Yui Yuigahama

Hachiman Hikigaya read Luo Yu's lips, one word at a time.

That bastard Luo Yu! A cross vein popped on Hachiman Hikigaya's forehead.

"All right, Hikigaya, introduce yourself." Hiratsuka Shizuka turned to Hachiman Hikigaya.

"Um, I'm Hachiman Hikigaya from Class 2-F." Hachiman Hikigaya introduced himself, then quietly asked Hiratsuka Shizuka, "What does joining the club mean?"

"Because you wrote that idiotic essay, your punishment is to take part in this club's activities."

"Then can I join the Light Music Club next door?" Hachiman Hikigaya tried to negotiate with Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"What do you think?" Hiratsuka Shizuka raised a fist and gestured at Hachiman Hikigaya.

"So, you probably noticed already." Hiratsuka Shizuka said to Yukino, "His nature is just as rotten as his eyes."

"That's why he's always been a lonely, pitiful person. Even now, he doesn't have a single friend."

"I do have one friend, at least." Hachiman Hikigaya cut in, pointing at Luo Yu.

It would have been better if Hachiman Hikigaya had said nothing. The moment those words left his mouth, even the girls from the Light Music Club looked at him with pity.

"Shut up! Anyway, straighten out that twisted personality of his in this club. That's my request."

"I refuse." Yukino Yukinoshita folded her arms. "When I see those lecherous, filthy eyes of his, I feel like I'm in danger."

"Eek!"

Amid cries of alarm, the girls from the Light Music Club clutched the collars of their clothes and hid behind Luo Yu, shooting Hachiman Hikigaya wary looks.

You're going too far!

Hachiman Hikigaya looked at Luo Yu, hoping he would help explain things.

Luo Yu spread his hands.

Hachiman, it wasn't that I didn't want to help you. Your dead-fish eyes really did look kind of suspicious.

Seeing that Luo Yu was useless, Hachiman Hikigaya decided to salvage what little reputation he had left himself.

"I would never peek at that runway-flat chest of yours."

As Hachiman Hikigaya's words fell—

The entire clubroom went silent.

No, Hachiman. Were you really that brave? Even Luo Yu stared at Hachiman Hikigaya in shock.

Fuck! What did I just say? Hachiman Hikigaya thought in a panic. Had it been so long since I talked to a girl? No, I barely talked to guys either. No! This wasn't the time to think about that, Hachiman Hikigaya! Get that clever brain of yours moving and figure out how to fix this situation!

"He's definitely a pervert."

"What's wrong with being flat-chested? What did flat chests ever do to you?"

"Everyone, stay away from him."

"Mm-hmm!"

Hearing the girls' voices, Luo Yu could only sigh helplessly.

Hachiman, I really can't save you now.

"Heh." A cold laugh suddenly rang out. Yukino Yukinoshita's voice carried not the slightest trace of emotion. "This is sexual harassment, isn't it, Teacher Hiratsuka? Why don't we just call the police?"

"I thought you were already bad enough, but I never expected you to be this bad. Looks like you're beyond saving." Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at Hachiman Hikigaya thoughtfully and came to a conclusion.

No, I can still be saved! Teacher Hiratsuka! Hachiman Hikigaya widened his eyes, desperately conveying his message to Hiratsuka Shizuka. Give me a chance! Don't give up on me!

All kinds of messages flashed through those dead-fish eyes.

"Ahem, enough joking around." Hiratsuka Shizuka cleared her throat twice. "Don't worry. The only thing this guy is good at is assessing risks and looking out for himself. He won't do anything that breaks the law."

"So, will you accept my request? Save this child who's about to rot completely."

"Fine." Yukino Yukinoshita stared at Hachiman Hikigaya and thought for a while. "Since it's a teacher's request, I can't very well refuse. I accept."

"Then I'm counting on you, Yukinoshita. I'll leave Hachiman Hikigaya to you for rehabilitation." Hiratsuka Shizuka waved her hand and greeted the members of the Light Music Club.

"See you next time, everyone from the Light Music Club."

Then her brisk figure disappeared through the doorway.

After Hiratsuka Shizuka left—

Hachiman Hikigaya stood by the clubroom door, looking around uncertainly, not knowing what he was supposed to do. Naturally, this behavior only made the Light Music Club girls even more wary of him.

"Don't just stand there. Find somewhere to sit. There's an empty chair over there." Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't stand watching any longer.

"Oh... okay, sorry."

After answering, Hachiman Hikigaya looked toward the desks and chairs piled up in the corner. He walked over, picked up a chair, and headed toward Luo Yu. After all, Luo Yu was the only person in this clubroom he could consider a friend.

Then he saw the four girls beside Luo Yu looking at him as if he were a criminal in the making.

Hachiman Hikigaya's mouth twitched. Too embarrassed to keep approaching, he could only find a seat in another corner.

There was nothing Luo Yu could do about that either. Hachiman Hikigaya's first impression on the girls had been far too terrible.

Take it slowly, Luo Yu thought. Given enough time, everyone would understand what kind of person Hachiman Hikigaya was.

Only after Hachiman Hikigaya sat down did the girls cautiously begin drinking their tea and discussing things in low voices.

"Hey, Luo Yu. You said just now that you're friends with him, right? He's really not a pervert?" Ritsu Tainaka asked quietly.

"Hikigaya is a good person. There is absolutely no doubt about that." Luo Yu answered decisively.

"He didn't deny he's a pervert."

"He didn't deny it."

"But he joined the Service Club, right? Why isn't he saying anything?" Yui Hirasawa asked blankly.

"Who knows?" Luo Yu brushed her off.

As the girls chatted, they secretly observed the two members of the Service Club.

But it really was the Service Club, worthy of its strange name.

Even its members were this strange.

The boy and girl sitting in the corner formed a harmonious scene. They were like characters in a play, each with their own distinct traits.

Yui Yuigahama

"Um..."

Not long after, Hachiman Hikigaya suddenly raised his hand from the corner and asked—

"So what does this club do?"

"Phew." Yukino Yukinoshita let out a breath. "Take a guess."

"Luo Yu and the others are in the Light Music Club, so ours should be the Literature Club." Hachiman Hikigaya made a guess.

"Huh, based on what?"

"Well, you've been reading the whole time."

"Unfortunately, you're wrong."

"Then what kind of club is it?"

Yukino Yukinoshita closed her book. "Sitting here right now is part of the club activity."

"Offering a helping hand to those in trouble—that is this club's activity. Welcome to the Service Club."

The Service Club? Did I hear that right?

Hachiman Hikigaya looked utterly confused.

And wasn't this club activity way too suspicious? Helping people in trouble? Without any conditions?

That was far too naive! Relationships between people were complicated. Wouldn't this club's activities really offend people?

"Since I accepted Teacher Hiratsuka's request, I will properly correct your problems. Be grateful."

"Sure, sure. Thank you very much." Hachiman Hikigaya gave a perfunctory reply.

Hachiman Hikigaya did not want to keep arguing with this idealistic young lady.

With Hachiman Hikigaya ending the conversation, the clubroom fell silent once more.

Seeing this, Luo Yu carried a chair over and sat beside Hachiman Hikigaya.

"Hikigaya, how does it feel?" Luo Yu asked curiously.

"Honestly, it feels awful. And why didn't you come help me just now?" Hachiman Hikigaya shot back.

"How should I put it? I thought you didn't need my help?"

"Then come help me!" Hachiman Hikigaya retorted.

"You can still make snarky remarks, so I guess I don't need to worry. Anyway, do your best. I'll cheer you on from the side." Luo Yu patted Hachiman Hikigaya on the shoulder, then returned to the Light Music Club group.

Lunch break.

The trio gathered as usual to eat and chat.

Satou Kazuma said, "You guys probably already know, right? The second volume of Flame Chasers has been confirmed for release."

"I saw the news too. Teacher Meng Yu suddenly became really prolific." Kirigaya Kazuto picked up the conversation.

"I think this promotional poster looks insanely cool." Satou Kazuma took out his phone and pulled up the poster.

The poster showed Kevin pointing a gun at the Sixth Herrscher.

The Sixth Herrscher was on the left, and Kevin was on the right.

One lay on the ground, while the other stood.

One was laughing maniacally, while the other was expressionless.

But with a closer look, one could see that Kevin's eyes also revealed anger and sorrow.

Kevin and the Sixth Herrscher.jpg

"Yeah! I also think Kevin looks unbelievably cool in this picture." Kirigaya Kazuto agreed.

"Let's go buy it at the bookstore together when it comes out! Luo Yu, Kazuto."

"Then let's go together when the time comes." Kirigaya Kazuto replied.

Luo Yu had been focused on eating when he noticed the conversation around him suddenly stop. Raising his head, he saw two pairs of eyes staring at him.

"Fine, we'll go together when the time comes." Although he did not need it himself, Luo Yu decided to accompany them in response to his two friends' request.

"Ah! I'm exhausted, exhausted!" Ritsu Tainaka flopped directly onto the table.

"Ritsu, your stamina really isn't up to par." Luo Yu put away his guitar and said to Ritsu Tainaka, "You only practiced for a little while and you're already done for. With stamina like that, how are you going to perform onstage in the future?"

"Ah, stop nagging, stop nagging! Luo Yu, why are you even more long-winded than Mio?" Ritsu Tainaka covered her ears with both hands, looking thoroughly impatient.

"Ritsu! Am I really that long-winded?" Mio Akiyama smiled pleasantly. "I also think Luo Yu is right. You really should exercise more. Why don't we start today? I'll supervise you properly."

"Eh, no, it can't just be me. Right, there's Yui too. Isn't Yui's stamina bad too?" Ritsu Tainaka tried to drag someone else down with her.

"True." Mio Akiyama thought for a moment. "Yui, you're joining too."

"Huh?" Yui Hirasawa's eyes widened in confusion. Even the cookies in her hands no longer tasted as good.

"What do you mean, huh?" Seeing Yui Hirasawa's pitiful expression, Mio Akiyama's resolve wavered slightly. But she still hardened her heart and said—

"Yui, your stamina isn't good either. You need to train properly."

"Tsumu-tsumu~" Yui Hirasawa looked at Tsumugi Kotobuki.

The young lady merely responded with a smile.

"Luo-luo~" Seeing that Tsumugi Kotobuki was no help, Yui Hirasawa shifted her gaze to Luo Yu.