Egil nodded in solidarity. "I get that. Back when I was in the hospital, looking at my own withered, thin body... it actually terrified me." He made a face, clearly wanting to bury those memories.
"I haven't trained quite that hard," Asuna interjected.
"You could stand to put on a little weight, Asuna," Hachiman said firmly. "Stop worrying so much about the scale."
"Oh?" Shizuka arched an eyebrow. "Does it make you nervous to see her so thin, Hikigaya?"
"A little. If I think she's getting too frail, I'll start dangling sweets in front of her until she gains it back."
Asuna looked at Shizuka, aghast. "Did you hear that, Sensei?"
"Indeed. He truly is the enemy of all women," Shizuka teased.
Hachiman just smirked. "But you can't resist the temptation, can you?"
"Ugh..." Asuna looked down, defeated. Shizuka gave her a sympathetic pat on the back.
"Well, shall we go? Tanaka-sensei isn't due in the guidance counselor's office for another twenty minutes."
"Actually, Sensei, if that's the case..."
Shizuka nodded, understanding him without another word. "I know. Follow me."
They passed the guidance office and stopped in front of a particular door.
"What is this place?" Asuna asked.
"The former Service Club room," Hachiman replied. "My old haunt."
The nameplate on the door was blank, but a familiar sticker was still peeled at the corner. Seeing it, Hachiman was struck by a sudden, heavy wave of nostalgia. It was exactly as he remembered.
"Go ahead and knock," Shizuka instructed. "I'll be in the student office waiting for Tanaka-sensei." With that, she left them to it.
"Hachiman-kun, is the Service Club still active?" Asuna whispered.
"I forgot to ask Sensei. Komachi was the only member left by the time she graduated, so I figured it would have folded by now..."
Hachiman knocked. To his surprise, a voice replied from within.
"Come in."
The sound sent a jolt through Hachiman's heart. Under the watchful eyes of Asuna and Egil, he slowly pushed the door open.
"Welcome to the Service Club. Do you have a request for—"
Hachiman froze. "Wait... Yukino?"
Sitting there was a young girl who bore a striking resemblance to the Yukino Yukinoshita of years past. She sat in the exact same spot, holding a paperback book in the exact same way. Even Asuna and Egil gasped at the likeness.
"No," the girl said calmly. "Though I am aware there was a senior member by that name."
"Right. Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," Hachiman said, bowing his head slightly.
Hearing his voice and seeing his face, the girl's eyes widened in shock. "Wait... Hachiman? Is it really you?"
Hachiman blinked. "...You know me?"
"The last time we met was... two years ago, I think."
"Wait, two years? Is it...?"
"Oh!" Asuna exclaimed. "Are you the daughter of Hachiman's rehab instructor?"
The pieces clicked into place. Hachiman stared at the girl. "No way. Is that you, Rumi-rumi?"
"Don't call me that," she snapped, though there was no real heat in it. "It's Rumi. Rumi Tsurumi."
"Right, right. Rumi. My bad."
"Have a seat," she said, regaining her composure. "I'll put some tea on."
While Rumi prepared the tea, Hachiman and Egil pulled up chairs.
"Rumi-chan, it's been so long!" Asuna said warmly. It seemed she had visited Rumi several times while Hachiman was in another hospital.
Hachiman studied Rumi's face. She had grown up significantly. Her mannerisms, her aura—everything about her now mirrored the Yukino he had first met in this very room.
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