Air Groove's POV

Well, that backfired spectacularly. CB-senpai's little rampage handed Fuji two out of the three challenges on a silver platter. Not that I'm trying to sabotage her or anything—live and let live, right? But the last challenge? Getting Hachiman to rest his head on her lap? That's a tall order. Only CB's pulled it off with her usual shameless flair. For anyone else, it's like scaling a cliff. Hachiman's not exactly the type to just… let you get that close. Especially not when…

CB: "Hehe~♪" clinging Hachiman: "…" flip

CB's practically glued to Hachiman's side, radiating smugness. Probably her way of keeping Fuji in check. And it's working—Fuji's been frozen out, unable to make a move. Oh, and by the way, it's well past dinner now. The sun's long gone, and night's settled in. Time's running out.

Air Groove: "Is this… even possible at this point?"

Fuji: "You're telling me! CB's been hogging Hachiman this whole time. What am I supposed to do about that?"

Air Groove: "…Good luck?"

Fuji: "Oh, come on! Don't just toss this back to me like CB did! I'm the one stuck in the hot seat here!"

Tch, not my problem! CB's the one making a mess of this—take it up with her!

Hachiman: "Hey, CB, mind giving me some space? I wanna lie down for a bit."

Air Groove, Fuji, CB: "!?"

CB: "W-What's up, Hachiman?"

Hachiman: "Nothing's up. Just need to rest my head for a bit. I do this at home all the time, so don't make a big deal out of it."

CB: "You're not heading to bed?"

Hachiman: "Nah, if I hit the futon, I'll sleep straight through to morning. That'd be a waste of good time."

Fuji: "!" lightbulb moment

Hachiman: "So, CB, can you let go of my arm?"

CB: "…Fine." pout

Hachiman: "That was a dramatic pause."

Air Groove: "Didn't peg you for the type to do that, Hachiman."

Hachiman: "One of my college professors swore by it. Said giving your brain a quick break refreshes it. Like a power nap. Honestly, it works—my focus is sharper afterward."

Fuji: "You're lying on the sofa, then?"

Hachiman: "Usually, yeah."

Fuji: "That's gotta hurt your neck. Hachiman… mind if I step in?"

Hachiman: "Huh?"

She's doing it. Fuji's offering her lap to Hachiman—voluntarily! I didn't see that coming. And she's not just going for the lap pillow—she's flipping the script, offering to be the pillow. Clever. CB only said "lap pillow," no specifics. This totally counts.

Hachiman: "Fuji, you don't have to."

Fuji: "It's no trouble. Just relax and rest your head. When should I wake you? I can set an alarm."

Hachiman: "…Until bath time."

Fuji: "Hehe, you got it."

And just like that, Hachiman settles his head on Fuji's lap and closes his eyes, looking… surprisingly comfortable. I'd say she's cleared the challenge, but what does CB think?

♪~

Oh, a message? [♪~] …Not yet.

[Group Chat]

Fuji: So, this counts as a pass, right?

CB: No way!! You didn't get a lap pillow from Hachiman!

Fuji: You never said it had to be his lap!

Air Groove: I'm with Fuji. She passes. You didn't set clear rules, CB—your loss.

…Pouting won't change anything, CB. Just admit defeat. You're out of moves. And Fuji, wipe that smug grin off your face—you're not helping.

♪~

[Group Chat]

CB: Fine, she passes! But next time, Fuji, you're getting the lap pillow from Hachiman, got it?

Fuji: Just don't butt in saying it's "unfair" again, okay? No crashing the party!

CB: I couldn't help it! I really thought Fuji was hogging all the fun!!

Air Groove: CB, we're the ones who set this up. You can't complain now.

…Don't glare at me, CB. The goal's been met—Fuji won fair and square. Why are you still so grumpy?

Air Groove: "Komachi, I'll go run the bath."

Komachi: "No worries, I've got it!"

Air Groove: "Alright, thanks. Mr. Hikigaya, need a refill?"

Naoto: "Oh, you sure? I feel bad making you do this every day…"

Air Groove: "It's no trouble at all. You've been so kind to us—it's the least I can do."

Rin: "Air Groove, you're such a sweetheart. All you girls are, but I'd love a dependable girl like you as Hachiman's bride~"

Fuji: "!!"

Air Groove: "M-Me? Oh, you're teasing… Besides, I'm sure there's someone far more suitable."

Rin: "Is there, now~?"

Mrs. Hikigaya, please, not now! I can feel Fuji's laser stare burning a hole through me.

Congrats on clearing the challenge, Fuji!

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