Yukino Yukinoshita Is Definitely Secretly in Love With Me

It was at this moment that Yukino Yukinoshita realized who this person was.

Hachiman Hikigaya, a classmate from the same school, and also the boy rumored to be liked by Yui Yuigahama, her "former best friend."

Furthermore, he was one of the victims of the "Blonde Yukino's" playgirl antics.

"So, this boy established a Service Club specifically to solve problems for students at this school, and I am the client who was dragged here by you, Teacher, this week, yet I still don't know what my request is supposed to be?"

Teacher Hiratsuka stood with her hands in her pockets, smiling brightly. "I already told you about this last week, didn't I?"

Yukino Yukinoshita's expressionless face faltered for a moment. "...Because even hearing it for the second time, I still find it absurd."

Shizuka Hiratsuka chuckled and patted Yukino Yukinoshita on the head. "This child has a very twisted personality. President Hikigaya, her request is to help her correct her terrible personality."

Hachiman Hikigaya looked over. His pair of dead fish eyes made everything he looked at seem incredibly punchable, and he radiated an aura that screamed, "I'm so depressed, please just let me be a piece of trash in peace."

In truth, his features were decent, even bordering on handsome; it was just that those dead fish eyes completely ruined the mood.

Yukino Yukinoshita's head was practically being patted into a flat pancake. "I won't elaborate on your assessment of my personality, but the request you mentioned is far too vague. Can't we change it to something else?"

Shizuka Hiratsuka looked at her with interest. "Does Yukino Yukinoshita have other ideas?"

Yukino Yukinoshita thought for a moment. "I've been worrying about hiring a private tutor lately. If President Hikigaya could solve this trouble for me, I would be most grateful."

"Oh ho, so Yukino Yukinoshita has finally remembered her own terrible grades. Teacher is so moved she could cry."

Under the gaze of two expressionless faces, Shizuka Hiratsuka quickly abandoned her exaggerated acting. She gave a light cough and looked at Hachiman. "So, President Hikigaya, what do you think of this request?"

Hachiman looked at Yukino Yukinoshita. "I heard you're transferring to Class 2-F?"

Yukino Yukinoshita's expression remained calm. "Other than Teacher Hiratsuka's class, I doubt any other teacher would be willing to accept a cancer like me."

Hachiman's tone was icy. "It's truly great that you have such self-awareness."

Yukino Yukinoshita: "..."

"I'll take this request. I'll help her screen and contact someone as soon as possible," said the dead-fish-eyed president, who otherwise looked like he didn't want to do anything at all.

"Then today's goal is successfully completed!" Shizuka Hiratsuka laughed, hands on her hips, then added as if by chance, "Actually, if it's a tutor you need, Hachiman would be quite good. He is third in the grade for liberal arts, after all."

I was the one who entered this school with the top liberal arts score in the grade!

Damn it, it's only because she's been behind for over a year!

In her heart, Yukino Yukinoshita once again whipped the corpse of the "Blonde Yukino"!

At the same time, the dead-fish-eyed president replied at the speed of light, "My science grades are trash. I have no intention of misleading others."

Yukino Yukinoshita gave a cold, mocking laugh. "It is truly great that you have at least that much self-awareness."

Hikigaya: "..."

And so, President Hikigaya, who had maintained his dead-fish eyes throughout, finally crossed his arms, turned his head away, and clicked his tongue.

He revealed a tiny sliver of youthful vitality—something a boy his age shouldn't lack, yet was all that remained in him.

As she left, Yukino saw Hikigaya, who had managed to pull himself together when he first accepted the request, now slumped over the desk like a completely lifeless salted fish.

Closing the door to the Service Club, she walked away with Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Shizuka Hiratsuka walked by her side, turned her head, and took a careful look at her. "You've changed, Yukino."

Yukino's heart skipped a beat, but her expression and tone remained calm. "Of course. There are hundreds of posts on the school forum today saying I've become prettier."

Shizuka Hiratsuka chuckled softly, not bothering to refute her. "Sometimes, watching you all grow and flourish with such vitality makes us teachers feel much younger, too."

This time, Yukino glanced at her without delivering a sharp, venomous retort.

Although they had only just met, she felt that this Teacher Hiratsuka was truly a good person.

Teacher Hiratsuka smiled warmly. "That boy Hikigaya actually likes you quite a bit."

Yukino let out a soft "ah" on her expressionless face, signaling her surprise. "Should I commit seppuku to wash away such a disgrace?"

Teacher Hiratsuka patted her head again and laughed. "You're a handful."

Yukino truly did not believe that Hikigaya liked her.

Although the blonde Yukino had 5 points less in beauty compared to the long-haired black-haired Yukino, she was still a cute school gyaru. If she took even the slightest initiative at school, there were very few pure, pitiful boys who would reject her confession.

As one of the fish in the pond of the blonde "player" Yukino, Hikigaya had, of course, been confessed to by her as well.

Back then, his classmate Yui Yuigahama was close to him. Just as word spread that the two were about to tie the knot, the blonde Yukino had barged in, causing the relationship between Yui and Hikigaya to fall apart.

However, he didn't end up with the blonde Yukino either.

He chose no one.

Hachiman Hikigaya was one of the only two failures in the blonde's career as a scummy player.

By the next day, the news that Yukino was transferring from the prestigious International Liberal Arts Class 2-J had shifted from a possibility to a probability, and the classroom was suddenly abuzz with excitement.

In Class 2-F, Yumiko Miura's group of popular kids was still laughing and discussing fashion magazines.

Gossip enthusiast Ka Onozawa leaned against Yumiko's desk and suddenly said, "Would someone as annoying as Yukino really like girls?"

Yui Yuigahama let out a quiet, silent sigh.

In truth, if it were the Yukino of the past, it wouldn't have been a surprise no matter who she fell for.

Junko Kamizawa gently wrapped her arm around Yui's shoulder, her sweet smile brimming with gossip. "Yui, were you really friends with Yukino Yukinoshita before?"

Yui gave an unnatural smile. "I wouldn't call it friends, but we definitely knew each other."

"Tell me, tell me! I'm so curious!"

"It was because a car from the Yukinoshita family almost hit my dog. She came to handle the situation, so that's how we ended up knowing each other."

"Eh??? Then what about Hachiman Hikigaya?"

"Actually, it was Hachiman Hikigaya who saved my dog, so that's how I met him."

"So, the rumors about you liking Hachiman Hikigaya are false?"

"...Yes, they are."

In truth, she didn't really want to bring up this topic; she was even somewhat resistant to it. But more than that, she hated the version of herself that subconsciously yielded to others and tried to please them in social settings.

Having satisfied her curiosity, Junko Kamizawa let go of her and leaned over toward Yumiko Miura. "Yumiko, Yumiko."

"What?" Yumiko Miura asked, her posture nonchalant, possessing a calm, lazy air.

Junko Kamizawa wore a mischievous grin. "Could Yukino Yukinoshita have come here specifically for you?"

Yumiko froze for a moment, then, flustered and annoyed, she slammed her hand on the desk. "How... how could that be? That annoying girl!"

Just then, the bell for class rang, and Ms. Hiratsuka walked in with a black-haired girl.

Her jet-black hair cascaded down from her shoulders, making her skin look even fairer and her lips the color of cherry blossoms.

This person possessed a beauty that was both dignified and clear.

The girl's gaze swept across the room and landed on Yumiko.

The tips of Yumiko Miura's ears turned bright red.

Although President Hikigaya had a cloud of gloom hanging over his head year-round, he was unexpectedly clean and efficient when it came to getting things done. By the next day, he had already handed over the contact information of the people he had screened and searched for to Yukino Yukinoshita in the Service Club.

Yukino Yukinoshita expressed her gratitude, but the president just sighed.

"It would be great if you could turn over a new leaf and stop turning the class atmosphere into a mess."

Yukino Yukinoshita was surprised. "It's rare to hear such selfless words from someone like you, who would prefer to keep hiding in a corner even if the world were ending."

She had no memory of knowing this President Hikigaya, but she always felt that she couldn't get along with him; it felt like their personalities were fundamentally incompatible.

Hikigaya rolled his eyes. "That's because, since yesterday, your success rate for confessions has been infinitely close to one hundred percent."

In other words, the current black-haired Yukino Yukinoshita had a lethality and destructive power that were rising geometrically compared to the blonde Yukino Yukinoshita of the past.

Yukino Yukinoshita pondered for a moment before finally realizing, "Ah, so you were complimenting me."

Hachiman Hikigaya: "..."

He waved his hand with a look of utter disdain. "Just go, hurry up and go."

Yukino followed his lead and left. Before closing the door, she saw Hachiman Hikigaya in the empty Service Club room, his hands clasped under his chin, head turned to look out the window.

In such a large club room, he looked somewhat lonely all by himself.

Before shutting the door, Yukino couldn't help but ask a question: "Doesn't the Service Club have a minimum member requirement as a school club? A club that violates school rules like this would surely be gone with just one report, right?"

Hachiman: "..."

"Just kidding. Next time this President Hikigaya ticks me off, I'll strike a fatal blow and wipe out the whole club."

Well, that was a joke too.

Yukino closed the door in a cheerful mood.

Perhaps because she was forced to spout nonsense about liking girls, she had become increasingly unscrupulous lately, acting out of self-abandonment and reckless disregard.

Returning to the classroom, Yukino walked to her seat alone.

She quickly added the LINE account of the tutor contact provided by President Hikigaya.

"Hello."

A plain, unremarkable greeting, filled with the haughty arrogance of a wealthy patron and a demanding client.

But it wasn't until the class ended that the prospective tutor on the other end finally replied to Yukino.

"Hello, I'm here to apply for the tutoring position. I'm Eriri Sawamura from Toyogasaki Academy. Are you Yui Yuigahama? [Smile]"

Yukino picked up her phone and stared at the screen, carefully scrutinizing the yellow smiley face emoji to determine whether it was sarcastic or just plain sarcastic.

There was no helping it; a woman who had drawn the ire of the entire school was just that cautious, prudent, and possessed a max-level persecution complex.

Yukino sent another message.

"Yes, this is the salary package and the weekly teaching schedule [Image]"

The other side sent a message back, "The pay is very high. I will do my best. Also, here is my transcript for the second year of high school this year [Image]"

Yukino had originally thought this was just a mundane tutor recruitment, but she never expected the system to trigger a new option at this moment:

[The system has filtered the best option for you to reverse your negative image: Accept and hire this tutor.]

Yukino: "..."

No way, no way, it can't be that much of a coincidence, right?

With such a definitive tone, this tutor is definitely one of the high-popularity characters mentioned by the System.

After logging into the school forum and searching for Eriri Sawamura, as expected, Yukino saw her name on the list of victims.

Hikigaya, I really have to report you!

Yukino indignantly chose to accept.

[Selection complete, Spirit +1]

Yukino once again felt a slight chill spread from her forehead throughout her entire body, reaching every corner of her torso and limbs.

Without trying to boast, her mind had always been quite sharp, and if she added this kind of continuous cheating to the mix, perhaps she could fully surpass her older sister?

As for what her current family relationships had become, the young girl Yukino didn't really want to know, nor did she dare to, but the conviction she had held since childhood to surpass her sister remained unchanged.

Yukino began to rest her chin on her hand in thought.

This strange, mysterious System, while appearing highly suspicious, was something she truly needed right now.

...Wait.

Why did that thought sound like the typical scum-bag mentality of "I love your money, but you're truly ugly, so I'm enduring this humiliation"?

Oh no, oh no, has the scum-bag scent of the blonde Yukino already contaminated her own pure and innocent self?

Although her heart was filled with snarky retorts, Yukino's outward appearance remained as pure white as snow on a mountain peak.

Even though she was still all alone, she possessed a sense of lofty pride that felt justified and natural.