On the way back to class.
Iroha couldn't hold back any longer. She grabbed Kanade's shoulders and looked into her eyes earnestly.
"Kanade-chan, there's a complicated emotional web among the people in the Service Club. You have to be careful not to get dragged into it!"
"Emotional web?" Kanade tilted her head slightly, saying with confusion, "So what?"
Seeing Kanade's pure and honest eyes, Iroha fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, she didn't know how to explain it properly to her.
"No, how should I put it… Kanade-chan, have you ever gone to a guy's house before?"
Kanade shook her head.
"This is your first time?"
She nodded.
"Then you have to remember, girls shouldn't casually say they want to visit a guy's house. It could be dangerous!"
"I know that."
I still have basic common sense—Kanade's eyes conveyed this. Then she said, as if to reassure, "Don't worry. There's a little sister at Yuu-senpai's house. I met her last time. So it's fine, it's very safe."
"???"
(Met his sister, so it's fine, and the house is very safe?)
Iroha nodded with wide eyes.
(That's true! If his sister's there, even if senpai's a beast, he wouldn't touch Kanade-chan—)
(Wait, that's not the issue!)
"Ngh, ngh, ngh~"
Iroha scrunched her small face in confusion, clutching her lower stomach. She felt like her brain was about to explode.
Don't ask why she wasn't holding her head. The answer is her stomachache hadn't gone away.
Going to Tenkuji's house to learn cooking wasn't the main point at all. Even if his sister wasn't there, Iroha was sure Kanade wouldn't face any danger. Plus, she'd be there too.
The problem was that Kanade's timing in making that request was completely off!
It was like dropping a chunk of sodium into a clogged toilet—the chemistry teacher had just mentioned this case—it could easily blow things up and make you stink.
Yes, she meant herself, who had just asked a reckless question. She apologized; she already regretted it.
But back then, she didn't know that Yukino, who always bickered with Yuu, actually had some feelings for him. And she didn't seem to fully realize it herself. If anything, it could only be considered unintentional recklessness, right?
As for Yuigahama, though her feelings were obvious, her relationship with Yuu was better than Iroha had expected. That was something she hadn't considered either.
"Haaah… I'm overthinking too much. Why am I analyzing their emotional statuses?"
Iroha shook her head, quickly pulling back her wandering thoughts.
Her top priority now was to figure out how to make the socially clueless friend in front of her a bit aware of the Shuraba battlefield on Yuu's side. So she wouldn't end up as cannon fodder caught in the crossfire, like Iroha herself…
"Iroha, it's time to get to class."
Seeing her lost in thought after speaking, Kanade thought for a moment. After reminding her, she turned and walked toward the classroom.
"Eh? Wait, Kanade-chan~"
Iroha hurriedly chased after her. She rarely saw such a clear, joyful smile on her friend's face, and her steps were bouncy with excitement.
"Everyone's coming to make mapo tofu on Sunday, right? I'm really looking forward to it."
"No, Yukinoshita-senpai isn't coming…"
"What about Iroha? If you're making desserts, I recommend mapo sundae."
"Mapo? No way, that'd definitely taste bad…"
"Trust me, it'll be super delicious! I can help you taste-test!"
"Ngh, fine, I'll try it later… Wait, Kanade-chan, you mapo idiot! That's not what I meant~~"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After school, Yuu stayed in the classroom, working on props for the class's stage play with the others.
This included backgrounds, weapons, signboards, pamphlets, and more. Each group collaborated in their assigned tasks, and he was part of the Mobile Unit, helping wherever there was a shortage of hands.
During this period, when everyone united to prepare for the cultural festival performance, many let go of their usual distance and deference. They boldly handed tasks to him.
"Tenkuji-kun, can you help cut this wooden board?"
"Sure. Just cut along the lines, right?"
"Hmm, then I'll leave it to you… So fast! And your movements are so skilled! Have you studied carpentry?!"
"Well, I know a bit."
"Tenkuji-kun, can you draw? We have a forest background board. Though it's faster to find an image online and print it, we want a hand-drawn feel…"
"I know a bit about this too… Alright, is a sketch like this enough?"
"Tenkuji-kun… Have you ever considered teaching a class?"
"You're exaggerating, I'm not that great."
"Tenkuji-kun, can you fold paper flowers?"
"I know a bit. I can fold any flower as long as I have a reference picture."
"Eh, and you call that just knowing a bit…"
"Tenkuji-kun…"
"Tenkuji…"
After being called here and there, providing support everywhere for over an hour, Yuu showed no signs of fatigue. Full of energy, he arrived at the sewing group's work area.
"Need any help? I also know a bit about sewing."
"Tenkuji-kun, why don't you just say you're an all-rounder?"
The brown-haired girl with red-framed glasses—Ebina Hina—spread her hands and shook her head with a sigh, as if already familiar with him: "If you're this talented, how about helping me figure out how to turn the Adler script into two handsome young men falling into a passionate, sticky love during their adventure—"
Before she could finish, Miura Yumiko stomped on her foot under the table, silencing her.
"The costume for the female lead is already done, and you're still talking like that!"
"Men can wear it too…" After being glared at, Hina pouted honestly and muttered softly, "Fine, I won't say it. I'll figure it out secretly on my own."
"Yuu-kun, we don't need help."
Yuigahama raised the needle and thread in her hand. She looked up and huffed with a smile, as if asking for praise.
"Yumiko and the others thought I'd prick my finger. Too bad, I've been used to helping Mom sew buttons since I was little. I'm not that clumsy!"
Yuu widened his eyes in surprise. He immediately clapped sincerely: "Honestly, I thought so too. I didn't expect you to be so deft. You're just bad at cooking."
"Yuu-kun!" Her smile vanished instantly. Yuigahama looked angry, as if she wanted to throw the needle and thread at his face.
Yuu burst out laughing a few times. He ruffled her dango-style hair amid her unhappy protests.
*SMACK!*
Suddenly, Miura slammed the item in her hand onto the table. Her brows furrowed sharply, and her expression wasn't great.
"You two!"
Three pairs of eyes turned to her. The air froze for a moment.
"…You can go home. Stop flirting here."
With a stiff tone, Miura turned her face away. Her fingers twirled the ends of her curly hair.
Yuigahama was stunned for a moment. She quickly smiled happily: "Hmm, you're right! Can we leave the rest to Yumiko and the others?"
"Go, go. It's just finishing touches anyway… It'll take a few minutes, and you're already looking at him again. So annoying."
Miura waved her hand in disgust. She glared at Yuu. Her attitude was as straightforward and haughty as ever.
"Tenkuji, I don't care if you're a kendo champion or a sports genius. If you dare do anything to betray Yui, I'll teach you a lesson!"
"If you're dating her, treat her well. You're her first!"
"Eh?!" Yuigahama hadn't had time to feel touched. Her small face flushed red. She looked at Yuu nervously.
"W-What first? Yumiko, you're saying it too bluntly… Though, it is true…"
Yuu nodded toward Miura but said nothing more. He turned, said goodbye to the class committee, then grabbed his school bag and left the classroom with Yuigahama.