"Yo, Yukino-chan!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka cheerfully greeted Yukinoshita Yukino, waving as if nothing were wrong, even though Yukino was giving her a face full of disdain. Thick-skinned didn't even begin to describe her.
Just based on looks, Hiratsuka seemed like a graceful and elegant beauty. But the way she carried herself was more like a rowdy outlaw heroine.
Yukino let out a soft sigh and snapped her book shut, clearly irritated.
For someone used to solitude, Yukino had grown comfortable being alone and she hated trouble, especially the kind that Hiratsuka always seemed to drag in with her.
She turned her face, so pure and flawless it looked like a sculpture carved from white jade, toward Hiratsuka.
Sato noticed her glance subtly, almost imperceptibly, toward the boy standing behind Hiratsuka: Hikigaya Hachiman.
"So… what exactly brings you here, Hiratsuka-sensei?"
"Hehehe! It's good news, of course!"
Oblivious to Yukino's displeasure, Hiratsuka laughed and stepped aside to reveal the figure behind her.
"Ta-da! I brought you a new club member! What do you think?"
Yukino's cold, sharp gaze remained steady as she stared at her teacher, voice like frost, "I'm going to have to decline. I don't recall asking you to recruit anyone for me, nor do I need any new members. Especially not one whose eyes look like they're rotting."
"And… don't you think his eyes are a little creepy?"
"The way he looks at people, it reeks of perversion. I feel pregnant just standing here."
"Eh?!"
The room erupted in gasps and the scuffle of startled footsteps.
Sato turned and saw that the girls of the Light Music Club had instinctively clutched their shirts and huddled behind him, eyeing Hachiman warily.
Hey! That's going too far!
Both Sato and Hachiman twitched at the corners of their mouths.
Normally, Hachiman might have just stayed silent. But right now, he felt the desperate need to salvage his already questionable reputation.
"Apologies," he said flatly, looking at Yukino, "but I have absolutely no interest in childlike, flat-chested girls."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Sato gave Hachiman a look that said, Poor lad… At least tell us your name so we know what to write on your grave marker next year.
Oh crap!
A jolt of panic surged through Hachiman. Even his usually lifeless eyes suddenly sparked with fear as his pupils trembled.
He broke into a cold sweat.
Have I been out of practice talking to girls for so long that I just blurted out what I was thinking?!
Damn it! Should've kept my mouth shut!
"Tch… Total perv, right?"
"Seriously, what's he got against flat chests? It's not like they ate his rice ball or something!"
"Watch out, Mugi!"
"Eh?"
The Light Music girls' whispered "murmurs" were loud enough for Hachiman to hear clearly, making him twitch uncontrollably.
"Hmph!"
Suddenly, a frigid laugh echoed through the clubroom.
Like a snowstorm crashing into the tiny room, bitterly cold and sharp.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, would you consider calling the police?"
Yukino's voice, void of emotion, carried the weight of an ice queen. One who was more than capable of freezing you in place.
Hiratsuka actually rubbed her chin, seeming to seriously consider it, then looked at Hachiman and said, "I thought you were just mostly rotten… Turns out you're terminal."
No, I can still be saved!
Don't give up on me, Hiratsuka-sensei!
Hachiman widened his eyes dramatically, trying to project the image of a man still salvageable.
"Haha!"
Hiratsuka suddenly laughed and clapped a hand on Hachiman's shoulder. "Well, at least your will to survive seems strong!"
Of course it is!
Didn't you see that snow witch's eyes?! If you give up on me, she'll murder me just to blow off steam!
"Ahem!"
"Well, as you can see, this kid's not only got rotten eyes but a decaying heart too… So let's call this my formal request. Yukino, help this poor soul out, will you?"
A request?
Yukino's icy expression softened, just slightly, as she furrowed her brow and looked at Hachiman.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, with all due respect, this boy is rotten to the core. He may not be worth saving anymore."
"Frankly, prison might be a better fit for him."
P-prison?!
Hachiman shivered and nervously glanced at Yukino.
You'd really send me to jail just for that?!
"Haha! Yukino, you're such a joker. But if this guy truly ends up beyond saving, I'll personally wring his neck!"
Gasp—!
Everyone in the Light Music Club stared wide-eyed, collectively sucking in air.
Are all teachers this terrifying these days?!
Even Yukino looked slightly dazed for a second. Then she let out a soft sigh.
"Fine. I'll accept your request… reluctantly."
"But..."
"Next time, please knock like a normal person before barging in. I'm not the only one here, you know."
"Truly sorry about that!"
The mature female teacher turned to the club and bowed.
"Oh! And you, what was your name again? Nohara?"
Sato blinked in surprise and nodded.
"While I trust Yukino's abilities, I'm still a little worried about her safety. Hachiman may not be dumb, but I wouldn't call him trustworthy either. So please, keep an eye on her, okay? Don't let him take advantage of her."
Sato glanced at the frosty Yukino beside him.
You really think she needs my protection?
He couldn't help but mentally complain.
"Well, my work here is done! I'll be checking in on your progress, Yukino. This guy's all yours now, reform him as you see fit!"
Reform…
What a terrifying word. It seemed Hiratsuka-sensei did understand just how unapproachable Yukino could be...