"Minna-san, sorry to intrude!"
With a flourish, Ms. Shizuka Hiratsuka strode into the Light Music Club, waving her hand in a strikingly stylish manner.
"Good afternoon, Sensei!"
Akiyama Mio and the others hurriedly stood up, bowing stiffly in greeting.
"Huh? Tea… and cookies? Don't tell me this is actually an afternoon tea club?"
Spotting the tea set and plate of cookies on the table, Hiratsuka's eyes lit up. Without the slightest hesitation, she grabbed a cookie, popped it into her mouth, and chewed twice before her eyes narrowed in delight.
"Delicious!"
As expected—everyone seemed to interpret the club the same way. This was no longer the Light Music Club, but the Afternoon Tea Club.
Lin Zhi glanced around the room, noticing how the girls looked tense in Hiratsuka's presence. Ritsu Tainaka even shot him a desperate look, wiggling her eyebrows as if to say, "Hey, Nobara, you know this teacher, right? Do something!"
Catching her signal perfectly, Lin Zhi stepped forward and asked, "Ms. Hiratsuka, what brings you to our club today?"
Hiratsuka opened her eyes and casually pulled up a chair, crossing one leg over the other.
"No need to be so formal, everyone. Sit down."
The girls exchanged uneasy glances before sitting back down, stiff as boards. Tsumugi Kotobuki, ever polite, pulled out an extra chair for the cool, quiet girl who had accompanied Hiratsuka.
"Thank you," the girl murmured softly.
Everyone straightened their posture again, their attention fixed on Hiratsuka.
Ritsu blinked, then whispered to Mio beside her, "This teacher's really pretty, huh?"
Hiratsuka suddenly turned her head, her sharp gaze landing on Ritsu.
A grin spread across her face, and she gave Ritsu a thumbs-up. "Excellent taste!"
Lin Zhi's lips twitched.
He had to admit—this literature teacher was indeed a beauty. Her refined features, confident air, and long black hair that fell past her hips made her an unmistakably striking woman. A true black-haired beauty, through and through.
But still… praising herself like that? Was that really okay?
Lin Zhi sighed inwardly, though as his gaze swept the room, he suddenly realized something amusing.
There were now three black-haired beauties gathered here.
The shy yet earnest Mio Akiyama.
The mysterious and aloof new girl.
And the bold, radiant Ms. Hiratsuka herself, with her commanding presence.
After basking in her own compliment for a moment, Hiratsuka coughed twice and got back on track.
"So, is this everyone from the Light Music Club?"
"Yes, ma'am," Ritsu answered quickly. "Did you need something from us?"
"Nothing so formal," Hiratsuka replied with a small smile. "I just have… a little request."
A request?
Ritsu forced a smile, unable to imagine what kind of request their teacher could possibly have for their club.
"Please go ahead, Sensei."
Hiratsuka hesitated for a moment, looking uncharacteristically awkward.
"Well, it's like this… I'd like to ask a favor on behalf of the student here with me." She gestured toward the quiet girl beside her. "This is Yukinoshita from Class 2-J. She wants to start a new club. But since too many clubs have been formed recently, we're running short on available rooms."
Her eyes flicked toward Lin Zhi and the others. "So, since your club has fewer members, I was wondering if you could share your room with her."
"Share… the clubroom?!"
Ritsu exclaimed, her face stiffening.
Lin Zhi frowned slightly and glanced at the calm girl sitting next to Hiratsuka.
Sharing a clubroom sounded awkward. Two completely unrelated clubs in one space could easily end up getting in each other's way.
As if expecting that reaction, Hiratsuka quickly added, "Don't worry. Yukinoshita's club currently only has her as a member. And…"—she looked at the girl meaningfully—"I doubt many others will be joining her later, so it won't interfere with your activities."
The girls blinked in surprise, exchanging curious looks.
Just what kind of club could be so solitary that even the teacher assumed it would always have only one member?
"Yukino, why don't you introduce yourself?" Hiratsuka said with a teasing smile. "After all, this might be your only chance to secure a clubroom."
Yukinoshita Yukino.
That was the name the Light Music Club members quietly committed to memory.
The girl stood, her expression calm and composed. "Hello, everyone. I'm Yukinoshita Yukino from Class 2-J. I apologize for the intrusion."
She hesitated briefly, casting a sidelong glance at her teacher before continuing. "As Ms. Hiratsuka mentioned, my club may very well only consist of me. But I promise I won't disturb your regular activities."
The Light Music Club members exchanged looks of mild bewilderment.
Ritsu tilted her head. "Um, Yukinoshita-san… what kind of club are you creating?"
Lin Zhi and the others leaned forward, clearly intrigued.
Yukino hesitated for only a moment before pressing her lips together and lifting her chin.
For a second, it felt as if a soft glow radiated from her—calm, dignified, unwavering.
"The Service Club."
Her voice was firm and resolute.
"S–Service Club?!"
Mio's face turned bright red, steam practically rising from her head as her eyes started spinning.
Lin Zhi and the others were just as dumbfounded.
That kind of club name is allowed?!
Incredible.
Lin Zhi didn't even realize he was staring at her in awe. To say something so bold with such composure—it was strangely admirable.
Yukino, however, raised an eyebrow slightly. She could clearly tell that everyone's minds had gone to that interpretation.
It wasn't their fault, really. Most people misunderstood the meaning of things—they were guided by shallow perceptions. Only a few sought true understanding.
Still, this misunderstanding couldn't be allowed to linger, especially if they were to share the same space.
"You're mistaken," she said evenly, her eyes firm and serious. "The Service Club's purpose is to extend a helping hand to those in need—to teach others how to solve their problems rather than simply solving them for them."
Her calm, eloquent explanation left the Light Music Club completely speechless.
So… it could mean that kind of service?
Who would've thought?
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T/N:
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