After school.
On Yukino's suggestion, the group first gathered at the Service Club before heading to the kendo club to discuss the matter.
Of course, this included the two first-year female students, but they seemed to have urgent business. Despite being closer to the special building, they arrived later.
Before that, the atmosphere in the Service Club was slightly awkward—Yuu and Yukino had been verbally sparring since they met, while Masuzu and Yuigahama silently observed each other like spectators.
For some reason, Masuzu felt Yuigahama's gaze on her was particularly strange.
There was a hint of resentment, a touch of resigned acceptance—in short, the aura of a loser was thick... This should've been good news, yet somehow, she felt slightly uncomfortable, though she couldn't explain why.
"What is it?" Masuzu decided to take the initiative, asking with a smile.
Yuigahama forced a stiff smile and said, "Nothing."
"If nothing's wrong, why do you keep staring at me?"
"N-Natsukawa-san, you've been secretly looking at me too, haven't you?"
"Oh? If you weren't looking at me, how would you know I was watching you?"
"Ugh... Wait, Natsukawa-san, you're doing it too!"
"Not the same. I can sense waves—your evil aura is so strong I can't ignore it."
"What evil aura?! Natsukawa-san looks more like the villain from every angle!"
"Oh? From which angles exactly? Please explain, so I can improve."
"Uh, that's..."
Masuzu wore a happy, sadistic smile, clearly enjoying making Yuigahama speechless.
But Yuigahama simply didn't want to say it. After all, aside from stealing men, Masuzu had never done many of the things good people usually did.
Saying so would only turn it into a trial and make the atmosphere worse.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting~" A lively, crisp voice suddenly sounded. Iroha opened the classroom door and entered casually. "Let's head to the kendo club now—the president, vice-president, and most members are already waiting for us there~"
"Sorry we're late."
She was followed by Kanade. Her small silver-haired head nodded in agreement, then quietly shifted her gaze toward Yuu, saying nothing more.
"President, give your orders."
Having just finished arguing with Yukino about whether height or appearance mattered more, Yuu mocked her.
Yukino didn't care. In fact, she was used to it and could easily ignore him whenever she wanted.
Standing up from the chair near the window, she said coldly, "Let's go. Based on my observation of today's rumors, the kendo club should welcome Tenkuji-kun warmly. But I don't know what the main team members will think."
"Haaah, don't overthink it~ Anyway, if anyone objects, let Senpai fight them. No problem can't be solved with one match. If that fails, do it twice!"
Iroha swung her fist cutely, her face filled with a mischievous grin, as if watching a show unrelated to her.
"Besides, Kanade-chan is super cute there. Don't even talk about Senpai's siscon tendencies—they'll probably all obey without complaint! As long as President Himura agrees, everything will be fine~"
"I see." Yukino nodded, pressed her lips together, hiding a faint smile in her eyes, then looked seriously at Yuu.
"So, siscon Senpai, what do you think?"
"You're joking—what opinion could I possibly have?" Yuu smiled brightly, cracking his joints as he walked toward Iroha. "Give me a moment to deal with this junior who talks nonsense."
"Eh? Wait!" Iroha just realized what she'd said. "Senpai, no! Hear me out!"
"Explain?" Yuu kept walking forward; Iroha slowly backed away, passing Kanade and heading toward the door.
"It's all because of Senpai... When Kanade-chan called you 'Onii-chan' in broad daylight, rumor has it you showed an extremely pleased expression, right? After hearing that, my impression of Senpai subtly changed... I'm not at fault either!"
Yuu frowned and glanced at Kanade.
Kanade tilted her head innocently, as if asking, "What?"
Yuu raised his gaze back to Iroha and sneered.
"I don't find a single trace of innocence in your words."
"Senpai, this is discrimination!"
After angrily complaining, Iroha fled immediately.
As Yuu passed Kanade, he ruffled her soft white hair, then chased after her.
"Yuu, stop! I never heard anything about the 'Onii-chan' thing!"
"Yuu-kun does have a little sister at home, but letting a junior call him 'Onii-chan'... Could it be that..."
"Heh, stupid man."
Footsteps quickly faded down the corridor of the second floor of the club building. Only leaving behind chaos and whispers inside the classroom.
There was also a little girl holding her head in confusion, staring at his retreating back with a puzzled expression.
"My head got patted again... Did I do something wrong?"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Not long after.
Having "dealt with" Iroha, Yuu and the others headed to the kendo club together.
"I wasn't dealt with! Even though I received excessive punishment from Senpai..."
Muttering, she suddenly noticed her senior's girlfriend beside her, smiling at her. Iroha immediately put on a serious expression and casually distanced herself from Yuu.
As for what happened after Yuu chased her, no one asked, and she wouldn't volunteer the answer—anyway, it wasn't anything like spanking.
The distance between the special building and the kendo dojo wasn't far—certainly closer than to the main school building.
Since the kendo club was Sobu High's highest-achieving and most prestigious club, a few years ago the school had specially invested heavily to build a new kendo dojo next to the club building for their use. Compared to the Service Club's classroom-turned-storage room, the dojo was like comparing Levi's height to a 60-meter Colossal Titan.
The group of six entered the kendo dojo. On the clean, gleaming wooden floor, dozens of kendo club members sat neatly in rows, wearing full protective gear except for their face guards.
Short red-haired, friendly-faced President Himura sat in the most prominent position, apparently giving a verbal lecture in place of the coach.
"Oh, you've arrived."
When Yukino had just opened the door, he stopped speaking and stood up.
Holding a practice shinai, his smiling eyes slowly narrowed, staring straight at the group standing at the entrance.
"You're here about that issue, aren't you?"
Suddenly, his tone and the surrounding temperature turned cold.
"Eh..."
It was as if a sharp blade flashed directly at her. Yukino, standing at the front, instinctively stepped back. Before she could widen her eyes in surprise, a dark shadow appeared in front of her—a broad, sturdy back blocking her view.
Yuu stood before her, meeting President Himura's glare with an annoyed expression, and said sarcastically:
"Wow, haven't seen you in a month, and your sword skills have truly improved. You can even intimidate our helpless president now... Himura-kun."
Yukino: "..."
At a moment like this, should she honestly thank him for protecting her—or use aikido to teach him whether she was really helpless?