“The Service Club…” Yuuta read the nameplate hanging on the door with a furrowed brow, then turned to Hiratsuka with a scrutinizing gaze.
“Hiratsuka-sensei.
Seirei Academy is a prestigious private school attended by the children of wealthy families, daughters of celebrities, and even the offspring of influential figures in the world of finance and politics.
In Japan, only Shuchi’in Academy can rival it.” Yuuta paused for a moment, placing emphasis on his next sentence.
“But…
establishing a vulgar club like this is a clear violation of the law.
This is a school, not a red-light district.” As if taking a critical hit directly to the solar plexus, Hiratsuka reflexively clutched her shapely chest—a precious asset that, unfortunately, had never been touched by any man despite her being nearly thirty years old.
“It’s true that the name of this club causes misunderstandings, but this is the first time anyone has said it so bluntly to my face.” “Geez…
Yukinoshita, she insisted on using that ambiguous name even though I warned her multiple times.” Hiratsuka massaged her temples, picturing the stubborn club president who knew nothing of the word compromise.
“Relax, Yamabuki.
It’s not what you think.
Explaining it is too much trouble; it’s better if you see it for yourself with your own eyes.” Having said that, Hiratsuka walked ahead and opened the door without knocking.
“…” Yuuta knew that if he tried to run now, this teacher—who was already sensitive due to her marriage issues—would only cause bigger problems for him down the road.
With heavy steps and a weary breath, he followed her inside.
The room was silent, dominated by the faint scent of old books and tea.
In the center of the room, school desks were lined up to form a long table with three chairs occupied by two girls and one boy.
Yuuta’s gaze immediately fell upon a beautiful teenage girl of average height, with a slender build and a chest as flat as an airport, sitting in the seat by the window.
Her skin was fair, and her long black hair cascaded from her shoulders to her hips, featuring a flat ahoge sticking out from the top of her head.
Her blue eyes radiated a sharp, cold charm.
She maintained an expression of utter indifference toward the world around her, focusing solely on the book in her hands.
She was Yukinoshita Yukino.
An overachieving student who upheld righteousness above all else.
Without even lifting her head from her book, she spoke in a nonchalant tone.
“How many times have I told you to knock first, Hiratsuka-sensei?
Even a monkey, when taught something, can manage it after being trained a few times.” “Hoh…
Yukinoshita.
May I take that statement as an insult implying that your teacher is a monkey?” Hiratsuka narrowed her eyes, her aura beginning to darken.
“Hiratsuka-sensei, Yukinon didn’t mean it like that!
Right, Yukinon?!” Another girl quickly tried to diffuse the atmosphere before it turned into a conflict.
This girl had light orange hair tied in a loose bun and cheerful pink eyes.
Her most prominent feature was her curvaceous chest, a stark contrast to the sharp-tongued girl in the room.
Her name was Yuigahama Yui.
She was the type of person who struggled to say no, accustomed to going with the flow out of fear of being ostracized—the kind of person who always strove to maintain group harmony.
“Forgive Yukinoshita, Hiratsuka-sensei.
She’s in a bad mood.
She just got a call from Haruno-san, and well, it turned out like what you see now.” This time, the voice came from the male student sitting there.
His face was ordinary—perhaps even three levels below Yuuta’s.
However, the most striking thing about him was his eyes, which looked like those of a dead fish, emitting a thick aura of pessimism.
He was Hikigaya Hachiman, a professional loner.
“Hikigaya-kun.
Don’t say such strange things; I am not in a bad mood.
It seems you need to have your eyes checked at a hospital.
Perhaps a doctor could fix that dead-fish stare of yours.” Yukino closed her book with a soft but firm thud, retorting with words as sharp as a sword.
“Even a doctor can’t change anything.” Hachiman shrugged, long since used to the girl’s sarcasm.
“These dead-fish eyes have been with me since birth.” “I don’t think Hikki’s eyes are bad.
There’s no need to change a thing.” Yui chimed in enthusiastically, trying to lighten the mood.
Yuuta feeling his precious time was being wasted watching this interaction, finally spoke up.
“Hiratsuka-sensei, may I leave now?” “Yamabuki.
You haven’t joined any clubs yet, right?
In that case—” “NO.” Yuuta interrupted Hiratsuka before she could finish her sentence.
“I wasn’t finished talking!
Don’t be so quick to refuse; this club—” “NO.” For the second time, Yuuta cut her off, causing Hiratsuka’s face to turn black as coal with irritation.
“I also don’t agree to him joining the Service Club.” Yukino chimed in, staring coldly at Yuuta.
“Don’t throw problem students in here, Sensei.” “Problem student?” Yuuta pointed at himself in confusion.
“Don’t tell me you mean me?” “Who else?
I know who you are.
Yamabuki Arisu, the person who ranked first in the national exams for elementary and middle school.
And you—even though your grades have always been ranked first in high school, your attitude displays an extraordinary level of indifference.” “Woah!
It turns out we have a big shot visiting!
I’ll pour some tea!” Hearing Yukino’s brief introduction, Yuigahama stared at Yuuta with sparkling eyes.
Standing up, she immediately began preparing tea with the available equipment.
On the other hand, Hachiman just watched in silence.
(I’m begging you, Yukinoshita, watch your mouth.
The man in front of you is from the Yamabuki Group, one of the five Great Zaibatsu of Japan!
If he takes offense and decides to retaliate using his family’s power, the Yukinoshita Family could be torn to pieces!) With his sharp observational skills, Hachiman knew exactly who Yuuta was.
They had been in the same class during their first year, and Hachiman had briefly looked into him, wondering why the teachers seemed to let Yuuta skip school or sleep in class.
His biggest fear was that Yuuta might turn out to be the type of arrogant young master often found in novels—the kind who would destroy someone else’s life over a trivial matter.
The reason other students hadn’t caused trouble for Yukino all this time was that those who came to the Service Club for consultations were merely students from ordinary backgrounds.
Although many descendants of important figures attended Seirei Private Academy, the school was not exclusive.
The administration was not as strict as Shuchi’in Academy, which had recently changed its policy to accept ordinary students.
Besides, students with significant backgrounds wouldn’t bother resolving their problems through the Service Club.
They had networks, lawyers, and family influence to take care of their affairs.
Just how much capability did the Service Club actually have, anyway?
The problems faced by those types of people were not something a school club could handle.
Hachiman realized this fact very clearly.
However, Yukino was oblivious to it.
She had grown accustomed to being in a superior position all this time.
Now that she had met someone whose standing was far higher than hers in the actual social hierarchy, she had no idea how to be respectful.
“You know me?” “Of course.
I remember the names of every student in this school.” “Oh.” Seeing Yukino hold her neck high like a haughty swan, Yuuta felt disgusted from the bottom of his heart.
To him, the dignity Yukino displayed was nothing more than a fragile bubble, built upon ignorance of the vastness of the world outside these school walls.
Seeing the two of them become hostile from the very first second, Hiratsuka had expected this would happen.
She could feel the electrical sparks in the air between these two equally stubborn personalities.
Before the situation could worsen, Hiratsuka immediately stepped in.
“Think about it carefully, Yukinoshita.
With Yamabuki joining the Service Club, the issue of member shortage is reduced.
This is a win-win situation.
This club needs stability so it doesn’t get disbanded by the Student Council.” Hearing those words, Yukino stared at Hiratsuka in silence, as if weighing the pros and cons.
Finally, she gave a reluctant nod.
“That makes sense.
Fine, he may join.
At the very least, he can be useful for meeting the membership quota.” “Wait!
What about my opinion?!” Yuuta hated nothing more than having his freedom snatched away, especially when a decision was made one-sidedly as if he were a piece of merchandise.
“Just accept it, Yamabuki.
You’re only young once; don’t waste it!
Students should join clubs so their youth is more colorful than just going straight home.
Don’t you think so?” Hiratsuka slapped his shoulder hard, trying to offer a cliché argument about a vibrant teenage life.
Yuuta immediately brushed Hiratsuka’s hand off his shoulder with a rough motion.
A look of displeasure was clearly etched on his face, making the atmosphere in the room grow even colder.
“My answer is still no.
This Service Club isn’t even an official club.
According to school regulations, a minimum of five people is required to establish a club for it to be legally recognized and receive a budget.” Yuuta crossed his arms, his eyes fixed sharply on the teacher, who flinched slightly.
“Hiratsuka-sensei, you’re the advisor for this club, aren’t you?” Unaware that her answer would soon become a weapon used against her, Hiratsuka nodded triumphantly.
“Exactly!
That’s why you have to accept it!
As the advisor, I have the right to recommend students to join!” (I have a bad feeling about this.) Seeing the mocking expression slowly spreading across Yuuta’s face—the kind of smile belonging to someone who has just won a game of chess—Hachiman began to speculate.
His weary eyes continued to watch Yuuta’s movements, suspecting that the man wasn’t just refusing, but was preparing to demolish the club’s legitimacy with a single verbal strike.