"Well, Yuigahama-san, please tell us about your problem," Hachiman said, taking his seat. "Today's club activities are already long over, so we need to hurry." He subconsciously took his laptop from his bag, then immediately put it back.
"Well, actually, my problem is very simple," she began, looking at him with anticipation. "You know the Student General Assembly is next Monday, and I'll be speaking as my class's representative. But I've never spoken in front of a lot of people before, and I'm afraid I'll be too nervous to express myself clearly. I'm worried I won't be able to properly present the proposal my friend told me to read to the student council. That's why I came for help."
"I see. Maybe I can help you, Yuigahama-san. I've had similar experiences. But I'll need to sort out my thoughts first..." Hachiman was about to offer a solution when he was interrupted by Yukino.
"Hikigaya-san? Can I... ask Yuigahama-san a few questions first?" Her voice was very soft, and her expression was cautious, as if she were seeking his permission. If he said no, she wouldn't speak.
"Go ahead," Hachiman said, though he had a bad feeling. As soon as Yukino turned to face Yuigahama, her expression became noticeably serious.
"Yuigahama-san, what you said was very clear, but I still have a few questions I need you to answer, okay?" Yukino's voice was still soft, but it no longer sounded like a request.
"No problem, Yukinoshita-san," Yuigahama replied, seemingly oblivious to the change in atmosphere.
"First of all, if my information is correct, each class has not yet officially decided on its representative for the Student General Assembly. Today is Monday; the homeroom teachers just announced the matter this morning. The official vote isn't until Friday, is it? Why have you already confirmed that you are the representative, Yuigahama?"
"Ah... actually, our class already decided on those things," Yuigahama said, scratching her ear. "I think everyone is like this. After all, no one was rushing to be the class representative, so it just got decided."
"That's still a little strange. This matter should be handled privately by the class committee. After the class meeting this morning, did the committee make a direct decision this afternoon? Could it be that you volunteered?" Yukino continued to press.
"Well... I guess so," Yuigahama said evasively. "They came to me, so I... just accepted."
"Is that how you volunteer? May I ask, are you friends with the class committee members?"
"Yeah, we became friends on the first day of school," Yuigahama admitted straightforwardly.
"So, in your request, you said 'friends told you about the proposal.' Are these friends the members of the Class D committee? And have you already received the proposal?" Yukino got to the heart of the matter.
"Yes, Yukinoshita-san. I'm sorry, I don't understand. Is there something wrong with that?"
"Excuse me, Yuigahama-san, but this is a big problem," Yukino said, her tone calm. "The proposals read out at the assembly should be representative of content that is summarized after extensively collecting opinions from all classmates. However, based on what you've just said, can I assume that the Class D committee—that is, your friends—decided on the two most important things, the representative and the proposal, without consulting any other classmates?"
At this, Yuigahama's facial expression completely collapsed, and her body began to tremble.
"Yuigahama-san, do you have the proposal your friends gave you? May I take a look?" Yukino asked, walking toward her and extending her right hand.
Yuigahama didn't say anything. She took a piece of paper from her uniform pocket and placed it in Yukino's palm, not daring to meet her eyes. Yukino took the note and quickly browsed its contents.
"Utter nonsense," she said lightly, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, Yukinoshita-san, I didn't hear you clearly," Yuigahama mumbled, her mind a mess.
"Don't worry about it," Yukino said. "I believe the problem you need to solve, Yuigahama-san, is not stage fright. It's that the content of this note is completely unrealistic. With all due respect, no matter how fluently you read it, everyone present will laugh."
"Perhaps what really needs to be addressed," Yukino continued, her voice sharp, "are those who fill their proposals with ridiculous words but don't have the courage to read them out themselves, instead entrusting an easy-going friend to do it for them. Of course, they are also completely violating the Student Union's charter in the first place, aren't they?"
"That's enough!" Yuigahama cried, no longer wanting to listen. She stood up and ran out of the room, her voice choked with tears.
"Hayama, please go calm her down," Hachiman ordered, and Hayama immediately left the room.
"Is this the result you wanted to see? Hmm? Yukinoshita?" Hachiman was also a little uneasy, but he tried to control his tone.
"Perhaps I went a little too far, but I don't regret it," Yukino said, bravely meeting his unfriendly gaze. "With a personality like hers, it's easy for people to take advantage of her. Isn't it right to let her know that?"
"This is where you're really wrong, Yukinoshita," Hachiman said. "I made the same mistake at first, but I soon realized that Yuigahama isn't as naive or as easily used as you think. She understands everything, including what you just said. She just doesn't want to ruin her relationship with those friends." Though Hachiman had few friends, he was a very keen observer of people.
"Doesn't want to ruin the relationship? But isn't that just giving in? What's the point of that kind of friendship?"
"It's due to her personality. But you have to understand that accommodation itself is an important part of friendship. No one is perfect. Even the best of friends will find shortcomings in each other, but you can't just cut ties because of them. So, people need to accommodate."
"Take Yuigahama's case," he continued. "We only saw her being asked to do something her friends were unwilling to do. But is it possible that she has also gained a lot of happiness from these friends, and it was this happiness that made her willing to do this for them?" Hachiman thought it was funny; he and Yukino both had terrible friendship records, yet here he was, explaining the psychology of making friends to her.
"I don't understand what you're saying," Yukino's attitude softened. "I don't have many friends, you know that."
"Let's think about it from another angle," Hachiman said, shifting his argument to the main contradiction. "The Service Club exists to help students solve their problems. A student came here hoping to solve her stage fright. A short while later, she ran away crying because a member suggested she break up with her friends. If this story gets out, will anyone else ever come to this club? Don't forget, this club doesn't even have legal status yet. Ms. Hiratsuka can take it back at any time. Hayama finally brought us a classmate who hasn't joined a club and who genuinely has a problem to solve. Are we just going to handle her request like this?"
"...I'm sorry, Hikigaya-san," Yukino conceded, realizing the club's very existence was the most important thing at the moment. "I was indeed a little inconsiderate today. I'll go apologize to Yuigahama-san later. As for her request, I'll leave it to you."
"No!"
The door to the Service Club was suddenly thrown open, and Yuigahama Yui's voice rang out.
"Yukinoshita-san, you don't need to apologize to me! Instead, I want to thank you!" With that, she bowed deeply to Yukino.
"I've thought it through," Yuigahama declared with determination. "I'm willing to speak as the class representative next week. However, both my role as representative and the proposals I put forward must be voted on and approved by my classmates. They are still my friends, so I have to make them realize their mistakes!"
"Very... very good, Yuigahama-san," Hachiman said, recovering from his shock. "Honesty is a good quality. You're about to take the first step today. I wish you success."
"Yuigahama-san," Yukino said, bowing back, "I apologize for my malicious speculation about your relationship with your friends. I am also very happy that you were able to find inspiration in my words."
In the end, the first student to come to the Service Club received help and gave a very good review. After Yuigahama learned that the club was still one member short of becoming official, she happily chose to join. After understanding the whole story, Ms. Hiratsuka also readily agreed.
As Yukinoshita Yukino submitted the club application form, signed by Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka, to the student union, the 34th regular club of Sobu High School, the Service Club, was officially established on this day.
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