Chapter 65: Dumbfounded Yukinoshita
"It's been sent."
Hikigaya Hachiman glanced at the short message from Gojo Satoru and put down his phone. Gojo Satoru had said this morning that the Sorcerer Association would make a move against Okkotsu Yuta, so this hospital should be the place where they execute the death sentence.
Hikigaya Hachiman was a little interested. Last time at the crossroad, he only saw a blurred silhouette of the cursed spirit's true form; this time, he should be able to see the complete form. Moreover, Hikigaya Hachiman was quite interested in that bizarre contract method.
Generally speaking, if the strength of the Sorcerer and the contracted Cursed Spirit were completely mismatched, the Cursed Spirit, with its wild nature, should have already killed its former master. Why could they still coexist peacefully?
However, first, he had to go buy everything the Service Club needed.
Yukinoshita said her sister had something to do today and told her to go home by herself. So, Yukinoshita Yukino simply waited for Hikigaya Hachiman to finish work at the student council. Then, the two went directly to the mall together to buy the necessary items for the club.
But when Yukinoshita Yukino shared the Service Club's activity from the afternoon with Hikigaya Hachiman, it couldn't help but surprise him.
"What, Yukinoshita, you've already completed a request?"
That was astonishing efficiency.
"Yes."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded, feeling a little embarrassed from the praise.
"It wasn't a big deal of a request. It was just someone hoping I could teach her how to make cookies, pastries, and similar things, so it was relatively quick.
Besides, I didn't solve it alone. Another third-year senpai helped."
Through Yukinoshita Yukino's description, Hikigaya Hachiman also learned that the Service Club's first request was to learn how to make desserts. Yukinoshita Yukino's tone was filled with a sense of defeat.
Although the student wasn't stupid, she somehow kept producing strange, inedible finished products. Yukinoshita Yukino had already standardized the process. Following her steps, even if the results weren't beautiful, they should at least guarantee a certain level of flavor.
Yet, she still couldn't teach her.
Fortunately, another senpai in the baking room helped, and the student finally managed to completely make a batch of handmade cookies. Since the majority of the work was done with the senpai's help, this comparison made Yukinoshita Yukino feel her own inadequacy.
It was very frustrating, especially since it seemed that the senpai's help was also due to Hikigaya-kun.
The person who helped Yukinoshita Yukino was also a Shuchiin SVIP: Tsubame Koyasu, the captain of the Gymnastics Club and a third-year student. They had met briefly at noon, so she immediately recognized Yukinoshita Yukino's identity.
"If it's Tsubame Koyasu-senpai, don't worry. Even if she hadn't recognized you in advance because of the incident at noon, she still would have helped."
Hikigaya Hachiman heard that Tsubame Koyasu helped, and that most of the request was completed with her assistance. Given Yukinoshita's personality, she would never consider the request to have been completed independently by herself.
"Based on that senpai's personality, generally, if she sees someone in trouble, she will step in to help.
Tsubame Koyasu's philosophy is quite similar to the Service Club's. If you want to express your gratitude, just giving her a bag of cookies that you made, Yukinoshita, would be enough."
Hikigaya Hachiman looked at the defeated Yukinoshita Yukino, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.
She really seemed unable to deal with someone as enthusiastic as Tsubame Koyasu. Tsubame Koyasu was a genuinely kind person, so she was quite popular at Shuchiin and loved by everyone.
Speaking of which, Tsubame Koyasu and Yukinoshita Yukino were quite similar—Tsubame Koyasu might be the "extrovert" version of Yukinoshita Yukino.
Tsubame Koyasu was also a victim of bullying. In elementary school, she was similarly isolated by students for being too excellent, but she managed to resolve the situation with her excellent negotiation skills.
Despite these experiences, Tsubame Koyasu still helped others, but she was also a person with significant distrust.
"There are so many outstanding people at this school."
This was Yukinoshita Yukino's most intuitive realization after coming to Shuchiin. This was the fourth time she had felt frustrated.
When Yukinoshita Yukino first transferred, she expected to receive excessive attention, as she had previously been victimized by peers due to her cute appearance. But after transferring to Shuchiin, she found that many girls here possessed beauty no less than hers. Yukinoshita Yukino did not suffer from excessive attention.
The reason she was paid excessive attention by others was still because of Hikigaya-kun next to her.
Other than that, she was like an ordinary transfer student, causing no great stir. This feeling was not unpleasant; instead, Yukinoshita Yukino found this environment quite comfortable, perfectly matching the normal high school life she had imagined.
Regarding Tsubame Koyasu-senpai, Yukinoshita Yukino could feel that her smile was genuine, not like her sister's, which felt like it was covered with an exoskeleton armor.
That kindness came from the heart. Just looking into those eyes gave her a sense of reassurance, like "Don't worry, take your time."
Yukinoshita Yukino even felt that if she wanted to imitate and surpass her sister, Tsubame Koyasu was the person she wanted to become.
"Do you feel like you're finally an ordinary person here?"
Hikigaya Hachiman teased.
"Of course not!"
With her thoughts exposed, Yukinoshita Yukino's face couldn't help but blush.
Yukinoshita Yukino's original intention for founding the Service Club was: Since excellent people are prone to unfair treatment in this world, wouldn't making ordinary people excellent and elevating their status make life easier for those excellent people?
The existence of Shuchiin made Yukinoshita Yukino realize that her ideal had already succeeded.
There were many people here who were more outstanding than Yukinoshita Yukino. The anxieties she once experienced didn't matter here. This was what Yukinoshita Yukino had realized in her few short days at Shuchiin.
There were many excellent people, and they were all very willing to help others. Especially Hikigaya-kun next to her, who had, within just a few days of acquaintance, given Yukinoshita Yukino a long-missed feeling of friendship.
He had helped her with so much that she didn't even know how to repay him.
"Have you decided what you want to buy today, Yukinoshita?"
Hikigaya-kun's words interrupted Yukinoshita Yukino's thoughts. Yukinoshita Yukino had considered it a little in the afternoon and even listed a shopping list.
"Since we plan to entertain guests, let's buy a tea set, tea leaves, coffee, and similar things."
As for disposable paper cups, Yukinoshita Yukino was quite aware that using them to receive the young masters and ladies of Shuchiin might be perceived as looking down on them.
"How about buying some decorative items too?" Hikigaya Hachiman suggested.
Sometimes, small, unintended details can better help people in urgent need of assistance feel a sense of calm.
"That's true."
"By the way, Yukinoshita, check if there's any good food at that mall.
We can also solve dinner together while we're at it, saving us the trouble of preparing dinner when we get back."
Hikigaya Hachiman chose a slightly larger mall near their apartment. He figured they could also have dinner there and not bother cooking at home.
"Okay."
On those review websites, the specialties of different restaurants and the latest promotions would all be listed. Hikigaya Hachiman was driving, and Yukinoshita Yukino was free. Yukinoshita Yukino nodded and agreed. It was true; they were already finishing club activities and would soon go shopping for club necessities at the mall. It was already late, so solving dinner at the mall would naturally be the best option.
"Does Hikigaya-kun have any dietary restrictions?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked.
"I don't. As long as the ingredients aren't too bizarre, I'll eat them."
"Then, is Japanese food acceptable?"
"Of course."
Hikigaya Hachiman was not a picky eater. In a world with abundant resources like this one, it would be strange to be a picky eater.
"Hmm?"
Hikigaya Hachiman noticed Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly saw something, and a sudden emotion of joy came through.
"Did something good happen?"
"Nothing."
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at the restaurant information she was browsing on her phone, and the smile on her lips couldn't help but flow out naturally.
Soon, when Hikigaya Hachiman's car passed by the mall outside, he clearly saw the theme displayed on the building: it was the recently popular panda plush toy, "Mr. Pan." "Mr. Pan's" fierce appearance created a paradoxical cuteness. A five-meter-tall sitting "Mr. Pan" was displayed as decoration outside the mall, and passersby were taking photos of each other.
Seeing the large "Mr. Pan," Yukinoshita Yukino's breathing quickened slightly. The girl's focused expression was quite adorable.
"Yukinoshita, let's go take pictures there later." Hikigaya Hachiman suggested, sensing Yukinoshita Yukino's desire.
"Yes!"
Although embarrassed, Yukinoshita Yukino obediently nodded hard. After all, her thoughts just now were too transparent to explain away now. What could she do? Yukinoshita Yukino really loved Mr. Pan!
After Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino left the underground parking garage, they went straight to the shopping area.
Yukinoshita Yukino chose a red tea set. Although the color seemed deep, the red and white combination looked quite elegant.
"What color do you like, Hikigaya-kun?"
"For me, anything that isn't too flashy is fine."
"How about blue?"
"I think that's good."
Yukinoshita Yukino chose a snow-white cup for herself. The teacup looked exceptionally simple, featuring the overall feeling of a cat's face. In fact, one could tell from the appearance that Yukinoshita liked cats very much, and the style she chose perfectly matched the cup Hikigaya Hachiman chose—they were a pair.
Hikigaya Hachiman, meanwhile, chose some things like tablecloths. The rectangular tablecloths were quite long and could completely cover several student desks, making the overall effect look better. Moreover, they were waterproof, so even if a cup was knocked over, no stains would be left. Since they bought this tea set, they also had to buy a sterilizer cabinet. Cups that had just been washed could be kept perfectly fine in the sterilizer cabinet.
Taking advantage of the bulk purchase, they also bought a large amount of tea and coffee. Mainly black tea, green tea leaves, and some coffee powder. As for instant coffee, it was simply because they considered that the school would not equip an ordinary club with a coffee machine, so instant coffee was the best option.
Hikigaya Hachiman asked the clerk to move everything they bought to the car, and the shopping was concluded. They bought everything they could. If they forgot something, they could just buy it next time.
Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino arrived at the japanese restaurant they had previously selected. Looking at the surrounding decor, Hikigaya Hachiman instantly knew the reason Yukinoshita Yukino chose this place.
This Japanese restaurant had a collaboration with "Mr. Pan," so there were many "Mr. Pan" plush toy decorations all around the store. Even the servers were wearing "Mr. Pan" aprons.
When she noticed Hikigaya Hachiman's gaze, Yukinoshita Yukino showed an embarrassed expression. Mainly because when she was browsing the set menus earlier, she saw that ordering a set menu at this restaurant came with a free "Mr. Pan" plush toy. How could Yukinoshita Yukino resist such a temptation? So, she immediately came to this restaurant.
Hikigaya Hachiman suggested splitting the bill, but Yukinoshita Yukino insisted on paying this time. She already felt bad for involving Hikigaya-kun in the club activities, and coupled with the shopping trip, she offered to pay as compensation.
"How about this one, Hikigaya-kun?"
Yukinoshita Yukino showed Hikigaya Hachiman the set menu she had looked at earlier. Only by ordering this set menu could they receive "Mr. Pan." Hikigaya Hachiman did not refuse, so Yukinoshita Yukino quickly called the server and said, "We would like to order."
"I'm sorry, Miss." The server apologized.
"If you choose this set menu, the 'Mr. Pan' plush toys are already sold out. The only set menu that still includes a plush toy is the Super Couple Set."
When she heard that the "Mr. Pan" plush toys from the original set menu were sold out, Yukinoshita Yukino's expression visibly sank. Fortunately, another set menu still offered the plush toy, only the name of that set menu made her a little embarrassed.
Hikigaya Hachiman wouldn't spoil Yukinoshita Yukino's fun, so he directly said to the server, "Then we'll take the Couple Set."
However, the price of the double couple set, 30,000 yen for one meal, was a bit exaggerated.
"Okay, then one order of the 'Love-Filled Set'!
One order of the Super Love-Filled Set for Table Five!"
The voices of the staff in the restaurant rose and fell in chorus, like a chorus of congratulations!
"Alright, order completed."
Even after the ordering was done, Yukinoshita Yukino's cheeks were flushed. She looked at Hikigaya Hachiman apologetically.
"It's nothing. It's just the name of a set menu." Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head; it was no big deal.
But Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino soon learned why few people ordered the couple set. It wasn't just because of the 30,000 yen price; it was because the restaurant was simply too enthusiastic (socially embarrassing).
"We wish our beloved customers a smooth-sailing and sweet love life..."
Soon, a large group of the restaurant staff came over, all reciting blessings for love. Some servers brought out small "LOVE" lights they got from somewhere, shiny red hearts, and posed. Also, many limited edition "Mr. Pan" plush toys were brought over by the servers as props. It was such a display that one might mistake it for a birthday celebration at a certain hot pot restaurant.
"Hello, customers. The order is complete. May we take a close-up photo of you two as a couple?"
Seeing so many people crowding around with "Mr. Pan" plushies, Yukinoshita Yukino was dumbfounded.
"Don't worry, customers. We are not using your photo for promotion. This is purely a service originally included in this set menu.
The 30,000 yen Couple Set is absolutely value for money!"
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