Narumi was the kind of person who would wrap his past miserable experiences up as jokes, then casually toss them out as punchlines while chatting with others.
If the other party burst out laughing in response, then his goal of lightening the mood had been achieved. But if instead they put on a serious, sympathetic expression and said things like "Ah, that's so sad, poor thing, come here", he would end up not knowing how to react at all.
The same applied to his shameless teasing. Narumi had deliberately voiced his suspicion that Yukinoshita Yukino might be interested in him—and done so right in front of her—precisely because he wanted her to show disgust and deny it outright. Even if she followed up with "You disgusting otaku", that would've been perfectly fine.
But instead—Yukinoshita Yukino blushed.
She blushed.
What is this? Where did the aloof, untouchable ice-cold second young lady go? Who is this flustered grade-schooler who looks like her secret's just been exposed? Sure, suspecting a girl likes me is one of the Three Great Illusions of Life—but if you keep this up, I'm really going to start believing it, you know?
"Cough… If you used that silver tongue of yours where it actually belongs, your achievements would surely shine far brighter than they do now, Narumi-kun."
Miss Yukinoshita coughed stiffly. Even though a trace of awkwardness still lingered on her face, reason took the lead as she tried to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"So please refrain from making jokes like that about me."
Because… it was hard not to take them seriously.
"Ah—sorry, sorry."
Realizing Yukino had just offered him a way out, Narumi immediately backed down. The atmosphere of their exchange had gone far beyond what could be considered casual banter between ordinary friends.
"I must reiterate: as the club president, I couldn't simply ignore a club member's lost personal item. I was merely keeping it safe temporarily."
Right, right—an extremely convincing explanation.
"Besides, I have no intention of keeping a boy's personal belongings. Doing so without permission would be highly impolite and easily discovered. Moreover, I truly only intended to keep it temporarily and return it to you at an appropriate time."
Yes, yes—you really don't need to keep explaining so seriously. Some things only get worse the more you try to clarify them.
"And besides—mm."
Just as Yukinoshita Yukino was about to continue, she seemed to notice something and abruptly stopped speaking. Her previously wandering gaze refocused squarely on Narumi.
"…We've probably delayed long enough. Hayama-kun and Hikigaya-kun must have been waiting in the clubroom for quite some time now."
She waved her hand lightly and started walking toward the Service Club. After standing there confused for a moment, Narumi followed after her.
So stiff… Miss Yukinoshita, your topic-switching is really way too stiff…! You should learn a thing or two from your sister Haruno—that sly old fox!
Of course, Yukinoshita Yukino walked ahead without looking back only so the boy wouldn't notice the unusual expression on her face. The words she left unspoken were, no matter how she put them, difficult to voice aloud.
Besides… if you hadn't given it to me of your own accord like before, I would never have asked for it.
After all, if that weren't the case, then carrying this whistle with her at all times wouldn't mean anything. Without that feeling attached to it, it wasn't a token meant to summon a hero to save her—it was merely an ordinary tool used to keep time during a cooking contest.
What Yukinoshita Yukino wanted wasn't something meant only for shallow consolation.
Though her initial wish had simply been "I want to see that person once more," it had gradually evolved into "I want to talk to him,""I want him to look at me," and "I want to become someone special to him."
After all, people are inherently greedy.
Of course, Yukinoshita Yukino would never admit any of this. Even if someone noticed and asked her directly, she would—as always—raise her chin and deny it flatly.
In the simulation, it had always been that guy who played the composed, dominant role. But now that they had reunited in the real world, this time—no matter what—she would make him be the one who fell first.
At least for now, that was what Miss Yukinoshita Yukino believed.
The two returned to the Service Club room one after the other. Hikigaya Hachiman, who had been holding the fort against Hayama Hayato this whole time, visibly relaxed when he saw Yukino and Narumi reappear. For someone who avoided excessive social interaction, entertaining the famously bright and sociable Hayama Hayato was utterly exhausting.
But it couldn't be helped.
Everyone who came was a guest—and guests had to be received.
And with the newly joined Yuigahama Yui acting as social lubricant on the side, Hikigaya at least didn't have to half-ass things to the point of mental collapse.
"So… those chain emails spreading classmates' dirt. That's the reason you're here to make a request, Hayama-kun?"
Yukinoshita Yukino, having returned alongside Narumi, cut straight to the heart of the matter. Hayama, seated in the guest chair, nodded with a wry smile.
"Yeah. Most of those emails are full of defamatory rumors about classmates and friends. No one would be okay with people close to them being talked about like that."
"Alright, alright. Then what exactly do you want, Hayama-kun? Do you want us to identify the culprit behind it? Or fight fire with fire—an eye for an eye?"
Narumi, resting his cheek on his hand and looking thoroughly unmotivated, waved dismissively. Somehow, it felt like requests from a universally kind, friendly guy like Hayama were bound to be… boring. Boring problems, boring demands.
"N-no, it doesn't have to be that extreme! I just hope this can be resolved cleanly."
As expected, Hayama immediately looked troubled and waved his hands to reject all of Narumi's suggestions.
"Whether it's the people being slandered or the person sending those emails, I just hope no one gets hurt any further… It'd be best if this ridiculous situation could be settled peacefully."
"Useless kindness, when taken too far, becomes nothing more than a burden that drags others down."
Yukinoshita Yukino pierced straight through to the essence of Hayama's gentleness. Narumi hadn't expected her to voice exactly what he was thinking, and he raised his eyebrows with interest.
The Yukinoshita Yukino he remembered would make similarly sharp assessments—but with far more edge, far less mercy.
"A burden, huh… Haha. But if no one ends up getting hurt in the end, then I don't really mind being seen that way."
Even when mocked, Hayama didn't seem bothered, only letting out an awkward laugh. Beside him, Hikigaya Hachiman's already tense brow furrowed even deeper—he truly didn't mesh well with these sunshine types who came equipped with a built-in 'saint aura.'
Sometimes, you really shouldn't accept just any guest. Clients who pile on conditions while rejecting every solution are the kind you only meet if you were cursed in a past life.
"You don't want to be the villain, huh? Well, there are other ways to solve this."
Having already anticipated Hayama's 'I don't want anyone to get hurt' stance, Narumi nonchalantly rolled his neck and offered a new proposal.
"Then become the sinner."