Confession! Everyone, Confess to Ichinose Honami!

My name is Shironami Chihiro.

I was a first-year Class B student at Advanced Nurturing, a pioneer advocating pure romantic relationships, a warrior redefining love, and a staunch supporter of diverse reforms in gender relations for the new era.

Simply put, I was a lesbian.

Innocent, naïve girls were influenced by that ancient underlying code etched into their genes, mistaking their interest in and fluttering feelings toward the opposite sex for love, unaware that it was merely the most unreasonable and vulgar thing imaginable.

It was the baby-making movement early humans had no choice but to promote for the continuation of the species; it was the lustful fantasies of idle people after drinking in feudal times. Before Edison improved the light bulb, it was the only pleasure available in the middle of the night; while watching TV, it was the occasional "let's play a round" that popped up in commercials. It was mechanical entering and being entered, the helplessness behind that hotel-room phrase: "Since we're already here..."

Were they happy?

Not necessarily.

But lesbians were definitely happy, because I had seen it with my own eyes and experienced it myself!

Girls cuddling together was the most wonderful thing in the world!

Yes.

After entering high school, driven by the overall atmosphere of my class, I gave myself another rigorous examination and was shocked to discover that I was attracted to the same sex... So true love really could transcend gender!

Beautiful things were right before my eyes. Why should I care about worldly opinions?

However.

Just after I had gained a deep new understanding of myself, I encountered a brand-new problem that I had to face with my new identity.

Perhaps the greatest distance in the world was not when I stood before you and you did not know I loved you, but when I, a lesbian warrior, fell for a girl in my class, only for that girl to clearly state that she did not like girls... It hurt. It hurt so much!

It was practically as painful as two people in love being separated by reproductive isolation.

But I would not give up so easily, just as that man in the classroom was preaching at that very moment!

True love should persist. If you loved her, you should buy her the toys you liked, then play with them together, play for two days before returning them, and move on to another store to wreak havoc.

Only then could you experience the ultimate happiness between people of the same sex!

"I... I never said I wanted to return anything!"

The girl who had come seeking help sat in her chair and interrupted the man's chant. Her face was bright red as she cried out, "I came to ask the Service Club to solve my problem!"

"Isn't this a place that helps people get rid of their troubles? Why are you slandering me the moment I walk in... Y-you people are far too rude!"

Though he did not deny the even worse remarks from before, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expression as he looked at the girl was incredibly subtle.

This could no longer be called the club president guessing correctly. It was more like she had run directly in front of an arrow the president had fired with all his might.

"Please calm down, miss."

Bai Yu casually pulled over a chair, settled his still somewhat agitated emotions, and extended a hand toward the girl sitting in Shiina's usual seat. "This club was established precisely to solve the difficulties of others. Please tell us what troubles you."

"We will provide you with some ideas for a solution, and when necessary, we can even kill the difficulty for you."

"I..."

The sudden shift to a calm demeanor allowed the girl to regain her usual composure, but she grew nervous and could not get the words out.

"President, be polite."

Noticing the unease in her expression, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka spoke up at the right time to ease the tension. "Why not introduce yourself first? That will make it easier for us to establish the scope of your request."

"Mm."

The girl adjusted her breathing slightly and spoke to the two people before her. "My name is Shironami Chihiro, and I'm a student in first-year Class B..."

"Earlier, while I was on my way to take out the trash, I happened to see Bai playing tennis and Ayanokoji cheering him on. Kushida explained the reason to me and said that the Service Club could fulfill the requests of troubled people."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said, "I asked you to introduce yourself, not perform a rhyme."

"Sorry."

Shironami Chihiro lowered her head in fright and begged for forgiveness.

"Ayanokoji, you should be polite to people."

Bai Yu turned the tables on him, coughed, and tilted his head toward the girl.

His voice gained a touch more gentleness, his expression several degrees more compassion. Like an eminent monk, he said, "Benefactor, there is no need to be afraid. Though my club member is ugly of face, his heart is kind, and he devotes himself to Buddhism. He would never harm you. Please boldly tell us your troubles."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka very much wanted to send Bai Yu to the afterlife by another method.

"Mm..."

The gentleness of the East proved effective. Shironami Chihiro gradually relaxed and looked at Bai Yu. "I fell in love with someone."

"I know. That person is Hirata!"

Bai Yu instantly broke character.

"President..."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka spoke up in time to prevent the atmosphere, which had finally become suitable for normal conversation, from being ruined again. He cast a steady gaze at the girl. "So what do you need us to help you with?"

Shironami Chihiro placed a hand over her chest and pleaded, "I want you to help me think of a way to perfectly convey my feelings... I want to confess to the girl I like!"

"Who is that girl?!" Bai Yu shouted again, as though rallying troops.

Shironami Chihiro said, "One..."

Bai Yu said, "Two!"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said, "...Three?"

Shironami Chihiro loudly revealed, "Ichinose Honami!"

"Good!" Bai Yu enthusiastically applauded. "Confess to Ichinose Honami!"

"Confess!" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said. "Who's going?"

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka!"

"Good!"

"Huh?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka reacted a beat late. "Isn't that the plot from the last act? President, what kind of reincarnation joke are you making now?"

Bai Yu suddenly adopted a proper attitude again. "First, we need to clarify the target's sexual orientation. Does Ichinose Honami like men or women? This is crucial intelligence that determines success or failure. Leave it to Kiyotaka—I can rest easy."

"Although what you said makes sense, please allow me to formally refuse."

Shironami Chihiro looked between the two of them and thought for a long time before deciding not to use such an aggressive approach. She cautiously made a request. "I want Honami to know how I feel, but I don't want my confession to hurt our relationship and make it impossible for us to remain friends afterward..."

Bai Yu pondered for a moment upon hearing this, occasionally speaking to erase the girl's concerns. "I don't think Ichinose would distance herself from you because of your confession. Besides, perhaps she is currently troubled over how to respond to you thoughtfully."

"Huh... Do you know Honami? But I've never seen you together..."

Shironami Chihiro was a little confused.

"I've learned about her from others, so I suppose it counts as a one-sided acquaintance."

Bai Yu gave a simple explanation, then summarized, "So your request is for us to help you construct a stage for your confession and assist you in making it a success as much as possible, correct?"

"Mm!"

Shironami Chihiro nodded firmly.

"Good. The Service Club accepts your request. We'll notify you of the specific plan later... Uh, Ayanokoji, I have something to do in a bit. Please see our guest out."

Bai Yu stood up and said this with a straight face. After giving a brief instruction, he turned around and left briskly.

"Oh? Mm, okay."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka came to his senses and could not help guessing at Bai Yu's schedule for the past two days. Honestly, Bai Yu might have spent even less time in the clubroom than he did... A side job?

He was a little curious, but reason told him not to be.

As Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood, he gave Shironami Chihiro, who was still sitting in her original spot, a brief gesture. Before long, the two left the clubroom together.

And after that, another visitor stepped in right on their heels, reaching out to separate the door that the Service Club had just closed.