"Hikigaya-kun, is this supposed to be a bribe?"
The moment Hikigaya entered the Service Club today, he took a bag of cookies out of his bag and placed it on the desk. Yukino Yukinoshita didn't understand why he was doing this.
"It's not a bribe. Katsuragi asked me to bring it to you. He said it's a thank-you gift for yesterday's request."
Facing Yukino's inquiry, Hikigaya sat back in his seat and waved his hand to explain the situation.
He had actually asked Ren why he didn't deliver it himself, but Ren simply stated it wasn't "on his way," so he let Hikigaya, the "club member," drop it off since it was on his.
After eating his food and taking his things, Hikigaya felt indebted. Hikigaya, who had basically fleeced Ren yesterday by "eating and taking," couldn't refuse the request.
[A thank-you gift?]
Gazing at the beautifully packaged cookies on the table, Yukino chose to accept the kindness. This was the first time since she founded the Service Club that she had received a token of gratitude from a client.
It was, in a sense, a significant moment.
More than the physical cookies, Yukino enjoyed the emotional recognition from the client—it felt as though her help wasn't meaningless.
"Then what about Yuigahama-san? Why are you here too?"
The Service Club, which only had two members, now had an extra Yui Yuigahama, making it impossible for Yukino not to notice. Usually, once a request ended, people wouldn't set foot in the club again unless they had a new problem.
Yui's strange behavior caught Yukino's attention.
"Um... I feel like what the Service Club does is very meaningful, so I want to apply to join."
Yui, who had essentially become Yukino's "fan-girl" yesterday, had followed her all the way here. As for why she didn't choose to follow Ren, who was also an "idol" figure—firstly, Ren hadn't joined any clubs, and secondly, she was a girl after all; being a tag-along behind Ren all day wouldn't look right.
"Yuigahama-san, please consider joining the Service Club seriously."
"You should know that 'teaching' is not a game."
Hearing Yui say she wanted to join, Yukino's gaze turned serious. Aside from Hikigaya, who was shoved in by Hiratsuka-sensei, there had been other students who wanted to join, but they were all just chasing after Yukino herself. Consequently, she had turned them all away. Now that Yui had the same idea, Yukino had to be cautious.
"Yukinon, I understand! I've already thought it through."
Yui's eyes were firm. She clenched her right fist and pulled it down in a "fighting" gesture to show her resolve.
As she made the motion, her "bust" bounced heavily, which looked exceptionally piercing in Yukino's eyes. Hikigaya, who was secretly eavesdropping on their conversation, obviously noticed this sight as well. He couldn't help but cast a glance toward Yukino.
Immediately, a look of pity appeared in Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes.
Comparison is the thief of joy. Hikigaya felt that Yui had unintentionally dealt an incomparable blow to Yukino.
And the facts were exactly as Hikigaya thought.
Facing Yui's airheaded nature, Yukino had no choice, but that didn't apply to a certain someone nearby.
"Hikigaya-kun, is your head full of nothing but lewd thoughts, like some kind of pervert?"
"Instead of reading your book properly, you're only thinking about useless things."
"If this continues, I'm truly worried for my personal safety."
Yukino vented all her lingering resentment on Hikigaya, who was still wearing that pitiful look. Hikigaya couldn't even talk back.
Because he was peeking...
Knock, knock—
The club door was knocked. Yukino quickly composed herself, and Yui sat back on the stool Yukino had brought for her yesterday.
"Come in."
Following the response, the door was pulled open from the outside.
"Hello. Is this the Service Club?"
Mahiru walked into the classroom and asked politely.
Once you have a dream, you must move toward it. After confirming that Mahiru's dream was firm, Ren introduced her to the Service Club, which believed in "teaching."
With the dedicated Yukino there, Ren believed it wouldn't take long for Mahiru to pick up the basic knowledge of writing novels, saving her from many unnecessary detours.
As for why Ren didn't teach her himself... well, why do it yourself when there's a free "tool" available?
At school, Yukino would help Mahiru cram the basics; at home, Ren would consolidate what she learned. This way, Yukino completed a request, Mahiru built her foundation, and Ren could enjoy his leisure time. A win-win for everyone.
"Shiina-san? This is the Service Club. Is there something we can help you with?"
Yukino didn't even need to search her mental student list; she immediately recognized the true identity of this girl who, like herself, was considered one of Sobu High's most beautiful girls.
"It's me, Yukinoshita-san. I want to learn to write novels, but my foundation isn't solid enough. So, I want to request the Service Club to help me with some lessons."
"Also, please give me your guidance."
Mahiru explained her purpose and issued the request.
"Writing novels? I understand."
"Shiina-san, I accept your request."
----
"I have to get home fast, or I'll miss the once-a-week vegetable discount at the mall."
Nino Nakano, with swallowtail butterfly hair ornaments tied on both sides of her long hair, was sprinting through the classroom hallway. Her green short skirt fluttered in the breeze created by her jog, revealing a large area of her Absolute Territory above her white over-the-knee socks.
Nino, who possessed exceptional "girl power," had always been the one in charge of cooking at home. Naturally, grocery shopping was her responsibility. She had been held back by a teacher after school today, and if she didn't hurry, she really wouldn't be able to compete with those grandmas and grandpas who are usually full of aches and pains but move like Olympic sprinters when there's a bargain to be had.
The allowance her father gave the Nakano household was quite generous, but that didn't diminish a shopper's obsession with discounted vegetables.
If nothing goes wrong, something is about to go wrong.
Thud.
At a corner, Nino, who didn't have time to brake, crashed headlong into Ren's chest, making him stagger. Fortunately, Ren stabilized his lower body in time and wasn't knocked to the ground.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Before Ren could speak, Nino quickly pulled away from his chest and bowed to apologize.
"It's fine, Nakano. Please run a bit slower next time."
The familiar voice made Nino freeze. She looked up to see Ren, who she had just crashed into, looking at her with a smile.
The "chance encounter" plan seemed to have succeeded... though it happened by force.
"Um... how did Katsuragi-kun know my name?"
"Your name is written on your student ID, Nakano."
Ren pointed to the student ID hanging from Nino's collar.
Looking at it, Nino cursed herself for being an idiot. How could she forget that?
"Are you in such a hurry for something, Nakano?"
Reminded by Ren, Nino suddenly remembered the discounted vegetables. She picked up her shoulder bag, ready to leave.
"Sorry, Katsuragi-kun. I'll apologize to you properly later. I have something to do right now, so I'll be off—"
Before she could finish the word "off," a sharp pain shot through her ankle. It seemed she had sprained it. The intense pain made Nino crouch down, covering her ankle with one hand, her lower lip bitten in an expression of pure grievance.
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