[This is a lie!]
[Yuigahama Yui's sole purpose for coming to this club is to get closer to the person she likes!]
[Due to recent events, she didn't know how to face him, yet she couldn't help but gaze at his figure. The girl was trapped in a mire of confusion, feeling troubled from all sides.]
[Fortunately, a turning point soon appeared—she learned from his good friend, Totsuka Saika, that he'd been going to a club after school lately. Through information from Hiratsuka-sensei, she found out that the club was short on members.]
[Though often called foolish and naive, when it comes to the person she likes, Yuigahama can be smarter than anyone!]
[The so-called wish was just an excuse. If she had to be honest, it was something she absolutely couldn't say out loud: to be with Tenkuji Yuu.]
[Of course, improving her terrible cooking skills would be great, but her reason for chasing him all the way to this special building was, from start to finish, only one.]
"Um, um… Something like that…"
Yuigahama scratched her cheek, tilting her head slightly, and gave a silly smile.
As if displeased by the sight, Yukino looked at her coldly. "Something like that? Can you stop using vague phrases? Yes or no—please give a clear answer!"
"Eh? I-I mean…" As if a snowball had been stuffed down her collar, Yuigahama couldn't help but hunch her shoulders, freezing awkwardly for two seconds, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes.
Yuu glanced at her, then turned to Yukino and said, "Yukinoshita, you should never become a waitress in the future."
Yukino frowned, giving him a sideways glance, her face full of displeasure. "Though I have no intention of becoming a waitress, what do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what you think it means."
"I have no reason to be belittled by you."
"If your tone wasn't so harsh and you spoke nicely, I might actually respect your EQ."
"There's nothing wrong with my tone. Besides, the Service Club isn't a service industry. If I can't even speak honestly, this club has no meaning… Can you think it through properly with that insect brain of yours, Tenkuji Flea-kun?"
Yuu gave a warm smile and said softly to her, "Look, speaking honestly can also make people feel comfortable, you know? Please think it through properly with that flat chest of yours, Taira no Taira-san."
"You again…!"
Her face shrouded in coldness, Yukino was so furious her cheeks flushed red. She gritted her teeth and glared at him angrily. Her icy aura seemed to freeze even the warm sunlight streaming through the window.
Seeing the atmosphere suddenly tense, Yuigahama hurriedly stood, clasping her hands at her chest, trying to calm things down.
"Y-You two, don't fight because of me! Peace, peace!"
But neither looked at her, only staring at each other, their voices overlapping as they spoke simultaneously:
"It has nothing to do with you—she's just too annoying!"
Yuigahama: "…"
Ugh, so jealous of that kind of rapport!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
They argued, sure, but in the end, the three left the special building and headed to the home economics classroom.
Yukino led the way, her figure graceful and aloof, her entire being radiating a cold aura that kept people at a distance.
Yuu trailed a step behind, boredly looking toward the distant sports field where club members sweated for their youth. Throughout the walk, he didn't initiate conversation with Yuigahama, treating her like an ordinary classmate.
Yuigahama, seemingly afraid her words might spark another argument between them, also stayed silent, obediently following behind.
"…"
Looking at Yuu's back, the pink-haired girl recalled how he'd spoken up for her earlier. Though she knew it was just her imagination, she couldn't help but lower her head and smile foolishly.
The afternoon sun slanted, the corridor sprinkled with golden flecks of light, the steps of autumn quiet and serene.
In front of the home economics classroom, Yukino saw the notice on the door and furrowed her beautiful brows.
"Under repair? Just our luck."
There were no home economics classes today, and she only learned about this now. After thinking for a moment, Yukino turned to Yuigahama and said, "There are two options now: first, rent a kitchen outside school; second, postpone this request until the home economics classroom is usable, and then I'll teach you how to cook properly."
"Eh? That's too much trouble for you guys…"
Her fingers touching in front of her, Yuigahama secretly glanced at Yuu, her gaze shifting left and right for a moment before hesitantly suggesting, "If it's okay… would you like to come to my house?"
"My kitchen's pretty big, and the ingredients are complete. It's only a twenty-minute ride…" Halfway through, she hurriedly added, as if to cover up, "N-No need to force it! I'm not in a rush, so a few days later is fine too…"
"It's not about forcing anything—you don't need to be so nervous. But, your house…"
Her slender, fair fingers propping up her chin, Yukino sank into thought, weighing the opportunity costs of both options in her mind. If she didn't know when the home economics classroom repairs would finish, she'd prefer to resolve this request at school.
After all, going to a barely acquainted classmate's house to teach her cooking would not only take time and energy but also bring many potential issues… However, Yukino wasn't the type to shirk responsibilities just because of potential problems.
After carefully weighing the pros and cons, she slowly relaxed her furrowed brow, finally making a decision.
"Well then…"
As if choosing the perfect moment to interrupt Yukino, Yuu suddenly spoke up. "The Culinary Research Club has ingredients and equipment. We could ask if they'd lend them to us—worst case, we pay for usage and ingredient costs."
"…"
With her beautifully curved lips tightly pressed, Yukino stared at him with an indifferent gaze, silently saying, Did you do that on purpose?
Yuu shrugged with an innocent expression, looking utterly infuriating.
"I just thought of it… And didn't you, President, ask me to be obedient and wait for your decision?"
After a few seconds of a cold stare, Yukino suddenly lifted the corner of her lips, showing a polite smile.
"Quite right. Thank you for the useful suggestion, Tenkuji-kun."
"I take back my earlier words—you're more useful than I thought, filling in my shortcomings."
Her tone was gentle, but her eyes held no trace of a smile.
Yuu suddenly felt a chill. "Yuki—"
"No more talk, let's go. To the Culinary Research Club."
Too lazy to glance at him again, Yukino stepped forward, heading toward the club building.