"If you truly didn't care, you wouldn't be losing your temper like this."
Genichi's voice was as calm as if he were describing the weather.
He leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, looking at the trembling girl before him with an appraising gaze.
"The fact that you're this upset only proves you do care about your figure. As expected, people always obsess over what they lack."
Yukino trembled with anger.
Her face flushed bright red, and flames of fury burned in those usually cold eyes.
Ever since she was young, she had been a gifted girl who stood above others. With her exceptional intellect and outstanding beauty, she became the center of attention wherever she went.
But the man in front of her had struck at the most sensitive part of her heart in the cruelest way possible.
Her figure.
Yes, her figure was not particularly impressive.
She knew that better than anyone.
But no one had ever dared to say it to her face like this.
No one had ever dared to humiliate her this way.
"You..."
Yukino wanted to argue. She wanted to use the eloquence she took pride in to tear this hateful man's words apart.
But when she opened her mouth, she found her mind completely blank.
The more she argued, the more it would prove that she cared.
And the more she cared, the more it would prove he was right.
It was a dead end.
Shizuka stood to the side, watching the scene unfold with sweat beading across her forehead.
These two really were lightning meeting wildfire.
One was Yukino Yukinoshita, the school's universally acknowledged flower on a high peak, proud, aloof, and untouchable.
The other was Genichi, a detached and distant boy who had suddenly awakened supernatural power.
Putting these two together was like watching Mars crash into Earth.
But what worried Shizuka even more was this: would Yukino provoking Genichi like this trigger some unforeseen consequence?
After all, Genichi now possessed power far beyond that of ordinary people.
Those shadows that crawled out from the darkness and those strange, unpredictable abilities were not things normal humans could resist.
Who knew whether he might be angered enough to do something to Yukino?
The Yukinoshita family did have influence, but that was only influence in the world of ordinary people.
Against someone like Genichi, who wielded supernatural power, it might not be useful at all.
Shizuka was genuinely worried for Yukino.
She quietly observed Genichi's expression, ready to rush forward and stop him the moment she sensed anything was wrong.
However, Genichi's expression remained calm from start to finish.
That calm was not forced composure.
It was genuine indifference.
It was as if Yukino's anger was nothing more than a boring performance in his eyes.
That indifference only made Shizuka even more worried.
Because it meant he did not take Yukino seriously at all.
Yukino took several deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.
After all, she was Yukino Yukinoshita.
She was the girl who could maintain her calm and reason no matter what kind of situation she encountered.
She could not let him lead her around by the nose.
She could not let his words provoke her.
She had to deal with this hateful man in her own way.
"Hiratsuka-sensei."
Yukino turned to Shizuka. Her voice had already returned to its usual cold clarity.
"I will accept this member."
Shizuka froze.
"Huh?"
Yukino's gaze returned to Genichi, and a blazing fire burned in her eyes.
It was the fire of fighting spirit.
"I will correct that twisted and awful personality of his."
Her voice carried a determination that allowed no doubt.
Since you struck at my sore spot, I'll show you what true "correction" looks like.
She would use her own methods to make this man understand just how low and vulgar his poisonous words were.
When Genichi heard that, he could not help laughing.
His smile was faint, carrying a trace of casual mockery.
"Sorry, but I have no interest in joining your weird little club."
His tone was light, as if he were talking about something utterly insignificant.
Yukino's face instantly turned extremely ugly.
Weird little club?
The Service Club she took pride in had been called a "weird little club" by him?
"It is not a weird club!"
Yukino practically spoke through gritted teeth.
"The purpose of the Service Club is to follow the principle of teaching people to fish rather than simply giving them fish. We accept requests from students and extend a helping hand to those in need. It has nothing to do with whatever indecent nonsense is filling your head!"
Her voice carried anger, but also pride.
This was the club she had built herself.
It was her only place of belonging in this school.
She would never allow anyone to insult it with such contempt.
Shizuka, standing beside them, finally could not hold back any longer.
"Hanyu, don't go too far."
Her voice carried a trace of helplessness, along with a hint of reproach.
Clearly, she was finding this hard to listen to as well.
Genichi bullying Yukino like this really was a bit much.
Although Yukino was indeed rather proud and sharp-tongued, she was a good kid at heart. She had established the Service Club to help students who needed help, and that sincerity was real.
For Genichi to mock her like this had crossed a line.
Genichi glanced at Shizuka and stayed silent for a moment. Then he shrugged.
"Fine."
He withdrew that teasing gaze and looked back at Yukino, his tone becoming a little calmer.
"But I really don't have any interest in joining a club. I'm not interested in helping other people either."
That was the truth.
He had returned to this world only to devour vengeful spirits and increase his strength.
As for everything else, he did not care.
Yukino looked at him, and a complicated emotion flashed through her eyes.
She could see it now.
This man was not targeting her specifically.
He truly did not care about anything.
That indifference was not an act. It came from the bottom of his heart.
He was like an isolated island, cutting himself off from the outside world.
He did not allow others to approach, and he had no desire to approach anyone else.
Yukino took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in her heart, and looked at Genichi seriously.
She could tell that Genichi cared about nothing. Although she did not know what had caused him to become this way, Yukino believed that this state of his was dangerous.
A person who felt indifferent toward everything was undoubtedly a potential danger.
If he had already committed a crime, then Yukino would not involve herself.
But since he had not yet done so, she believed she should guide him onto the right path instead of allowing him to stray into darkness.
(End of Chapter)
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