A few minutes later.
"In short, Natsukawa-san wants to help our production team, and she's offering you benefits you can't refuse. So you brought her to the Service Club and plan to ask for our opinions?"
While biting her chopsticks, Yuu summarized for Yukino, who had just finished explaining.
"Our production team? It's starting to feel awfully formal… like we're actually filming something…"
Beside them, Yuigahama—who was completely missing the point—spoke up while stretching her chopsticks toward the other two lunch boxes. She swiftly and deftly swapped side dishes between the three boxes. She looked utterly delighted.
Seeing her once-neatly arranged lunch box now a colorful mess, Yukino frowned. She had a critique of this dish-swapping habit.
Though it was a way to show closeness, it was slightly unhygienic.
*CRUNCH!*
She took a bite. Juice burst forth. The sweet-and-sour flavor was exquisite. The outside was crispy, the inside tender.
Even after being stored all morning, the sweet-and-sour pork was still incredibly delicious, as if every cell on her tongue was cheering in joy. It made one instinctively swallow and crave another piece.
This was the taste of her own handiwork.
Saliva flowed as her throat moved. Yukino gracefully and quickly chewed a few bites of rice. She suppressed the most primal urge, then quietly exhaled in satisfaction.
…Though unhygienic, it was ultimately a friend's good intentions. She couldn't refuse and could only slowly get used to it.
"Yukinoshita, being tempted by benefits doesn't seem like something you'd do."
Yuu examined her from head to toe. Her gaze was slightly probing.
Yukino narrowed her eyes slightly. She continued eating her now-mixed lunch. She had already anticipated the other would ask this. She spoke calmly:
"First, I am the Service Club president. As long as the requester's wish isn't too unreasonable, I will do my best to offer advice and help them achieve their desires."
"Second, I'm not a saint with no desires. There are things I want but can't obtain. Though I believe in acquiring everything through my own strength and try not to rely on others, you once told me that human ability sometimes has limits."
At this point, those resolute sky-blue eyes stared straight at Yuu. Both her tone and gaze were equally serious.
"Things and information that cannot be obtained alone should be exchanged properly—face all usable resources. Continuously fill one's shortcomings. That's how one gradually becomes strong."
As if imitating someone's way of speaking, Yukino paused. She gave a faint smile.
"In other words, I'm just doing what you would do. Nothing strange about it."
Yuu was slightly surprised. She soon shrugged in relief: "True. I didn't realize you're no longer the stubbornly-to-the-death Yukinoshita."
Even though the timeline had been altered three times, accumulated growth wouldn't vanish—from their first meeting until now, neither was the same as before.
There were good and bad aspects, but in the end, they were moving forward… Yukino was, and Yuu hoped she was too.
Wiping the red sauce from the corner of her lips, Yukino gave him a teasing smile: "You've got some nerve. I don't even know who caused this—who's the overly stubborn one. I just hope she has a little self-awareness."
"Me! I'm self-aware. I saved a stubborn minor!" Yuu puffed out her chest proudly. She felt no shame—only honor.
Yukino shook her head with a laugh. Just as she was about to respond, she heard Yuu suddenly change the topic:
"So, what did you trade with Natsukawa-san?"
"…"
After a brief silence, Yukino cleared her throat. She resumed moving her chopsticks, which had paused.
"Personal matter. You don't need to worry about it."
She didn't want to lie to her, but she also didn't want to tell the truth.
Though not very self-aware, Yukino finally felt a contradictory feeling similar to what Yuu experienced when questioned about various things.
"Normally, when someone says that, it only makes me more curious about the truth." Yuu rolled her eyes at her. Then, she looked toward Masuzu, who had finished sucking her nutrient jelly and was sitting obediently, listening to their conversation.
"Is there a confidentiality clause in your transaction agreement?"
Masuzu blinked. Her doll-like fake smile instantly brimmed with life. She swung her legs. Her tone was cheerful: "Nope~ So if you want to know, I can tell you everything."
"Natsukawa-san." Yukino set down her lunch box. She stared at her with a stern expression: "Don't forget what you told me earlier."
Masuzu pouted. She sighed, pretending to be pitiful.
"Fine, fine. Who told me to be the one asking? I'll obey you."
She turned back to Yuu. Her face was full of apology: "As Tenkuji-san can see, even if I told you privately, the super-smart Yukinoshita-san would probably figure it out soon and really not forgive me… So I have to keep it secret for her."
"It's fine. I was just asking casually."
Feeling slightly uncomfortable and awkward with her calm yet enthusiastic attitude, Yuu shook her head. After asking, she had no intention of pursuing it further.
But Masuzu had no intention of letting go of the chance to chat with her. She said with a sweet smile: "As compensation, want me to tell you my three measurements? Besides the health room teacher, this is a secret only you're allowed to know."
Yuu felt a bit uneasy. She quickly waved her hands.
"No, no, no. I'm not interested in worldly numbers like that at all…"
But Masuzu acted as if she hadn't heard and continued happily: "Or do you want to measure them yourself? No problem. Just say the numbers first. I remember my last physical exam, from top to bottom it should be—"
"Beep! Keep talking and you're out of the game, Masuzu!"
Masuzu wasn't finished. This time, it was Yuigahama's turn to set down her lunch box. She took a whistle-blowing stance with a serious expression. Her sharp gaze stared straight at her.
"Right now, I'm giving you one warning card! Flirting with a friend's boyfriend in front of the friend—only a wicked woman would do that! So, Masuzu, are you a wicked woman?"
"Wicked woman…?"
Masuzu slowly tilted her head. She pressed her lips together and fell silent. She didn't look away at all and met her gaze.
At that moment, Yuu thought Masuzu would give a cold smile and say indifferently: "Yes, I'm a wicked woman. I'll do anything to satisfy my desires."
But after a few seconds, Masuzu just patted her own head. She stuck out her little tongue shyly and showed an embarrassed expression.
"Sorry, Yui. I didn't realize… Don't worry, I also really hate wicked women who steal other people's boyfriends, and I hate wicked men who get tempted by wicked women even more!"
She clenched her fist and declared confidently:
"I don't mind apologizing as many times as needed for last time. Either way, I won't become a third party interfering in the emotional relationship between you and Tenkuji-san!"
Those words carried weight.
For some reason, the chewing of rice stopped. Yukino lowered her long eyelashes, as if she hadn't heard anything.