277 The Service Club Gathering

"Why are you spacing out? Let's go."

From the moment Kyousuke took Shouko's hand, he never let go.

A light tap on the table was all that happened—nothing that warranted icing. Shouko wasn't that fragile.

Kyousuke was more worried that this sudden burst of courage from the adorable Shouko might cause her to shrink back when facing Yukinoshita Yukino again.

She was too kindhearted.

Even when she got angry, she'd start overthinking everything moments later:

"Was I too loud?"

"Did I scare Yukinoshita-san?"

"Ahh, I should've pulled her sleeve and gently stopped her instead…"

That's just how she was.

While some people get frustrated after an argument for not expressing themselves better, Nishimiya Shouko worried she may have gone too far and hurt someone else.

She glanced at Kyousuke, whose hand she still held tightly, then at Yukino, who remained frozen and wide-eyed.

Blushing, Shouko circled the table and tugged Kyousuke along toward the door.

Once they were outside and the door slid shut behind them, she let out a long sigh of relief.

"…Sorry, Kyousuke-kun."

Leaning in closer, Shouko whispered softly.

"What for? You feel like you didn't protect me well enough? If you're still upset, we can go back and give Yukinoshita another earful," Kyousuke teased, lowering his head slightly with a playful grin.

"N-no! That's not it!" Shouko frantically shook her head.

That outburst had been the fiercest she could muster.

"…I just feel like I was really rude," she mumbled.

But deep down, what really worried her was that her words might've caused Kyousuke-kun trouble.

"I see. Then it's fine."

Kyousuke nodded casually and said nothing more.

He just kept holding her hand, leading her along the edge of the hallway.

The fourth floor of the Special Building—usually eerily quiet and a bit creepy—had become a hub of activity with the sports festival approaching.

Empty classrooms were now claimed by various teams as storage rooms or strategy meeting spots.

Students bustled in and out.

In a few days, the floors would be covered in white sheets, with people kneeling to paint banners.

Naturally, some of the people they passed were members of Kyousuke's Red Team…

Being the standout figure that he was, Kyousuke received plenty of greetings along the way, which he returned with calm, friendly smiles.

Most of the major tasks had already been delegated—now they were just waiting for sub-leaders to compile everything.

That's when the team leader would step in.

Despite being shy, Shouko didn't let go of his hand for even a moment.

She even mustered a small smile, gathering all her courage to do so.

Behind them, a few onlookers smiled knowingly, casting glances at their intertwined fingers.

They arrived at the vending machines on the west side of the building's first floor.

Just past that was the infirmary.

Kyousuke pulled out his old, worn wallet and clutched four 100-yen coins in his hand, hesitating.

He usually defaulted to cola, but some of the boxed drinks looked like rare flavors, and they were tempting.

Knowing full well that indecision was the greatest time-waster, he threw the question to Shouko.

"Shouko, what do you want?"

"Hmm, I'll go with this one."

She tilted her head slightly and, after a brief pause, pointed at a peach juice box.

Then she quickly pulled out her bunny-shaped wallet, stood in front of Kyousuke to block him, and inserted the money herself.

"What about you, Kyousuke-kun?"

"I'll have the same, but make mine cold."

Kyousuke chuckled and tucked his coins back into his wallet.

Shouko always had this calming aura, like a gentle breeze that put people at ease.

If she ever starred in a commercial, she wouldn't need any lines—just sitting under a tree, sipping a drink with that peaceful smile would say everything.

"Okay~ So that's one cola, two extra-rich peach juices, and a veggie-life strawberry yogurt," Shouko counted softly as she pressed the buttons.

With a series of thunks, the drinks dropped into the tray.

Kyousuke bent down to gather them.

"Here." He handed the cold drink to Shouko, then walked toward the bench next to the vending machine.

"Ahh~ That feels so nice," Shouko murmured as she pressed the cold drink against her still-flushed cheeks, eyes squinting in relief.

Having a red face for too long could be exhausting—people might think she had a fever or something.

"Is that last drink for Yukinoshita?"

"Mm. Since we're all having drinks…" Shouko answered quietly.

"But didn't she just say all those harsh things back there~?"

If it weren't for two students approaching the vending machine, Kyousuke might've said that in an even more playful tone.

Teasing Shouko was one of his and Sakura's favorite pastimes—all for the sake of hearing her say:

"Ughhh~ Kyousuke-kun!"

"Hahaha."

"Yukinoshita-san really did say some hurtful things… but that's only because she doesn't know Kyousuke-kun yet. Once she gets to know you, she'll understand," Shouko said earnestly.

This was her first time meeting someone who dared talk to Kyousuke that bluntly.

After the anger subsided, her respect for Yukinoshita had oddly grown.

Still, unless Yukinoshita apologized, Shouko knew she could never fully forgive her.

"Do you like Yukinoshita, Shouko?" Kyousuke asked, and given how well he knew her, all he needed was a glance at how red her cheeks had gotten.

Her pudgy little face now radiated conflicted emotion.

"Mm. She's like the person I once admired."

Honest, confident, decisive—someone who could express their feelings without holding back.

That was the kind of person Shouko once dreamed of becoming.

"That's not exactly something worth idolizing," Kyousuke said, patting her head.

Even though he'd only met Yukinoshita Yukino today, his time observing her in the Kendo Club had given him a pretty accurate impression.

"How can you say that? Don't you think Yukinoshita-san is really cool?"

"She stood her ground against someone who doubted her, spoke confidently about the sports festival even with no prior experience, and addressed a crowd of classmates without a hint of fear…"

Shouko's blush had faded now. Even though it had only been a few hours, Yukinoshita had left a deep impression on her.

"Well, maybe. But if you put her in your agency, I doubt she'd do as well as you."

"No way! If it were Yukinoshita-san, she'd never freeze up like me in front of a mic!"

'Freeze up?' Kyousuke blinked in surprise.

From what he'd heard at the voice acting agency, Shouko's progress had been impressive.

The president even told him they'd soon start giving her minor roles to get her officially started.

Sure, she got shy easily—but a girl who could shout like that at Yukinoshita?

No way she'd stumble over her words like she claimed.

Was she just too hard on herself?

He'd have to look into that more closely later.

"Well, if you gave her a role where she had to play a sarcastic character, I'm sure she'd nail it. No doubt about that. But that's not what I meant…"

Kyousuke nodded seriously, then looked at Shouko. "Shouko, how many clubs are you in now?"

"Just the voice actor club, I think?" Shouko replied, tilting her head in confusion.

"You forgot about the Red Bean Paste Society?!"

"Oh—right, right! That one too!"

"I meant the clubs in your agency. Don't you have something like a Flat-Chested Alliance or something?"

"Uhh… well…" That one was a bit complicated.

There were groups like "Oppai Is Justice," "Pretty Boy Fan Club," "Barley Tea Enthusiasts"…

Even just deciding what kind of throat-soothing tea to drink before a voice recording could spark half-day debates among the older actresses.

The one who often played male characters, the one always voicing tsunderes…

Every time she visited the agency, Shouko felt like a plush toy getting passed around by the seniors.

At this point, she'd lost track of how many clubs she was in.

Just yesterday, one of the senior members was proudly leading the "Big Boobs Appreciation Society," and today she was president of the Barley Tea Defense League.

"Maybe around ten or so?" she offered hesitantly.

In reality, she'd counted at least twenty, but she didn't want Kyousuke to get the impression that all she did at the agency was mess around.

She found herself lying, and simultaneously admired how Yukinoshita could always stick to her principles—even if a simple lie could smooth things over, she'd never tell one.

"That many?" Kyousuke blinked, amazed.

As expected, Japanese people really loved their clubs.

"If it were Yukinoshita, how many do you think she'd join?"

"Yukinoshita-san, huh…" Shouko lowered her head in thought.

Unlike herself, who just went with the flow, Yukinoshita would probably become president of whatever she joined.

Like her beloved strawberry yogurt—though that wouldn't exactly be good for vocal health.

Rather than enjoying taste like everyone else, she'd probably have a doctor specifically mix her a throat-friendly drink.

"Probably half as many as me?"

Many of the seniors couldn't even remember which clubs they belonged to, but the atmosphere was always cheerful.

They'd gather in the break room, sip tea, snack on sweets, and joke around, frequently switching sides mid-argument for fun.

Thanks to all those silly clubs, even a newcomer like Shouko quickly felt welcome.

The seniors even messaged her after class to ask if she understood everything or needed help.

"No, actually…" Kyousuke shook his head. "If it were Yukinoshita, I don't think she'd join any of them."

"Eh?"

"For people who form a Flat-Chested Alliance to comfort each other, she'd probably seriously lecture them."

"Say something like, 'A woman's worth isn't defined by physical features."

"Instead of wasting time like this, why not practice more so no one says flat-chested actresses can't play well-endowed characters.'"

He imitated Yukinoshita's cool tone, speaking in a robotic voice.

"Hahaha, don't say that, Kyousuke-kun! Yukinoshita-san wouldn't speak like that." Shouko laughed, not even denying the content right away.

"Even someone like me can tell those clubs are just for fun. I'm sure Yukinoshita knows that too."

"If Shouko's an airhead, then Eriri's a kindergartener," Kyousuke said, before going back into robot mode:

"Behind every joke lies a kernel of truth. If you really care that much, use modern medical technology to reshape yourself into your ideal form."

"There you go again, Kyousuke-kun! Joking between friends is totally normal. If you take everything that seriously…"

Shouko's voice gradually faded, her large brown eyes widening.

"Kyousuke… that was kind of a hurtful thing to say, you know~~"

"I didn't say that! It was you who started mimicking Yukinoshita behind her back!" Kyousuke protested.

"To cover your guilt, now you're turning the blame on me? That's just heartbreaking," he exaggerated dramatically.

Though she knew he was joking, Shouko quickly tried to patch things up.

"Then I forgive Yukinoshita for badmouthing you before, and in return, she should forgive you for mimicking her just now."

"Wait, Shouko were you planning to tattle on me to Yukinoshita all along? Are you trying to become just like your former idol?" His voice trembled.

"No, I just thought it… in my heart!" As expected, she could never be as brave or honest as Yukinoshita.

If it were her, she'd definitely act on those thoughts. But then again, they might never become friends that way.

"But you're missing one thing," Kyousuke said. "Given her pride, Yukinoshita might just look down at us from above and say, 'I'm surprised you even grasped a fraction of my thinking."

"Hopefully, you learn something and stop doing such meaningless things.'"

Kyousuke wasn't the kind to talk behind people's backs.

He usually said whatever he thought to people's faces—no one could beat him anyway.

Japanese writers weren't exactly known for their physical prowess, but maybe he'd start a new genre.

He was only talking this much now because of Shouko's earlier comment.

If she really started acting like Yukinoshita… that would be a problem.

"One last thing—Yukinoshita might be incredibly capable, but she's like an angel living in a world of pure white."

"It's not a world normal people should step into. And she can't easily come down into ours either. Being like that is exhausting. Shouko, you should just be yourself."

Everyone has flaws.

The brighter the light, the darker the shadow it casts.

Shouko still had her shy moments and little quirks, but those came with her own strengths.

People who hadn't met Yukinoshita would just see her as a cold, untouchable beauty.

But once you got close, you realized she was like a flower blooming atop a frozen mountain.

Forget picking the flower—even approaching would leave you frostbitten.

There was one more thing Kyousuke didn't say out loud: in the entertainment industry, someone with Yukinoshita's personality trying to become a voice actress might find their water swapped for sulfuric acid, just to scare her.

Even if she could smell it out—just the shock alone.

Though, of course, she'd never be intimidated.

"Yeah!" Shouko nodded firmly.

That's why she'd said it before—Yukinoshita was someone she used to admire.

Now, she was proud of the person she had become.

She truly believed that if her younger self could see her now, she'd look at her with awe and admiration.

"Let's go. Time to head back."

She took the peach-flavored drink Hojou brought for her ice pack.

The cardboard was still faintly warm, but the cool liquid inside quickly balanced the temperature.

—Some time earlier, just after Shouko and Kyousuke left the Service Club room—

Yukinoshita stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly turned toward Yamauchi Sakura with a look of disbelief.

"As I suspected… Nishimiya-san does like Hojou Kyousuke. Yamauchi Sakura, what on earth is going on inside your head?!"

"Ah, you figured it out."

Sakura scratched her head with a sheepish grin.

Yukinoshita immediately recognized that smile—it was the exact same face Kyousuke had made earlier when he said, "So that's how it is."

Those two really were childhood friends, sharing an uncanny bond even in the weirdest of moments.

"That can't be helped. I mean, Kyousuke is just too likable, right? You must've dealt with that too, Yukino?"

"Of course. I am adorable, after all."

Yukino replied without a hint of sarcasm or jest—it was a plain statement of fact. She was fully aware of her own charm.

"…"

Sakura felt an odd sense of déjà vu, like she was watching someone else with an almost painful level of self-awareness.

If he were here, he probably wouldn't just go silent—he'd probably blurt out something like, "So true, 6 out of 5."

But wait… was Yukino turning this into a competition again?

"I've been cute ever since I was a child," Yukino continued, "so most boys who approached me naturally developed feelings."

"But even so, I've never seen anyone quite like Hojou—able to maintain such a good relationship with two girls who both like him."

Her tone carried an unmistakable trace of disgust.

She was already starting to regret taking on Yamauchi Sakura's request.

Sure, this kind of situation was fascinating from a psychological perspective, but the emotional cost… being around a shameless guy like that.

She genuinely worried for her safety.

"Huh? But Yukino, why think of it that way?" Sakura asked, tilting her head.

"Isn't the more reasonable explanation that, through getting to know him as friends, both Shouko and I naturally fell for Kyousuke?"

"Uh…"

Yukino was stunned to find herself feeling something she hadn't in a long time: embarrassed anger.

Not because Sakura kept bringing up her total lack of friends—but because she hadn't considered that possibility herself.

'Yes, that must be it.'

She told herself that not having any close friends—whether male or female—might excuse her oversight.

But it was a major misjudgment, one that could seriously compromise her understanding of others.

She mentally reminded herself to be more careful from now on.

Ashamed of her error in judging Hojou Kyousuke, Yukino resolved to apologize to him later.

'But even so…' she thought, 'if he knows both girls like him, shouldn't he make a choice instead of stringing them along?'

"Yamauchi-san… you're surprisingly clever," Yukino admitted, despite the dubious logic. "You almost had me convinced."

"Hehe, I try," Sakura giggled. "But really, Yukino, the thing between Kyousuke and Shouko isn't what you think."

Resting her chin in her hands, she smiled playfully at Yukino.

"To understand this better, I need to ask… Yukino, why don't you have any friends?"

"Before answering that, we need to clarify what 'friends' even means. By my definition," Yukino said softly, lowering her eyes, "I do have friends—very good ones, in fact."

There was a calm confidence in her tone, as if she was genuinely content with her current state.

Sakura blinked in surprise, about to press further—until her eyes caught a glimpse of the paperback novel on the table, wrapped in a book cover.

"…I mean no offense, but Yukino, when you say 'good friends,' you don't mean… books, do you? Like, literal books?"

Most people in this situation might make up an imaginary friend. But Sakura knew Yukino wasn't most people.

"…"

Yukino found herself reaffirming her respect for Yamauchi Sakura.

This girl, who so often masked her sharpness with carefree charm, was surprisingly insightful.

Yukino picked up the novel, fingers gently brushing the cover.

She tapped her chin lightly before answering.

"Friends are those with whom you can share your heart. And in that regard, books excel. They lay themselves bare, showing you everything with total honesty."

"They don't envy me for my looks. They don't act out of jealousy or spite. They're cold, silent… but unfailingly reliable friends."

If you only read the words, you might think her loneliness was heartbreaking.

But her voice remained clear, calm—almost musical.

She made it sound like the world of books was a place of peace and joy. A place you might want to visit yourself.

Yeah, right.

"If it were just me and books, I'd probably choose to die on day one," Sakura said without missing a beat. "That way I could get reincarnated faster and maybe meet Kyousuke in my next life."

Coming from anyone else, this would just sound like melodramatic teenage sarcasm.

Yukino would've probably dismissed it as shallow and ignorant.

But since it came from Yamauchi Sakura, it carried a strange, disarming sincerity—enough to make Yukino pause, unable to argue.

She couldn't bring herself to say something like, "As long as I have books, I can live a happy life."

Because that idea had already been shattered earlier by a single comment from Yamauchi Sakura:

"You and I might die tomorrow, you know."

It was complete nonsense, of course—but because it was Sakura who said it, it hit differently.

Yukinoshita's chest tightened.

She turned her head away, frustration creeping into her expression as her pale blue eyes landed on the completely oblivious Sakura.

She was certain now, she had become a garbage bin, or more accurately, a tree hollow.

And not just any hollow—she was Sakura's personal one.

The kind of person who gets dumped on with secrets and thoughts that would never be shared with anyone else.

Whenever they were alone, Sakura just opened up like a floodgate, talking non-stop.

"I mean, I do have—"

"I know! Yukino you do have a friend—me!"

Sakura happily interrupted her, and surprisingly, Yukinoshita didn't argue back.

Whether or not it was because Sakura somehow fit one of her definitions of "friend," she wasn't sure.

But it definitely wasn't because she was longing for friends or anything like that.

"Then how come someone as cute and popular as you never had any friends before?" Sakura asked.

"Because I hadn't met someone as... unique as you." Yukinoshita answered bluntly, without the slightest hesitation.

"Eh?!" Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief.

She hadn't expected Yukinoshita to say something like that.

Wasn't she just calling books her friends earlier?

' Wait a minute—could it be that I, Yamauchi Sakura, count as one of Kyousuke's "works"?'

'I mean, every page of my life is practically filled with his name, and Kyousuke is the writer...'

'Wow, that thought actually makes me kind of happy!'

"I've always been cute and liked by 'everyone,' sure. But 'everyone' doesn't literally mean every single person."

By now, Sakura completely understood.

Not because she was particularly wise or insightful—but because she'd heard and seen it far too often before.

Bullying an issue students could never seem to avoid.

For almost every emotional scar, there was some dark chapter in the past.

And to be honest, she had expected as much.

Someone like Yukinoshita—beautiful, brilliant, and poised—yet totally friendless?

Of course, something must have happened.

And remembering her earlier words, it all made sense: the more outstanding someone is, the harder it is for them to simply exist.

"In elementary school, my indoor shoes were hidden about sixty times. Fifty of those were done by girls in my class."

"Of the remaining ten, three were boys, two were bought by the teacher for some reason... and five were hidden by a dog."

"Wait, hold on! Yukino—do your feet smell or something?" Sakura asked with complete seriousness.

"Sakura-san…" Yukinoshita pinched the bridge of her nose, regretting—deeply—ever considering this girl a potential friend.

Had she really been lonely for that long?

"From a molecular perspective, there's no such thing as an absolute 'fragrance' or 'odor.' It all depends on concentration and the receptors involved."

"If you want a more detailed explanation, I can send you some materials later. But let me make this very clear—I do not have smelly feet."

"As for the dog hiding my shoes—that happened because they were thrown out of the locker and left on the ground."

"Hiding things is a dog's natural instinct. It's not some weird conclusion you're jumping to!"

Even Yukinoshita felt a migraine coming on.