Hikigaya Hachiman pushed the door open and walked into the Service Club's classroom.
As usual, Yukinoshita Yukino was already seated by the window, deeply engrossed in a book.
However, today's atmosphere was slightly different from usual.
Upon hearing the door open, Yukinoshita Yukino lifted her head and looked toward the entrance.
When she saw that familiar pair of dead fish eyes, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, forming a faint smile.
Just as Hikigaya Hachiman was wondering why this usually cold and aloof beauty suddenly seemed so out of character, Yukinoshita Yukino parted her lips and spoke:
"Good afternoon, second-place student~"
Hikigaya Hachiman was immediately at a loss for words.
As expected, this girl's tongue was still sharp as ever!
But what she said was the truth. He had no one to blame but himself for only placing second.
"My name is Hikigaya Hachiman!"
Knowing he couldn't win in that line of conversation, Hachiman sat in his seat and quickly tried to change the topic.
"I know, second-place student!"
Seeing Hachiman avoid her jab and change the subject instead, Yukinoshita Yukino's smile deepened.
"Hey, don't tell me you always talk ?"
Frustrated by her persistent use of that clearly mocking title, Hachiman asked gloomily.
"No, unless necessary, I don't usually talk to classmates…"
Having secured her first victory of the day, Yukinoshita Yukino shifted some of her attention back to the book in her hands. But she still chose to respond to Hachiman's question.
"Don't you feel lonely?"
As soon as he said it, Hachiman regretted it.
Having been ostracized since middle school, he knew exactly how painful that question could be.
However, to his surprise, Yukinoshita Yukino's face didn't show even the slightest emotional ripple after hearing it.
"At the beginning, maybe I did? But as I climbed higher, I just got used to it…"
After a short pause, Yukinoshita continued answering his question.
"Why is Hikigaya-san apologizing?"
Hearing his apology, Yukinoshita Yukino let out a small sigh.
Then she closed the book in her hands, lifted her head, and stared directly into those dead fish eyes.
"That conversation just now was nothing more than casual talk between club members. There's no need to take it so seriously. Hikigaya-san, I've noticed you tend to place yourself in a lowly position all the time—that's not a good habit…"
Hikigaya shrugged in response to Yukinoshita's advice.
He'd already gotten a basic grasp of who she was.
A highly capable, stubborn, arrogant, and lonely young lady.
With a venomous tongue, too.
Hachiman added that last bit mentally.
"Looks like you're quite self-aware of your flaws…"
Seeing that her words had no effect on him, Yukinoshita Yukino looked a bit helpless.
"Aren't you very self-aware of your own flaws, Yukinoshita-san?"
He believed that with her level of intelligence, she definitely knew what issues she had.
And yet she hadn't tried to change them.
If that was the case, then she had no right to demand others fix their own flaws either.
Hearing his rebuttal, Yukinoshita Yukino narrowed her eyes and showed a defiant expression.
But just as she was about to argue back, the door to the Service Club was knocked on.
"Um, excuse me… is this the Service Club?"
Accompanied by the knock came the appearance of Yuigahama Yui in the sight of the two who had been arguing.
"Yes, this is the Service Club. Yuigahama-san, how can we help you?"
After waiting so many days, someone had finally come seeking help again.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood up enthusiastically, walked to Yuigahama, and pulled her toward the center of the classroom.
No exchange was needed—seeing Yukinoshita welcome a new guest, Hikigaya, wearing his "Service Club Member" badge, moved to the back of the room, picked up a chair in one hand and a desk in the other, and set them up in front of Yuigahama.
After inviting Yuigahama to sit, Yukinoshita also moved her own seat to face her from across the table. Both she and Hachiman looked at the slightly timid girl across from them.
"Um, I heard from Hiratsuka-sensei that you can help me solve my problems here. Is that right?"
Yuigahama glanced at Hachiman briefly before quickly shifting her gaze away.
Summoning her courage, she asked the cool beauty to her left—Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Hmm, you're a bit mistaken…"
Yukinoshita Yukino frowned at Yuigahama's words, pointing out the issue with her phrasing.
"The essence of the Service Club is to assist the one seeking help to overcome their problem—not to solve it for them. It's the same as the saying: 'Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.'"
Yuigahama nodded after hearing the explanation, showing an expression of admiration.
Although she didn't understand what Yukinoshita had just said, it sounded impressive.
At this moment, seeing the admiration in Yuigahama's eyes, Yukinoshita felt a bit proud and glanced smugly at Hikigaya.
Hey, hey! Look more closely at her eyes—she didn't understand a word you just said!
Hachiman complained inwardly.
But since a third party was present, he didn't want to ruin the moment and make things awkward.
Ahem, "So, Yuigahama-san, what exactly do you want us to help with?"
Clearing her throat and reining in her smugness, Yukinoshita asked Yuigahama's reason for coming.
"Actually… I've wanted to apologize to someone for a long time, but I kept hesitating. It's been so long that I'm now worried he might not accept my apology…"
As she spoke, Yuigahama sneaked a glance at Hikigaya.
He noticed her glance but didn't take it to heart.
After all, anyone would be surprised to see him in a club formed by the school's top-ranked ice-cold beauty.
"If it's just an apology, then all you need is the courage to say it."
Hearing her reason, Yukinoshita Yukino frowned instinctively.
She really didn't understand why someone would need help with something as simple as apologizing.