129. Snow Maiden VS Golden-Haired Girl

Yukino Yukinoshita—a name synonymous with correctness and absolute justice.

As the president of the Service Club, Yukino prided herself on her unyielding sense of fairness. So when she witnessed a public display of what could only be described as shameless flirting, she didn't hesitate to voice her displeasure.

"To act so carelessly in a public space while representing Shuchiin Academy… Have you no sense of shame?" Yukino began, her tone as sharp as a winter gale.

"Or is it that the esteemed student council president has decided to discard his position and instead embrace his indecent proclivities for the world to see?"

She folded her arms, her piercing gaze bearing down on Kanade Natsukawa. "Hmph. If amoebas were capable of rational thought, I imagine they'd choose self-extinction over witnessing such a disgraceful spectacle."

Her frosty words pierced Kanade like icicles, each one stinging more than the last. Memories of past moments when Yukino had been truly angry resurfaced in his mind, sending a chill down his spine.

She's mad. She's really mad.

Back in his Service Club days, Yukino's anger was terrifying. Her icy demeanor became so intense it was as if she had just emerged from a spiritual retreat in an arctic monastery. This was that same energy—the undeniable presence of the Ice Queen.

Kanade quickly motioned for Eiri to hold back, silently pleading with her to let it go. You won't win this fight. Just admit defeat and move on.

But the golden-haired girl wasn't having it. After all, she had survived countless verbal duels with a certain venomous "black-socked fat woman." Yukino's barbs? Child's play.

Or so she thought—

"I… I'm sorry!" Eiri blurted, her eyes welling up with tears. She sat hunched over, clutching her sandwich like a scolded child, the very picture of defeat.

This wasn't because Eiri lacked resolve—though that did play a part. No, it was because Yukino had taken an entirely different approach. Rather than attacking Eiri directly, she framed her criticism around how Eiri's actions might cause trouble for Kanade.

Caught off guard by the unexpected tactic, Eiri surrendered almost instantly.

"I… I didn't mean to cause trouble for Kanade," Eiri stammered, her voice shaky. "I just… I just…"

"Just thought being a 'good friend' meant you could act recklessly and inconvenience him?" Yukino's tone was as cutting as ever.

"Guh…" Eiri lowered her head, guilt washing over her.

"Now, now, that's going a bit far," Kanade interjected, attempting to de-escalate. But before he could continue, Yukino redirected her icy glare toward him.

"And as for you," Yukino said, her words like a dagger aimed straight at his ego. "As the student council president, do you not care about the image you project? What if someone else had witnessed this spectacle? Or are you so unconcerned about your role that you're ready to cast it aside for the sake of public horseplay?"

"..."

Kanade froze under her gaze, inwardly retreating. The more Yukino spoke, the more his shoulders slumped. Her words feel like direct attacks to my soul.

"And perhaps it's not the first time, considering the abundance of rumors surrounding you. What's one more to add to the pile, hmm?" Yukino added, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Kanade didn't dare meet her gaze. Even her usually composed demeanor seemed strained—her chest rising and falling in agitation, a rare crack in her icy exterior. Not that Kanade dared to notice too much; any misstep might provoke her further.

In truth, he didn't think the situation was that serious.

Sure, their table was in a secluded corner, and they hadn't done anything particularly inappropriate. Couldn't a student council president enjoy casual moments with friends? Wasn't it normal for people to have private lives?

Kanade wanted to say all this—to firmly argue his point. But seeing Yukino's expression, he knew better.

It's not worth the fight. Let her have this one.

So he kept his head down, wearing the most apologetic expression he could muster.

This seemed to mollify Yukino somewhat. The anger that had been boiling within her since witnessing their earlier interaction finally began to dissipate. While she would never admit it, venting her frustrations felt oddly satisfying.

"Since you insist on maintaining the dignity of your position, be mindful of your actions. If certain individuals catch wind of this, you'll undoubtedly become the target of baseless accusations once more," Yukino said, rubbing her temples as if trying to ease her own tension.

Kanade nodded obediently, his posture still one of submission. Since when does Yukino care so much about my image?

This thought nagged at him. Her concern seemed almost… personal.

Was it because of Hachiman? Had his friend shared details about the rumors surrounding him?

Or was it something deeper? Yukino's unexpected interest in his affairs puzzled him. Ever since his confession to her failed, they had barely interacted. Their meetings had been few and far between—until she showed up at the student council room that day.

Kanade had assumed she wanted nothing to do with him after his failed pursuit of her. After all, his original motive for joining the Service Club had been far from pure.

So why is she so invested now?

His mind churned, piecing together fragments of their past. Maybe… maybe she hadn't wanted to sever ties completely. Perhaps she still saw him as a friend, even after everything.

Or perhaps it was because of how he left the club—using his intent to run for student council president as an excuse to quit. At the time, he had already shifted his focus toward Kaguya Shinomiya and decided to distance himself from Yukino.

But that abrupt departure might have left an impression on her.

Is that why she's paying attention to my actions now? Kanade wondered. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like he'd stumbled upon the answer.