Although what Ryuji said was true, Yukino couldn't help but feel a bit hurt by how bluntly he stated it.
The Service Club had been around for a while now, and the only "commission" Yukino had ever received was from Shizuka. And that one didn't exactly end in success. Recently, she'd started doubting herself.
Plus, Yukino was genuinely curious about all the strange urban legends.
"It's alright. If you're curious, go ahead and ask!"
Miko suddenly spoke up, gently interrupting the awkward atmosphere.
"Thank you, Yotsuya-san!" Yukino replied, visibly relieved. She couldn't help but wonder how someone like Ryuji who had a sharper tongue than she did ended up with such a kind and gentle girlfriend like Miko.
"Of course, it's because I'm amazing!"
Although Yukino hadn't voiced her thoughts, Ryuji easily read her expression. With a smug grin, he casually wrapped his arm around Miko's shoulders.
"R-Ryuji-kun…" Miko blushed at his boldness, softly calling his name in embarrassment. However, she didn't pull away.
"Tsk!"
Yukino clicked her tongue in frustration, watching the scene unfold. Shameless, she thought.
"Alright, alright! We don't have much time for lunch, so don't interfere with Miko and me having some alone time." Ryuji waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a nuisance.
Yukino's eyebrow twitched. She knew she was being a bit of a third wheel, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. How could she leave without asking her questions?
But then, an idea popped into her head, and her eyes lit up. "If you don't mind, you can use the Service Club during lunch breaks. That way, you two won't be disturbed." She offered the suggestion, a glint of hope in her eyes.
"A clubroom?"
Miko hesitated. She already had her own club, but it wasn't a private space, and the idea of being disturbed during her time with Ryuji didn't appeal to her.
"That's fine!" Ryuji immediately accepted the offer on Miko's behalf and explained to her, "Don't worry, Yukino's the only member of her club, so there's no one else to bother us."
"How can one person form a club?" Miko asked, puzzled.
"Privilege," Ryuji said matter-of-factly, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
"…"
Yukino's face darkened, but she couldn't argue. It was true. If it hadn't been for Hiratsuka's special permission, Yukino wouldn't have been able to form a one-member club. Still, Ryuji didn't need to be so blunt about it. Please, at least consider my feelings!
For a brief moment, Yukino wondered if she should revoke her offer. But seeing that Ryuji was already getting up to follow her, she sighed and led the way to the clubroom.
---
Just as Ryuji, Miko, and Yukino were leaving, Hana arrived at the spot where they were supposed to have lunch together.
"Where did everyone go?" Hana muttered to herself, looking around the now-empty bench. She was clearly confused everyone had agreed to meet here for lunch, so where were they?
---
"So, are the gods in urban legends real?"
In the quiet Service Club room, Yukino wasted no time getting to the heart of her curiosity after Ryuji and Miko finished eating.
In many urban legends, gods and divine beings were frequently mentioned. One such example was Hachishaku-sama an urban legend where a godlike figure plays a central role.
"You could say they're real, in a way." Ryuji leaned back, crossing his arms. He seemed thoughtful for a moment before continuing. "But they aren't really gods. Most of the so-called 'gods' in these legends are just monsters or strange beings wearing the guise of gods. They're no different from the spirits or curses we deal with, just with a fancier title."
Yukino listened intently, immediately pulling out a notebook to jot down his words. Her serious expression reflected her deep curiosity, in line with her usual meticulous character.
"Take some shrines, for example," Ryuji continued. "The beings they enshrine might seem like gods, but a lot of them are just monsters. Like that 'mountain god' we encountered in a certain incident… it wasn't a god at all. Just a spirit pretending to be one."
"I see…" Yukino murmured as she scribbled notes, her mind racing. She paused, deep in thought for a moment, before speaking again. "But if these beings are just monsters or spirits, should people be worried about them?"
Ryuji chuckled. "You don't need to worry. It's actually pretty rare for normal people to encounter anything like that. Most weird things urban legends, cursed spirits, whatever tend to stay hidden. And even if you do encounter them, chances are, you won't even be able to see them. As long as you can't see them, you won't be affected."
In other words, ignorance was sometimes a blessing. Ordinary people, with no spiritual awareness, could live their whole lives without ever being affected by the supernatural.
Yukino understood this logically, but now that she knew these things existed, it was hard to ignore them. She couldn't help but feel uncomfortable not knowing the full scope of what was out there.
"You…" Ryuji started to say something but suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
"Huh?" Miko and Yukino both turned to him, confused by the abrupt shift in his tone.
Ryuji's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression becoming more serious. "There's something off… I'm sensing a strange aura."
"A strange aura?"
Both Miko and Yukino tensed. Could there be something supernatural happening nearby?
Ryuji stood up. "Let's check it out." Without waiting for a response, he walked out of the room, clearly intrigued by the strange energy he'd felt.
Miko and Yukino exchanged glances before quickly following after him.
---
Just a few minutes earlier, upstairs from the Service Club room…
The rooms above Yukino's club were used by other student clubs. One of them was the Far Eastern Magic Nap Society of Summer a name that was more eccentric than it sounded.
"Do you really think we can summon a familiar?" one of the girls in the club, wearing long braids and twin tails, asked excitedly. Her eyes were wide with anticipation as she stared at the crimson, rune-covered pattern on the floor.
"Of course!" Takanashi Rikka, the girl with an eyepatch covering one eye, nodded with firm conviction.