Chapter 51: Yuigahama on the Offensive!
The Service Club was as quiet as ever.
Although its purpose was to accept student consultations and help solve problems, few people in the school knew about it.
The only way to learn about this club seemed to be through Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei...
Just like Yuigahama Yui, she learned about the Service Club from Hiratsuka-sensei.
And Hiratsuka Shizuka sometimes just pulled a few students into the Service Club to solve their problems.
But it wasn't surprising.
Simple matters could be solved with friends, or at worst, avoided.
But opening up one's scar, revealing a vulnerable side to strangers, was ultimately difficult for emotional high school students.
Looking at it this way, the Service Club seemed more like a subordinate organization Hiratsuka Shizuka used to deal with problem children.
And looking at it from the other side, Hiratsuka-sensei had it tough.
She is responsible for teaching and also guiding students' lives... although that was usually the job of Teacher Tsurumi, who always watered flowers.
Luke leisurely sat in his chair, flipping through a horror manga.
Thinking about Hiratsuka-sensei working desperately hard, his sense of contentment couldn't help but rise slightly.
He liked the feeling of tranquility; it allowed him to fully relax his mind.
And Yukinoshita Yukino was someone who could endure loneliness.
So this clubroom was utterly silent.
Anyone coming in could break this...
Knock knock.
The knocking sound seemed particularly loud because of this, breaking the silent atmosphere.
Before Yukinoshita Yukino could even properly arrange her book page, the voice from outside reached her ears—
"Hallo~~"
Yuigahama Yui greeted while pulling open the clubroom door.
"Is this the latest trendy greeting? So strange," Luke muttered, continuing to read the horror manga special in his hand.
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't know what to say either, swallowing the prepared 'Please come in,' and turning her gaze towards the unconventional 'do-as-I-please' visitor—Yuigahama Yui.
Yuigahama Yui was dressed the same as before, a short skirt paired with the school uniform top, plus some cute accessories.
Below the skirt hem, her straight long legs were clad in blue athletic socks convenient for exercise.
Seeing her, Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't help but sigh lightly.
"...Is there something you need?"
She really didn't know how to deal with someone who could be described as either naive or simple.
Seeing the silent Luke and the sighing Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui's movements paused, her shoulders shrinking together.
"A-am I not welcomed? Does Yukinoshita... hate me?"
Her actions are like a puppy that just moved and feels strange and scared in its new home, Luke described inwardly.
"I don't hate you, I just feel... somewhat troubled," Yukinoshita Yukino murmured softly.
"Isn't that the same as hating?" Luke and Yuigahama Yui spoke simultaneously.
Yuigahama Yui glanced at him, still looking at his manga, and nodded firmly in addition, "Especially for girls."
Idiots always think alike.
With Yuigahama Yui present, Yukinoshita Yukino didn't want to engage in meaningless arguments and could only continue asking Yuigahama Yui, "So, may I ask if there's anything you need?"
Yuigahama Yui looked up at the ceiling, tapping her chin lightly with her finger.
"Mm... I've recently fallen in love with cooking, you guys know that, right?"
"...How could I possibly know?" Yukinoshita Yukino replied decisively, simultaneously turning her gaze towards him.
Luke gently waved his fingers, indicating he didn't know either.
Who would know such things?
It wasn't like he could eavesdrop on others' conversations in class all the time.
Yuigahama Yui put down her backpack and happily rummaged through it.
"So, to express my gratitude from last time, I prepared handmade cookies for you!"
Yukinoshita Yukino's face instantly turned deathly pale.
And Luke closed his manga and stood up;
Because he heard Hiratsuka Shizuka calling him; he needed to go to the office;
Aiya, what a pity.
I was planning to taste Yuigahama-san's heartfelt cookies...
Can't be helped, next time.
But...
"Ahem, it seems club activity time isn't over yet."
Luke, standing at the door, heard Yukinoshita Yukino's reminding voice from behind and froze.
Yukinoshita, must you drag me...
He turned his head back and saw Yukinoshita Yukino anxiously holding a bag of black, black, and black-mixed cookies, her gaze towards him carrying helplessness, anxiety, and a trace of pleading.
If it wouldn't seem offensive, he would definitely have taken a picture of this rare expression.
"Don't rush off, there's some for you too," Yuigahama Yui also tossed a bag of black objects to him.
"I was just getting up to stretch," hearing the whisper from hell, Luke helplessly caught it and returned to his seat.
Escape plan failed.
"Cooking is really fun! Completing the planned steps one by one, and you can see the results quickly~" Yuigahama Yui said excitedly.
"Should I try making bento~? Then Yukino-chan and I can eat together."
I advise you not to.
Luke picked up a cookie, held it up to the sunlight to look, sniffed it lightly near his nose, and finally popped the whole thing into his mouth.
Mm, exactly the same as last time!
Comforting himself thus, Luke chewed the cookie contentedly.
Couldn't this idiot just use store-bought cookies to pass it off?!
Okay, he was the one who taught her that handmade cookies should contain feelings...
Honestly, the arrow shot in the past hit himself today.
"No, I prefer to dine alone at noon. I appreciate your invitation... Also, the nickname 'Yukino-chan' is too strange. Please don't address me like that," Yukinoshita Yukino picked up the teapot, poured black tea into two paper cups, and handed one to him.
Luke gently swallowed the cookie with the black tea, observing Yuigahama Yui.
"Isn't that boring... Wouldn't it be livelier eating with more people? Where does Yukino-chan usually eat lunch?"
"In the clubroom... wait, are you even listening to me?"
"Oh, right, anyway, I haven't joined any clubs and I'm bored after school. How about I help with your club activities? You don't have to be polite, just consider it a thank-you gift. Yukino-chan."
Your thank-you gift is quite heavy.
Luke finished all the cookies in the glass bag in a few bites, naturally walked over to Yukinoshita Yukino's side, and slowly picked up the teapot to refill his own cup of black tea.
But Yuigahama Yui's straight ball offensive continued like rising waves, attacking Yukinoshita Yukino relentlessly.
The flustered Yukinoshita Yukino again shot glances at Luke, stuck between them, hoping he could find a solution...
Luke nodded lightly.
Since Yukinoshita is asking him for help like this...
He spoke to Yuigahama Yui, "Yuigahama-san, your determination is too low."
"Determination?" Yuigahama Yui paused.
"Why wait until later to invite someone? Isn't today good?" Luke conjured a coupon like a magic trick.
He flicked it lightly.
Like a peacock spreading its tail, several coupons fanned out.
Since Yukinoshita pleaded with him like this, he'll just add a little more force to the straight ball!
"Then the three of us can go play together!"
The stunned Yuigahama Yui quickly said happily, naturally walking over beside him like an acquaintance and picking up a coupon.
"What kind of coupon is it?"
Yukinoshita Yukino rubbed her head, coolly refusing, "Sorry, after school I..."
"Yah! It's a coupon for a pet cafe! Such cute doggies."
"Not just dogs, there are all sorts of cats too, many varieties," Luke added, then turned to Yukinoshita Yukino, "President, it's the first club activity, you wouldn't skip it, would you?"
"Yeah, Yukino-chan, come with us," Yuigahama Yui very happily, naturally grabbed Yukinoshita Yukino's arm like a child asking for something.
"Yuigahama-san, you're too close. This is troubling me."
"Really? But doesn't this make us seem closer?" Yuigahama Yui looked at Yukinoshita Yukino puzzled.
Luke placed a coupon in front of her.
Yukinoshita Yukino couldn't escape Yuigahama Yui's entanglement.
She paused for a moment, her eyes lingering on the cute cat on the coupon, and said nonchalantly, "Well~ S-since it's like this, I guess I'll participate."
...