Yuigahama was leading the entire atmosphere. This might be the first time it had happened in the Service Club.
In the past, whether discussing solutions for requests or deciding projects for the fall exhibition, she always just agreed with their opinions. At most, she offered minor suggestions.
Never like now—firmly holding the central position. Sitting upfront, swinging her small legs shamelessly, looking relaxed as if she owned them.
In contrast, Yukino might also be sitting so obediently beside Yuu for the first time. Her expression calm, but her eyes showed seriousness like a great battle loomed.
This talk would determine the Service Club's future. Not an exaggeration—their trio's relationship would gain a new definition from now on.
Yuu wasn't too nervous. He even had time to enjoy the quiet rain outside the window.
After all, what needed doing and deciding was done. Now just opening the talk—a kind of explanation session?
Imaginably, the result shouldn't be bad for him.
"First, issue one!"
Yuigahama looked at the whiteboard. She seemed to want to write something but gave up as too troublesome.
"Yuu-kun and Yukinon, what's your relationship now?"
Reflexively, Yuu and Yukino exchanged glances.
The elegant, cool girl like a snow lotus—her cheeks flushed cherry-blossom pink. Her lips slightly parted as she inhaled. She gripped her skirt, as if cheering herself.
She who was always blunt couldn't confidently answer this question anytime. Some strange shame always stopped her before speaking.
Yuu knew this innocent side. So he spoke first: "We're a couple."
"Like me and Yuu-kun?" As if expecting it, Yuigahama immediately countered.
"A bit different…"
Receiving Yuu's gaze, Yukino nodded lightly. After sighing, she spoke calmly and seriously:
"I don't know why, but there are things Tenkuji-kun can't say or explain. So besides what happened that day, most is my speculation—he filled in."
"You might think it absurd, but don't doubt yet. Hear me out—that day in the kitchen preparing lunch, Tenkuji-kun suddenly told me…"
Clearly and detailed, skipping unimportant parts, she recounted their kitchen conversation to Yuigahama.
As words flowed, like a heavy stone lifting from her heart. Yukino's voice relaxed, her demeanor casual.
"Because his request was too rare, plus he'd helped me a lot before, I agreed to be his temporary girlfriend until he completes the Ideal Boyfriend task… As for where this task comes from, why it must be done, rewards for completion, or penalties for failure—Tenkuji-kun can't explain. For now, we can only consider results."
"…"
Receiving so much info at once, Yuigahama's relaxed expression froze. She sat motionless, brain seemingly jammed.
The other two waited understandingly, giving her time to cool her thoughts.
Minutes later, Yuigahama placed fingers on both temples. She gripped like Monk Ikkyu thinking. Her small face scrunched like facing hard math.
"Let me digest. This is real life, not manga or light novel…"
"No." Yuu shrugged helplessly—if you don't believe, I can't help: "The cheating issue relates too. More precisely, because I knew I'd date someone in the future, I rejected your confession and said things like I'd eventually cheat."
"You didn't take my earlier words as rejection excuses, right? You actually don't believe this out-of-control explanation, do you?"
Yuigahama hurriedly shook her head: "Of course I believe Yuu-kun! …Though a bit doubtful, overall I believe. Precisely because I believe, it's hard to accept immediately."
Yuu turned to Yukino: "Then why'd you accept so fast? So you don't truly believe me?"
Extending her soft, cool small hand, Yukino pushed his face back. Annoyed: "You think I've accepted now? I only agreed temporarily to observe. Who told you to look like 'if you don't agree, I'll let the world die with me'? Know what emergency measures mean?"
"Who'd make such chūnibyō face? Check your eyes. Hard to treat when old."
"Sadly, your face is incurable. I suggest wearing a gas mask to school—spare others from needing eye doctors like me."
"Bold words, Miss Yukinoshita who blushed repeatedly for mere emergency measures."
"You…! Huh, sorry. I lack the thick skin to admit dating a non-human. Mr. Insect Tenkuji."
"Tch tch, when shy and won't lie, you always mock others, Miss Yuki-onna Yukinoshita… Oh, kawaii koto."
"…"
Ignoring the two bickering again, Yuigahama held her head thinking hard. Whether understanding or giving up, she suddenly slapped her thigh. Heavy sigh:
"Forced to find a girlfriend and become Ideal Boyfriend. Like playing a dating sim!"
"Exactly. If my life were that easy, how great." Setting angry Yukino aside, Yuu turned to answer Yuigahama.
Though hard dating sims exist everywhere, his current level was actually very friendly… At least no one dies at the end, or the world's a dream and he's comatose, etc.
He sighed too: "That's roughly all I can tell. Think of it as gods' prank or the universe's whim testing an innocent human… Though I want to fight, I lack power now. I can only shamefully ask Yukinoshita's help."
"Asking me isn't shameful." Brushing long hair from her shoulder, Yukino put on a proud face.
"Mmm—" Yuigahama looked back and forth. Frowning, pondering. She asked Yuu first: "Yuu-kun, didn't the gods want me to date you? Or could only choose someone closest? If I could be chosen, your Ideal Boyfriend task would be super easy."
"It didn't give me a choice to pick you." Yuu answered honestly: "Besides, unlike Yukinoshita, you've loved me long. I can't exploit your feelings to complete the task. Too bastardly. So even if given the choice, I wouldn't ask you."
Yukino glanced, said nothing.
"True… Hehehe, Yuu-kun's soft side is what I like most!" Yuigahama laughed shyly and happily. Then she stared at Yukino. Curious blink.
"So Yukinon, you decided to date him because Yuu-kun asked?"
"Yes." Hard to find friends, Yukino sighed: "Who told him to be one of my few friends? Though the sacrifice is big, someone broad-hearted like me won't stand by seeing a friend in trouble… No matter how ridiculous, if he convinces me, I'll help."
This was also club activity. As Service Club President, she couldn't play favorites and ignore her own member.
Finished, she nodded satisfied with herself.
"Oh—like that—" Yuigahama dragged her voice. Secretly smiling.
Her clearly unconvinced attitude made Yukino frown. Just as she wanted to tell her to speak frankly.
Yuigahama stared straight into her eyes. Though a question, her tone strangely certain:
"Yukinon, you like Yuu-kun, right?"
Yukino: "…"