"Let's reveal whose help was more effective for him—mine or Yukinoshita's," Dong Yunshan explained. "Zaimokuza, your final choice will determine the winner between us."
"But you don't need to consider us," Yukino Yukinoshita added coldly. "This is between us."
"In simple terms..." Yui Yuigahama blinked. "Follow your heart—is that it?"
Dong Yunshan and Yukino Yukinoshita nodded at almost the exact same pace.
"My choice...?" Yoshiteru Zaimokuza rose to his feet like a newborn fawn, his limbs trembling. Just as he was about to sit down, he stumbled again, then stood straight. "Would you still be willing to read my work?"
"Huh?" Yui Yuigahama could hardly believe her ears. "After being... told all that, you still want to keep writing? Are you a masochist like Dong Yunshan?"
"Hold on?" Dong Yunshan turned his head. "You seem to have some strange misunderstanding about me."
Yukino Yukinoshita shot him a sidelong glance. "Or perhaps she has seen your true nature."
Dong Yunshan said, "This is an adult topic. Children shouldn't listen."
Yukino Yukinoshita said, "..."
A smile bloomed across Yui Yuigahama's face.
As expected, their flirting was still more interesting.
"Um..." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza raised his hand like he was answering a question in class. "May I continue?"
Dong Yunshan and Yukino Yukinoshita both gestured for him to go on.
"Although you criticized me until I was worthless, and I even wanted to die, since I wouldn't be popular with the opposite sex anyway, and I have no friends, and no cute girls to flirt with me..." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza took a deep breath. "Even so, I'm still happy. Letting others read something I wrote because I loved writing it, then hearing what they think of it—that's a wonderful thing. I don't know how to describe this feeling, but I... I'm really happy!"
A smile spread across Yoshiteru Zaimokuza's face.
It was not the smile of the Swordmaster General, but Yoshiteru Zaimokuza's smile.
There was no performance.
Only sincerity.
"...I'll read it. I look forward to your next work." Dong Yunshan chuckled, then turned to Yukino Yukinoshita. "I lost."
Under Yukino Yukinoshita's merciless criticism, Yoshiteru Zaimokuza had indeed gained the courage to face criticism.
"Wait. Compared to that, your criticism caused more harm." Yukino Yukinoshita refused to accept that conclusion. "This cannot count as my victory."
"This is your method, not mine." Dong Yunshan pointed out the key point. "Of course it's your victory."
Yui Yuigahama said, "..."
What exactly was going on with these two?
They had just been arguing over who won, and now they were arguing over who lost?
"That is precisely what I wanted to hear." Yukino Yukinoshita stared unblinkingly at Dong Yunshan. "You have not used your method yet. Even if you have no intention of using it, you must still say it."
"I already did." Dong Yunshan rummaged through his bag, took out a business card, and handed it to Yoshiteru Zaimokuza. "Find a job."
"This is..." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza began trembling after just one look. "Could this be that legendary group?!"
"Hm?" Yui Yuigahama glanced at it and found that it was a business card. "Is it that impressive?"
"It's an incredibly popular doujin circle!" Yoshiteru Zaimokuza's eyes shone. "For ten years, this monstrous circle has had its booth placed right in front of the gates at doujin conventions!"
"At the gates?" Yui Yuigahama tilted her head. "Were they being excluded?"
"No exhibition hall can hold the line, so they can only be stationed at the gates and have attendees queue outside!" Yoshiteru Zaimokuza held the card as though it were the Holy Grail. "Their genres, merchandise, and creators are all varied—books, games, music CDs, all-ages works, adult works, fan creations, original content... It's practically a gigantic organization on the scale of a corporation!"
"Dong Yunshan!" Yoshiteru Zaimokuza vigorously wiped away the tears he could not control in his excitement. "How did you get this?"
"I have a friend working there. I showed him your work, and everything I said before was relaying his words." Dong Yunshan had not expected Yoshiteru Zaimokuza to get so excited. "According to him, although your creative ability is limited, you've seen many works, and you can write this much content. You have both passion and initiative. With training, at worst you could work as a reviewer in the game industry. If you work hard, you could become a director. If you want to move toward animation, you could try production assistant work or setting production. You might even have a chance at becoming a director."
Yoshiteru Zaimokuza's voice took on a tearful edge. "R-Really?"
"I was doubtful at the time too." Dong Yunshan gave Yoshiteru Zaimokuza a reassuring look. "But he told me that passion was the most important thing in this line of work."
"That's right!" Yui Yuigahama enthusiastically encouraged Yoshiteru Zaimokuza. "Work hard for what you love!"
"Mostly because animation is a labor-intensive industry with poor pay, frequent overtime, and constant production collapses." Dong Yunshan revealed one cruel corner of social reality. "Without passion, you can't stick with it. You won't even get the chance to die suddenly at your desk."
Yui Yuigahama said, "Huh?"
"Your method was built on the premise that he could not bear the blow and would give up writing." Yukino Yukinoshita raised her eyes. "But he has not been defeated and still wants to keep writing, so your method is unnecessary."
"Exactly." Dong Yunshan pinched one corner of the business card in Zaimokuza's hand. "So I can only concede—hm?"
He could not pull it free.
"Actually..." Zaimokuza clutched the business card tightly. "I feel like it can still be useful. I can write while working toward getting a job—for my passion!"
"Both Little Yukino's and Dong Yunshan's methods worked." Yui Yuigahama looked left and right. "So this time, is it a draw?"
"I have no objection." Dong Yunshan released the business card. "Little Miss Yukinoshita, what do you think?"
"..." Yukino Yukinoshita glared at Dong Yunshan. "A draw."
Yoshiteru Zaimokuza happily put the business card away with great care. "Then I'll go right now..."
"Focus on school first. Work is something for after graduation." Dong Yunshan suggested, "You can practice in relevant clubs now, like the anime club... No, forget that. You've watched enough already. The Film Research Club would also be a good choice. The skills are transferable."
"No, no!" Zaimokuza waved his hands in terror. "Haven't you heard?"
Dong Yunshan was surprised by his excessive reaction. "Heard what?"
"The Film Research Club..." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza swallowed. "It's haunted!"
"What did you say?" Yui Yuigahama sprang to her feet. "The Film Research Club is haunted?!"
"Is that such a big deal? Most schools have stories like that." Dong Yunshan was surprised by Yui Yuigahama's reaction. "The school was built on a graveyard, corpses buried beneath especially lush trees, the missing thirteenth stair, Delia in the bathroom..."
"They are merely baseless stories distorted through retelling." Yukino Yukinoshita's voice was calm. "There is absolutely no reason to be afraid."
"But my friend is in the Film Research Club!" Yui Yuigahama asked worriedly. "What exactly happened?"
"I don't know the details either. I only heard about it from others," Zaimokuza admitted. "The graduation ceremony is coming up, and the Film Research Club members decided to shoot a short film to send off their seniors. Then one of the props... came to life."
"That sounds rather interesting." Dong Yunshan looked at Yukino Yukinoshita. "Should we investigate?"
"The Service Club provides help to those who need it." Yukino Yukinoshita shook her head. "No one from the Film Research Club has come here, which means they do not need our help."
"That may be true..." Dong Yunshan looked at the thoughtful Yui Yuigahama.
The Film Research Club would probably come soon enough.
--
"Yahallo~" Yui Yuigahama's cheerful greeting broke the harmonious atmosphere of studying and working out in the Service Club. "I brought a client!"
Dong Yunshan set down his dumbbell and wiped away his sweat with a towel.
Yukino Yukinoshita placed a bookmark in her book and set it aside.
The two of them looked toward the door Yui Yuigahama had pulled open. Behind her stood a girl with short black hair, who smiled under their gazes and revealed cute little fangs.
"Well, how should I put this? Since I'm part of the Service Club too, I wanted to help out." Yui Yuigahama led the girl inside. "After hearing about the Film Research Club yesterday, I brought Komachi here!"
Yukino Yukinoshita's voice was cool and clear. "Yuigahama."
"Little Yukino, you don't need to thank me." Yui Yuigahama generously waved her hand. "It's only right for a club member to do this."
"Yuigahama," Yukino Yukinoshita finally had the chance to finish, "you are not actually a club member..."
Yui Yuigahama froze. "I'm not?"
"She isn't?" Dong Yunshan also looked surprised. "She's been coming here for days."
"I have not received her club application," Yukino Yukinoshita explained expressionlessly. "And without the adviser's approval, she cannot be considered a member."
"That makes sense." Dong Yunshan held out his hand. "Then where is your application? The Service Club was established under my name."
"Unfortunately, the Service Club was established under my name. When Hiratsuka said all the procedures had been completed, she meant that I had completed them, and then she added you." Yukino Yukinoshita had clearly prepared for this long ago. She took some documents from her schoolbag. "She first approved my application to establish the Service Club, then brought you to the clubroom. When she later filled out the paperwork, she found my application and came looking for me. Perhaps she told you that you were the Service Club president, but I am the actual president. As for your application, I have already approved it."
"I can't help you." Dong Yunshan spread his hands at Yui Yuigahama. "I got tricked too."
"I'll write it!" Yui Yuigahama looked aggrieved. "No matter how many copies I need, I'll write them."
"One is enough." Although she had taken advantage of Shizuka Hiratsuka's administrative mistake, Yukino Yukinoshita had at least won a round against Dong Yunshan, and there was a hint of joy in her eyes. "Now then, this student..."
"My name is Komachi Hikigaya. I'm Yui's classmate, so you can just call me Komachi!" The girl smiled adorably. "I didn't believe it before, but there really is a club where people flirt with each other!"
Yukino Yukinoshita said, "..."
"I'm writing my application..." Yui Yuigahama avoided Yukino Yukinoshita's icy gaze and scribbled furiously on a sheet of loose-leaf paper.
"To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, let me explain briefly." Dong Yunshan pointed at Yukino Yukinoshita. "Our relationship is one of correction and being corrected. More specifically, I discovered some of her problems and am now working hard to help her overcome them."
"I am the one helping you correct your mistakes." Yukino Yukinoshita returned his look with an icy glare. "Do not confuse the target."
"So it isn't flirting." Komachi Hikigaya's gaze shifted between them. Suddenly, she clenched one hand into a fist and smacked it into her palm. "You two see each other's flaws, yet still spend every day together and work to make each other better—is that right?"
"Exactly, Komachi." Yui Yuigahama gave her a thumbs-up. "You understand it far more deeply than I do."
"Hehe." Komachi Hikigaya blinked. "That Komachi line scored very highly, you know~"
Dong Yunshan and Yukino Yukinoshita said, "..."
What Komachi Hikigaya said seemed right, but it also somehow seemed a little off.
Yukino Yukinoshita took a quiet breath, unwilling to continue this topic. "What can we help you with?"
"It's about the Film Research Club." Komachi Hikigaya sat upright and answered as seriously as a student in class. "It was supposed to be a good thing, but then rumors of haunting started spreading and everyone became unsettled. Even the filming schedule has been delayed. So I would like to ask you to help us resolve this."
"An exorcism?" Dong Yunshan rubbed his chin. "I have a friend who is an exorcist. I happened to learn a few spells from him, so I can give it a try."
"Spells?" Yui Yuigahama raised her head. "Do those really exist?"
"One of them is called the Great Transportation Technique. I only learned a little of it." Dong Yunshan gestured with his hands. "But it's especially useful."
Yui Yuigahama's eyes sparkled. "Great Transportation? What does it do?"
"It can get you whatever you want."
"Isn't that amazing?" Yui Yuigahama excitedly stood up. "Can you demonstrate it?"
"I could even teach it to you."
"Really?"
"Of course." Dong Yunshan paused. "But knowledge of the art cannot be passed on lightly. Tell me, do you remember the Service Club benefits?"
"Clients get drinks!" Yui Yuigahama remembered immediately. "Komachi, what do you want to drink?"
"There are benefits too? That's awesome!" Komachi Hikigaya cheered. "Then I want SPORTOP!"
"Leave it to me! Little Yukino gets strawberry yogurt..." Yui Yuigahama looked at Dong Yunshan. "What about you, Dong Yunshan?"
"An iced cola."
Yukino Yukinoshita opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Yui Yuigahama had already run out first.
Yukino Yukinoshita glared irritably at Dong Yunshan, then looked at Komachi Hikigaya. "Let us continue after she returns."
"We can talk about something else first." Komachi Hikigaya looked curious. "How did you two meet?"
"You just heard how Hiratsuka tricked me. That was how I met her." Dong Yunshan answered casually. "Then I discovered her problems..."
"I discovered your problems." Yukino Yukinoshita cut him off. "And began searching for a way to correct you."
"You can say whatever you want." Dong Yunshan wagged a finger. "Until I win a second time."
"You can only use a demand made after victory to order me to change my wording. You cannot alter the facts." Yukino Yukinoshita smiled faintly, though there was no smile in her eyes. "And that is assuming you can win a second time."
"Ooh!" Komachi Hikigaya leaned forward excitedly. "Do you even have a vow of eternal love?"
"No, it's a showdown... a contest." Dong Yunshan explained. "The winner can order the loser around however they please."
"Oh~" Komachi Hikigaya nodded in understanding. "A little romantic spice."
"Why is all your wording so..." Dong Yunshan glanced toward the silent Yukino Yukinoshita. "Don't you have anything to say?"
"She has already formed her own assumptions, so no matter what we say, she will believe what she wants to believe." Yukino Yukinoshita answered expressionlessly. "Explaining will only make her more certain. The more we deny it, the more convinced she will become."
Komachi Hikigaya blinked. "So you're admitting it by default?"
"..." Yukino Yukinoshita silently gave Dong Yunshan a look that said, What did I tell you?
"Fine." Dong Yunshan gave up as well.
Before you continue