284: Study Group Session

Saturday, 2:00 PM.

Compared to the sweltering heat outside, the Yukinoshita household, with its air conditioning on full blast, felt almost too cool.

In the living room, Yui and Iroha sat cross-legged at the low tea table, each with different study materials and exercise books spread out in front of them.

Meanwhile, Yukino was sitting on the nearby sofa, wearing earphones as she watched cat videos on her phone.

Although she occasionally pursed her lips in amusement at the soft, fluffy cats on the screen, most of her attention was actually on Iroha, who was studying beside her.

After all, following the midterm exams, she had received another request from Hiratsuka-sensei—asking her to keep an eye on Iroha for a while and report any unusual behavior.

Hiratsuka-sensei hadn't explained much this time, but judging by her serious expression, Yukino didn't hesitate to agree.

Offering a helping hand to those in need was one of the original intentions behind the Service Club she had founded.

Besides, this didn't seem like a difficult request. She didn't even need to actively say or do anything—sooner or later, Iroha would naturally come to her, just like today.

Without any invitation, Iroha had taken the initiative to request to come over during her free time on the weekend, hoping Yukino could tutor her.

Given that Yukino's academic performance ranked among the top in school, there was nothing unusual about her tutoring someone like Iroha, whose grades were average.

She didn't mind helping out this cute underclassman.

The problem was, from the moment Iroha arrived until now, Yukino had already noticed something off about her behavior.

First of all, when Iroha arrived a little after 9 AM, Yukino invited her inside. 

Iroha smiled and responded as usual, but as she changed her shoes, she kept glancing back towards the door.

Her eyes held a subtle hint of expectation, but when she finished putting on her shoes and the Yukinoshita household's door remained firmly shut with nothing happening, she let out a very obvious sigh.

At the time, Yui had asked her with concern if she wasn't feeling well, but Iroha simply brushed it off with a smile.

Yui didn't seem to suspect anything, but Yukino keenly picked up on the disappointment that Iroha was trying so hard to hide.

Then, around 11 AM, while Yukino was in the kitchen preparing spaghetti Bolognese, Iroha rolled up her sleeves and volunteered to help.

As she peeled tomatoes, she casually chatted with Yukino.

After a few meaningless exchanges, she naturally shifted the topic toward Yukino's neighbor, asking if she knew anything else about him.

At that moment, Yukino understood completely—her previous words in the Service Club, meant to caution Iroha, had been entirely ineffective.

Not only had they failed to make Iroha more wary, but instead, they seemed to have made her even more curious about that guy.

Yukino truly couldn't understand what kind of charm her next-door neighbor possessed that made so many girls care about him so much.

Sure, he was handsome—but that was about it.

A guy who kept ambiguous relationships with multiple girls might not be the worst person in the world, but he was certainly far from a good one.

Yukino's thoughts on him were simple—keep a respectful distance.

Everyone had their own life to live, and she had neither the right nor the obligation to interfere.

But Iroha was different. She was not only a fellow student at their school but also someone Hiratsuka-sensei had specifically asked her to watch over.

For multiple reasons, Yukino didn't want her to let emotions cloud her judgment and lead her to make a wrong decision.

So, when Iroha casually brought up those questions, Yukino gave simple answers before finally offering a clear piece of advice.

Iroha, still smiling, dismissed it outright.

She claimed she was just a little curious and that she wasn't thinking the way Yukino was assuming.

After that, Yui also came into the kitchen, and Iroha deliberately changed the topic. With a third person present, Yukino couldn't say much more, and the kitchen returned to the lighthearted atmosphere typical of high school girls.

And now, back to the present moment.

Pausing her cat video, Yukino shifted her gaze toward the two studying at the table.

Yui had already finished her history exercises and was now focused on interpreting and annotating classical poetry.

In contrast, Iroha's math worksheet was still in front of her. 

She rested her chin on one hand, pen in the other, but her paper remained just as blank as it had been when Yukino glanced over forty minutes ago—aside from a single, lonely word written beneath a question:

"Solution."

She had spent all this time solving absolutely nothing.

As expected, Iroha coming over to study was just an excuse. Her mind wasn't on improving her academics—it was on a certain someone.

Yukino sighed inwardly.

Removing her earphones, she walked to the kitchen and brought over some cookies and tea.

"You've been working on problems for a while now. Take a break. A good balance of work and rest improves efficiency."

"Mmm~ Thanks, Yukinon."

Yui put down her pen and stretched her arms high over her head—a movement that nearly popped the buttons off her chest.

"Thank you, Yukinoshita-senpai."

Iroha, snapping out of her daze, looked at the still-blank worksheet in front of her. Embarrassed, she quickly tucked it under her other books.

Yukino noticed the small gesture but didn't comment on it.

After getting Yukino's permission, Yui turned on the TV. Since it was summer, an ice cream commercial happened to be playing.

"As expected, in summer, you just can't go without cold treats like shaved ice or ice cream."

Crunching on a cookie, Yui casually voiced her thoughts.

Yukino rested her chin on her hand and replied,

"My sister stocked up on some ice cream here before. Do you want some?"

"Really? Can we have some?"

Yui was technically asking for confirmation, but the anticipation on her face was obvious.

"There's no reason you can't. I barely eat these, and my sister only visits occasionally. She won't mind."

Setting down her tea, Yukino motioned for Yui and Iroha to follow her.

However, when she opened the freezer and pulled out the ice cream drawer, the three of them were momentarily stunned by the selection inside.

Yukino picked up one of the ice cream tubs.

"Sake-Flavored Ice Cream…"

Yui grabbed another.

"Moutai Ice Cream—Classic Flavor…"

There was no need to check further—practically every ice cream had the word "alcohol" in its name.

"…Seriously, nee-san…"

Yukino sighed, pressing her fingers against her forehead.

Her sister's choices in many aspects of life often left her speechless and exasperated.

Yui and Iroha gave awkward smiles from the side.

With "alcohol" in the name, there was no way high school students like them could eat these.

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