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Yukino Yukinoshita had thought her sister came to question her about what happened.
But instead… her sister actually spent money to hire the very man who had taken her first time… to take care of her?!
What was this supposed to be? A thief crying "catch the thief"? Or throwing herself straight into the wolf's den?
Just thinking about how she'd have to undergo that humiliating "deep detox" with him once every week from now on—and that this arrangement had now been officially approved and even funded with thirty thousand by her own sister—Yukinoshita's face flushed bright red. Even her ears burned as if they might start bleeding.
She took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing the heat in her cheeks, and struggled to regain her usual cold, composed demeanor.
"Since my sister didn't notice anything, we'll consider this matter closed. However, Mr. Lucian, I came to see you today for another reason as well."
She pulled a neatly flattened A4 sheet from her bag and handed it over.
Lucian took it and glanced at the heading. Four bold characters stood out clearly:
[Club Establishment Application Form]
Under "Club Name," it was neatly written:
[Service Club]
"Service Club?" Lucian raised an eyebrow. Even though, as a transmigrator, he already knew about this club, he still played along and looked puzzled. "What kind of club is that? The name… sounds a bit strange."
"Please keep your unhealthy and dirty assumptions to yourself, Mr. Lucian."
Yukinoshita corrected him sharply, then lifted her chin slightly. Her eyes gleamed with a pure, almost stubborn pride.
"In this world, those who possess talent should help those who lack it and are facing difficulties. That is the duty of the strong—and my personal creed."
"The purpose of establishing the Service Club is to accept requests from students across the school and help them solve problems they cannot handle on their own. To guide lost lambs back onto the right path—that is the meaning of this club's existence."
A flicker of admiration passed through Lucian's eyes.
As expected of Yukino Yukinoshita. That almost obsessive sense of righteousness and pride was uniquely hers—and strangely compelling.
"The idea's not bad," Lucian said, lightly shaking the application in his hand. "But the advisor section is still blank. You came to me because you want me to be the club's advisor?"
Yukinoshita turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze. The faint blush that had just faded from her earlobes crept back again.
According to school rules, forming a club required a teacher's signature.
But…
There had never been a precedent at Sobu High for a first-year student founding a club.
Originally, she had planned to find some uninvolved teacher to lend their name, but as a freshman, most teachers wouldn't even bother with her.
So she came to Lucian for two reasons.
First, he was easy enough to approach.
Second, if he became the advisor, then being alone with him in the clubroom—or dealing with sudden "physical issues"—would have the perfect cover.
The thought made her feel incredibly ashamed, but for someone as rational as Yukinoshita, this was currently the safest and most logical choice.
"If you're unwilling, I can go ask Teacher Hiratsuka instead." She bit her lower lip. Her tone remained firm, but there was a trace of nervousness in her eyes that even she didn't notice.
"Who said I'm unwilling?"
Lucian picked up a pen from the desk, uncapped it, and signed his name in the advisor section without hesitation.
"Helping others is something I like too. Besides, as your homeroom teacher—and considering your sister is paying me to look after you—I should keep a close eye on my club president at all times."
He handed the signed application back, glancing at her slightly flustered expression with a faint smile.
"Then, I look forward to working with you, President Yukinoshita. Teacher Hiratsuka is over there—you can submit it."
Hearing that, Yukinoshita let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Holding the now-signed application, she quickly walked over to Hiratsuka Shizuka's desk.
"Teacher Hiratsuka, this is my application to establish the 'Service Club.' The advisor has already signed. Please review it."
She had already returned to her usual cold and composed demeanor as she presented the form with both hands.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, who had been holding an unlit cigarette in her mouth, took the paper and gave it a casual glance.
But when her eyes landed on the bold, flowing signature—"Lucian"—in the advisor section, she paused.
This girl just went to her homeroom teacher to start a club?
"Oh? That kid Lucian actually agreed to be your advisor?"
She removed the cigarette, her eyes flashing with unconcealed surprise as she looked Yukinoshita up and down.
"Yukinoshita, since the founding of Sobu High, there's never been a case of a first-year student independently establishing a club. And Lucian may be a new teacher, but he seems like the type who hates trouble. Yet he's willing to go along with your little project? What exactly did you do to convince him?"
At that question, Yukinoshita's heart skipped a beat.
How did she convince him?
Was she supposed to say that she had spent the night in his bed yesterday—and would have to undergo that deeply humiliating "treatment" with him every week from now on?!
She took a deep breath, forcing down the rising embarrassment and panic. Her beautiful face remained cold and distant, as proud as ever.
"Teacher Lucian simply agrees with the Service Club's philosophy and is willing to help students in need."
She lifted her chin slightly, then redirected the conversation without hesitation.
"Teacher Hiratsuka, rather than being overly concerned about which teacher is advising a high school girl's club, perhaps you should devote that extra energy to solving your own problem—like being an older single woman who still can't even find a proper matchmaking partner?"
Crack!
The poor cigarette in Hiratsuka's hand snapped cleanly in two.
"O-older… single woman…" A vein bulged on her forehead.
But then…
A certain thought suddenly crossed her mind.
"Well, it's true that I'm not getting any younger, and my matchmaking attempts keep failing. It really is troublesome."
Resting her chin on one hand, she mused aloud:
"Yukinoshita, what do you think about me going after Lucian? He's only nineteen—just a few years younger than me—but he's handsome, a genius graduate from Tokyo University… They say marrying a younger man brings fortune. A young, strong, ridiculously good-looking guy like that is basically the perfect marriage candidate!"
"....."