Yukino had just used one, and you couldn't help but take it and sniff it a little—or even…"
"Stop! That's way too perverted!!" Hikigaya quickly cut her off.
"Oh?"
Ai gave him a sly look, half-smiling:
"Are you sure you've never been curious? I'm not talking anything extreme, just maybe picking it up… giving it a sniff… Hikigaya-kun, don't you ever get thoughts like that?"
"Th-this…"
Yukinoshita's… lightly used pads?
Wait, what the hell am I thinking!?
I'm totally getting dragged around by Ai here!
Taking a deep breath, Hikigaya composed himself.
"Of course not!"
"Oh? Really~?"
A grin spread across Ai's face—one that had long since lost any trace of shame. She leaned in, her voice sultry:
"Hikigaya-kun… I'm actually wearing one right now~"
"???"
A shiver ran down Hikigaya's spine, and he quickly looked away.
"Why would you even tell me that?!"
"Heehee~ Why do you think~?"
Ai threw him a flirtatious wink and whispered softly:
"Hikigaya-kun, if it's you… I wouldn't mind…"
But—
Before she could finish her sentence, Hikigaya suddenly stepped forward and pulled her into a firm embrace.
The unexpected move turned Ai's face bright red, flustered and breathless.
"Hikigaya-kun? Are you that eager? I was going to… you know… in just a bit…"
"That's not it."
Hikigaya calmly interrupted her.
"Someone nearby just recognized you."
"Eh?"
Ai stiffened, immediately perking up her ears.
Sure enough—
Faint voices could be heard from not far off.
"Is that Ai?"
"Her figure looks kinda like hers…"
"Can't be. Even if Ai had a boyfriend, she'd never be dating that kind of guy, right?"
"..."
Ai's expression shifted. Sure enough, her idol identity had almost been blown.
Hikigaya-kun… you're amazing. You were watching out for me this whole time…
A warm feeling bloomed in Ai's heart. Being held in the boy's arms made her feel an indescribable sense of comfort.
"They're about to leave. Just wait a little—then I'll let go…"
Hikigaya murmured to the girl in his arms.
But unexpectedly, Ai suddenly lifted her head… and before he could react, she kissed him.
Right on the lips.
Hikigaya: "?!"
"Ugh, they're even kissing in public?! So indecent!"
"Yeah, there's no way Ai would ever kiss a guy like that on her own."
The onlookers quickly dispersed, no longer paying attention to the two.
At the same time—
Blushing furiously, Hikigaya pushed Ai away, wiping his mouth in a fluster.
"Y-you're insane!!"
"Hikigaya-kun… I meant every word."
Ai, wiping her lips too, was breathing heavily now. Her eyes locked on him, filled with emotion.
"Hikigaya-kun, you're amazing… You make my heart race. You're my real deal. I… I want to have your baby, right now. Let's get a room…"
"Huh?!"
Hikigaya quickly turned away, steadying himself.
"Hoshino-san, please calm down. I already have a girlfriend."
"Yukino said… if it's me, she's totally fine with it~" Ai closed the distance again.
"She was clearly joking!"
"But what if she wasn't? Hikigaya-kun, please… just say yes, okay?"