Amidst Gotoh Hitori’s confusion, Yukinoshita Yukino walked over.
She placed the teapot and cups on the table, pulled out a chair, and sat down opposite her.
Since the wall was right next to them, Gotoh Hitori shifted her gaze to the side and then turned it back; when she looked toward the other direction, she happened to meet Yukino’s gaze.
It was a serious, calm gaze—a gaze that was hard to evade once met.
This was the first time Gotoh Hitori had encountered such a situation, and she tried her best to appear calm.
At such close proximity, in a scene where a conversation should have naturally occurred, neither of them spoke.
The atmosphere turned frigid, causing Gotoh Hitori to suffer greatly.
Her mind began to wander into wild thoughts.
‘It’s probably because of me that the atmosphere has become so awkward.
If it were someone else, perhaps they wouldn’t make Yukinoshita feel so bored.’
Gotoh Hitori made up her mind to say something, but the moment she opened her mouth, her mind went blank.
The first to speak was the icy Yukinoshita.
“So then, would you mind listening to me for a while?”
“Oh, okay.”
Unable to think of a reason to refuse and wanting to alleviate the serious atmosphere, Gotoh Hitori braced herself and agreed.
“Do you know what kind of club this is?” Yukinoshita Yukino asked.
“Hikigaya Hachiman-senpai said it’s called Ser-Service the Service Club.” When she first said the word “Service,” because it felt somewhat indecent, Gotoh Hitori stammered slightly out of consideration for Yukinoshita’s feelings.
However, seeing that the girl’s expression hadn’t changed much, she boldly said it out loud.
“It seems you only know the name of the club.
Very well, let me explain the meaning of this club’s existence.” Yukinoshita Yukino smiled, but this smile was tinged with sorrow, and even her voice became softer than ever before.
“This club was originally set up to help students of Sobu High solve their difficulties; therefore, the content of our club activities is to help students who come seeking assistance resolve their troubles.
But recently, I encountered some things that made me waver on whether to continue upholding that original intent—until Hikigaya-kun brought you here…
Very well, Gotoh-san, tell me about yourself.”
While speaking, Yukinoshita Yukino poured tea into a cup and placed it in front of Gotoh Hitori.
The tea was hot and steaming.
She wanted to escape, but her body remained firmly glued to the chair.
“I, I, I don’t feel like I have any problems…”
“Is that so.” After Yukinoshita Yukino replied, she turned her head away, her gaze drifting toward the window.
She seemed to have many things weighing on her heart, and her figure appeared somewhat ethereal.
“There are also people in this club who are just as afraid of loneliness as you are.
By the way, Gotoh-san, how long has it been since you’ve conversed with someone?” As if remembering something, Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly asked.
A year ago?
Or two years ago?
Gotoh Hitori couldn’t remember herself.
She only felt it had been a long time—so long that she had forgotten how to hold a normal conversation.
When she spoke, it would always be a sound like “ah,” and she never dared to look directly into others’ eyes.
Feeling Yukino’s calm yet scorching gaze, Gotoh Hitori replied, “I don’t remember clearly, but it’s been a very, very long time since I talked with anyone.”
“I see.
You carry a guitar; haven’t you tried joining a club?”
Gotoh Hitori fell silent.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought about it, but every time she wanted to take action, she became hesitant.
She was afraid of being rejected.
She was afraid that, in the end, even that possibility—which existed only in her imagination—would cease to exist.
“If a person is afraid of change, then nothing can be saved.” It sounded as if she were saying it for Gotoh Hitori, but it seemed even more like Yukinoshita Yukino was saying it to herself.
“I…” She wanted to say something, but feeling that her rash words might offend Yukino, Gotoh Hitori spat out the first syllable and then tightly closed her mouth again.
“It seems I also lack the ability to chat with people,” Yukinoshita Yukino sighed.
She, too, was now hoping for Yuigahama Yui to return quickly.
“No, no, no, Yukinoshita-senpai is wonderful; it’s my problem,” Gotoh Hitori said hurriedly.
This was also the first time she had actively met Yukino’s gaze.
Clatter!
Two figures appeared at the door of the Service Club. This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
Noticing this, Gotoh Hitori immediately dove under the table.
“Honestly, knock first,” Yukinoshita Yukino complained with a frown toward Hikigaya Hachiman and Yuigahama Yui, who were carrying a large stack of books.
“Sorry, Yukinon, I just missed you too much!” Yuigahama Yui immediately rushed excitedly toward Yukino and pressed against her.
“Didn’t we just eat lunch together at noon?
I don’t think a normal human’s memory capacity would…” Yukinoshita Yukino said helplessly.
Facing Yuigahama Yui, who was pressing against her, although she was frowning, she didn’t show any intention of pushing her away.
Completely ignoring Yukinoshita Yukino’s sarcasm, Yuigahama Yui suddenly said: “Where’s that pink thing from just now?”
Hikigaya Hachiman stacked the books on the table and said to the space under the table: “Come out, Gotoh-san.
This is Yuigahama Yui, one of the members of the Service Club.”
After he finished speaking, Gotoh Hitori tremblingly crawled out from under the table.
“Wow!
The pink thing came out!” Yuigahama Yui exclaimed.
Seeing this, Hikigaya Hachiman allowed his tone to turn cold, trying hard to imitate Yukinoshita Yukino’s voice as he lectured: “Yuigahama-san, you’re scaring her.
Furthermore, calling others a ‘pink thing’ is a terrible nickname.
She has a name; her name is Gotoh Hitori.”
“Wow, Hikki imitating Yukinon’s speech is so gross.” While complaining about Hikigaya Hachiman, Yui came in front of Gotoh Hitori, extended her hands to tightly grasp Gotoh Hitori’s hands, and showed an apologetic expression on her face.
“Sorry, Hitori-chan.
I didn’t know your name just now, but I do now.
It’s all Hikki’s fault; he scared you.”
“…” The warm temperature coming from the tightly held hands, along with the softness she felt, caused her heart to race involuntarily.
The girl before her was so dazzlingly bright.
‘Is she also a person who is afraid of loneliness?’
Shoulder-length brown hair with slight curls that swayed gently as she moved.
It perfectly matched the style of current high school girls.
Her deliberately raised skirt, the shirt with three buttons unfastened, and the glittering necklace hanging on her chest—every detail revealed a youthful beauty.
Not only that, but her body also emitted a very pleasant scent, which made one want to lean in closer.
Gotoh Hitori’s breathing became heavy as a result; she was almost pressing herself against Yuigahama Yui’s body.