After ten minutes had passed, Hoshimi ended his conversation with Hikigaya.
Then, he looked at the members of the Service Club and said goodbye with a smile.
"See you next week, Yukinoshita."
"Goodbye, Yuigahama-san."
"Hikigaya-san, let's have a good chat about Asada Akira's 'Theory of Escape' next time."
After saying this, Hoshimi smiled politely and elegantly left the Service Club's activity room.
Finally, he did not forget to gently close the classroom door.
"..."
"..."
After Hoshimi left, the three members of the Service Club fell into a brief silence again.
Yukinoshita silently read her book, as if no one had ever visited the Service Club.
Yuigahama looked puzzledly at the closed door for a while, then turned to the thoughtful Hikigaya with a look of confusion.
Just now, Hachiman and Hoshimi seemed to be having a pleasant conversation. At some point, Hachiman started speaking more and more, while Hoshimi gradually shifted from greeting to listening.
This seemed to be the first time she had seen Hachiman talk with someone for so long, and throughout the conversation, Hachiman spoke significantly more...
It was strange, how did Hoshimi manage to get Hachiman to speak so much?
At this moment, Hikigaya also realized the problem.
Why had their exchange gradually turned into him talking unilaterally? What had gone wrong?
Hikigaya slumped unconsciously, staring ahead, and began to review the conversation from the beginning.
It started with Hoshimi greeting him and using his name to smoothly transition into the topic.
Then the conversation naturally shifted from "Hachimangu Shrine" to "Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine," then to "tourist destinations," and finally to "places worth visiting in Chiba."
Then he got interested and began introducing various scenic spots in Chiba.
Mentioning scenic spots inevitably led to talking about history.
Since literature and history are inseparable, the topic gradually shifted to culture, and eventually, it unknowingly reached his specialty in literature, history, and philosophy.
Then he started to talk incessantly about "values" and "philosophy," topics he rarely discussed with others.
If Hoshimi hadn't ended the conversation, he probably would have started talking about his "worldview" next.
When he thought about it carefully, every topic change in the conversation was initiated subtly by Hoshimi, and he didn't even notice anything wrong.
In the end, the initiator Hoshimi became the listener, while he, the usually silent and introverted one, became the speaker.
The entire process of change took only ten minutes...
It was terrifying...
No wonder Yukinoshita described Hoshimi as an enhanced version of Hayama Hayato; this man's conversational skills and social ability fully lived up to Yukinoshita's evaluation.
Thinking of this, Hikigaya unconsciously glanced at Yukinoshita out of the corner of his eye.
For someone as unsocial as Yukinoshita to face an opponent like Hoshimi, the difficulty level was hellish!
Who knows what Hoshimi did to Yukinoshita to make her want revenge despite the rampant rumors?
"Yukinon..."
In the silent Service Club, Yuigahama hesitated for a long time before timidly breaking the dead silence.
"Yes? What's the matter?"
Yukinoshita closed her book and looked calmly at the hesitant Yuigahama.
"Yukinon... um... um..." Yuigahama stammered, unsure whether to continue expressing her thoughts.
"Yuigahama-san, just say whatever you want." Yukinoshita calmly watched Yuigahama.
"Then I'll say it, you won't blame me, right?" Yuigahama was still hesitant, shrinking her neck timidly.
"Yuigahama-san, why are you being so hesitant? I'm your president, and this is the Service Club. Just say what you want, I'll try not to get angry."
"Try not to get angry... so you might get angry..." Yuigahama swallowed nervously, her hesitation deepening.
"Sigh~ Yuigahama-san, I'll count to three. If you don't speak, then keep your thoughts to yourself and don't bring them up again."
Without waiting for Yuigahama's agreement, Yukinoshita began counting down.
"Three"
"Two"
"One"
The unusually fast countdown left Yuigahama momentarily stunned. She blinked in confusion at Yukinoshita, cutely blinking twice.
"Countdown over, it seems you don't want to say it, so..."
"Wait! I'll say it now!"
Finally realizing, Yuigahama blurted out her thoughts.
"Yukinon, Hoshimi-san doesn't seem like a bad person, why don't you reconcile with him?"
"And what about the rumors? Everyone in school knows now. What if it reaches your family?"
"What did Hoshimi-san do to you before? Was it really unforgivable?"
"If it can be forgiven, can Hoshimi-san apologize and you two reconcile?"
"And..."
Yuigahama grabbed Yukinoshita's sleeve, bit her lip, and whispered, "Yukinon, we're friends. As your friend, I want to stand by your side."
"If you really want revenge on Hoshimi-san, let me help. I might be clumsy, but I can handle small tasks."
"Sigh~" After hearing Yuigahama's heartfelt words, Yukinoshita sighed helplessly.
That bastard Hoshimi's scheme really worked...
Looking at Yuigahama's complex expression, Yukinoshita explained helplessly, "Yuigahama-san, don't fall into Hoshimi's trap. He was deliberately trying to drive a wedge between us."
"Eh?!" Yuigahama tilted her head at Yukinoshita, blinking in confusion.
After a while, Yuigahama finally realized she might have fallen for Hoshimi's trick.
She blushed and whispered, "Yukinon, sorry."
"No need to apologize. Just be careful with Hoshimi from now on and don't believe anything he says easily."
"Oh..." Yuigahama lowered her head in response.
Then, as if remembering something, she quickly looked up at Yukinoshita, "Yukinon, let me help you. And..."
After hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "Yukinon, what did Hoshimi-san do to you?"
"..." Yukinoshita was silent for a moment before calmly saying, "Yuigahama-san, I'll handle things with Hoshimi myself. Your involvement will only complicate matters."
"Ah..." Yuigahama was stunned, the light in her eyes quickly dimming.
Forcing a smile, she said, "I see, Yukinon, I'll cheer for you. If you need help, just ask."
"..." Yukinoshita silently nodded.
No matter what, she would never ask anyone for help with Hoshimi. This was a battle between her and Hoshimi alone.
...
Meanwhile, leaning against the Service Club's door, Hoshimi smiled with satisfaction.
As expected, the proud Yukinoshita gave the exact response he had anticipated.
Yuigahama's reaction would now fuel Yukinoshita's desire for revenge, prompting her to launch another offensive after a brief lull.
Next week, the enjoyable game would continue.
But before that, there was a nice main course on Sunday.
The day after tomorrow, on Sunday, housekeeper Aoyama Nanami would come to clean his house.
To welcome her, he needed to buy some interesting little things now.
"Heh~ let's go~"
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