Service Club
Takumi Yuuya pushed open the door.
By the window sat Yukinoshita Yukino, a still-untouched bento box resting on the desk in front of her.
He smiled lightly."Were you waiting to eat lunch with me?"
"I was simply planning to drink some tea before eating." Yukino raised her teacup with her usual composure.
"Is that so? Then I won't disturb you. I already promised to meet Sawamura Eriri today." Yuuya stepped forward, picked up his own lunchbox, and turned to leave.
[Disgust Level from Yukinoshita Yukino +10]
His footsteps paused. He put the bento back down and turned back toward her."Pour me some tea, then."
"Pour it yourself," Yukino replied bluntly.
Yuuya glanced at her cup—then, without hesitation, picked it up and drank from it directly.
She hadn't even reacted yet.
He set the cup down."Thanks."
And with that, he turned to go.
[Disgust Level from Yukinoshita Yukino +30]
As the door closed, a small virtual pop-up flickered in his vision.
He walked all the way up to the rooftop.
Sliding the door open, he saw Sawamura Eriri standing at the railing, staring off at the horizon.
At the sound of the door, she turned.
Just then, a salty sea breeze swept across the rooftop.
Yuuya froze.
Eriri froze too.
A few seconds passed before she realized what had happened, pressing her hands down on her skirt and flushing bright red.
Yuuya averted his eyes."I didn't see anything."
Her face went even redder. He can't even look at me. He's definitely lying.
But she couldn't call him out on it.
Taking a breath, she walked over to him."Let's… let's just sit here and eat, okay?"
"Hang on a sec."
Yuuya shrugged off his uniform jacket and spread it on the ground for them.
[Affection Level from Sawamura Eriri +10]
"Thanks," she murmured as she sat down.
He sat beside her.
They both opened their bentos.
Eriri's was obviously expensive. The portions were small but arranged neatly, like something sold in an upscale shop.
Yuuya's was also plentiful—cutlets, fried shrimp balls.
He picked one up, tasted it, and nodded. Still as good as always.
"Want to try some?" Eriri asked suddenly.
"Is that okay?" Yuuya blinked.
"I can't finish it all."
"Then I'll help you."
He eyed the nine pieces of sushi.
Eriri lifted three with her chopsticks and set them in his box.
"Guess that's why you're so cute—you don't eat much," Yuuya said without thinking.
"Are you saying I'm short and badly built?"
"Short, sure. But badly built? I can't tell."
"Between me and Yukinoshita-san, who's cuter?"
Eriri blinked at him expectantly.
He remembered what he'd said to her last time.
"You're different. Yukinoshita is like a flower on a high peak; calling her 'cute' doesn't really fit. You're petite, but your appearance is truly cute. So yes—I think you're cuter."
"Is that how you really feel?" she asked, watching him closely.
He met her gaze head-on."It is. I think you're cuter. Before, I just didn't understand you."
"It's okay. I forgive you."
Eriri smiled softly.
[Affection Level from Sawamura Eriri +30]
After they ate, Eriri looked up at the sky.
"To be honest, yesterday I felt desperate. I'd liked him for so long."
"But after learning the truth, I felt like a clown."
"I thought we were close, but to him I was just an ordinary friend."
"Thank you for making me face reality."
Hearing that, Yuuya gently took her small hand.
"At first, I just wanted to drive away a rival. I didn't expect the truth to be like this either."
"By the way, how did you even know I liked him?" she asked, still puzzled.
He smiled mysteriously."That's a secret. When you've truly accepted me, I'll tell you."
"I don't really know you yet."
"I'm an otaku myself. I've never met my parents. Before coming here to study, I saved up money, invested it, and earned quite a bit. Now I'm running a game company, making the kind of games otaku love."
"That's… amazing."
"My short-term goal is to earn one hundred billion yen first, then think about the future."
"Short-term goal?!"
Her jaw practically dropped.
Yuuya turned to her."To reach that goal, I'll need your help. The name 'Kashiwagi Eri' has a lot of value."
"H-how can I help you?"
"Simple. Become the main illustrator for my second game. This one and the next—most of the character art will be yours."
"That's not hard."
"I'll pay you above industry rates. You can even livestream—just with a virtual avatar. If players learned the real Kashiwagi Eri was this cute, it'd cause chaos."
"A virtual avatar… that's actually a good idea."
Her eyes lit up.
Yuuya looked at the sky. This was really his next project—the Virtual Streamer Plan.
Once the game succeeded, he'd bring it up with Yukinoshita Haruno. She'd definitely be interested.
Before lunch break ended, in the staff room:
"You're asking for leave too?" Hiratsuka Shizuka eyed him.
"Someone else asked for leave?" Yuuya feigned confusion.
"Miura Yumiko. She said she wasn't feeling well. And you?"
"I didn't sleep well last night."
"That's not a valid reason."
"I just thought of a new project. I want to go home immediately and write the proposal. If you don't let me leave, I'll take a huge loss."
He said it with complete seriousness.
Shizuka fell silent for a few seconds, then stood."Fine. I'll walk you out."
"Thank you, Shizuka-sensei."
He bowed, went back to class to grab his commuter bag, and followed her downstairs.
After changing shoes, Yuuya detoured to the bike shed.
At the school gate, Shizuka looked at him."Be careful."
"I always ride slowly."
"That's not what I meant."
"Huh?"
He blinked.
Watching her walk away, he finally realized what she'd been implying.
When he got home, Miura Yumiko was standing in front of his door, lost in thought.
He stopped in front of her. She snapped out of it.
"Could you not drag them into this?"
"You mean, end the plan?"
"I…"
"I'll explain everything to them. Yui will definitely help, and honestly, I've been wanting to be friends with her anyway."
"Are you really helping me… or just using me? Is it all for yourself?"
"What do you think?"