The first few days of the school festival preparation were a blur of meetings, endless lists, and the constant, grating presence of Sagami. The Service Club had been tasked with promotions and decorations, a seemingly simple job that Sagami had made unnecessarily complicated with her incompetence. As expected, she was all talk and no action, delegating everything to them while she basked in the spotlight.
The dynamic in the Service Club room had changed. It was no longer a club of three; it was a team of four, and Ren's presence was a new variable that altered the entire equation.
Yukino, ever the workaholic, was initially in her element. She took charge of the decorations, her meticulous nature making sure every detail was perfect. She had a list for everything and was trying to do most of the work herself, a habit born from years of being an outcast. She would stay late, long after the others had left, trying to shoulder the entire burden alone.
Ren, however, didn't let her. He wasn't taking over, but he wasn't a silent observer either. He would sit beside her, his silence a comfortable presence. He would point out a more efficient way to cut paper, a better way to organize the banners, and a less time-consuming way to manage the budget. He was a silent partner, a perfect counterpoint to her methodical approach.
Hachiman, observing from his usual spot by the window, saw this new dynamic and was both intrigued and confused. He had expected Ren to be a disruptive force, a popular kid who would demand attention. Instead, Ren was a ghost, a quiet, almost-invisible presence who somehow managed to get things done without making a scene. Hachiman's cynical mind tried to find an angle, a reason for Ren's kindness, but he couldn't find one. Ren wasn't doing this for a reward, for praise, or for popularity. He was simply... helping. It was a completely foreign concept to Hachiman, and it made him question his own self-sacrificing, villainous philosophy.
Yui, meanwhile, was just happy. She was still flustered whenever Ren looked at her, but she found him so easy to talk to. He listened to her ideas about the decorations, about what would be fun and cute, and he would always find a way to incorporate them into the plan. He made her feel valued and heard, and her feelings for him deepened. Yukino, watching their interactions, felt a new wave of protectiveness for her friend. She didn't want Yui to get hurt by this new guy, no matter how charming he was.
Sagami, however, was becoming a new problem. She would pop into their clubroom, offering "suggestions" that were completely useless, and would then take pictures of them working, posting them on the school's social media with the caption, "The Executive Committee is working hard to make this the best festival ever! So glad to have the Service Club on our side!" She was taking credit for their work, and it was becoming infuriating.
One afternoon, after a particularly grating visit from Sagami, Ren looked at the list of tasks. He knew they were falling behind. Yukino, with her perfectionist nature, was still trying to do everything herself, and Hachiman was still refusing to actively help, his mind already formulating a plan to become the villain. Ren knew he had to act soon. Hachiman's destructive plan was a ticking time bomb, and he needed to defuse it before it went off.
He had a few ideas. He could use his charm, his intelligence, or a combination of both. He had to make a decision, a choice that would prevent a future he already knew was coming. He knew he was playing with fire, and that his interference could have unforeseen consequences, but he was willing to take the risk. Also, Ren has his real illusion, so it will be an easy task.
As he walked home that day, a brief, fleeting image of Chisaki and her mother flashed in his mind. He shook his head. He had to focus on one thing at a time. The school festival was his priority now. The other plans would have to wait. But what if…