(Wait, to those of you reading—please don't misunderstand me. I'm not doing this because I want to conquer Senpai. I'm purely curious about the human being named Tenkuji Yuu!)
(Isshiki Iroha, a beautiful girl and one of Sobu High's cutest juniors—how could she possibly be after a guy who already has a girlfriend?!)
(Unless… no, there are no exceptions.)
"But did Senpai actually agree or not?"
After her disappointment slightly faded, Iroha glanced at Yuu, then shifted her confused gaze to Kanade beside her.
...For some reason, she seemed utterly captivated by the sight of the two arguing. Her calm, gentle eyes didn't blink, and even a faint smile curled at the corner of her lips.
Looking at her, one almost wanted to hand her a cup of tea and some senbei crackers.
"Hey, Tachibana-san." Iroha leaned in, placing her hand beside her cheek and whispering with feigned concern, "If Senpai really refuses, what will happen to the kendo club members?"
"Eh?" Kanade blinked, then asked innocently, "But didn't he already agree?"
"No, didn't he?" Iroha carefully recalled. She hadn't actually heard Yuu say it outright—he'd only listed numerous reasons for refusal.
Before she could ask further, Kanade stood from her seat. She walked up to the two still debating the definition of sexual harassment.
Then, she tilted her head up and looked at Yuu, who turned toward her. They gazed at each other in silence.
"May I?"
Yuu replied with a smile: "You may."
Kanade smiled in relief, then politely bowed to him. "Thank you, kind mapo tofu man. I'll also have everyone from the kendo club thank you."
"Just call me Senpai."
"Then, Tenkuji-senpai?"
"Just call me whatever you like—as long as you drop the 'mapo tofu' part."
"Understood."
The others: "...?"
The conversation ended, and the air filled with question marks. After a brief silence, it suddenly exploded.
Yuigahama: "Y-Yuu-kun!? Even though I knew you probably wouldn't refuse, why did you agree so quickly? Is that really okay?!"
Yukino: "Haaah... If you'd decided to agree from the start, wouldn't it have saved time instead of spouting all that nonsense... Oh, I see. So this is what Yuigahama-san meant by a troublesome tsundere?"
Ishhiki: "Senpai, were you so charmed by Tachibana-san that you agreed immediately? Your act of pretending not to care is way too obvious! Tachibana-san, don't be fooled by Senpai! He already has a girlfriend!"
Iroha pulled Kanade back, whose face looked genuinely confused.
"Fool? No... What does Tenkuji-senpai having a girlfriend have to do with me?"
Meanwhile, Yuu turned to Yuigahama with a friendly smile.
"Yui, when she said 'troublesome tsundere,' she meant Yukinoshita, right?"
Yukino smirked. "Oh, isn't it obvious she was talking about you? Even Yuigahama-san knows you're being dishonest to this extent—shouldn't you reflect on yourself, Tenkuuji-kun?"
"Eh, I... hahaha..."
Once again caught between their sharp, icy gazes, Yuigahama broke into a cold sweat, nervously laughing as she slowly shrank under the table.
The ruckus in the Service Club finally settled before the autumn sunset.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After locking the door, the empty classroom returned to silence and darkness.
"Although I've agreed to be a substitute player, I won't take responsibility for anything else. If Tachibana-san can't convince the other kendo club members—including Captain Himura—then consider it as if you never asked for help. Deal?"
Before leaving, Yuu seriously reminded Kanade.
He was willing to help—but not become a slave. If, as an outside helper, he had to deal with various difficulties like internal conflicts from the start, he wouldn't bother.
The other party needed to understand he was someone they were requesting help from—even if that made him seem arrogant.
Who could blame him for having ability?
"Yes. Later, everyone will welcome you warmly," Kanade nodded gently, her eyes showing strong determination not to disappoint him.
Iroha swayed her short hair and cheerfully said, "Senpai worries too much~ The kendo club members seem aware of their own limits. Plus, after your skill demonstration during the autumn festival, if Senpai truly joins the kendo club and fights alongside them, they'd be overjoyed. Why would persuasion even be necessary?"
Yuigahama frowned in thought. "What about Captain Himura? Yuu-kun defeated him before..."
"I'll consult everyone's opinions. If they disagree, I won't force it." Her snow-white hair fell straight down her back. Kanade bowed to the three of them, her voice so soft it seemed to blend with the air. "Thank you for accompanying us this whole time."
"This is just a Service Club activity—it's nothing special. Besides, this request doesn't concern us. You only need to thank that person."
Yukino clicked her tongue in annoyance. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave Kanade a clear, water-like gaze.
"Tachibana-san, if you encounter any difficulties during the election, feel free to come to the Service Club... I'm very curious what kind of change you'll bring to the school once you become student council president."
"Change? I'm not that capable." Kanade tilted her head expressionlessly, her eyes showing confusion. "I only want to help others better—that's why I ran for president... I don't think I can change the school's atmosphere."
"Hmm, what Yukinon means is, with Kanade-chan's charm, becoming president might bring real change to the school," Yuigahama, now familiar, immediately explained. Then she grabbed Kanade's small hand and squeezed it tightly. "Hang in there! I'll vote for Kanade-chan too!"
"Thank you, Yuigahama-senpai." Her petite body wobbled back and forth as Yuigahama shook her, but Kanade showed no discomfort at all. She simply sighed quietly in relief when Yuigahama finally let go.
She wasn't good with overly enthusiastic people—but she didn't dislike them either.
"We need to stop by the teacher's office briefly. See you later, Senpai~"
"See you, Iroha-chan~"
At the clubroom gate, the two groups parted ways beneath the twilight glow.
The junior group headed toward the main school building, while the Service Club walked toward the school gate.
Three shadows, not too far apart, stretched long under the dimming light—and would soon merge into the darkness on the horizon.
"Yuu-kun, honestly, did you change your mind because Kanade-chan is just too cute?"
"Hmm? Tachibana? She is very cute—only slightly less than my little sister."
"So what Isshiki-san said was true? Poor Natsukawa-san—she'll be cheated on by her fake boyfriend."
"This has nothing to do with gender. What's wrong with liking something cute? That's why narrow-minded people like you... Never mind. Actually, the reason is very simple."
"What?"
"If the issue is just fighting, isn't agreeing no big deal? At least, that's how I see it."
"But wouldn't refusing be simpler? That girl wouldn't force you to help."
"Yeah, maybe... In that case, let's just say I did it out of boredom."
"You're so indifferent! I feel like Yuu-kun is hiding something..."
"Tch. Since you put it that way, I'll be honest—I just wanted to look cool there and make more girls fall for me."
"Hmph."
"Heh."
"...Why are you both reacting with such disdain?"
Just as they stepped out of the school gate, they exchanged glances—and two cheerful laughs rang out together.
"You're the one looking down on us!"
"How dare you tell such a transparent lie to us, your friends!"
Yuu paused momentarily, staring at the two girls beside him. Finally, he smiled helplessly.
"True enough. After all, even if I didn't do it, I still..."
Before he could finish, Yukino, her long hair shimmering like night, turned and walked away.
"Yuigahama-san, if you don't want to suffer mental discomfort, you'd better distance yourself from this person as soon as possible."
Yuigahama nodded repeatedly, quickly hurrying after her.
"Yuu-kun's been getting more narcissistic lately—I can't stand it... I wonder who's influencing him."
"Yuigahama-san, did you say something?"
"Nothing~"
As if trying to preserve this rare after-school time, the sky darkened extremely slowly. The evening sun still hung on the horizon, not yet set.
The usual ruckus of the three Service Club members seemed destined to continue for a while longer.