The Service Club's First Request!

Chapter 37: The Service Club's First Request!

Hearing the reply, which sounded like a rejection, Yuigahama asked in surprise:

"Is there a difference?"

"The difference is who takes the lead..."

Hearing Yukinoshita Yukino's words, Luke instantly understood and slowly explained to her:

"Helping you fulfill your wish means you don't need to do anything extra; just sit on the sofa and wait for the 'worker bee' to complete your desired wish."

"But our duty is to help you become the kind of person who can fulfill their own wishes. Service is about providing the method, not directly giving the result."

"It's the difference between giving a man a fish and teaching a man to fish."

"Oh oh oh! Sounds amazing... So impressive," Yuigahama Yui said, her expression showing sudden realization.

Seeing her like this, she'll probably get tricked a lot in the future.

So different from the sharp-tongued, ice-smart flat-chest next to her, in every way.

But, Yukinoshita, you gotta work hard too.

So, Yukinoshita Yukino nodded coolly, seemingly agreeing with his statement.

"We don't guarantee we can fulfill your wish, but we will help you as much as we can."

"Ah... okay." Yuigahama Yui nodded in confirmation, slowly revealing her initial purpose.

"Um... I want to, want to... cookies, make cookies."

Her words were soft and broken, and she kept glancing at him, making it impossible to clearly understand her goal.

Although Yukinoshita Yukino hadn't experienced this before, seeing Yuigahama Yui's glances, she roughly understood the meaning and turned her face towards the person in the way.

"Cookies?" Luke, doing his Japanese listening comprehension, heard the keyword and looked at Yuigahama Yui puzzled.

"Are you trying to make cookies?"

Yuigahama Yui started fiddling with her clothes again, lowering her head with a blush.

Luke thought for a moment.

This girl's stammering manner, making cookies... probably not for herself, so it must be a gift.

Generally, it would be for friends, occasionally for parents.

But seeing her fidgeting like she'd just been confessed to, Luke guessed, "For someone you like?"

"Ah—! You said it out loud!" Yuigahama Yui's face instantly flushed crimson, and she quickly covered her red face.

Looks like that was the answer.

Luke's guess was accurate, but...

Yukinoshita Yukino said with a hint of helplessness, "Luke-san, can't you read the atmosphere?"

Luke glanced at the embarrassed Yuigahama Yui and understood what was going on.

After all, whether between friends, family, or strangers, there were always some things that could only be discussed between people of the same gender.

Telling someone of the opposite sex always felt strangely awkward.

Although he didn't understand why expressing feelings like this needed to avoid the opposite sex, he wouldn't force the issue either.

"Alright, I'll go buy a drink," Luke stood up.

"You can get the follow-up details from her."

Yukinoshita Yukino didn't hesitate to give him an order from behind, "I want strawberry yogurt."

"Okay," Luke agreed.

Unlike the usual time spent reading, this was the first proper club activity.

He wasn't sure how long their conversation would take.

Luke took out his phone, planning his client route after the club activity, and slowly walked off to buy drinks.

As usual, he bought a Coke from the vending machine, along with the strawberry yogurt Yukinoshita Yukino requested.

Thinking for a moment, not knowing Yuigahama Yui's taste, he duplicated Yukinoshita Yukino's strawberry yogurt for her.

When he returned to the clubroom.

Looks like the two had finished talking and were both sitting in their chairs waiting for him.

"Here you go," Luke handed the drink to Yukinoshita Yukino.

"Thank you," Yukinoshita Yukino took the drink, inserted the straw, and started drinking.

Yuigahama Yui immediately noticed the extra strawberry yogurt in his hand.

"How did your talk go?"

Luke asked, handing the strawberry yogurt to Yuigahama Yui. "Yours."

"Going to the home economics room to make cookies. You're coming too," Yukinoshita Yukino said.

"This is for you," Yuigahama Yui quickly fumbled in her small wallet and pulled out a 100 yen coin.

"No need, it's on me," Luke said, drinking his Coke, not intending to take her money.

"Th-that won't do!"

Yuigahama Yui insisted he take it.

Luke glanced at her.

"Aren't you the one asking for our help? Then don't worry about these things. If you really want to thank us, just make good cookies later..."

Honestly, his least favorite dessert was cookies.

So dry.

He rarely drank much water during the day, and eating cookies made his whole mouth feel parched, which was very uncomfortable.

"...Thank you," Yuigahama Yui said softly, showing a gentle smile, her face slightly flushed.

Luke remembered this smile and thought for a moment.

"Right, speaking of which, I wanted to ask: why make cookies by hand?" he asked curiously after thinking.

"Ah? Is it strange? For me to make cookies by hand... Maybe, maybe I shouldn't... Yukinoshita-san."

Hearing his question, Yuigahama Yui instantly became conflicted, lowering her head and starting to fiddle with her clothes again.

Luke was speechless.

This girl was way too indecisive.

How could she change her mind just because someone asked a question?

Aren't idiots supposed to be single-minded?...

At least that's how they're portrayed on TV.

"If you want to give up, I don't mind... But please note, don't pay too much attention to his words," Yukinoshita Yukino said.

"Oh~ No need, no need... After all, I'm really not suited for this kind of thing, and it's laughable... I asked Miura and the others before, they all said handmade 'heartfelt' cookies aren't popular anymore," Yuigahama Yui said with her head down.

"...Mm, it indeed doesn't seem like something a girl like you would do," Yukinoshita Yukino said, eyeing the brightly dressed Yuigahama Yui.

"Haha~ Right? It's strange, isn't it?" Yuigahama Yui laughed awkwardly, her lowered head occasionally lifting her gaze to meet theirs.

"Ha." Luke sighed, breaking her defense.

"Yuigahama-san, there's nothing strange or not strange about this. You're simply running away... Lacking the courage to break the existing relationship, wanting the other person's response, yet afraid your actions will affect the relationship you already have."

Seems like I've said something similar to someone before, Luke thought.

"...You're talking about Hayato, right?" Yuigahama Yui muttered, not admitting it.

Oh, must have been Miura I said it to.

Luke suddenly realized, hearing her say that.

"Alright, that's enough, Yuigahama-san."

Yukinoshita Yukino stood up and spoke coolly to Yuigahama Yui, "Just as he said, you're simply running away. Since you've set your goal, it's best not to think about retreating anymore. Besides, you're not fighting alone. Since we've accepted your request, we'll help you to the end."

Luke also nodded.

"Although I can't cook, I've seen others work hard learning to cook. I can give you some advice. So... your choice?"

"Ooh~" Yuigahama Yui lifted her head, thought for a moment, and said solemnly, "Thank you so much! Th-then... I'll definitely work hard!"

...

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