After Shizuka Hiratsuka left, the atmosphere in the clubroom grew strangely quiet. Yukino Yukinoshita went to a corner, pulled out a book wrapped in a soft cover, and began reading. She clearly had no intention of joining the Light Music Club's chatter.
The cool, elegant girl looked every bit the part of a literary beauty—her smooth black hair draping along her pale cheeks, her gaze focused intently on the text in her hands. Just as she had said, she wouldn't disturb the club's usual activities. That was her promise.
But Yukino's very presence was impossible to ignore. She was like a snow lotus blooming in the cold mountains—distant yet captivating. Even as she tried to make herself small, everyone's eyes inevitably drifted toward her.
The Light Music Club members gathered around the table, sneaking glances at Yukino. Their voices dropped to hushed whispers.
"Hey, Nozono! Did you hear that?" Ritsu Tainaka nudged Lin Zhi with her elbow.
"What is it?" Lin Zhi didn't look up from his notebook, eyes moving over the math problem as he mentally worked out the steps.
"Ms. Hiratsuka said you're not allowed to have any funny ideas about us, you know!" Ritsu said with a teasing grin, showing her pearly teeth.
Lin Zhi sighed, set down his pen, and met her gaze. "Don't worry, President. You're not even remotely my type."
"Wha—? That's so mean!" Ritsu pouted, then suddenly gasped, eyes widening in mock horror. "Wait a minute… you said I'm not your type—so that means… you've got your eyes on my precious Mio, don't you?!"
Before Lin Zhi could reply, Ritsu dramatically leapt over two tables and threw herself at Mio Akiyama, clutching her like a tragic heroine. "Give her back! Mio is mine—mine alone! Right, Mio?!"
Mio's face flushed bright red. As always, she couldn't handle Ritsu's antics. "Get off me, Ritsu! And what do you mean I'm yours?!"
"What?!" Ritsu froze, stumbling back several steps, staring at Mio as if her world had shattered. "You're saying… you're denying it?!"
Lin Zhi calmly sipped his tea, watching Ritsu's over-the-top acting with mild amusement. Ridiculous as it was, her emotions were spot-on.
Then Ritsu whipped her head toward him, eyes burning. "Nozono! Tell me—when?! When did you steal my dear Mio away from me?!"
Her face was a picture of heartbreak and despair, her voice trembling as if she were performing a tragic love scene. Honestly, her acting could've earned her a spot on the silver screen. Compared to Iroha Isshiki's clumsy attempts at playing cute, Ritsu's emotional control was on another level.
Lin Zhi even noticed that the quiet girl in the corner—Yukino—had looked up from her book. In her clear, frosty eyes was… curiosity. And perhaps, just a hint of envy?
"Hey, Mugi!" Ritsu suddenly called out.
"Yes?" Tsumugi Kotobuki looked up, smiling softly, her voice as gentle and fluffy as a cloud of cotton candy.
"You're the only one I have left! Promise me—you'll never leave me, right?!"
And with that, Ritsu dove onto Mugi, clinging to her and sobbing dramatically.
"Hey! Are you actually crying right now?" Lin Zhi said, dumbfounded. "President, men don't cry so easily, you know!"
"Hehe, sorry—but I'm not a man," Ritsu said, flashing him a mischievous grin through her tears, before turning back to Mugi with renewed emotion. "Right, Mugi? We'll be together forever, won't we?"
Lin Zhi could only stare in disbelief. Even Mio stood frozen, watching the spectacle.
Mugi tilted her head slightly, her gentle smile unwavering. "Sorry, but I'll get married someday," she said softly. "If you really want to stay with me forever… you could always become my handmaid."
"H-handmaid? What's that?" Ritsu blinked.
Lin Zhi explained, "In old times, noble ladies would bring their maids with them as part of their dowry when they married. Those maids would serve their new household."
"Wha—?!" Ritsu turned to him with a scandalized expression. "Nozono, are you trying to monopolize all of us?!"
Lin Zhi's face darkened. He decided not to respond to the club president who was now clearly in full drama mode.
But Ritsu, apparently fueled by her own energy, wasn't done yet. She looked around, scanning for her next "scene partner." The only one left was Yukino Yukinoshita.
Ritsu forced an awkward smile—and wisely decided to end the show there.
"Phew! That was exhausting!" she said, collapsing into her chair. She grabbed her teacup and gulped it down in one go, exhaling loudly.
You actually know what exhaustion is? Lin Zhi thought, watching her in disbelief.
"Would you like a refill, Ritsu?" Mugi asked sweetly, standing up with that ever-present smile.
"Arigato!" Ritsu said cheerfully, sliding her cup forward without hesitation.
Mugi's thick eyebrows arched slightly in amusement. She looked so content as she poured the tea—like she genuinely enjoyed taking care of others. Maybe that was it. A young lady who'd been served her whole life might sometimes want to switch roles.
After refilling Ritsu's cup, Mugi lifted her gaze toward the quiet girl by the window.
"Would you like some tea as well, Yukinoshita-san?" she asked gently.
Yukino looked up, clearly surprised.
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T/N:
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