Since no time convey remaining thoughts, Yuu decided discuss reputation recovery online group.
Each break, discussed Service Club three-member group. Shared views, helped refine lacking parts, flexibly adjusted per situation—nearing school end, plan initially settled.
With Cultural Festival week away, drama prep untimely. Yukino refused stage. Decided short film, played alternately clubroom.
Estimated five-ten minutes. Theme, absurd emotional conflict. No props effects needed. Just excuse for line.
"Couple? Haha, wanna know why said? Come Service Club room Cultural Fest watch movie. Just dialogue reading-like. Sorry caused misunderstanding. Actually funny see you fuss spread gossip small mistake~"
Course, final mocking line unsaid. Point, Yuu planned flip public opinion with buzzers. Confident douse not-fully-lit internet fire.
To prevent girls disturbed pre-Festival gossip, Yuu discussed timing. After school tasks, go Service Club record thirty-second PV, air hot school forum. Slap thrill-seekers' faces.
Script, since short film to prove Yuu Yukino innocent, no complex script needed. Yuu spent half-hour class, thought one. Could add subtract plot anytime, showed freedom ease.
Even if film bad rushed prep, no issue. No worry actors' acting bad—his fine—as long purpose conveyed, who cared audience thought good!
...Sadly, Yukino cared.
Perfectionist. Allowed no sloppy handling. Especially, no cheap rushed work for projects she joined.
Must do best possible. Though rumor clarifier, make quality art house short!
Thus, seized scriptwriter role. Yuu, computer-savvy (if not, could learn), handled tech issues. Yuigahama managed general errands—all three actors. No cameraman, relied fixed-position camera.
Discussion done, three enjoyed process. Like classmates teaming drama performance.
Sudden proposal, purposeful start, tight time. Yet, completing together, creating their unique work, passion flowed endlessly heart.
After school.
Before leaving class, Yuu heard Yuigahama tell nearby friends:
"Yuu-kun actually... not cheating. Okay, tell secretly, don't tell others... Service Club plans Cultural Fest. Making youth love short film. Yuu-kun male lead, Yukinon... Yukinoshita-san..."
Though Yuigahama said don't tell, two-three days, topic likely spread among girls. Prepped mental readiness, eased next fire-dousing.
Observed reactions post-Yui's explanation—effect good. Many showed enlightened looks. Sighed Thank goodness~ as if they were cheated victims.
Clearest, Yumiko checking nails, rocking chair back. Day-long gloomy face softened. As found little son-in-law thought bullied just played extreme game. No morning threat look.
Knowing Yumiko still unfriendly, Yuu glanced, casual shifted gaze.
Yuigahama sensed look. Speech paused. Returned glance, continued friends unchanged tone. No one noticed oddity.
Fact, their gazes met, blinked multiple times.
Couldn't hold smiles. Joy like naughty act unnoticed—sadly, not telepathic. Couldn't read minds from looks, only guessed blink meaning.
She meant praise encourage. He meant show off farewell.
Yuigahama stayed class spread film news max, Yuu left, headed Committee.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Hello all, here help again."
Arrived Cultural Fest Committee office, Yuu found post-school crowd larger last time.
Though most not serious work, casually chatted, enjoyed heater, played phones. Saw him enter, stared curious observing. Ignored tasks, ready gossip faces.
Gazes focused. Meeting room briefly silent. Mood odd.
"Yo..." Yuu understood. Long-absent member returned for fun.
Usually played dead, now came faster Yukino. High schoolers' curiosity made reporters cry.
Resigned shook head. Smiled. Crossed arms door, casual raised brow crowd:
"Don't stare. Am zoo star? Careful, I'll charge."
Said, many laughed. Frozen air bit cheerful.
Extrovert member laughed, about talk. But before, Yuu smiled, voice echoed room.
Made ears hear only words, choked their intended words:
"By way, many new faces. Transferred, or back post-leave?"
"Why not see last time? Only saw undone work?"
"Absent last, here today confess errors, or afternoon tea party?"