The Service Club.
Yukinoshita Yukino leaned back in her chair, helpless, the open book still resting on her lap.
Yuigahama Yui covertly sized up Ichika and Itsuki. Even up close, their resemblance was uncanny. If all five sisters dressed the same, would she be able to tell them apart at all?
"Yukinoshita-san, sorry to bother you again." Nakano Ichika smiled warmly, as if completely unaware of Yukino's obvious irritation.
Yukino sighed. "If you know you're bothering me, you shouldn't have come."
"But I came anyway."
"You could always leave."
"But I felt like I had to come."
Sitting off to the side, Shirase's thoughts were complicated. Why does this sound like a dialogue straight out of a wuxia novel?
Resigned to Ichika's persistence, Yukino closed her book and set it neatly on the table, her posture shifting to something formal. "Fine. Speak. You didn't just bring your sister today—you even dragged Mr. Monkey here. What exactly do you want?"
"Wait, who's Mr. Monkey?" Shirase raised a hand.
Yukino chuckled softly, eyes glinting with mockery. "Who else but the ever-energetic Shirase-kun?"
"You've got it wrong. It's been way too hot lately—I'm exhausted every day."
"My mistake, then. I don't see a trace of exhaustion on your face."
"No wonder your eyesight's bad."
"…Hm?"
Ichika covered her mouth in surprise, watching the verbal sparring unfold. She instinctively glanced at Itsuki beside her, silently asking with her eyes, Are they always like this?
Itsuki shook her head blankly. How would she know?
Ichika's gaze then shifted to Yuigahama Yui sitting across from her. Having visited often recently, she'd quickly hit it off with the dumpling-haired girl, whose open, easygoing personality made her simple to get along with.
Yuigahama tried to hold back her laughter, then discreetly gestured toward Shirase and Yukino: They're always like that.
She mouthed silently, I'm used to it.
Ichika nodded thoughtfully. When she looked back at Shirase and Yukino, her gaze had subtly changed.
Uh-oh.
From all the dramas and scripts she'd read, bickering like this was usually step one toward a romantic subplot.
As Ichika pondered, their exchange finally wound down.
"Done bickering? I was already tired, and your provocation only made it worse." Shirase spread his hands.
Yukino rested her chin on her hand. "I'll say it again—I don't see any trace of fatigue on you."
This time, Shirase didn't reply. He just stared out the window at the sunbaked school grounds. "Honestly, I envy you girls sometimes. Skirts must be way more comfortable than long pants in this heat."
A faint smile curved Yukino's lips, dangerously charming. "Since you put it that way, I'll allow you to wear skirts in the Service Club from now on. If you don't have one at home, I'll personally buy it for you."
"Pfft—" Yuigahama couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
Ichika, never one to miss a chance for mischief, quickly joined in. "Shirase in a skirt, huh? Now that's an image. Interesting."
Nakano Itsuki giggled quietly beside her. She definitely liked Shirase, but seeing him flustered like this was just too satisfying.
Yep. Definitely not jealousy. Nope, not at all.
Surrounded by two skilled teasers, Shirase kept his cool, sweeping his gaze over Yukino's and Ichika's beautiful faces. "One day, I'll make sure both of you stand before me in the sexiest sailor uniforms imaginable."
Yukino's smile remained calm, faintly scornful. "I sincerely hope you keep dreaming, because that will never happen."
Ichika's smile, however, froze on her lips.
The short film project was her own idea—surely he didn't mean that kind of "repayment," right?
Images of sailor uniforms flickered through her mind before she could stop them. Strangely, she didn't feel afraid. If anything… a little curious.
Finally, the battle ended.
And once the teasing subsided, Yukino got to the point.
"Filming a short movie?" she repeated, looking skeptically at Shirase. "Where did that come from? Wait—you're not planning some overly passionate soccer-themed short, are you?"
Given his soccer background and the team's enthusiasm this year, she found it a real possibility.
"Isn't Passionate Soccer a fighting game?" Shirase asked, completely missing the point.
Ichika hurriedly stepped in. "Actually, we haven't worked out the details yet—no set genre, no filming gear, nothing."
"I see," Yukino said, nodding slowly. "So this project started purely on impulse?"
"Yes! Exactly!" Ichika cut in again before Shirase could make things worse.
Yukino's gaze shifted to Itsuki, who had been sitting quietly until now. "And you? Are you participating too?"
"Huh? Me? Uh… I guess so?" Itsuki replied nervously, caught off guard.
Yukino nodded. "Even if I agree to help, you're still short on people."
"I can help too!" Yuigahama raised her hand enthusiastically. "I don't know anything about filming, but it sounds super fun—I want in!"
"Thank you!" Ichika said sincerely. She was genuinely relieved—manpower had been a real problem.
"As for my other three sisters," Ichika added, "they haven't replied yet, but I'll try to convince them tonight."
"That settles the staff problem," Yukino mused. "But everyone needs clear roles. For instance…" Her sharp eyes shifted toward Shirase. "Shirase-kun—popular on short-video sites lately—what role will you take?"
"You even know about that?" Shirase asked.
Yukino didn't answer, just flicked a glance at Yuigahama. Obviously, she'd heard from her.
"Obviously, I'll be the director," Shirase declared confidently.
Ichika blinked, pleasantly surprised. Maybe he really was taking it seriously.
But Yukino immediately saw through him, her tone turning cold. "Director? So you can order us to wear 'the sexiest sailor uniforms' on set?"
Shirase hesitated. "Well, if you don't like sailor uniforms, maid outfits work too—"
"Enough." Yukino cut him off sharply and turned to Ichika. "I'll help with your project. But if possible, I'd prefer Shirase-kun to participate by wearing a maid outfit himself."
Right then, the Service Club door creaked open.
Hiratsuka Shizuka stood at the threshold, blinking in surprise. "Oh? Quite the crowd today. Hm? Even Shirase's here? Yukino, how come you didn't invite me to something this lively?"
The expression on her face practically screamed:
Having a fun little party without inviting me, huh?