Chapter 55: Is Yukinoshita Yukino Really That Easy to Deal With?
Shunsuke never expected that not only the second-year students but even some first-year students had heard the news.
In Class 1-E, the mischievous underclassman, Isshiki Iroha, approached Marin with a cheerful smile.
"Kitagawa-san, after school yesterday, I think I saw you with Fujii-senpai and a few other seniors. Mind telling me what was going on?"
Marin's expression stiffened momentarily as if she'd been caught red-handed. However, she quickly realized it was no big deal and responded openly, "Oh, I was thinking about joining a club yesterday and just happened to bump into Fujii-senpai."
"Is that so? But I heard you all left school together as well?"
Iroha's tone seemed casual but carried a hint of assertiveness.
To someone familiar with the dynamics of this culture, it would appear that Iroha was stirring up trouble.
They'd think: You've only known each other for a few days, so why are you interrogating me about who I hang out with after school? Are you checking up on me?
However, from the perspective of the girls, Iroha had already publicly made a move on Shunsuke two days earlier.
This was equivalent to a dog marking its territory on a lamppost; she had essentially "marked" Shunsuke.
Any other girl trying to get close to him would be seen as a homewrecker.
Especially considering that Marin had a flashy, "gal" appearance. If this got out, she would quickly become the target of animosity among the girls, labeled as a shameless flirt.
Luckily, the two weren't yet part of the same friend group, so it wasn't a situation of stealing a best friend's crush, which would be even more unforgivable.
Marin, not overthinking it, laughed awkwardly, despite her generally high emotional intelligence. She tended to be straightforward and didn't bother with complex social games. "We were just chatting and ended up walking together without even realizing it," she replied.
Yeah, right. I don't believe you. Iroha thought to herself. You have such an innocent look, but who knew you'd be so cunning?
Still, Iroha maintained her sweet, friendly facade. "Oh, I see~. So, what did you and Fujii-senpai talk about? I'd love to learn more about him."
"Talk about? It's hard to say," Marin hesitated, feeling a slight resistance within herself. She brushed off the feeling and decided to be vague.
Discussing things like eroge or 2D anime wouldn't make sense, especially with someone like Iroha, who clearly seemed like a normie uninterested in such topics. They had no common ground, and bringing it up would just make things awkward.
"I see~. By the way, do you happen to know what Fujii-senpai likes?"
Undeterred, Iroha changed the topic, continuing to chatter around Marin with an innocent smile.
Just before class started, Iroha suddenly asked, "So, Kitagawa-san, do you like Fujii-senpai?"
"Hmm... huh? What did you say, Isshiki-san?"
Iroha stared directly at Marin, observing her reaction. After a second, she smiled and said, "Oh, nothing. Class is about to start, so I'll head back now. Bye-bye, Kitagawa-san."
"...She's definitely up to something," Marin muttered, finally squeezing out a saying that fit the situation.
...
During the break, Shunsuke, full of energy, quickly grabbed a yakisoba bread from the school store with the help of The World. He scarfed it down in a few bites and briskly made his way towards the Service Club.
As he walked, he mentally apologized to Star Platinum and The World, thinking, Your big moment is coming this weekend.
When he arrived at the Service Club's door, Shunsuke sent The World ahead to peek inside.
Sure enough, Yukinoshita Yukino was there, eating her bento. It hadn't been a wasted trip.
After adjusting his outfit a bit, Shunsuke knocked on the door.
Yukino paused, surprised that someone would actually come during the short lunch break. She glanced at her unfinished bento, sighed, took out a tissue to wipe her mouth, and then calmly said, "Come in."
In response, Shunsuke opened the door, only to see Yukino visibly freeze for a moment, staring directly at him.
What kind of reaction is that? Why does she look so surprised? Shunsuke wondered, but he didn't show his confusion and simply walked into the room with a smile.
After a second or two, Yukino seemed to regain her composure. She quickly put on her usual cold expression and asked, "What brings you here?"
"I'm Fujii Shunsuke," he introduced himself first. "Is this the Service Club?"
"...Yukinoshita Yukino," she replied with a slightly complex look.
Wait a minute, does Yukino usually introduce herself like this to strangers? Shunsuke was surprised, considering his own preconceptions about her.
Yukino raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "There's no sign on the door. How did you know this is the Service Club?"
"Oh, Hiratsuka-sensei told me," Shunsuke lied smoothly. He figured Yukino probably wouldn't bother verifying it later.
Yukino muttered quietly, "That hot-blooded teacher, huh..."
It seemed she didn't doubt Shunsuke's explanation.
"So, Fujii-san, do you need help with something?"
"No, I'm here to join the Service Club."
"Join the Service Club?" Yukino looked surprised. "I don't recall putting out any notice for recruiting new members," she said, seemingly lost in thought. Then, as if coming to a decision on her own, she nodded and handed him a form. "Fill out this application, then."
"?"
Shunsuke was stunned, completely baffled, as he slowly raised an eyebrow in confusion.
That's it? You agreed to let me join the club just like that? Where's your sharp tongue? Your sarcasm? Your usual tough attitude?
If it's this easy to join, Hachiman must be crying in heaven.
Seeing Shunsuke standing still, Yukino asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Do you have any questions?"
"Sorry, I just didn't expect it to be this easy. I thought your requirements would be much higher, Yukinoshita-san."
"Of course," Yukino replied with a slight frown. "To join the Service Club, one must meet the purpose for which I founded it. Not just anyone can join on a whim."
Does that mean I meet her standards? She has a pretty high opinion of me then?
Growing more puzzled, Shunsuke took the application form and filled it out while asking directly, "So, I can just say I want to join, and that's it?"
Yukino gave him a look as if to say, What else did you expect? She took the completed form from him and said, "I'll submit this application to our advisor now. Come back in the afternoon, and I'll give you the key."
"Oh, alright."
Wait, she's already giving me a key?
Shunsuke was even more bewildered. Seeing Yukino getting ready to leave, he figured it wasn't appropriate to linger.
He followed her out of the Service Club room, walking together for a short while before they parted ways.
It's settled just like that?
Even after returning to his classroom, Shunsuke was still in a daze, unable to fully grasp what had just happened.
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