Knock knock knock!
After rapping on the clubroom door, he waited three seconds before a calm female voice sounded from inside.
"Come in."
Shirou reached out and opened the classroom door.
By the windowsill inside, a slender figure with long black hair sat primly.
Years had passed since they last met. Her once adorable face had now grown even more refined, her delicate features paired with her beautiful long hair making it hard to look away.
The only slight regret was her somewhat indifferent expression—it would have been even better with a smile.
The sharp-tongued, unattainable flower of Sobu High's second year, president of the Service Club—Yukino Yukinoshita.
When the door opened and she saw Shirou standing there, Yukino froze momentarily, a flicker of emotion passing through her eyes before they returned to calm.
"You're finally here?"
Hearing her words, Shirou stepped inside with a somewhat resigned expression, closing the door behind him.
"I was supposed to arrive at school yesterday on time, but my flight got delayed. Plus, some other things came up, so I ended up being a day late."
After entering, Shirou took a quick look around the Service Club's classroom.
The interior was sparsely furnished—desks and chairs were piled up in the back half of the room, leaving only the front half empty. There was just one set of desk and chair placed there, with a few simple items arranged on top.
It could be described as an extremely minimalist setup.
Pulling up a chair to sit across from the girl, Shirou looked at her and said, "It's been years since we've sat face to face like this. I thought you'd be happier to see me. The always-smiling Yukino from back then has grown up, it seems."
As Shirou spoke, images from their childhood surfaced in Yukino's mind.
Due to business dealings between their companies, their families had become acquainted back then. During summer vacations, Shirou would accompany his parents on business trips and end up playing with her and her sister.
Back then, she had been very timid, so it was always Shirou who took the lead in their games.
From ages six to nine, every summer vacation, Shirou would come with his parents, and they would all happily play together.
But starting from age ten, due to academic pressures and family obligations, Shirou stopped visiting, only maintaining occasional contact.
Raising her head to look at the boy who had grown even more handsome compared to his younger self, Yukino pursed her lips and said, "It seems you've learned almost everything you needed to?"
Shirou nodded. "What else could I do? In families like ours, if you don't want to completely slack off and wait around to die, you naturally have to learn all sorts of things under your parents' arrangements. Weekdays at school aside, even weekends were packed with various study tasks. By the time I reached middle school, I had to start following my parents to understand how the family business operated. It's only now that I've learned enough to be let out."
With that, Shirou unwrapped one of the sandwiches he had bought and took a bite.
However, regarding the most crucial matter, both of them tacitly avoided bringing it up. Yukino silently ate her lunch as well.
It wasn't until they had both finished eating that Shirou finally turned to the girl and said, "About the engagement, Yukino, what do you think? If you're unwilling, I can ask my parents to cancel it."
Due to years of interaction, the two families had grown quite close, so as the children grew older, the topic of an arranged marriage unexpectedly came up.
During the New Year, Shirou's parents had brought it up, and at the time, he hadn't taken it seriously, casually agreeing with a laugh.
But who would've thought that afterward, the two families would arrange for him to transfer schools and formally finalize the engagement?
To be honest, Shirou was quite happy about it. After all, Yukino Yukinoshita, in every aspect, fit his ideal for a partner.
However, he also knew Yukino's personality well—she likely wouldn't agree so easily.
But even if she didn't, it didn't matter. Given their long-standing relationship, Shirou was confident that if he pursued her, things would still work out.
Yet after waiting for several days, he still hadn't received any news about canceling the engagement, which left him puzzled.
After Shirou brought it up, Yukino lowered her head and remained silent for a while before softly saying, "This matter is beneficial for both our families. As the daughter of the Yukinoshita family, I naturally have no reason to oppose it."
"???"
This reaction… didn't seem like Yukino at all.
Shirou didn't know the exact reason, and since he hadn't formally visited the Yukinoshita household yet, he couldn't figure out what was going on. For now, he could only leave it at that.
But judging by her response, Yukino seemed a bit tsundere—maybe she didn't want to make her feelings too obvious?
Wait, that kind of thinking was a bit too presumptuous. Better not jump to conclusions.
With that in mind, Shirou took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Yukino.
"Club Application Form?"
Seeing the form requesting Shirou's admission into the Service Club, Yukino looked at him in surprise. "You want to join my club?"
Shirou smiled and nodded. "Yeah, isn't it obvious?"
Extending her fair little hand to take the application, Yukino voiced her doubt.
"If you want to join, do you even know what my club does?"
"A club that helps others can't be wrong, right?" As he spoke, Shirou gazed into the girl's eyes. "Though we haven't seen each other for years, and I don't know what you've encountered since starting school, I still remember your character. You might not smile as often as before, but fundamentally, you haven't changed. I still remember all those things you told me back then."
Yukino stared blankly at Shirou, not entirely surprised that he had guessed it right.
His eyes are really beautiful, just like when we were kids.
The moment this thought surfaced, the girl felt her cheeks grow slightly warm. She hurriedly lowered her head and tucked away the application form.
"I understand. I approve your application. I'll submit it to the student council later."
"Alright, then I'll head back first."
Today was their first reunion after many years, and lingering any longer might make Yukino feel awkward. So, Shirou chose to leave first.
"I'll come back on time for the club activities this afternoon."
With that, Shirou left the clubroom.
Watching the door open and close again, Yukino looked down at the application form in her hands and the name written on it, her lips curling slightly.
"Fiancé... huh? Not that I'm against it, but don't think I'll go easy on you just because I was a clueless tagalong back then."
In her mind, Yukino recalled the words Shirou had said to her as a child after shielding her from some bullies.
"You're so timid—what are you going to do when you grow up? Why don't you just marry me? I'll take care of you."