After that, Hiratsuka, still unconvinced, asked a barrage of questions.
For instance: "Where did you get that job? Was it approved by a guardian? Did it come with insurance?"
"What was the job? Who was the employer? Give me their phone number, I'll use my connections to check so you're not involved in anything illegal."
Finally, after much persuasion and even verbal sparring, the fiery teacher gave up pressing further. She accepted the reality that Yuu didn't need her help right now.
"Ugh… So all my considerations were just a waste of time…"
Despite her mature figure, Hiratsuka acts like a child, propping her elbows on the desk, covering her flushed face with both hands, and letting out a heavy, grumbling sigh.
"Even though the outcome's good, thinking back on how my actions were just self-pity makes me so embarrassed…"
Before finishing, her tone suddenly darkens.
"So embarrassed, I want to kill everyone who knows about this."
Her fists clench in front of her face. Her long black hair sways as if moved by an invisible magnetic field, turning the counseling room's atmosphere ominously tense.
Her glowing red eyes slowly rise, and Hiratsuka grins at him with a bloodthirsty smile.
"Hey, Tenkuji… How many ways are there to erase memories?"
*CRACK!*
The sound of her knuckles popping rings clear.
"Maybe a thousand minus seven?"
Unfazed, Yuu gives a faint smile, meeting her gaze: "Besides, it wasn't a waste of time… I've received your kindness, and no matter how many times I say thank you, it's fine."
"To me, you're the most beautiful and gentle teacher in this school… Hiratsuka-sensei, thank you so much for all your help."
His tone is sincere and innocent, like a child receiving a Christmas gift, thanking their parent with the brightest smile. It's not an act—just pure expression of his feelings—but his voice is all the more touching for it.
"W-What are you suddenly saying?!"
Her forced fierce expression freezes, and Hiratsuka's face flushes for a different reason. She frantically waves her hands, using her arms to hide her expression.
"Save your sweet talk for the little girls! No matter how much you say, it won't affect me! Ugh, disgusting, so disgusting! I didn't expect this from you, Tenkuji."
"Alright, if you say so." Yuu shrugs, quickly returning to his usual demeanor. "Then let's get back to the main topic."
"Huff…"
Hiratsuka leans to the side to catch her breath, and after calming down and clearing her throat, she directs a serious expression at him. Her fair, slender hand rests on the club application form again.
"Putting the money issue aside, didn't I say earlier to think of it as helping me by joining the Service Club? That wasn't a trick."
Yuu adopts a listening posture.
"First, the school's holding the Autumn Club Exhibition soon, you know about it, right?"
"Of course." Yuu nods. Though he's not in a club, it's a major annual school event. He experienced it once in his first year.
The Autumn Club Exhibition is a recent development at Sobu High, held earlier than the autumn study tour, cultural festival, and sports festival, but no less lively. In short, it's a culture festival centered on clubs.
During the event, each club sets up a booth to showcase their best activities, aiming to impress teachers and students. It's not only a second chance to recruit new members after spring but also a way to boost the school's evaluation of the club, securing more influence in club funding meetings.
Plus, there are two ranking competitions: Club Popularity Ranking and Overall Club Evaluation.
The Popularity Ranking is for students. Each student can vote on the school forum, and the winning club gets free publicity, prize money, resources, and other benefits from the school.
The Overall Club Evaluation is for the school. Clubs present their activities in the auditorium, mostly as performances. The more engaging, fun, or aligned with the club's purpose, the higher the judges' scores, which affect the rewards received.
"And as the Service Club's advisor, I can't skip this Autumn Exhibition… Such a hassle."
Hiratsuka sighs deeply, flicking the unlit cigarette's tip, and says unenthusiastically: "The old principal ordered it—results or not, just participate. Otherwise, I can't smoke on campus, and he'll send someone to watch me closely."
Recalling unpleasant things, her long, crossed legs shift, kicking the desk with a loud thud. She glances at Yuu apologetically, then sits upright, her back pressing her soft black hair, and scratches her brow with a finger.
"What can I do? Gotta put in some effort."
"Hiratsuka-sensei, why not just quit smoking?" Yuu offers casual advice. Seeing the delinquent-like teacher pout and ignore him, he continues:
"So, the tasks you mentioned—after I join the Service Club, I need to gather members for the Autumn Exhibition to meet the principal's… uh, Mr. Principal's demands?"
"Pretty much." Propping her head with the finger that scratched her brow, Hiratsuka says resignedly, "To give you a job so you'll accept the money willingly… Doing something that benefits everyone like this—if we don't do it, that's just dumb. So it's not just about helping you; it's mutually beneficial."
"Benefits everyone… So there's more?" Yuu frowns slightly, getting a bad feeling.
"Exactly. You know Yukinoshita Yukino?"
At the mention, Hiratsuka perks up. Her mature figure leans forward, eyes sparkling, and with a slight smile, she closes in to look at him.
"The model student from the International Class, the Ice Queen recognized school-wide… Even you've heard of her, right?"
"Sensei, your tone… Is your chuunibyou phase still not over?"
"Shut up and answer my question!"
His head gets smacked, and Yuu restrains himself from dodging, dutifully paying the price for teasing an older woman.
"Of course I've heard of her. Just today, rumors about her and the transfer student Natsukawa are everywhere." He shrugs, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement. "I even heard they're fighting for the Second-Year Beauty Queen throne after school—whoever's face gets scratched first loses."
"What nonsense. Even if three lies make a tiger, that's too far." Hiratsuka massages her forehead, sighing, then waves dismissively. "Forget those rumors. Hearing is false, seeing is true. You'll have plenty of time to get to know her slowly."
"You mean…" Yuu blinks, a spark of realization hitting him, and he guesses Hiratsuka's intent.
The next moment, she confirms his suspicion.
"The other Service Club member is Yukinoshita. You can think of her as the club president…"
"The second thing I'm asking is for you to join the club and, as much as possible, fix her bizarre mindset and stubborn personality."
After that, Yuu and Hiratsuka lock eyes, both looking confused.
"Fix her? Isn't that a psychologist's job? Why me?"
Hiratsuka spreads her hands: "Yukinoshita doesn't have psychological issues; her upbringing just made her a bit odd… Sadly, the way of life she thinks is right will make her suffer greatly and get hurt badly once she enters society."
"Luckily, she met me, a passionate, meddling teacher. For her future, I decided to find someone her age, reliable, to slowly change her."
That reasoning fits Hiratsuka's character perfectly, and Yuu isn't surprised. After nodding slowly, his eyes still hold confusion. Hiratsuka knows what he wants to ask next.
"As for why I chose you, with your average grades, no club, and unremarkable appearance… The reason's simpler."
Hiratsuka crosses her arms over her chest, sitting proudly, locking eyes with him, and delivers her judgment seriously:
"Tenkuji, you're the most mature student I've ever seen. With your family background, you've tasted society's ups and downs earlier than others."
"Though you're not exactly a full adult shaped by reality… for Miss Yukinoshita, fresh out of the fridge, you might be an excellent whetstone."
"And that's the third reason I want you to join the Service Club."
"Of course, Yukinoshita only knows the first two reasons, and I hope you don't tell her."