Chapter 70: Alliance of Outcasts Meeting
He told himself to treat Shoko Nishimiya normally, to just go with the flow.
But in this moment, Haruka still felt a little strange inside.
Especially when he recalled the version of himself in the simulation denying his past self—that sour feeling of heartache was exceptionally vivid.
However, looking at the steaming bento box in his hand, and then looking at Shoko Nishimiya—whose expression was a mix of timidity, nervous anticipation, and pure innocence...
'Damn it. This strange, tangled feeling...'
Haruka pursed his lips. He felt that what he thought in his heart and what he said with his mouth were truly two different things.
"Thanks."
He responded with a muffled sound and accepted the lunch box.
Seeing this, a happy smile appeared on Shoko's face. She sat down next to Haruka and opened her own bento.
The food in both boxes was identical.
Fried tempura, octopus wieners, and rice covered in a savory meat sauce. There was also a bowl of miso soup on the desk. It looked quite good.
It was a very common type of bento, though of course, the taste depended entirely on the skill of the maker.
"It's pretty good," Haruka suddenly spoke up.
The smile on Shoko's face grew even brighter.
However, Haruka didn't say anything else after that.
Shoko ate with great satisfaction, perhaps because she had been able to help Haruka.
Haruka, on the other hand, said nothing and continued eating.
In a corner nearby.
Hayama looked at the bento box in his own hand, then looked at Haruka sharing a meal with Shoko. He shook his head helplessly and sat back down.
'Better not be a third wheel.'
***
The day flew by.
In the blink of an eye, it was 3:00 PM. School was out.
However, under the system here, being dismissed at this time meant that students with club activities would go to their clubs. Only those belonging to the "Go-Home Club" would leave early.
Haruka was naturally a member of the Go-Home Club. Of course, the current him had something to do involving Shoko and Hitori Gotoh—the so-called "Alliance of Outcasts" plan. After all, since he had agreed to it, he would naturally follow through.
The fate of his counterpart in the fourth simulation was still vivid in his mind.
Shoko was also in the Go-Home Club. To be precise, she hadn't shown any intention of joining a club yet, mainly due to being a transfer student.
Subsequently, Haruka looked toward the corner of the classroom.
Yukino Yukinoshita, having already packed her bag, was sitting on a stool watching them. Her expression was flat.
Beside her was Bocchi-chan, whose head hung low listlessly, looking like she was about to cry as Yukino held onto her.
The Alliance of Outcasts plan, decided just last Friday, hadn't officially launched yet.
For Yukino Yukinoshita, since she had agreed to it, she would do it seriously. She would never do a half-hearted job, nor would she give up halfway.
Unless the client withdrew the request, or she deemed the request unsuitable to continue.
As for the requests from these two heavyweights—Shoko Nishimiya and Hitori Gotoh—she personally found them very challenging and extremely meaningful, perfectly aligning with her original purpose for establishing the Service Club.
Therefore, she would naturally give it her all.
"Gotoh-san, running away is useless. Since you decided to come to the Service Club for help, that means you want to change. Have you forgotten what you said yourself last Friday?"
Yukino looked at Hitori calmly.
That posture!
That calm, confident, and grounded appearance!
A flicker of envy passed through Bocchi's eyes.
She nodded silently.
Yukino nodded and released her grip.
She stood up. "Let's go."
Haruka, Shoko, and Hitori followed Yukino out of the classroom, heading toward the Service Club room.
Behind them, a certain unscrupulous teacher peeked her head out stealthily and grinned.
"He refused earlier, but he still went in the end. He really doesn't mean what he says."
After thinking for a moment, Shizuka Hiratsuka quietly followed them.
This was absolutely not peeping. This was merely a little concern from an advisor toward her students~
***
Service Club.
Haruka, Yukino, Shoko, Hitori.
The four sat facing each other.
"I assume you haven't forgotten what was discussed last Friday," Yukino said, opening the topic first.
"Mm. To help Shoko Nishimiya integrate into a group, and to help Hitori Gotoh overcome her social anxiety and get noticed, we are forming an 'Alliance of Outcasts' similar to themselves."
Haruka provided the summary and overview.
"Correct. Does anyone have any ideas?"
Yukino looked at Shoko.
Shoko stared back at her with wide, innocent eyes.
"..."
Yukino turned her head away.
Hitori Gotoh was quietly inching toward the trash can.
'Wait, when did she bring the trash can in?!'
Yukino's pale cheek twitched slightly. She walked over, grabbed the scruff of Bocchi's neck—the nape of destiny—and escorted the trash can outside the door.
Finally, she could only look at Haruka, the most reliable one.
Fortunately, Haruka didn't let her down.
"We just follow the original plan. Recruit outcasts. Of course, we have to consider compatibility issues; that's the most critical part."
"Additionally, regarding the candidates, we need a rigorous screening process. For this, we need the school's student roster and basic information. We might be able to get this from Hiratsuka-sensei. Also, we should observe the 'normie' groups in each class to see who the outcasts are."
This time, Haruka offered a different opinion.
Or rather, a more detailed opinion.
In the simulation, it hadn't been this detailed.
It had been glossed over, and it likely differed from the idea he was proposing now.
Yukino glanced at Haruka. "That makes a lot of sense. Then let's divide the work specifically."
"Also, I think we can appropriately assign some tasks involving contact with others to Nishimiya-san and Gotoh-san to help them train. Of course, the two of us will each be responsible for one person. What do you think?"
Perhaps because Haruka seemed reliable, Yukino didn't shoulder the work for both of them herself.
Instead, she asked for his opinion.
She had to admit…
He seemed a little different from the stereotypical impression she had of him...
"I have no objections."
"Then..." Yukino looked at the two girls, wondering how to assign them.
At that moment, with incredible tacit understanding, both Shoko and Hitori turned their gaze toward Haruka in unison.
Yukino narrowed her eyes from the side.
Haruka opened his mouth.
The feeling of being caught between a rock and a hard place washed over him.
Almost immediately, they seemed to notice each other.
Shoko reluctantly withdrew her gaze, while Hitori simply lowered her head directly.
Yukino's eyes narrowed even further.
Haruka turned his gaze to Yukino.
Yukino nodded at him calmly. "I will be responsible for Gotoh-san. Haruka is fluent in sign language, so he is suited to communicate with Nishimiya-san."
"Alright. I have no objections," Haruka replied decisively.
A hint of joy appeared in Shoko's eyes. Just as she was about to nod, her body stiffened.
She looked at Hitori, appearing somewhat hesitant.
Hitori also looked up and met Shoko's gaze. She smiled embarrassedly, then took the initiative to walk over to Yukino's side.
It was worth noting that the seat she chose was quite far away from Yukino...
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Hand over all of your Power Stones!!
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