An odd silence settled over the Service Club room, creating a heavy, awkward atmosphere.
"So... what you're saying is, Shizuka-sensei wants Hikigaya to join the Service Club?"
It was Yukinoshita Akira who finally broke the stillness, his voice drawing everyone's attention to him like a magnet.
Especially Yukinoshita Yukino.
Unbelievable. Not only had she brought in a request without notice, now she was trying to make decisions about club mbership?
"That's right," Hiratsuka said, arms crossed. "A club should have at least five mbers, ideally. You and Yukinoshita alone aren't enough. You should start recruiting. Don't be so selfish."
She casually reached into her pocket out of habit, fingers brushing against a cigarette.
But seeing four students inside the room, she quickly stopped herself. Smoking here, in front of them? No, that'd be pushing it.
"I see," Akira replied with a nod. "Then we'll accept the request. Welco to the club, Hikigaya."
"Wait—actually, I'd really prefer not to join…"
Hikigaya glanced at Akira out of the corner of his eye, hesitant.
Honestly, if it weren't for the looming threat of Hiratsuka-sensei's iron fists, he wouldn't have even stepped foot in this room again.
A loud crack suddenly rang out as Hiratsuka's punch slamd against the wall.
Hikigaya froze, sweat beading on his temple.
The shockwave from that strike sent a tremor through the room. This woman really was so kind of monster in human form.
"I'm honored to join. Thank you very much," Hikigaya corrected himself instantly.
"Hmph~"
With a satisfied snort, Hiratsuka finally lowered her fist.
"Hold on a minute," Yukinoshita Yukino cut in coldly. "I'm the president of the Service Club. Accepting new mbers should be my decision."
There was a subtle bite to her tone, and the sharpness in her gaze made it clear—she wasn't pleased with Akira speaking in her place.
"Don't be childish, Second Daughter."
The words weren't loud, but they were spoken with a calm, piercing pressure that hung in the air.
Even Hiratsuka Shizuka, a full-grown adult with strength beyond normal teachers, felt it.
For a mont, she realized sothing unsettling—this boy wasn't soone she could treat like a typical student.
That single line had silenced her. It wasn't sothing just anyone could say.
"You…"
Yukino stared at Akira, her lips pressing into a hard line before she looked away and lowered her head slightly. Her bottom lip trembled, and she bit it—hard.
She didn't say it aloud, but it was clear.
She didn't like this at all.
Sohow, Akira felt distant. Foreign. Like a stranger.
That boy who once fought so hard against overwhelming odds… had changed. Now, he wielded inhuman strength, wielded a blade that could slay demons, and carried the favor of the Busujima family's daughter.
He no longer felt like the boy she once knew.
The gap between them had grown into sothing painful and confusing.
"…That's enough, Yukinoshita."
This ti, Hiratsuka's voice was directed not at Yukino—but at Akira.
"Sensei," he replied calmly, "just call Akira. If we keep calling everyone 'Yukinoshita,' it'll get confusing."
"You…"
Shizuka was at a loss for words.
Saying that in front of Yukino—the Second Daughter of the prestigious Yukinoshita family—was like rejecting the na itself.
What was he trying to say?
Yukino looked at Akira intently, and in that gaze, she understood.
He no longer belonged to the Yukinoshita family. They couldn't contain him… not even with blood ties.
Especially now that he was involved with the Busujima family—a na far more powerful.
"…Do whatever you want. I don't care anymore."
With that, Yukino stood up and quietly left the room.
She didn't look back.
"Yukinon…"
Yuigahama Yui reached out, almost grabbing her sleeve, but stopped.
They'd only known each other for two days. Could she really intrude?
Before Hiratsuka could say anything, Yukino had already disappeared down the hallway.
The room fell into a tense stillness.
"Akki-kun… I an, Akira-kun… what exactly are you trying to do?"
"Nothing complicated," he said softly. "Just helping the Second Daughter see reality—and breaking down her worthless pride."
"But she's still a student… And you two grew up together, didn't you? How could you be so heartless?"
"There's no ti to wait for her to adapt."
"…What do you an by that?"
"Shizuka-sensei," he said, looking her in the eye, "you of all people should know this—what we think we understand about others is rarely the full truth. Everyone carries burdens. And sotis… we'll never truly understand them."
Their eyes locked.
And in that single mont, even the fearless Hiratsuka Shizuka felt her knees weaken.
That calm, unwavering gaze… it wasn't the kind of stare a high school boy should have.
Just who exactly was he?
"…Maybe I shouldn't have co to this club," Hikigaya muttered. "I feel like I've just added another sin to my list."
"Don't worry, Hikigaya," Akira said gently. "I'll take care of it."
"You…"
Hachiman looked at him in surprise. Then nodded.
There was sothing about Akira… sothing that made people instinctively trust that he knew what he was doing.
Or maybe he was just really good at pretending to have it all figured out.
"Akki-kun…"
Yui's voice was hesitant. She was clearly worried about Yukino.
Even though they'd only just beco friends, Yukino had already beco soone Yui admired—soone she looked up to.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of it."
"…Alright."
"Well then, let's call it a day. We'll continue club activities tomorrow."
Akira picked up his bag and sword case.
"Shizuka-sensei, please lock up the room when we're gone."
"Don't worry about that. Go. Catch up to her."
Akira smiled—calm, confident, reassuring.
That smile was enough to leave the three of them speechless.
He was… truly sothing else.
And then, without waiting for a reply, Akira left.
It didn't take long for him to spot Yukino walking slowly down the path toward the dojo gate.
Her steps were heavy. Her thoughts tangled in a web of emotions.
They had grown up together—so why did Akira now feel like a stranger?
Everything had changed since that night.
The world as she knew it had shifted. Cracked.
Maybe she'd misunderstood everything until now.
Her beliefs. Her ideals. Her view of Akira… even her relationship with her sister.
Was she really wrong about it all?
She didn't hate him. That much she knew.
But at this mont…
She truly didn't know what to do.
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