The Service Club.
Haruto was led to a classroom with this sign by Yui Yuigahama. He couldn't help but smirk, a familiar glint in his eye.
Of course, he knew exactly where they were.
Even though he knew, he couldn't resist teasing her with a soft chuckle:
"Yuigahama-san, you're not thinking of anything strange by bringing me here, are you?"
"E-Eh?!"
Yui blinked, her wide eyes darting up to the classroom placard before the implication hit her.
Her face flushed a brilliant crimson, and she frantically waved her hands in front of her in pure panic.
"You've got it completely wrong, Haruto-kun! The Service Club isn't some weird adult establishment! I-I only just joined this club recently, honest!"
However, Haruto's playful, knowing look only grew more pronounced, causing Yui to become an even deeper shade of red, stumbling over her words.
"It's true! Our club is all about helping people with their troubles, that's all!"
I'm only making it sound worse, Yui thought in absolute despair, feeling like every single syllable she uttered dug her into a deeper hole.
Desperate to escape his teasing gaze, she quickly slid open the classroom door.
"Our club president, Yukino-chan, can explain it properly!"
The clubroom door slid open.
Sitting quietly by the window was a beautiful girl with long, jet-black hair that flowed neatly down her back.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass, illuminating the pages of the novel resting in her hands.
She looked up.
Her clear, composed eyes settled first on Yui, then on Haruto.
A small frown appeared on her face.
"...Yuigahama-san."
Her calm voice carried a quiet pressure.
"How many times have I told you to knock before entering?"
"Eep!"
Yui immediately stiffened.
"S-Sorry!"
She hurriedly bowed her head.
"I was just trying to explain because Haruto-kun misunderstood what our club actually does, so I..."
Before she could finish—
Haruto smiled.
"The Service Club."
He looked around the room before continuing.
"A club that helps students who need assistance."
"In other words, people bring their problems here, and the club does its best to help solve them."
"That's the basic idea, isn't it?"
Yukinoshita Yukino blinked.
"...Correct."
That was a surprisingly accurate explanation.
Yui, however, stared at Haruto in disbelief.
"Huh...?"
"Haruto-kun..."
"You knew all along?"
Haruto looked at her with an innocent smile.
"I did."
"..."
Yui froze.
"...Then why did you keep asking questions earlier?"
Haruto chuckled.
"I thought teasing you would be entertaining."
"So I went along with it."
"..."
Yui's mouth fell open.
A few seconds later, she puffed out both cheeks.
"W-What!?"
"That's so mean, Haruto-kun!"
She glared at him with absolutely no intimidation whatsoever.
Instead, she looked more like a sulking puppy.
Haruto couldn't help laughing.
"My apologies."
"I couldn't resist."
"T-That's not a real apology!"
Yui complained, stamping her foot in embarrassment.
Yukinoshita Yukino quietly closed the novel resting on her lap.
With her usual composed expression, she looked towards Yui.
"...Yuigahama-san."
"If you joined the Service Club merely to flirt with others, I'd appreciate it if you kept it outside."
"W-Wait!"
Yui hurriedly waved both hands.
"Yukinon, you've got the wrong idea!"
"It's not like that!"
"Haruto-kun and I aren't dating or anything!"
Without waiting for another misunderstanding to arise, Yui rushed over to a nearby cupboard.
Opening it, she carefully took out a neatly wrapped bag of homemade cookies.
Turning back, she offered it to Haruto with an embarrassed smile.
"Haruto-kun..."
"Thank you for carrying me to the infirmary the other day."
"I wanted to make something myself to thank you."
"...So these are homemade cookies."
Haruto accepted the bag with genuine curiosity.
He had heard Yui mention that she'd made them herself.
Yui watched him expectantly, her hands clasped behind her back.
Meanwhile...
Yukino's expression became noticeably more complicated.
She instinctively took half a step forward before stopping herself.
The story behind those cookies was... memorable.
The previous day, Yui had visited the Service Club asking for help baking a proper thank-you gift.
Believing that helping others become independent was far more meaningful than simply doing everything for them, Yukino had agreed to teach her.
At first, she had assumed it would be straightforward.
Measure the ingredients.
Follow the recipe.
Bake patiently.
There shouldn't have been any problems.
Unfortunately...
Reality had proven otherwise.
No matter how carefully Yui followed each instruction...
No matter how closely Yukino supervised...
The final result somehow turned out wrong every single time.
It was almost unbelievable.
For the first time in her life, Yukino found herself questioning whether cooking could truly defy logic.
After several attempts, she had reluctantly accepted defeat.
Even the final batch—which had been made under her direct supervision—could only be described as... difficult.
Unable to discourage Yui after seeing how earnestly she had tried, Yukino had simply said,
"...Anyone who receives these will surely understand how sincere your feelings are."
It wasn't entirely untrue.
Still...
Watching Haruto reach into the bag now, she couldn't help feeling a trace of guilt.
Haruto picked up one of the cookies.
"Here goes."
He took a bite.
Yui watched him with sparkling eyes.
Yukino unconsciously held her breath.
Haruto chewed calmly.
Then...
He swallowed without changing his expression.
"..."
"..."
Silence filled the clubroom.
Yukino stared at him in astonishment.
He... actually ate it?
Not only that—
There wasn't even the slightest hint of discomfort on his face.
He simply smiled.
"It's good."
Yui's eyes lit up.
"R-Really!?"
"Of course."
Haruto nodded.
"You can tell these were made with a lot of care."
Yui beamed with delight.
"I'm so glad!"
Beside them, Yukino remained completely speechless.
She had personally witnessed every failed attempt.
She knew exactly how those cookies had turned out.
And yet...
Haruto had finished one as if nothing were unusual.
For the first time that day, even the ever-composed Yukinoshita Yukino found herself genuinely bewildered.
******
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