Miura Yumiko, although quite slow in romantic matters, even the slowest person would notice something off after some time.
As the saying goes, even a wise person makes mistakes, and even a fool occasionally has a good idea—though Miura Yumiko didn't consider herself a fool, she'd indeed noticed Yuigahama Yui's abnormal behavior.
Clearly before everyone went out together for a date last time, Yuigahama Yui still seemed very interested in Shin and would actively help her gather intelligence about Shin.
But after that date, Yuigahama Yui seemed to consciously start avoiding actively mentioning Shin, and always acted hesitant when facing herself.
Miura Yumiko's heart had already produced the thought "Does Yuigahama also like Shin?" However, this was just speculation. Miura Yumiko didn't dare ask directly.
So after hesitating for a day, Miura Yumiko made a decision—she wanted to first find evidence of Yuigahama Yui liking Shin, then be frank with Yuigahama Yui.
Although when facing Shin, Miura Yumiko always acted hesitant, when facing Yuigahama Yui, Miura Yumiko was still quite decisive.
Originally, seeing Yuigahama Yui acting alone after school, Miura Yumiko thought she might have caught an opportunity, thinking Yuigahama Yui might be going for a private meeting with Shin.
However, when Miura Yumiko secretly followed Yuigahama Yui to the destination, she froze.
Because Yuigahama Yui didn't go meet Shin, but rather ran alone to a classroom—at the classroom door was clearly posted a paper with the club's name.
"Service Club...?"
Miura Yumiko frowned slightly—she'd heard of this club's name. It seemed to be a club Yukinoshita Yukino established to help students?
Honestly, Miura Yumiko didn't really like Yukinoshita Yukino. Their personalities were completely opposite in many ways, making her feel they could never get along.
She'd just personally seen Yuigahama Yui enter the Service Club's door, so after hesitating, she still decided to eavesdrop on what exactly Yuigahama Yui wanted to do.
If this matter had nothing to do with Shin, then Miura Yumiko would apologize to Yuigahama Yui afterward—she wasn't the type who dared to act but not admit it.
"I see, wanting to learn how to make cookies to give to someone you care about..."
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Yuigahama Yui sitting before her with a serious expression, nodded to show understanding.
This kind of request was within her expectations—adolescent boys and girls always harbored subtle fantasies about love, wanting to experience romance through sweet things like this.
"That's right, but my cooking skills are terrible, so I don't know if I can learn it..."
Yuigahama Yui scratched her head with an embarrassed smile, speaking to Yukinoshita Yukino.
Actually, making cookies for Shin came entirely from something her mother said—even after confirming a relationship with a boy, if not maintained long-term, they might gradually drift apart.
Yuigahama Yui felt a sense of crisis because of this, so she wanted to do something for Shin. After searching, she finally decided to make a small gift for Shin to maintain their relationship.
As for what to give... Yuigahama Yui ultimately chose sweets, which were simple but could convey feelings.
"As long as you put in enough effort, nothing is impossible."
Yukinoshita Yukino completely ignored Yuigahama Yui's self-denial, stating firmly to her.
"No problem, I accept this request."
Naturally she didn't think Yuigahama Yui's request was difficult. For Yukinoshita Yukino with extremely strong talents in all areas, learning a skill just required a little effort to definitely accomplish.
However, after accepting the request, Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly raised her head to look at the Service Club classroom's door:
"Speaking of which, is that person outside the door your friend?"
Since wearing the amulet with Shin's "bird feather," Yukinoshita Yukino recently felt her senses were becoming increasingly sharp.
At first Yukinoshita Yukino thought it might just be her imagination, but looking now, this probably wasn't an illusion. She could even faintly hear breathing sounds from the doorway just now.
So she asked Yuigahama Yui whether the person at the door was her friend—if not, then someone was eavesdropping.
"Eh? The person outside the door...?"
Yuigahama Yui froze, instinctively shaking her head—she came alone today without calling any friends.
Seeing Yuigahama Yui's reaction, Yukinoshita Yukino nodded, then directly stood up, walked to the Service Club's door, and opened it in one breath.
As the door was pushed open, Miura Yumiko, who'd been leaning against the door eavesdropping, stumbled and nearly fell into the Service Club.
"Eh!? Yumiko!?"
At first, Yuigahama Yui was startled seeing someone almost fall through the door, but after seeing who it was, showed an even more surprised expression.
She hadn't expected the eavesdropper at the door was actually Miura Yumiko—but soon, she realized another very important matter.
Her face paled as she looked at standing Miura Yumiko, speaking with a somewhat trembling voice:
"Yumiko, don't tell me... you already heard?"
Miura Yumiko stood up, then silently looked at Yuigahama Yui with a complex expression.
She'd heard Yuigahama Yui preparing to make cookies for a boy she liked—thinking a bit, Miura Yumiko could guess that boy Yuigahama Yui mentioned was who.
After all, recently the only boy Yuigahama Yui had contacted was Shin, right?
"So it's someone you know."
Yukinoshita Yukino saw Yuigahama Yui and Miura Yumiko staring at each other and sighed lightly—since they were acquaintances, she had nothing more to say.
She watched Yuigahama Yui and Miura Yumiko with interest, also noticing these two friends probably liked the same boy.
Who knows how these two would develop in the end... but that wasn't something Yukinoshita Yukino should interfere with.
Just as Yukinoshita Yukino prepared to wait at the side for the two to make a decision, Miura Yumiko spoke:
"The one you like is also Shin, right?"
"...Ah."
This was Yuigahama Yui hesitating, then nodding in response.
"...Huh?"
This was Yukinoshita Yukino on the side suddenly hearing a familiar name, then becoming dumbfounded.
To be continued…