After finishing the lunchbox.
Takumi Yuuya's phone rang.
He pulled it out and checked the screen.
It was a call from Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Yuuya answered.
Her voice came through the receiver.
"Where are you two right now?"
"Miura-san's not feeling well. I'm looking after her—we're still at school."
"Not feeling well? Then head to the infirmary."
"Understood."
"Next time, remember to call me."
"Yes, Shizuka-sensei."
Yuuya hung up, turning toward Miura Yumiko.
Yumiko slowly got to her feet.
"I'll go to the infirmary myself. You should head back to class."
"Mm."
The two left the rooftop together.
Once they reached the ground floor, Yumiko hesitated, then spoke.
"Takumi-kun… thank you."
"No need to thank me. You've already paid me, after all."
"I… when did I—"
"If you feel it wasn't enough, you can always give me a little extra."
Yuuya spread his arms wide.
Yumiko's cheeks flushed red.
After a few seconds of hesitation, she stepped forward and hugged him.
"T-this is just a friend's hug."
"What I want is a friend's kiss. And maybe a friend's sleepover, too."
"…Once this is over, does that mean things between you and Yui are over as well?"
"I plan on having Yui become friends with little Yukino."
"Little Yukino?"
"My bad habits aren't an act."
Yuuya released her.
Yumiko opened her mouth as if to speak, but by the time she collected herself, Yuuya was already walking away.
——
After school.
Miura Yumiko returned.
Yuigahama Yui and Ebina Hina had already heard the situation from Yuuya.
The moment Yumiko walked in, both of them rushed over.
"Yumiko…"
"You're okay now, right?"
Yumiko smiled reassuringly.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
The two exchanged a glance. Something about Yumiko's brightness felt a little too forced.
"Yui." Yuuya's voice called from the classroom doorway.
"Yumiko, I—"
"Go."
Yumiko cut her off gently.
Yui's expression grew guilty.
When Yuuya stepped outside, she finally managed a quick "See you tomorrow," then hurried after him.
In a quiet corner of the school.
Yuuya slowed his pace.
"You're thinking you should be at Yumiko's side right now, not here to meet Yukinoshita Yukino, aren't you?"
"Takumi-kun… h-how did you know?"
"Your expression makes it obvious."
"I almost thought you could read minds."
"With you, I don't need to."
"…So you're saying I'm just dumb?"
Yui puffed her cheeks in protest.
Yuuya shook his head.
"Not dumb, exactly.
Your emotional intelligence is actually high—you can read the room.
And you're a really kind girl."
Hearing that, Yui turned her face away, flustered.
"I'm not as good as you make me sound."
Affection from Yuigahama Yui +30.
"Your thoughts are simple and written all over your face. Being with you wouldn't feel suffocating at all." Yuuya added.
Yui's cheeks burned. She stayed silent.
Seeing this, Yuuya chose not to press further.
——
The Service Club.
"Hello, Yukinoshita-san."
"Hello, Yuigahama-san."
Yukinoshita Yukino greeted her with a polite nod, deliberately using her surname.
Yui blinked in surprise and glanced at Yuuya.
Yuuya grinned.
"See? Little Yukino knows who you are."
"For someone like Yukinoshita-san to actually know my name…"
Yui still seemed incredulous.
Yuuya lifted his teacup.
"Maybe she remembered it because she's looking for friends."
"I simply happened to overhear it when others called you Yuigahama-san," Yukino corrected flatly.
"No need to explain. I understand you."
"Yuigahama-san, please have a seat."
Ignoring Yuuya, Yukino poured Yui a cup of tea.
Yui sat down nervously.
"Did you come to the Service Club today because you're troubled by something? Academics, or relationships?" Yukino asked.
"Um…" Yui glanced toward Yuuya.
"I invited Yuigahama-san here," Yuuya explained with a smile.
"You invited her?" Yukino frowned.
"I'd like her to join the club."
"I'm the president."
"Then, President Yukinoshita—can Yuigahama-san join the Service Club?"
"…"
Yukino fell silent.
The truth was, the club was understaffed. She had no real reason to refuse Yuigahama.
But the fact that Yuuya was the one pushing for it…
It felt like part of some plan.
After a moment of thought, Yukino turned to Yui.
"Yuigahama-san, do you want to join the Service Club?"
"Yes."
"Then please give me your reason."
"I… I want to become friends with you, Yukinoshita-san."
Yukino froze for a moment.
Then, as if realizing something, she glanced at Yuuya before pulling a form out of the drawer.
"This is the application. Fill it out and give it to Hiratsuka-sensei tomorrow."
——
Yuigahama accepted the form, and lingered for another thirty minutes before leaving.
When the door closed, Yukino spoke coldly.
"I don't need you to find me friends."
"I never said I was finding you one."
"Yuigahama-san is clearly someone you brought here."
"No, you misunderstand. I want to pursue her—that's why I wanted her in the club."
"If you lose tomorrow, you won't have the chance to pursue her here."
"If I win, I don't want you announcing to others that you're my girlfriend. That would only get in the way of pursuing other girls."
Yuuya smiled at her.
Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +50.
"I hope you're still that confident tomorrow," Yukino replied icily.
"Tomorrow afternoon—you'll have to choose between my house or a hotel." Yuuya rose from his seat.
"I choose to send you to the hospital."
"Little Yukino, if you're too scared, you can always skip tomorrow."
Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +50.
"If you're the one scared, you can still kneel down now and admit you're wrong."
"See you tomorrow, Yukino."
Yuuya left the clubroom smiling.
——
Night fell.
In the bathroom.
Yuuya looked at the glowing virtual screen.
Beginner Warrior: 20%
Even one-fifth of a beginner warrior's strength was enough to defeat Yukinoshita Yukino.
No techniques required—raw power alone would be plenty.
After changing into his sleepwear, Yuuya stepped out.
Kawasaki Saki had already prepared dinner.
They sat at the dining table, eating quietly.
Every now and then, Saki glanced at Yuuya, as if she wanted to say something.
Yuuya noticed but didn't ask right away.
After the meal, Saki tidied up the dishes and went to bathe.
When she came out, dressed in the same style of pajamas, she walked over and sat beside him.
"You've got something on your mind, don't you? Let me guess—it's about money," Yuuya said.
"…My parents both work. Father does manual labor, mother works at a restaurant. Today, Father fell while carrying a load. Mom called me and asked me to come home tonight to look after my little sister," Saki said softly, her head lowered.
..
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