How could it not be suitable for her?
First-year student Uenohara had improved rapidly under Manager Hikigaya's guidance, and second-year senior Mikari had also made significant progress.
Though neither had progressed as much as Vice-President Hayase, who had been the first to be trained by Manager Hikigaya and had already broken club records, it was almost certain she'd win an excellent placement in the tournament.
Still... even if she felt excluded by her senpai or peers, Nanasaki Ai wasn't planning to give up and was determined to try harder.
Hayase, Mikari, and even Uenohara had earned Manager Hikigaya's recognition and received training and guidance. There was no reason for her to give up so easily.
———
[Special Building, Service Club Activity Room]
The supple and graceful Vice-President Yukinoshita Yukino arrived first, unlocking the activity room door and skillfully placing her lunchbox and extracurricular books one by one onto her exclusive desk by the window.
The activity room had been cleaned; the desks could be arranged in a circle for group seating, but she still preferred sitting alone by the window.
Though the Service Club had recently welcomed many troubled girls and the president himself was a guy always missing in action, one had to admit, this secluded space in the special building, far from the bustling club building, was perfect for eating and relaxing.
Hanging around introverts and socially anxious people like Sakurase Shino and Gotou Hitori might be isolating, but since they all quietly sat in silence, it was far more peaceful than the noisy classroom.
If only she weren't the Vice-President but the true President of the Service Club, that would be better.
Now, with so many problem girls in the Service Club still unresolved, Hikigaya, as the president, had gone off for personal reasons to be the temporary manager of the Girls' Swim Club.
The more Yukinoshita Yukino thought about it, the more annoyed she became. But there was nothing she could do. She didn't know what Hikigaya had fed the elf princess and the others to make them so obedient. The other girls too, even with him absent from the club, they still came every day just to wait for him.
Knock! Knock!
"Excuse me, is this Hikigaya-kun's Service Club?", A knock came at the door of the activity room. Yukinoshita Yukino had just raised her head and saw a girl standing at the doorway, carefully peeking in. She had long legs wrapped in black pantyhose and wore her hair in a side ponytail.
Thinking it was a request for help and just about to invite the girl in, Yukinoshita Yukino's beautiful face suddenly darkened.
"Hikigaya is only the president of the Service Club, it doesn't mean the Service Club belongs solely to him," Yukinoshita Yukino closed the book she hadn't started reading yet and looked at the girl with the side ponytail and lovely features, correcting her with a stern expression.
Although most of the members in the Service Club now had ties to Hachiman and sided with him, the Service Club was the Service Club. With her here, she would never allow it to become Hikigaya's personal domain.
"Uh, sorry, I phrased that wrong. Is Yukinoshita-san the only one here at the Service Club this noon?", The girl looked a little flustered and glanced around the activity room, which only had Yukinoshita Yukino in it.
She was hoping to get some advice on a troubling matter, but with just Yukinoshita present, maybe it wouldn't be the most helpful environment. Yukinoshita was the daughter of a politician, like Ayano, and might not understand someone lacking control over their fate.
"They just haven't arrived yet," Yukinoshita Yukino calmly replied after glancing at the slightly timid girl with the side ponytail and black stockings.
"You're Horigome-san from Hikigaya's class, right? If you're here for him, just sit over there and wait. He might show up later… or not," She had thought a request was finally coming in and that she wouldn't have to continue sharing silence with problem girls. But once she heard the visitor was here for Hikigaya, her enthusiasm vanished.
A pretty girl from Hikigaya's class, coming to the Service Club seeking help, rather than asking the Service Club, she was clearly here for Hikigaya.
"Yukinoshita-san knows who I am?", Horigome China blinked, not realizing Yukinoshita had already assumed she wasn't a proper client. She stared blankly and asked hesitantly.
She thought she was decent-looking, but in a school like Sobu filled with beautiful girls, she was nothing special. For a fellow girl like Yukinoshita to remember her, it was a bit strange.
If it had been her friend Ayano, another daughter of a politician, being recognized, that would have made more sense.
"I just looked at the school roster."
Yukinoshita Yukino replied indifferently. She had memorized the entire student directory shortly after the term began.
Although more and more transfer students had been arriving, she frequently reviewed the directory. Besides the ones from Advanced Nurturing High School, most were demi-human class students, so they were easy to remember.
"...Then I'll just wait a bit," Seeing Yukinoshita's sudden cold attitude, seemingly displeased that she came to see Hikigaya, Horigome China hesitated before deciding to sit down and wait for the club president, Hachiman.
They hadn't interacted much. Aside from helping take her friend Ichinose Ayano to the infirmary, they barely spoke. But lately, the school was full of rumors about Hikigaya.
No one could prove he was dating any one girl, but the fact that he could maintain good relations with so many powerful individuals without any obvious romantic drama, that alone was impressive.
Even her friend Ayano would often subtly praise him. Horigome had hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to seek help from the highly reputed Service Club.
While she was still organizing her thoughts, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway outside the activity room.
"Vice President... good afternoon..."
"Pardon the intrusion..."
"Good afternoon, Yukino~ I happened to see Shino and Saki outside. Saki even brought a friend to have lunch. I made a new friend in class today too, can I... Eh? Is there a new member?"
Newly joined member, bun-haired and tea-colored Yuigahama Yui entered with Hayase Saki and the others. She stared blankly at the unfamiliar girl inside before her eyes suddenly lit up.
She hadn't even seen the president since joining. The club was full of either socially withdrawn girls like Sakurase Shino and Gotou Hitori, or icy ones like Yukinoshita Yukino. Occasional visits from Princess Iris and the like added too much pressure. She had been struggling alone to lighten the mood.
She hadn't expected a new girl to arrive so soon to share the load.
'No, no, you misunderstood. I'm not here to join. I just have a request I'd like to consult with you about...', Horigome China quickly waved her hands, trying to clarify. But seeing Yuigahama Yui and the figures behind her, Hayase Saki and the others, she muttered internally.
'There are so many people in the Service Club?'
Yuigahama Yui, Sakurase Shino, Hayase Saki, Narahashi Miki, one beautiful girl after another with great figures walked in, instantly turning the once cold and empty room with only Yukinoshita into a lively gathering.
What she wanted to discuss was rather awkward, and she only came to the Service Club because she had no other choice.
She'd thought there wouldn't be many people around midday, but now even without Hikigaya and Princess Iris, there were already so many, she was starting to doubt if she should go through with this.
"Her name is Horigome China, and she's here for Hikigaya. Saki, contact him," Seeing that Hayase Saki, Narahashi Miki, and the others had arrived while Hikigaya was still missing, Yukinoshita Yukino said coldly, glancing at Saki.
Though they were all in the club group chat, Yukinoshita rarely messaged. She didn't want to initiate contact with Hikigaya either, so it was better to let someone like Saki who was more active in the chat handle it.
"Got it...", The usually fearless Saki, who had no problem dragging her bestie into trouble, was completely subdued before the fierce Vice-President. She quickly took out her phone to message Hikigaya.
But just as she opened the chat window, a familiar voice called out from behind her.
"No need," Hachiman appeared behind Hayase Saki, accompanied by Ijichi Nijika and Princess Iris, placing a hand on Saki's shoulder and smiling at Yukinoshita.
"Vice-President Yukinoshita, I recall you lost a bet and were supposed to call me 'President-sama nya~'. Why all this 'that guy' business?"
"...I never agreed to the 'nya nya' part."
Yukinoshita Yukino coldly replied, her face expressionless.
"Then how about 'President-sama'? Just a few days without me, and you've already forgotten how to address me?", Hikigaya smiled at her.
"...President-sama," Yukinoshita Yukino was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, locking eyes with him.
"It's been a while since I heard your voice, Vice-President. I kind of missed it. Anyway, everyone have a seat, don't just stand around," Hikigaya gave a satisfied nod, gesturing for the others, still standing, to find seats.
It had to be said: teasing Yukinoshita Yukino was immensely enjoyable. A mental luxury.
Though unlike with others, there was no physical enjoyment. Even Shion, who also had long black straight hair, was more developed than Yukinoshita, let alone well-endowed athletic stars like Hayase Saki and Narahashi Miki.
"Hello, President. I'm Yuigahama Yui, a new member recommended by Hiratsuka-sensei. I'd planned to wait for your approval, but since you were gone, Vice-President approved me first," Seeing that Yukinoshita was being overpowered by Hikigaya, Yuigahama quickly stepped forward and bowed.
"Yuigahama, huh? Welcome to the Service Club. Have you joined the club's group chat yet? I haven't been checking much lately," Hikigaya nodded, smiling.
Yuigahama Yui, ge knew her well from the original. The bun-headed air-head. Initially, he thought she didn't get into Sobu High and that Hayase Saki had filled her role, especially with even bigger buns.
He hadn't expected Yuigahama to appear over a month into the term. Most likely, she'd taken a car hit protecting a dog and spent a month in the hospital before transferring in.
"I know about the group, but without your permission, I haven't joined," Yuigahama shook her head.
She'd already joined the club without direct permission. Joining the chat without meeting the president would've been going too far. She wanted to at least meet him once first.
"Alright then, Saki, go ahead and add Yuigahama. In the future, just message me in the group," Seeing how cautious Yuigahama was, Hikigaya smiled, patting Saki's head.
"Yes, President," Blushing, Hayase Saki nodded, happily hurrying to help Yuigahama join the group.
Though just a head-pat wasn't a big deal, he hadn't asked anyone else. Not Shino, not the Vice-President. Only her.
That meant something, it meant the president's trust in her was special.
Even with so many people in the Service Club now, he still remembered she had joined early.
Yuigahama looked blankly at the blushing Saki beside her, fumbling her phone to accept the invite. She hadn't expected Saki to be so close to the president.
She seemed so timid in front of Yukinoshita, how did she become the president's confidant? Was it just from sucking up?
Narahashi Miki, meanwhile, looked a bit envious of her best friend Saki. Both were introverted and shy, yet Saki had grown so confident under the president's guidance.
She really envied that. She wondered when she'd be able to be like Saki, boldly and shamelessly doted on in front of everyone.
"Hello everyone, I'm Ijichi Nijika, a classmate of President Hachiman. I've come with a request for the Service Club today," Ijichi stepped forward and introduced herself.
Hikigaya had skipped two classes, and she'd worried she'd be ghosted again. But to her surprise, he'd remembered her band request and brought her here at noon.
'Two requests?', Yukinoshita Yukino subconsciously frowned slightly.
The Service Club's mission was to help others, two requests weren't too many.
But both came from Hikigaya's classmates and seemed close to him. Which meant he'd probably take the lead on both.
If this kept up, how was she supposed to take back the position of club president? Would she be stuck calling him "President-sama" forever?
"I'm Horigome China, also in Hikigaya-kun's class, and I too have a request for the Service Club...", Horigome saw Ijichi Nijika introducing herself and followed suit quietly, sneaking glances at the people present.
'This club has so many people... just for lunch!'
She had hoped to come when there were fewer people. Now there were already more than ten.
"Horigome-san, you're here to ask the club for help? Why didn't you ask Ayano to come with you? Didn't you know she's a member too?", Hikigaya asked, seeing how nervous Horigome looked.
Since Gotou Hitori hadn't arrived yet, he hadn't handled Ijichi's request first. Her request was simple: if Hitori agreed to join her band, the rest would be easy.
But Horigome's situation seemed trickier.
Truthfully, he didn't have a strong impression of her—just that she was Ayano's close friend. He hadn't expected her to bring a request personally.
"I know Ayano's in the club, but... I didn't want her to worry, so I came alone."
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