The days passed quickly.
After school, Haruto went to the Service Club, while Itsuki headed to the library first.
When it came to studying, Itsuki was serious. Unfortunately, she just couldn't grasp it.
Service Club.
Haruto pushed the door open, and the first thing he saw wasn't Yukino, but a girl with a bun.
Her shoulder-length peach-colored hair had a slight wave, tied into a bun on the side of her head.
Wearing the black school uniform jacket, a plaid skirt, and knee-high black stockings, the visible area between the skirt and stockings was incredibly pale and mesmerizing.
With this unique hairstyle, Haruto quickly identified the girl.
She was Yuigahama Yui, a classmate of Miku's from next door.
Since her blouse was always partly unbuttoned, and she wore a brighter, more mature style of makeup, she looked somewhat older and more slender.
In the corner of the room was a lazy-looking student with lifeless eyes named Hikigaya Hachiman.
Yuigahama hearing the door open, turned to look at Haruto and wore an expression of surprise.
"Excuse me."
Haruto said something and sat down beside her.
Yukino glanced at him and said without pleasantries, "Kuromori-kun, please remember to knock next time before you enter."
The last time Haruto had said something like that, Yukino had let it slide out of embarrassment. Honestly, she was still unhappy, feeling that Haruto had teased her, and she had completely lost.
Haruto shrugged and said, "Understood."
Yukino suppressed her emotions, turned to Yuigahama, and asked, "Yuigahama-san, what can I help you with?"
Yuigahama fidgeted, tapping her fingers nervously, and hesitated before saying, "Actually, it's nothing…"
Yukino raised her eyebrows slightly and calmly said, "If it's nothing, then please leave."
"Eh?"
Yuigahama froze for a moment, then quickly added, "Wait, there's something I need help with."
After saying that, she lowered her head and shyly said, "Actually, I have someone I want to thank, so I thought of baking a cake as a thank-you gift."
"But I'm not good at baking at all. I heard the Service Club could help me. I want to bake a delicious cake myself."
"I see."
Yukino nodded slightly, then looked at Haruto, who was playing with his phone, and suddenly said, "Kuromori-kun, I'll leave this task to you."
"???"
A few question marks popped up in Haruto's head. "I'm not even part of the Service Club, right?"
"It doesn't matter. I've already secured privileges from Hiratsuka-sensei." Yukino said calmly.
"..."
"What's wrong?" Yukino looked him in the eye and said calmly, "If Kuromori-kun feels unqualified for such a simple task, forget it. I'll find you a simpler commission next time."
Is there really going to be a next time?
If he weren't so familiar with Hiratsuka, Haruto would have just walked out.
But leaving now would have clear consequences—it would definitely become a huge hassle, and Mafuyu might even get involved.
Even though club activities were technically part of school life, and though troublesome, it didn't interfere. Yet, being caught helping like this was definitely annoying.
Haruto sighed and softly said, "I take back what I said last time, Yukinoshita, you're not cute at all."
"It's my fault if Kuromori-kun had the wrong impression."
Yukino raised her chin and said calmly, "A good human has an obligation to help the unfortunate. Since you've been entrusted with me, you must fulfill your duty. I'll correct your misunderstandings. Be grateful to me."
Haruto raised his eyes. "I think you're quite pitiful, like your personal Kanto Plain."
Kanto Plain?
Yukino gritted her teeth and mockingly said, "That statement sounds like a losing dog's cry."
Haruto activated repeat mode: "Kanto Plain."
"With Kuromori-kun's poor knowledge, can you only use crude words in retaliation?"
Haruto's repeat mode: "Kanto Plain."
Yukino clenched her teeth: "Ha... As expected from you. I think you should change your name to Pervert-kun!"
Haruto continued his repeat mode: "Kanto Plain."
Their gazes met, and it seemed as if sparks were flickering in the air.
Yuigahama watched the two in astonishment, then suddenly burst into laughter. Noticing both of them staring at her, she quickly covered her mouth. "Sorry, I just remembered something funny. It's a joke, so…"
"I couldn't help it."
Then, Yuigahama clasped her hands together and said hopefully, "Um... please, Kuromori-kun, let's go to the cooking class."
"Let's go!"
Haruto glared at Yukino, turned, and left the Service Club.
If he refused, Hiratsuka would come herself again.
It was too troublesome.
Yuigahama quickly followed after him.
Yukino took a deep breath.
That guy is truly difficult to deal with. He precisely understood her weaknesses and attacked them. But she had to admit, it was incredibly irritating!
After waiting for a moment, Yukino resumed her work, intending to observe Haruto discreetly.
Even though she was upset, having accepted the commission, she had to fulfill her responsibility.
Hachiman put down his phone and stood still: "Well, the stealth battle succeeded… Let's move on to the next game. Places like clubs aren't where I belong."
Yukino, the super-popular one. Haruto, the super-popular one.
Hachiman figured it was best to keep his distance since getting involved would undoubtedly be troublesome.
❀❀❀
Along the way, Yuigahama quietly glanced at Haruto. It was her first time interacting with him up close.
How could she describe it?
'Kuromori-kun feels even more handsome than Hayama-san, but for some reason, I feel a little intimidated.'
"What are you staring at?"
Haruto suddenly turned and looked at Yuigahama.
"Ah... Sorry..."
Yuigahama jumped in surprise, quickly apologizing, her face turning red with embarrassment.
"Are you scared of me?"
"Uh…"
Yuigahama panicked, lowering her head, and said guiltily, "Actually, it's not that I'm scared…"
'Truthfully, I'm a little scared. I just don't dare to say it.'
After a while, Haruto brought Yuigahama to the cooking class and secured the right to use the space.
Haruto was no stranger to baking. After all, he had two younger sisters, and occasionally, he baked cookies.
Since awakening his powers, his cooking skills had rapidly improved, and now he was almost perfect.
In the end, cooking was about combining ingredients and spices, along with controlling the heat.
But this was nothing to Haruto.
That's why ever since the stingy girl ate his cookies once, she would often come over to eat and drink.
Haruto couldn't even chase her away.
"Yuigahama, have you memorized the steps for making a cake?"
"No problem."
Yuigahama was very confident, but then nothing happened.
Even if the salt and sugar were mixed, flour was spilled everywhere, creating a mess.
The first attempt ended in failure.
In short, she was clumsy and couldn't cook.
Haruto sighed, comforting the disappointed girl, and said, "Let's try again."
"Mm."
❀❀❀
Time passed quickly, and under Haruto's guidance, cookies were soon made and placed in the oven.
Yuigahama let out a sigh of relief and wiped her cheeks. Her face was covered in flour, but her smile was bright.
"Kuromori-kun, thank you…"
She clasped her hands behind her back, looked at Haruto, and said with a smile, "I didn't expect Kuromori-kun to be so good at baking. You're amazing."
Haruto nodded and said, "I am amazing."
"Huh?"
Yuigahama's smile froze, her eyes widening in surprise. She didn't expect anyone to be so shameless as to agree so directly.
The next moment, she burst out laughing, her smile blossoming like a begonia in the spring breeze.