When Yukino returned with the cleaning tools, Haizaki had already finished organizing one-fifth of the desks and chairs.
Having gone untended for a long time, both the classroom and the furniture were coated in thick layers of dust.
Haizaki did not follow Hiratsuka Shizuka's suggestion of leaving all the cleaning to Yukino while he focused solely on moving desks and chairs. He had already started wiping them down. Yukino opened her mouth as if to refuse, but in the end said nothing, tacitly accepting his actions.
Five minutes later, the clear water had turned murky. Haizaki lifted the bucket, preparing to go to the restroom to change the water.
"Yusuke-san, I'll go."
Considering that Haizaki was unfamiliar with the surroundings, Yukino decided to replace the water herself.
"No need, I'll go. I can also familiarize myself with the club building while I'm at it…"
Yukino could only accept this.
She might not have been able to carry a full bucket of water anyway.
…
Twenty minutes later, when Haizaki neatly stacked all the cleaned desks and chairs inside the classroom, Yukino finished the final floor cleaning.
The dusty smell that had filled the room earlier had long been replaced by a fresh, damp scent.
A gentle breeze drifted in, bringing a sense of comfort to the two who had finished cleaning.
"I'll return the tools."
There were quite a few items—mops, brooms, dustpans, rags, and buckets.
"I'll come too."
Seeing Haizaki pick everything up, clearly intending to return them by himself, Yukino took a few quick steps forward and took the broom and rags from his hands.
She wasn't used to leaving all the work to Haizaki.
And Haizaki had no reason to refuse.
Each of them carried cleaning tools as they walked down the corridor of the club building.
Occasionally, Sobu High students who were still lingering in the building cast curious looks at the unusual pair.
Who was the person walking side by side with Yukino?
Among Sobu High students, who didn't know Yukinoshita Yukino's name?
After returning the tools, the two went back to the classroom.
Looking at the now clean and orderly room, Haizaki felt a small sense of accomplishment.
It reminded him of when he and Utaha had gone to Qinggang City to clean the seaside villa.
So many memories—hard to let go.
Even thinking about it now, happiness quietly flowed through his heart.
Over the course of a year, he and Utaha had left behind warmth and joy in countless everyday moments.
"Yusuke…-kun, thank you for today."
Although she found Haizaki's reactions somewhat strange, Yukino ultimately expressed her gratitude for his help.
"It's nothing. It was just Hiratsuka-sensei's request. Well then, Yukinoshita-san, I'll be leaving first…"
"Mm…"
Yukino nodded softly in agreement.
The cleaning was finished, and Haizaki could go home. What she hadn't expected, however, was that the freshly mopped floor was overly slippery. She stepped onto it carelessly and immediately lost her footing.
"Slip—"
"Ah—"
The girl let out an instinctive cry.
As her balance gave way, her body fell forward.
"Careful—"
Haizaki reacted quickly, stepping forward and reaching out to catch her.
"Damn—"
Even Haizaki himself hadn't expected that the moment he caught her, his left foot would slip as well, causing him to lose his balance.
"Thud—"
A dull sound echoed as they hit the floor.
Pain shot through Haizaki's back from the impact, but more than that, he was aware of the soft sensation against his body—and the jelly-like softness against his lips.
He instinctively licked it.
It felt different from Utaha's—there was an added coolness.
In that instant, Haizaki froze. He realized that the person he had just kissed was not Utaha.
At extremely close distance, delicate features, eyes locked, lips touching—both Haizaki and Yukino fell into a brief mental shutdown.
With a sudden movement, Yukino finally snapped back to her senses. She immediately lifted her head and pushed herself up with her hands.
Her face flushed deep red—whether from embarrassment or anger was unclear.
Yukino forcibly suppressed the intense anger surging inside her and did not explode.
Her first kiss—
…was gone.
Taken today by a man she had known for less than two days.
And worse—that man had even licked her.
"I'm sorry…"
Haizaki truly hadn't expected an accident like this.
"That just now… was intentional."
Yukino stared at Haizaki and spoke slowly. Because the kiss had been too stimulating, her usually cool voice carried a faint, barely perceptible hint of shame and trembling.
"I apologize."
Haizaki understood that Yukino was referring to his "licking" action.
But could he say it was just a habit?
Just moments ago, with Yukino so close, he had almost mistaken her for Utaha and nearly continued instinctively.
Silence fell between them again.
Yukino said nothing, and Haizaki didn't know how to resolve the awkwardness or the situation.
Compensation?
No. He believed Yukino didn't need compensation. Offering it would only insult her.
"Clatter—"
The half-open classroom door was pushed open again.
"So you really are still here… cleaned up nicely. Not bad, not bad…"
Before and after the cleaning, the room felt completely different. Aside from the lingering damp smell, everything else was fine.
"You two… what's wrong?"
Turning her attention to them, Shizuka noticed that something about Yukino and Haizaki seemed off.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, what brings you here?"
Because of Hiratsuka Shizuka's appearance, Yukino had no choice but to give up pressing the issue further. After glancing at Haizaki, she asked Shizuka about her purpose.
"Well, isn't your club only you right now? I suddenly thought that this guy here is quite suitable…"
Hearing this, Haizaki immediately understood what Shizuka was about to say.
"This kid's file shows that he has an Eastern Union provincial-level Youth Volunteer Honor Certificate. It seems he responded to a local government call during the summer after graduating middle school and served as a volunteer. Because of his excellent performance, he was awarded the certificate. Doesn't that perfectly match your club's purpose?"
Yukino couldn't help but take another look at Haizaki. This boy who appeared so ordinary at first glance actually had such experience and resolve.
"Well? Isn't he a good fit? That makes two people in the club now. Find one more and you'll meet the school's minimum requirement."
"If Yusuke-kun is willing, I have no objection. The Service Club needs members with a volunteer spirit who can actually get things done."
Even though she cared about the earlier accident, this was not a reason to refuse Haizaki's entry into the club.
A proper Yukino would never vent her anger on others.
"I'm sorry…"
Haizaki spoke, expressing his apology.
"I don't intend to join a club during high school, so I'm sorry. Thank you, Sensei, and thank you, Yukinoshita-san, for your kindness."
The closer he got, the more it hurt.
Haizaki looked at Yukino's refined face. Once again, he gave the same answer as in his previous life.
And thinking of Utaha—if he really joined the Service Club, Utaha would definitely be hurt.
After all, she hated Yukino and Iroha so much.
…