"After classes, come with me to the Service Club."
With the bell about to ring, their talk ended. As she left, Hiratsuka tossed that line over her shoulder.
Aoki nodded and returned to class.
Only one period remained before lunch.
He bought a pineapple bun at the campus shop, called it "lunch," and napped on his desk.
Afternoon rolled along normally until the dismissal bell at around 3:30.
A quick word to Hachiman, and Aoki shouldered his bag and headed to Hiratsuka's office.
He'd been on the fence all morning and afternoon, but finally sent his resignation on LINE to the convenience-store owner.
He hadn't told the bar "morke" yet, but his shift was later, so he wasn't in a rush.
They met in the office; a few minutes after the bell, guided by Hiratsuka, they reached the Service Club.
Service Club.
Weird name, legit club. The gist: helping others—a club founded on reaching out to those in need…
Only at the door did Hiratsuka give Aoki the brief intro. Then, without waiting for any reaction, she slid the classroom door open.
A crisp voice—cool and stunningly clear—floated out with the door's rattle.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, didn't I ask you to knock before entering next time?"
Aoki looked toward the voice.
He drew a deep breath.
Veil-like black hair. A face too flawless to nitpick. An air of icy grace.
In looks and aura, she'd give the girls from Kessoku Band no disadvantage at all.
Sitting in a mostly empty room, a paperback in hand, the girl looked up slightly at the intruders.
Right then and there, Aoki grew solemn.
Yukinoshita Yukino—brilliant, hardworking, perennial year-topper; in addition to being the Service Club president, she was also—
Aoki's biggest obstacle on his path to scholarship money.
"Even if I knock, you won't answer," Hiratsuka replied.
"That's because you barge in before I can answer…"
Yukino shot her a faintly peeved look, then sighed. "So, what brings this classmate to the Service Club, Hiratsuka-sensei?"
Her gaze turned to Aoki.
"I've got a request for you," Hiratsuka said. "I want Aoki-kun to join the club, but not… officially."
"…?"
Puzzled look from Yukino.
Aoki kept quiet, so Hiratsuka explained, "He works after school most days, so he usually can't make it. But he can free up Thursdays and Fridays, so he can attend then."
She didn't mention the bar—just that he worked.
"Sorry, but I refuse."
Yukino shook her head.
"The Service Club isn't a kindergarten or daycare. I can't accept a request this half-baked."
Shot down before launch.
Hiratsuka looked between Aoki and Yukino, thinking fast about how to persuade the Yukinoshita second daughter.
Then she recalled the girl's pride.
She cleared her throat and tried again.
"Actually, it isn't baseless. Aoki-kun has a reason—"
Yukino glanced up—"Let's hear it."
"Here's the thing: Aoki transferred to Shūka just a few days ago. At his previous school, he consistently ranked first in his year. So now that he's here, he takes 'first' quite seriously."
Aoki didn't actually care that much about the title, but the fat scholarship attached to Shūka's top rank was absolutely on his mind, so close enough.
"And, as you know," Hiratsuka continued, "among Tokyo's best schools, Shūka's top spot isn't easy. He's confident but not arrogant, so… he wants to learn your study methods whenever he has time, and then use them to defeat you, the reigning number one."
Yukino blinked and fell quiet for a few seconds.
Seeing the pause, Hiratsuka pressed on.
"Besides, the club's only got one member at the moment. Numbers are short. With Aoki-kun, taking requests will be easier. Right, Aoki-kun?"
R-right…
Wait, is it?
Aoki stared at his older teacher in disbelief. This is not what you said this morning! Weren't we going to just "show face" and not actually take requests? How did this turn into helping with requests?!
Catching his look, Hiratsuka shot him a "Relax, the club never gets requests anyway" glance.
A step too late, Aoki started to regret his hasty agreement.
Too bad—by now it was too late—
Seated, paperback propped under her chin, Yukino wore a face that said, "This sounds interesting."
After a quiet beat, she said,
"Beat me with my own methods? Is that a provocation? Interesting… Understood, Sensei. I accept this request."
Hiratsuka achieved her aim; Yukino took on a request she found amusing.
Aoki joined a club that might prove troublesome—while also gaining an opponent who, though she'd held first for years, would now be even more wary.
Achievement unlocked: A world where only Aoki gets hurt.
No, maybe not just Aoki—
...
After school, Aoki's "bye" to Hachiman had been a bit rushed, and Hachiman didn't manage to answer.
So, at home that night, lying on his couch, Hachiman was tormented by the memory.
"Will Aoki think I was playing it cool on purpose? Did my not replying make him uncomfortable? Hachiman, how could you not respond when someone tells you goodbye… How is that any different from those worst normies who ostracize people… Should I greet him first tomorrow…?"
"Ugh—! So conflicted—!"
-------
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