Yukinoshita's Correction Method

"To reveal which of us, Yukinoshita or me, helped him more effectively," Dong Yunshan explained. "Zaimokuza, your final choice will decide the winner between us."

"But you don't need to take us into consideration," Yukino Yukinoshita added coldly. "This is between us."

"Simply put..." Yui Yuigahama blinked. "Follow your heart—is that what you're saying?"

Dong Yunshan and Yukino Yukinoshita nodded at almost exactly the same frequency.

"My choice...?" Yoshiteru Zaimokuza rose to his feet with trembling limbs like a newborn fawn. Just as he was about to sit in the chair, he staggered another step and stood up straight. "Are you still willing to read my work?"

"Huh?" Yui Yuigahama almost couldn't believe her ears. "After being... told all that, you still want to keep writing? Are you the same kind of masochist as Dong Yun?"

"Hold on?" Dong Yunshan turned his head. "I feel like you have some strange misunderstanding about me."

Yukino Yukinoshita shot him a sidelong glance. "It's also possible she's seen your true nature."

Dong Yunshan said, "This is a topic for adults. Children shouldn't listen."

Yukino Yukinoshita said, "..."

A smile blossomed on Yui Yuigahama's face.

Sure enough, flirting was way more fun.

"Um..." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza raised his hand as if answering a question in class. "May I continue?"

Dong Yunshan and Yukino Yukinoshita made an inviting gesture.

"Although you criticized it as completely worthless, to the point that even I wanted to go die for a bit—since being alive won't make me popular with the opposite sex anyway, and I don't have friends, and there aren't any cute beautiful girls flirting with me..." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza took a deep breath. "Even so, I'm still very happy. Letting other people read the work I wrote because I liked it, and then hearing what they think—that's an amazing thing. I don't know how to describe this feeling, but I... really am happy!"

A smile blossomed on Yoshiteru Zaimokuza's face.

It was not the smile of the Swordmaster General, but the smile of Yoshiteru Zaimokuza.

No performance.

Only truth.

"...I'll read it. I'll look forward to your new work." Dong Yunshan chuckled, then turned to look at Yukino Yukinoshita. "I lost."

Under Yukino Yukinoshita's merciless criticism, Yoshiteru Zaimokuza had indeed gained the courage to face criticism directly.

"Wait. By comparison, your criticism caused even more damage." Yukino Yukinoshita did not accept that statement. "This can't count as my victory."

"That's your method, not mine." Dong Yunshan pointed out the key. "So of course it's your victory."

Yui Yuigahama said, "..."

So what exactly was up with these two?

A moment ago they had been arguing over who won, and now they were arguing over who lost?

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear." Yukino Yukinoshita stared fixedly at Dong Yunshan. "You still haven't used your method. Even if you have no intention of using it, say it."

"I already did." Dong Yunshan rummaged through his bag, took out a business card, and handed it to Yoshiteru Zaimokuza. "Get a job."

"This is..." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza only glanced at it before he couldn't help trembling. "Could this be that legendary club from the rumors?!"

"Hm?" Yui Yuigahama glanced at it and saw that it was a business card. "Is it really impressive?"

"An ultra-popular doujin circle!" Yoshiteru Zaimokuza's eyes shone. "For the past ten years, their booth has always been placed in front of the gates at doujinshi conventions. They're a monster circle!"

"In front of the gates?" Yui Yuigahama tilted her head. "Were they being excluded?"

"No exhibition hall can hold the lines for them, so they have to be placed in front of the gates and have the attendees line up outside!" Yoshiteru Zaimokuza held the business card as if he were raising the Holy Grail. "Their categories, merchandise, and creators are all over the place—books, games, music CDs, all-ages, adults-only, derivative works, original content... They're practically a massive organization on the level of a company!"

"Dong Yun!" Yoshiteru Zaimokuza forcefully wiped away tears he couldn't control because of his excitement. "How did you get this?"

"I have a friend who works there. I showed him your work, and what I said earlier was me relaying his words." Dong Yunshan had not expected Yoshiteru Zaimokuza to get this worked up. "According to him, although your creative ability is limited, you've read a lot of works, you can write this much content, and you have both passion and the ability to take action. With some training, in games, at the very least you could be a checker; if you work hard, you could be a director. If you want to develop toward animation, you could try production management and setting production. Becoming a director is also possible."

Yoshiteru Zaimokuza's voice even gained a slight sob. "R-Really?"

"I was pretty doubtful at the time too," Dong Yunshan said, giving Yoshiteru Zaimokuza a reassuring look. "But he told me that passion is the most important thing in this line of work."

"That's right!" Yui Yuigahama obligingly cheered Yoshiteru Zaimokuza on. "Work hard for what you love!"

"The main thing is that animation is a labor-intensive industry, the pay is bad, there's frequent overtime, and every other day they're out of options." Dong Yunshan revealed one cruel corner of society's reality. "If you don't have passion, there's no way to keep going. You won't even get the chance to die suddenly at your workstation."

Yui Yuigahama said, "Eh?"

"Your method was built on the premise that he couldn't take the blow and would give up writing." Yukino Yukinoshita raised her eyes. "But he wasn't defeated and still wants to keep writing, so your method has no use."

"Exactly." Dong Yunshan pinched one corner of the business card in Zaimokuza's hand. "So I can only admit defeat—hm?"

It didn't move.

"Actually..." Zaimokuza clutched the business card tightly. "I feel like it can still be useful. I can write while also working hard toward getting a job—for the sake of what I love!"

"Both Yukino's and Dong Yun's methods worked." Yui Yuigahama looked left, then right. "So this time it's a draw?"

"No objections from me." Dong Yunshan let go of 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 and..."

"Focus on school first. Work is something for after you graduate." Dong Yunshan suggested, "You can train yourself in a related club for now, like the anime club... No, forget that one. You've watched enough already—the Film Research Club would be a good choice too. Skills in one field can help in another, after all."

"No, no!" Zaimokuza waved his hands in terror. "Haven't you heard?"

Dong Yunshan was surprised by his extreme reaction. "Heard what?"

"The Film Research Club..." Yoshiteru Zaimokuza swallowed. "It's haunted!"

Yui Yuigahama shot to her feet. "What did you say? The Film Research Club is haunted?!"

"That's nothing special, is it? Most schools have legends like that." Dong Yunshan was surprised by Yui Yuigahama's reaction. "The school was built on a graveyard, there's a corpse buried under an especially lush tree, the vanishing thirteenth step, Hanako in the bathroom..."

"They're all just baseless rumors, stories passed on and distorted." Yukino Yukinoshita's voice was calm. "There is absolutely no need to be afraid."

"But my friend's in the Film Research Club!" Yui Yuigahama pressed worriedly. "What exactly happened?"

"I'm not too clear on the details either. I heard it from someone else," Zaimokuza admitted. "The graduation ceremony's coming up soon, so the members of the Film Research Club decided to shoot a short film as a send-off for their upperclassmen. Then the props they were using for filming... came to life."

"That sounds kind of interesting." Dong Yunshan looked at Yukino Yukinoshita. "Want to look into it?"

"The Service Club provides help to those who need it." Yukino Yukinoshita shook her head. "The people from the Film Research Club haven't come to us. That means they don't need our help."

"That's true, but..." Dong Yunshan looked toward Yui Yuigahama, who seemed lost in thought.

The people from the Film Research Club would probably be coming soon.

"Yahallo~!" Yui Yuigahama's cheerful greeting broke the harmonious atmosphere of study and training in the Service Club. "I brought a client!"

Dong Yunshan put down his dumbbell and wiped off his sweat with a towel.

Yukino Yukinoshita placed a bookmark in her book and set it aside.

The two of them looked at the door Yui Yuigahama had pulled open at the same time. Behind Yui Yuigahama stood a girl with short black hair. Meeting their gazes, she smiled, showing a cute little fang.

"Mm~ How should I put it? Since I'm part of the Service Club too, I wanted to help out a little." Yui Yuigahama led the girl inside. "After I heard about the Film Research Club yesterday, I brought Komachi over!"

Yukino Yukinoshita's voice was clear and cool. "Yuigahama."

"Yukinon, you don't need to thank me." Yui Yuigahama waved generously. "As a club member, this is only what I should do."

"Yuigahama," Yukino Yukinoshita finally got the chance to finish, "you don't actually count as a club member..."

Yui Yuigahama's expression froze. "I don't?"

"She doesn't?" Dong Yunshan also looked surprised. "She's been coming here for days."

"I haven't received her club application," Yukino Yukinoshita explained expressionlessly. "And without the adviser's permission, she cannot be considered a member."

"That makes sense." Dong Yunshan held out a hand. "Then where's your club application? The current Service Club was founded in my name."

"Unfortunately, the Service Club was founded in my name. When Teacher Hiratsuka said all the procedures had been handled, she meant that I had handled all the procedures, and then she added you in." Yukino Yukinoshita had clearly prepared for this long ago and took a document out of her bag. "She approved my application to establish the Service Club first, then brought you to the clubroom. When she later supplemented the documents, she found my application form, which was why she found me. Perhaps she said you were the Service Club's president, but the actual president is me, and as for your application form, I have already approved it."

"I can't help you." Dong Yunshan spread his hands at Yui Yuigahama. "I got scammed too."

"I'll write one!" Yui Yuigahama said pitifully. "No matter how many copies it takes, I'll write them!"

"One will be enough." Although she had taken advantage of Shizuka Hiratsuka's work mistake, she had at least won one round against Dong Yunshan, and a hint of a smile appeared between Yukino Yukinoshita's brows. "Now then, this student..."

"My name is Komachi Hikigaya. I'm Yui's classmate. You can just call me Komachi!" The girl's smile was adorable. "I didn't believe it before, but I never thought there really was a club where people flirt like this!"

Yukino Yukinoshita: "..."

"I'm writing my club application..." Yui Yuigahama avoided Yukino Yukinoshita's icy gaze and wrote furiously on a sheet of loose-leaf paper.

"To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, I'll give a simple explanation." Dong Yunshan pointed at Yukino Yukinoshita. "Our relationship is one of correction and being corrected. To be more specific, I discovered some of her problems, and I'm currently working hard to help her overcome them."

"I am the one helping you correct your mistakes." Yukino Yukinoshita returned an icy look. "Don't get the target wrong."

"So it isn't flirting." Komachi Hikigaya's gaze drifted between the two of them, then she suddenly clenched her fist and smacked it into her palm. "You two discovered each other's flaws, and even with that premise, you still spend every day together and work hard to make each other better—is that it?"

"Exactly, Komachi." Yui Yuigahama gave her a thumbs-up. "That's way more insightful than what I understood."

"Hehe." Komachi Hikigaya winked. "That line just now scored high on the Komachi scale~"

Dong Yunshan & Yukino Yukinoshita: "..."

It felt like what Komachi Hikigaya said was right, but at the same time, it also felt like something about it was a little off.

Yukino Yukinoshita took a shallow breath, not wanting to continue with this topic. "May I ask what you need?"

"It's about the Film Research Club." Komachi Hikigaya sat up straight and answered seriously, like a student in class. "It was originally a really nice thing, but then rumors about it being haunted started spreading, and now everyone's uneasy. Even the filming schedule has been delayed. So I'd like to request that you help us resolve this matter."

"An exorcism?" Dong Yunshan rubbed his chin. "I have a friend who's an exorcist, and it just so happens I learned a couple of spells from him. I can give it a try."

"Spells?" Yui Yuigahama raised her head. "Those really exist?"

"One of them is the Great Transportation Technique. I only learned a tiny bit of the basics." Dong Yunshan gestured. "But it's especially useful."

Yui Yuigahama's eyes sparkled. "Great Transportation? What does it do?"

"It lets you get your hands on the thing you want."

"Isn't that super amazing?" Yui Yuigahama stood up excitedly. "Can you demonstrate it?"

"I could even teach it to you."

"Really?"

"Of course." Dong Yunshan paused. "But spells can't be passed on lightly. How about this—do you still remember the Service Club's benefits?"

"The client gets a drink!" Yui Yuigahama immediately remembered. "Komachi, what do you want?"

"There are perks too? Awesome!" Komachi Hikigaya cheered. "Then I'll have SPORTOP!"

"Leave it to me! Yukinon's having strawberry yogurt..." Yui Yuigahama looked at Dong Yunshan. "What about you, Dong?"

"An iced cola."

Yukino Yukinoshita opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Yui Yuigahama had already run out first.

After shooting Dong Yunshan an annoyed glare, Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Komachi Hikigaya. "Let's continue once she gets back."

"We can talk about something else first." Komachi Hikigaya looked curious. "How did you all meet?"

"You heard it just now. The whole process of Teacher Hiratsuka setting me up was what led to me meeting her," Dong Yunshan answered casually. "Then I discovered her problem..."

"I discovered your problem," Yukino Yukinoshita cut in. "And began looking for a way to correct you."

"Say it however you want," Dong Yunshan said, wagging a finger, "until I win a second time."

"You can use the demand you earned after winning to order me to change my wording, but you cannot alter the facts." Yukino Yukinoshita smiled faintly, though there was no trace of amusement in her eyes. "And that is assuming you can win a second time."

"Ooh!" Komachi Hikigaya leaned forward excitedly. "So there's a vow of eternal love involved too?"

"No, it's a battle of the sexes... a contest to decide the winner," Dong Yunshan explained. "The winner can order the loser to do whatever they want."

"Oh~" Komachi Hikigaya nodded in realization. "A little romantic roleplay."

"What is it with your word choice..." Dong Yunshan glanced at the silent Yukino Yukinoshita. "Don't you have anything to say?"

"She has already formed a premise in her mind, so no matter what we say, she will believe what she wants to believe," Yukino Yukinoshita replied expressionlessly. "Explaining will only make her more certain of her own thoughts. The more we deny it, the more convinced she'll become."

Komachi Hikigaya blinked. "So you're admitting it?"

"..." Yukino Yukinoshita silently gave Dong Yunshan a look that said, See what I mean?

"Fine." Dong Yunshan gave up too.