"So, what did you talk about with her?" When Hachiman Hikigaya returned to the classroom alone and just sat down at his seat, Yukinoshita suddenly closed the book she had been quietly reading, looked up, and stared directly at him, asking about his conversation with Iroha Isshiki.

"Of course, I'm not curious about what's between you and her." "This is just the club president showing concern for the club members." "After all, Isshiki seems... well, very likely to cause you trouble?"

Mentioning Iroha Isshiki, Yukinoshita Yukino frowned. That girl didn't give her a very good impression.

Although she appeared innocent and cute on the outside, Yukino felt she was the type to play little tricks. Especially her overly familiar, playful attitude with boys she barely knew—it irritated Yukino.

"Aren't we the Service Club? Actually, she came to ask me for help."

Having spent some time with Yukinoshita, Hachiman had anticipated she would ask him simply about what he talked about with Iroha Isshiki. So before returning, he had already prepared an excuse.

"Help?" As expected, after hearing Hachiman's explanation, Yukinoshita's expression shifted to one of understanding. Then she imagined a bunch of reasons why Iroha would only ask a male like Hachiman for help.

"Well, although the Service Club's goal is to help others, it doesn't mean we have to accept every request." After realizing Iroha and Hachiman were simply client and helper, Yukinoshita nodded approvingly, then lowered her head again to focus on her book.

"Ugh, this is so boring..." From the beginning, Yui Yuigahama had quietly sat beside Yukinoshita, listening to their conversation.

When it ended, she sadly realized she had no way to join in.

"Yuigahama-san, if you feel bored, why not bring a book next time before club activities? That way, you can pass time and enrich your mind..."

Hearing Yui's suggestion, Yukinoshita showed a hint of helplessness. But since Yui had already submitted a membership application and become a club member, Yukinoshita couldn't just ignore her.

So, she patted the empty space beside her, signaling Yui to bring over a chair and read the book with her.

"Eh, really?!" Receiving Yukinoshita's invitation, Yui's eyes lit up instantly. After confirmation, she immediately placed her stool next to Yukinoshita and happily hugged Yukino's arm.

"As expected, Yukinon is so gentle..." "Um, Yuigahama-san, please call me by my full name, and you're too close..." Originally, Yukinoshita only wanted Yui to sit close and read together.

In her mind, they'd only rest their heads near each other.

Who would have thought Yui would suddenly grab her arm and call her "Yukinon" so intimately?

"Eh, is that not okay?" When Yukinoshita forbade her from calling her "Yukinon," Yui immediately looked up with a pitiful expression, gazing at her pleadingly.

"...Fine, whatever..." Yukinoshita's initial refusal was softened seeing Yui's pitiful look. She sighed and supported her forehead with her free hand, showing some helplessness.

'Looks like Yukinoshita's weakness is girls with Yuigahama's personality.' Although Hachiman was apparently concentrating on his book, his attention was actually on the other two in the classroom.

Seeing Yui completely disarm the proud Yukinoshita, he suddenly had a realization.

If he argued with Yukinoshita again, maybe bringing Yui along would guarantee his victory.

"Ah, right, right!" Suddenly, Yui, still holding Yukinoshita's arm, let go and started rummaging through her bag. ? Hearing this, both Hachiman and Yukinoshita looked up and glanced at her bag simultaneously.

"Because Yukinon didn't come last Friday, I made a few more last night..."

Yui pulled out two heart-shaped cookies wrapped in transparent plastic bags and handed them to the two, whose expressions immediately changed.

"Thank you for your kindness, Yuigahama-san..." Yukinoshita forced calm as she accepted the cookies.

As for Hachiman... "Haven't I already received one before?"

Looking at the slightly darker cookie in his hand compared to last Friday's, Hachiman looked up, twitching slightly as he asked Yui.

"Since it's from Yuigahama-san's heart, you should accept it with gratitude, Hikigaya-kun~" Before Yui could explain, Yukinoshita cut in, ready to use her authority to pressure Hachiman into accepting the cookie.

"That girl..."

Exchanging a glance with Yukinoshita, Hachiman clearly noticed the gleeful look in her eyes.

Is this what they call trying to pull someone down with you before going down yourself? He thought, but still accepted the cookie.

Although the cookie might taste bad, it was Yui's heartfelt gesture. You had to eat something like that, even through tears!

"Sorry to interrupt..." Just as Yui finished handing out the cookies and was about to sit down and get cozy with Yukinoshita, Hiratsuka Shizuka suddenly opened the door and walked in.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, I told you, please knock before coming in..." Looking at Hiratsuka's usual habit of barging in first and greeting later, Yukinoshita sighed and shot her a look full of grievance.

"Ah, sorry, sorry. But this time it's really important. I'll be careful next time!" With a toothpick in her mouth from who knows where, Hiratsuka laughed off the awkwardness and looked around the classroom.

Her gaze first stopped on Hachiman Hikigaya.

He wasn't worried at all—after all, he hadn't done anything illegal today. Sure enough, Hiratsuka's gaze lingered on him briefly before shifting to the upright and proper Yuigahama.

"Yuigahama-san..." Seeing she was the target of the visit, Hiratsuka smiled kindly. "We need to talk properly about your recent mock exam scores. Let's go to the office."