On the afternoon of the first day of school, the freshmen of Sobu High had already started classes. The school didn't give its students much time to adjust, but these students didn't need it. As a group of top students with deviation scores above 70, they didn't need to be picky about their environment when it came to studying.
Classes at Sobu High ended at 3:00 PM, with club activities held until 5:00 PM. For the freshmen, this was their chance to explore the campus and choose the clubs that interested them.
Three days later, on April 11th, the school would hold a club introduction event in the lecture hall. All the club leaders would take the stage to introduce their clubs and play promotional videos, giving the freshmen their best opportunity to get familiar with their options.
"I've already prepared my club proposal," Yukinoshita Yukino said to Hikigaya Hachiman, holding up a piece of paper. "Would you like to come with me to see Ms. Hiratsuka? I want to ask her to be our club's advisor."
"So soon? Didn't you say you were going to think about it for a while?"
"Too many seniors from other clubs came to bother me today," Yukino explained. "They all wanted to recruit me, so I had to speed up the process."
"I see," Hachiman said. "But what about the other member? There are only two of us."
"We can just ask Hayama for now. I sent him a message. He should be here soon." Yukinoshita Yukino showed her decisive side; she was the type of person who executed her plans very quickly once she had made up her mind.
"Sorry, I'm late," Hayato Hayama said, trotting over to meet them. "I went to the football club first." In fact, Hayama had already confirmed his membership with the football club that morning, so Yukino and Hachiman were taking up his time, but he still apologized.
After Hayama arrived, the three of them went together to Shizuka Hiratsuka's desk. Yukino elaborated on her idea for the new club and asked if she would be willing to serve as its advisor, while Hachiman and Hayato stood by silently.
"You are... Hayama, right?" Hiratsuka asked, looking carefully at the boy standing behind Yukino.
"Ah, yes, Ms. Hiratsuka. My name is Hayato Hayama."
"I heard from one of the physical education teachers that among this year's new students, there's a very enthusiastic and skilled soccer player. His name is also Hayato Hayama, and he verbally joined the football club this morning. Isn't that a coincidence?" Hiratsuka said with a smile. Hayato had already lowered his head silently.
"So, Yukinoshita," Hiratsuka continued, returning the proposal to Yukino with a look of regret, "I think Hayama already has a goal to strive for at Sobu High. I'm afraid it will be difficult to include him in your club. This means you are still one person short."
"...I understand, ma'am," Yukino said, calmly accepting this failure. "I will find another member. But I would like to confirm, are you willing to be the advisor for this club?"
"Of course. I would say your proposal is very noble, Yukinoshita," Hiratsuka replied. Even in rejection, her words were encouraging, which was part of what made her such an excellent educator. "That is why I hope the members you find are people who truly agree with your ideals and are willing to join."
"But, Yukinoshita," Hiratsuka asked with a knowing smile, "are you so eager to establish this club for yourself, or for the Mr. Hikigaya standing behind you?" She already knew his true identity and had a rough idea of what he really needed.
"Ms. Hiratsuka, I don't understand what you're talking about..." Yukino's gaze was a little evasive, and her voice lost some of its confidence.
"Ah, you students always make me envious without realizing it," Hiratsuka sighed. "Well, you can leave now. I'm going to the smoking room for a few cigarettes. I've been suffocating all day." With that, she immediately put aside her image as a model teacher, picked up her lighter and cigarette box, and hurried away.
"So, Yukinoshita," Hachiman asked, "asking classmates just to fill the roster won't work. What's the plan now?"
"Then give up that fantasy," Yukino said, though her tone was a bit gloomy. "My determination to help others is sincere. My desire to find a quiet place for you to write is incidental. Don't confuse the two."
"Then we should both work hard to find a classmate who genuinely needs help and actually help them. That's the only way to gain someone's sincere participation, isn't it?"
"That's right," Yukino said, putting aside her fleeting confusion. She stared firmly into Hachiman's glasses. "Let's work hard together, Hikigaya-san."
After returning to the apartment with Yukino, Hikigaya Hachiman opened the door to his home. The first day of his Sobu High career had officially ended. Except for the unresolved club issues, he was still very satisfied with the day's experience.
Later, he called his parents, Komachi, and Yukinoshita Haruno to briefly talk about his first day of high school, especially thanking Haruno for saving him from the trouble of becoming a class leader.
"You're welcome, Hikigaya-kun," Haruno said over the phone. "But I have a suggestion for you. Don't get too close to Yukino in school or in crowded places. Even though Sobu is an elite school, it can't stop rumors."
"Actually, Yukinoshita and I weren't that close... right?" Hachiman searched his memories of the day, but his answer came out as a question.
"Well, at least you two know what's going on. I can't say this to Yukino; she'll just laugh at me," Haruno said. "I'll find time to visit you guys this Sunday. It's mainly to see Yukino, so don't get your hopes up, junior."
"Got it, Senior. I don't expect anything at all," Hachiman teased back. "I'll leave the door unlocked that day and lie alone on the sofa in the living room. You two can have a good discussion about sisterhood."
"You kid, aren't you afraid I'll record these words and send them to Yukino?" Haruno threatened.
"I'm terrified, Senior. If you send it to her now, Yukino will probably knock on my door soon, and I'll have to open it for her. Then we'll be together until late without even realizing it. Wait a minute, if someone really does knock on the door, I'll have to hang up. Bye, Senior."
Haruno silently watched the call end. Only then did she finally realize the immense advantage her dear sister and junior becoming neighbors gave them, so much so that all her accumulation over the past year seemed to fade into a bland background.
Just then, Hachiman opened his door and saw Yukinoshita Yukino standing in front of him. After all, other people would ring the doorbell, but only Yukino would knock directly.
"Hikigaya-san, please give me your lunch box. I need to wash it and use it tomorrow," she said, extending her right hand toward him.
"Don't bother, Yukinoshita-san. I can cook for myself tomorrow morning. Just leave the lunch box with me today." Hachiman was determined not to get into the habit of having her make his bento every day right after school started, so he decided to cook for himself from time to time.
"Really? That's convenient," Yukino said smoothly. "You can make one for me as well. Oh, and don't forget to wash my lunch box, too."
She handed the lunch box in her left hand to Hachiman, then turned and left without looking back at him as he stood there in stunned silence.
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