The Story of Hachiman Hikigaya and Yuihama Yui's Youthful Love, As Expected, Is All Wrong

"Um, excuse me, is this the Service Club? My name is Yuihama Yui. Ms. Hiratsuka sent me here, she said you could help me."

After seeing Yukino nod, Yui peeked out from behind the door and walked into the classroom. Noticing Hachiman beside her, Yui exclaimed in surprise, "Why is Hikki here too!?"

"You seem very surprised to see me here."

"I was surprised! I always thought you were a shut-in, Hikki. I never expected you to join a club, especially not the Service Club. Knowing your personality, you must hate trouble."

"No, what you think is completely true. I was only forced to join by Ms. Hiratsuka for some reasons I'd rather not recall. Do you think anyone likes staying with an ice woman? I always feel so much colder here than anywhere else. I definitely need to wear more clothes when I come tomorrow."

"Hikigaya-kun is really amazing, being so active in such low temperatures."

"It feels like you two have a good relationship."

"Who would have a good relationship with a disgusting guy like him? What exactly are you here for, Class 2-F's Yuihama Yui classmate? Ahhh, um, Ms. Shizuka Hiratsuka asked me to tell you that to motivate you two, whoever can prove they are correct about the other can make them do anything."

Anything...? Hachiman's not-so-pure heart was filled with all sorts of fantasies a high school boy should have.

"Can you please stop making that disgusting face? Just seeing your face makes me feel like my chastity has been defiled."

Cough cough. Hachiman awkwardly turned his head and asked Yui, "Is that all? Do you have anything you want to ask for yourself?"

"As for me, I want to ask you to teach me how to make cookies. It's because I want to give them to someone with my own hands."

"But I don't have much confidence in myself, so I came to ask you."

"Why don't you ask your friends for something like this?"

"It's precisely because I don't want them to know that I'm asking you."

"Then you can try making one in the activity room with us first. Hikigaya-kun, you can be the taste tester."

After Yukino's hands-on teaching, Yui's charcoal-flavored cookies were fresh out of the oven. Hachiman, the taste tester, said, "These things are exactly the same as the charcoal sold at the general store. Can they really be eaten?"

"Stop the nonsense and eat it if I tell you to." Under Yukino's coercion, Hachiman reluctantly swallowed the cookie in his hand. After a few chews, "Mmm, these cookies taste amazing!"

"Really? Really?" Yui became exceptionally happy after receiving the praise.

"Yeah, there's no difference between this taste and charcoal at all! Yuihama-san did an amazing job."

"Are mine really that bad?"

"In terms of taste, they are undoubtedly bad."

"But that's not the point. May I conveniently ask if you intend to give them to a boy or a girl?"

"Well, it's a boy, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"In that case, the point isn't the taste of the cookies, but the effort you put into making them. I think as long as the sentiment is there, no boy would care about the taste, right?"

"Eh, is that so?"

"I understand."

It's been a week since I've been in the Service Club, and nothing much seems to be happening.

Hachiman thought this as he walked on his way to the Service Club.

"Hikki! Hikki!" Suddenly, he heard Yui's shout from behind him. Hachiman turned around and saw Yui running towards him.

"What do you need me for?" Hachiman asked Yui, who was slightly out of breath.

"It's nothing, really. I just wanted to thank you for your help last time."

As Yui spoke, she took out a bag from her school bag.

"These are cookies I made myself, as a thank you gift for Hikki."

"If that's all, then a thank you gift isn't necessary, because it's the duty of the Service Club."

Hachiman did not take the cookies from Yui's hand, turned around, waved at Yui behind him, and then walked towards the Service Club.

Chapter 3: The Daily Life of the Service Club

The Service Club in the evening was dappled with the lingering glow of the setting sun. Due to the obstruction of the teaching building, the light inside was not very bright at this time. Only the area near the window was provided with some brightness by the light pillars formed by the leaves.

The girl sitting on the chair, as usual, was quietly reading a paperback book wrapped in a book cover.

Because she was looking down at her book, a lock of jet-black hair slid down her face, obscuring a small part of her delicate, porcelain-doll-like face.

Yukino's attire today was still the same combination of school uniform and black stockings. The small section of her thigh exposed between the hem of her short school uniform skirt and her black over-the-knee socks was accentuated, appearing even fairer, like a piece of fine white porcelain.

Both the visual effect and the feel were unexpectedly perfect.

Hachiman, sitting on the other side of the classroom, had the upper half of his face hidden in darkness due to the insufficient light. He held his book halfway up, but in reality, he hadn't turned a page in half an hour, staring intently at the girl in front of him.

Eh? With an almost imperceptible sigh, Yukino put down the paperback in her hand, stood up, and tidied the hem of her short skirt, which had become wrinkled from sitting for a long time.

Perhaps because she had been sitting for too long, Yukino couldn't help but stretch.

Her white shirt, which had perfectly covered her graceful body, stretched upwards with Yukino's movement, revealing a small section of her smooth, unblemished abdomen. Her fair stomach and the cute navel peeking out were displayed completely to Hachiman.

The delicate skin, like ivory, was adorned with the glow of the setting sun. The combination made the girl's figure appear even more beautiful. The sudden visual treat caused Hachiman's eyes to widen.

Having finished relaxing, Yukino pulled down her shirt and turned towards the cabinet where the black tea leaves were stored, as if she hadn't noticed the stunned Hachiman.

After confirming that Hachiman couldn't see her face, a sly smile appeared on Yukino's lips. She stopped in front of the cabinet and bent down, seemingly unconcerned about any potential wardrobe malfunction, to retrieve the tea set that had been placed there.

After brewing the black tea, Yukino carefully took a sip from her teacup and showed a look of satisfaction.

As she put down her cup, she felt Hachiman's "dead fish eyes" filled with DHA from across the room. As if remembering something, she turned and took out two items from her school bag.

Hachiman, who was pretending to read, felt the light in front of him blocked. He looked up and saw Yukino holding a can of MAX Coffee and a wrapped gift bag. Startled, Hachiman saw Yukino extend the hand holding the coffee a bit further, and he then reached out to take it.

As he took the coffee, he accidentally brushed Yukino's fingers. The girl's smooth, jade-like yet distinctly jointed fingers felt as perfect as they looked. Having had no physical contact with any woman other than his sister, Hachiman immediately felt a flutter of unease.

"That expression of yours is seriously disgusting. Does even the slightest bit of physical contact with a girl send you into a physiological frenzy?"

"No... it's not as bad as you say. After all, I do have a sister."

"So you have had physical contact with girls. Hey, hey, hey, what are you suddenly doing?"

As Hachiman spoke, he saw Yukino's expression suddenly worsen. She pulled out her phone and started tapping on it, prompting him to ask.

"Call the police. I want them to take away this beast who might one day prey on my sister."

"Stop it! I'm not as bad as you say! At most, I just think about marrying my sister someday, but that's just a thought."

"No, that's already incredibly perverted, Hikigaya-kun. I genuinely worry for Komachi. Living with a pervert like you as a brother must be hell for her, constantly having to worry about this beast of a brother tackling her out of desire or something?"

"Whatever, I can't be bothered to argue with you."

"You have nothing to say, do you?"

Yukino placed the bag in her hand in front of Hachiman and said, "This is from Yuihama-san. She asked me to give it to you as a thank you gift."

Hachiman took the bag and opened it. Inside was a heart-shaped cookie, baked asymmetrically. The left side is almost twice as big as the right. Even as a mistake, this is too much.

Seeing the cookie in Hachiman's hand, Yukino smiled and said, "I think this is very characteristic of Yuihama-san. Besides, didn't you say yourself last week that as long as she tries her best, she won't care about the taste?"

Cornered by his own words, Hachiman said nothing. He simply closed his eyes as if making a resolution, ate the cookie in a few bites, and quickly downed a large gulp of MAX Coffee. The coffee, with its condensed milk flavor, effectively masked the taste of actual charcoal in his mouth.

Clutching his chest, Hachiman said with a pained expression, "In the future, let's not have Yuihama make these things. It's like eating poison."

Looking at Hachiman from behind, Yukino's eyes narrowed. "Hikigaya-kun, are Yuihama-san's creations really that awful?"

"You should try it yourself. I think I just saw heaven."

"Hikki, that's so mean! Are the things I make really that bad? To be badmouthing me behind my back."

Hachiman, caught badmouthing someone behind their back and being discovered on the spot, turned around awkwardly. Standing behind him was Yuihama Yui. Hearing Hachiman's words, Yui's face showed a hint of anger. Her already plump cheeks looked even rounder with her displeasure.

Today, Yui was wearing light makeup as usual. The strings of her bra were tied around her neck, and the buttons of her school uniform shirt were, as usual, only fastened to the second one.

Hachiman guessed it might be to prevent back pain and difficulty breathing.

Yui looked at the open cookie bag and the crumbs on Hachiman's lips, and couldn't help but smile. She stepped forward and wiped the crumbs from the corner of his mouth with her finger. Her warm finger, carrying the scent of youthful vitality, touched Hachiman's lips.

"Hikki said it wasn't good, but you didn't leave any."

"Hehehe."

"So, what did you come here for today, Yuihama-san?"

Yukino's clear, cold voice came from behind Yui, as chilling as discovering your husband cheating with another woman upon returning home.

"Eek, Yuki, you're scary right now."

Yui turned around. Hachiman, standing not far from her, clearly saw goosebumps rise on her arms as if suddenly stimulated by a cold breeze.

"She's so scary. Even the temperature seems to be affected by her. Is she really an ice woman? Actually, it's nothing. I was just bored and came to hang out with Yuki."

Yui's face wore a silly, clueless smile as she hugged Yukino's arm.

Yukino, whose arm was being hugged, shifted uncomfortably. Realizing the strength of the silly dumpling hugging her, she gave up struggling and let Yui press her arm against her chest.

"It's because you two helped me. And I didn't know how else to repay you, so I thought I'd come see if there's anything I can help with."

"There's nothing you need to help with. It's been a week since you found us and asked for our help last time, and no one else has come."

Yukino's face was slightly flushed, and her voice wasn't as natural as usual.

"Really? Then I'll be going back. If there's anything you need help with, Yuki, feel free to come find me~"

Watching Yui skip away, Yukino murmured, "She's quite forward."

"But why don't I dislike that feeling?"

"Yeah, sometimes she seems a bit silly."

Hachiman chimed in.

Yukino ignored Hachiman and turned back to pick up the paperback novel she had set aside.

Feeling that he had brought this upon himself, Hachiman returned to his seat and slowly savored the taste of the MAX Coffee in his hand.

The Service Club returned to its usual quiet atmosphere.

Chapter 4: The Past and the Sword Saint General

Hachiman lay limply on the sofa, his face pale as if he had endured immense suffering.

Komachi, pacing anxiously nearby, asked, "Onii-chan, what's wrong? Did you eat something bad today? Food poisoning?"

"It's fine, I've already taken medicine for it."

"It'll be fine soon. How was I supposed to know that cookie was so terrible? I feel like my soul is about to leave my body right now."

"Huh? A cookie? Did a girl give it to you? No way~ I wouldn't have guessed~ Onii-chan, you got lucky that fast? Are you the type who pretends to be deep to trick girls?"

"What are you thinking? I just helped a classmate with something, and this is what she gave me as a thank you."

But why do I feel like I just rejected her revenge?

Huh? Are you saying, Onii-chan, that you rejected her confession, and now that girl is turning her love into hate and seeking revenge?

What kind of bizarre scenario are you imagining? I just felt that kind of favor didn't require thanks. Besides, do you really think any girl would develop feelings for me? And why is Japanese law against marrying your own sister?

Although Komachi is happy to hear you say that, Onii-chan, your idea is truly terrible.

Alright, let's not talk about that anymore.

Hachiman sat up, leaning on the sofa, and looked at his sister, Komachi. "I have a question for you."

"Eh... What is it? Your eyes look so serious, Onii-chan."

"Do you remember a year ago, when I first entered Sobu High School? I went to the opening ceremony an hour early that day."

"Of course, I remember! After all, that was the day you got hit by a car and ended up in the hospital for three weeks."

"Okay, then, while I was in the hospital after being hit, did anyone visit me that I wouldn't know about?"

"Why are you asking that?" Komachi said, sounding a little guilty.

"Because I feel like the person who gave me cookies might have done it out of apology."

Hachiman rubbed his chin, recalling the details of Yui's expression at the time.

"Hmm, if you put it that way, there really was a pink-haired older sister who came to the hospital and brought some snacks. But I accidentally ate them all later."

"Hee hee hee, Onii-chan won't blame me, right?"

"So, the dog owner who caused me to be hospitalized for three weeks was really her."

Because Hachiman missed three weeks of classes right at the start of the school year and wasn't good at charming or integrating into established social circles, he was still alone even in his second year of high school.