"Have you finished whispering?"
After they stopped their hushed conversation, Yukino tapped the cover of her book. Her voice was clearer and more melodious than Christmas Eve bells.
"Next is the cultural festival. Since the executive committee's tasks are heavier than expected, you two must be busy preparing your class stalls. So, I'll suspend after-school club activities until the festival is over."
As expected, both nodded without much surprise.
What was called Service Club activities mostly consisted of chatting, reading books, and playing on phones in this clubroom. There weren't many requests to handle.
Plus, Yuu often didn't show up for various reasons. Almost half the time, it was just Yuigahama and Yukino here, chatting awkwardly or doing their own things. It was very ordinary, nothing worth remembering.
So, feeling sad about the club being suspended wasn't even a thought for the sensitive Yuigahama, let alone Yukino.
"But during lunch, we'll come keep you company, Yukinon!"
As Yukino's cool voice landed, Yuigahama raised her hand earnestly to add.
Yukino massaged her temples. "Don't say it like I need you to keep me company. If you didn't come, I'd be more relaxed…"
"Yui, you phrased it wrong." Before she finished, Yuu spoke to Yuigahama in a chiding tone. "Even though Yukinoshita's really afraid of being lonely, you can't say it so bluntly. 'I'm so lonely, I really want to eat with Yukinon, please~'—that way, she might accept it."
"R-really?" Yuigahama was stunned. "I feel like that'd make Yukinon push back even more…"
"Heh, your instincts are correct, Yuigahama-san." Yukino smiled, but there was no warmth in her icy blue eyes.
Yukino stared at Yuu, tilting her head cutely. She spoke in a gentle, kind tone:
"Vice-president who loves to act spoiled, if you spout nonsense again, don't blame me for punishing you as president, okay?"
Yuu: "…"
The corner of his mouth twitched. He looked at the beautiful girl with long, straight black hair. She was delighted to have won for the first time. The corners of her lips couldn't help but curve upward, and her entire face began to glow.
(This woman, can she really deliver such a harsh threat with such an innocent expression?)
(The perfectly just Miss Yukinoshita couldn't be this mean. Who are you, really?!)
"Act spoiled?" As if left out of the conversation, Yuigahama looked between them in confusion, her lips pursing unconsciously.
"Since when does Yuu-kun act spoiled?"
"You believe her too?"
Yuu didn't expect to be caught off guard like this. He also didn't want Yui to know he'd done something like that to Yukino.
Yuu slowly hid his humiliated expression, snorting unhappily with a cold face. "Just mutual teasing. Don't take nonsense like that seriously."
"Oh? Though I've said harsh and wrong things before, I've never lied. In terms of trustworthiness…"
Yukino flashed a beautiful, cruel smile. She reached out to brush her silky black hair, looking at Yuu haughtily.
"Shouldn't I rank higher than you, a boy who can't even lie properly? Who do you think Yuigahama-san will believe, you or me?"
Though they already considered each other friends, she'd never pass up a chance to put Yuu in his place.
Just like how he always looked for opportunities to tease and provoke her. When she saw him back down or give in, her mood would inexplicably lift.
Conquering and being conquered. Even among friends—Yukino didn't see anything wrong with it.
"Drown in your foolish confidence." Yuu rolled his eyes. Not wanting to confuse Yuigahama further, he decisively ended the topic.
"Nothing else, right? If not, we're leaving. See you at lunch."
Returning to the main topic, Yukino had no intention of pursuing a cornered enemy. She frowned slightly and said with an awkward expression, "Actually, there's one more thing…"
Yuu suddenly raised his hand. "Wait, someone's coming."
The conversation halted. Both girls were startled and looked at him simultaneously.
Yukino's pink lips parted slightly. As she was about to speak, her ears faintly caught the crisp sound of footsteps from the corridor. The heels of shoes struck the floor firmly.
A few seconds later, the door opened…
SLAM—
If not for Yuu's warning, both girls would've been startled by the sudden sound of the door.
As that thought crossed her mind, Yukino's next thought was:
(Even though he heard the sound earlier, he didn't take the chance to laugh at me. Is this really Tenkuji-kun?)
Then, she put on a cold face and looked unhappily at the teacher in a white coat who barged in.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, how many times do I have to say, please knock first!"
"Sorry, sorry. Next time for sure." Hiratsuka answered without any sincerity.
She scratched her head and laughed. She strode quickly toward Yukino and placed a folder of papers wrapped in a brown paper bag on the table.
"Here, these are the test papers and assignments for Natsukawa from your class. Furukawa-sensei is busy, so I brought them for her."
"…Thank you, Hiratsuka-sensei." Unable to do anything about this overly casual teacher, Yukino could only purse her lips resignedly. She tucked the paper bag into her bag. "By the way, please tell Furukawa-sensei I'll only be responsible for delivering these. Don't ask me to build a relationship with her just because we live close by."
"What's wrong with caring about a classmate? She lives alone and isn't answering her phone. Furukawa-sensei even considered directly informing that big-shot entrepreneur that his daughter didn't come to school today. To be cautious, she wants you to visit her house and check on her."
Hiratsuka shrugged. Her tone was casual, but her eyes looked at Yukino very seriously.
"A fever or flu is forgivable, but disappearing suddenly is a big deal… It's fine if you think it's excessive. Yukinoshita, I'm asking you to check on her. If you find anything wrong, call me. I'll handle the rest."
"You've said this much. Even if I didn't ask for it, I don't have a choice to refuse, do I?" Yukino sighed. She showed no resistance. "I don't know whether to call you cunning or overly concerned about student safety."
"I don't care! Taking criticism from kids is part of our job as adults!" As if reciting a pearl of wisdom, Hiratsuka waved her hand smugly, then shifted her gaze to the other two who had stayed silent.
"By the way, you two are coming along. Consider it a Service Club activity… Yukinoshita's social skills are quite concerning."
Yukino twitched slightly. Her expression turned cold again.
"Sensei, I can't pretend I didn't hear that."
Hiratsuka didn't even glance at her.
Yuigahama blinked, looking at Hiratsuka, then at Yuu for confirmation, showing a confused expression.
"Eh? So, we're going to visit Natsukawa-san's house later too?"
Hiratsuka nodded casually, giving a thumbs-up.
"Exactly. I'm entrusting that transfer student to you. Young folks of the Service Club!"