As if to retaliate for that laugh, or perhaps to settle last week's grudge.
After inviting him into the classroom, Yukino disregarded the etiquette of a quiet meal, countering every word Yuu said, even picking topics to argue about out of nowhere.
Victory for the girl was simple: make him so embarrassed he'd be speechless and feel inferior.
Unfortunately, Yuu wasn't the type to revel in verbal sparring, but he also wasn't one to stay passive and silent when provoked.
Thus, the two high schoolers eating while bickering launched into the following exchanges:
"Tenkuji-kun, coming here to eat your bento—were you ostracized by your classmates?"
"Yukinoshita-san, coming here to eat your bento—were you hated by your classmates?"
"Sorry, a beautiful girl like me is only alone because I'm too popular. As for you, maybe you did something perverted, so everyone shunned you?"
"Envied by girls, shunned by dumb cliques, and easily clung to by annoying guys, ending up here alone for some peace… Sigh, being beautiful is so useless."
"You… why…"
"Sorry, a pervert like me can't feel your pain, just guessing… Before this classroom, you must've eaten in the bathroom, right?"
"…The bathroom's easy to get splashed in, I wouldn't go there."
"Eh? Uh, I mean… Sorry, I was serious. Pretend I didn't say that, sorry."
"Shut up. Your apology just makes me angrier."
A war of words, mutual attacks, neither willing to yield.
Separated by the long table, their fierce verbal battle disrupted the midday calm.
As Yuu had thought before, this woman named Yukinoshita Yukino was fundamentally incompatible with him. The moment they met, they had plenty to talk about—in a negative sense.
Yukino didn't just try to dominate their debate; she constantly provoked him with sarcasm, her tone confident and haughty, exuding an aura that brooked no rebuttal.
So, Yuu held nothing back. Leveraging his Speech Skill bonus, he countered Yukino as best he could.
Yukino gritted her teeth, furrowed her brows, sometimes even biting her chopsticks just to think of a comeback, completely forgetting her meal.
When attacked, she bounced back quickly. When speechless, she refused to give in easily—even if it meant fabricating, Yukino would tip the scales of victory her way.
In short, she was stubborn as hell.
(This trait's so like Haruno…) Yuu shook his head, dispelling the half-formed image. (Though a bit annoying, it's also kind of cute.)
Was this what they called gap moe?
Despite her cold, elegant, and reserved exterior, Yukino was like a child who hated losing—only too mature for her age, so her highly self-centered remarks weren't uncommon.
The special building housing the Service Club was quite far from the main school building.
Once the youthful clamor subsided, this place felt like stepping into another, silent world.
Gray clouds drifted lazily in the sky, like small gray fish diving into the ocean's depths.
In the clubroom, the autumn breeze, still carrying summer's lingering warmth, swayed the curtains. The girl by the window, like an ice flower, swayed gracefully.
"Yukinoshita, I just thought of a question."
Closing his empty bento box, Yuu glanced at Yukino, who was quietly speeding up her eating, and suddenly posed a question.
"Asking for my help?"
Her movements paused briefly. She set down her chopsticks, puffed out her modest chest, and spoke in a soft, elegant tone: "Good. As you're a club member under my leadership, let me hear what's troubling you."
Saying that, Yukino tilted her head to look at him, gracefully brushing her long hair with her hand, showing a calm, authoritative smile.
(…Where'd the ice-cold beauty with the sharp glare go?)
Yuu sighed helplessly. Too lazy to comment on her attempt to assert superiority, he felt this was her truer self.
Arguing until their relationship somehow improved compared to before—this was a first for him.
"I just wanted to ask, the Service Club—the one Hiratsuka-sensei made me join—what does it actually do?"
"Simple."
Yukino gave a faint smile, resting both hands on her knees, lacing her fingers, and declared confidently:
"Wealthy people with compassionate hearts giving to the poor—that's what's called charity. Like aiding developing countries, providing food for the homeless, or subsidizing club fees for perverted teens supporting themselves—extending a hand to those in need, that's the essence of this club's activities."
Catching the veiled jab, Yuu stared at her expressionlessly.
Not speaking, just gazing calmly, waiting for her to admit her mistake.
"…Ahem."
With her usual composed expression, Yukino cleared her throat, looking away as if nothing happened, and continued: "This club was mainly founded to encourage students to change themselves, addressing inner struggles. You can think of it as a sort of rehabilitation center or psychotherapy clinic."
Yuu scoffed without hesitation.
"You? Psychotherapy? Wouldn't you just make people depressed?"
Yukino shot him a cold look but didn't argue back immediately like before. Instead, her lips curved slightly, and she let out a soft, meaningful snort.
"You can try, Tenkuji-kun. Make a request of me."
"I'll give you a standard, correct, and useful answer for your future—provided you ask the question seriously. I won't entertain boring jokes."
Yuu couldn't help laughing as he looked at her. "Hey, why so high and mighty? Who's asking who here?"
Sneering, Yukino didn't back down an inch. "As the assistant assigned to me by Hiratsuka-sensei, a new club member, shouldn't you be the high and mighty one?"
"Or are you just afraid I'll make you depressed?"
"Childish taunts, but fine." Scoffing, Yuu leaned back in his chair, looking up and thinking hard. "Let me think what to ask…"
The first thing that came to mind was the question about purpose he'd been pondering since yesterday.
Yuu quickly decided: "Got it."
"That fast?"
Blinking curiously, Yukino turned her chair to face him.
"Tell me. I hope it's not too simple a problem, or my already low opinion of you will sink further."
Yuu waved dismissively. "No worries, your opinion of me is basically zero. Lower it all you want, we're even."
"…"
Yukino glanced at the bento box on the table, ensuring it couldn't be used for mutual destruction, before returning her gaze to him.
Yuu closed his eyes, refining his question, then cleared his throat and began.
"Here's the thing. I have a friend. He's skilled in all sorts of things—massage, high jump, billiards, ping-pong, archery, cooking, swordsmanship, most at an expert level…"
"He's smart, not short on money, not lacking love, even several times better-looking than average, able to live well without trying…"
"But he doesn't want to stagnate. He wants to find a dream or goal to strive for, but with too many paths and choices, he doesn't know where to start, isn't drawn to anything specific, and doesn't know where to pour his passion…"
Yuu opened his eyes, looking at the silent Yukino before him, and smiled faintly.
"In a situation like this, what advice would you give, President Yukinoshita?"
"…"
As expected, his counterpart lowered her head, silent for a moment.
Yuu didn't expect her to give a satisfying answer.
After all, a purpose like that only mattered if you racked your brain and decided on it yourself.
His reason for asking Yukino was partly to seek reference and partly genuine curiosity about how this stubborn, proud girl would respond.
Would she mock him? Or…
"You asked the right person."
The unexpected reply stunned Yuu.
"Someone who can do everything but ultimately isn't interested in anything, with no dreams at all… I know them well."
Yukino slowly raised her gaze, her hands gently clenching on her thighs, meeting his eyes with an oddly serious look.
"To find the motivation to push forward or a clear goal to pursue, it's actually simple."
"You need an opponent stronger than you, an enemy who surpasses you in every way."