Yukino wouldn't break promises made.
Meaning, since agreeing to his girlfriend choice request in the kitchen, she'd agreed to be his girlfriend and tackle that weird task together.
Moreover, Yukino hated lying, especially before someone she knew despised lies.
So, when Okuda stated fact and annoying person burst in seeing it, though wanting refute and defend—though face burned hot—though unprecedented shame flooded brain...
She could only grit teeth humiliated, restrain, pretend not hearing Okuda. Turned, glared sharply at Yuu.
"Didn't I say wait in class? Why still outside eavesdropping!"
Yukino hoped Yuu read gaze—Talk normal, don't mess up before everyone!
Of course Yuu understood. Like knowing her character and prior warning, he knew what she didn't want.
But seeing Yuki-onna (Snow Woman) flushed, teary-eyed, biting cherry lips, staring shy awkward, joy in Yuu's heart surged uncontrollably. Dark urge bubbled chest.
First time seeing such expression! Honestly, Yukino too cute, right?
Who could resist teasing?
"Why? Isn't it simple?"
Following instinct, Yuu blinked innocently: "I'm your boyfriend. How could I let you struggle."
As emphasized word exited, nearby Okuda realized mosquito between them. Quickly lowered head minimize presence. Typing keyboard, perked ears eavesdrop.
Other committee members noticed front drama. All silently continued work, used corner eyes watch show.
"Who said I'm struggling?"
Yukino deep breathed, tried calm from shock. But soft ear tips still showed sakura pink amid hair strands: "Working. Irrelevant people... Tch, out first. Later explain (teach) you properly."
Yukino extended hand, pointed door. Gave eviction order with force.
But didn't expect Yuu deepen role. Gently grasped fingers, gazed lovingly.
"Yukino, promise me, don't overwork anymore. Okay?"
"..."
Baritone voice pierced ear. Warmth spread from cold fingertips to skin.
Yukino suddenly felt strength leave body. Whole self numb weak. Like electric current top to bottom, heartbeat too fast momentarily, sucked all chest air.
But pride forbade admitting reaction—else, as if really liking him?
Agreed dating to defend friend, admiration for this man... Known months. How fall love so easy?
Yukino found no reason liking Yuu.
Thus, unhesitatingly withdrew hand. Expressionless, eyes cold, cruelly ordered: "Don't need help here. Now, out!"
(Is this tsundere anger?)
But hearing mind prompt.
[Ding!]
[Congrats, Host reward: Yoga (Expert Level)]
(She not that mad?)
Anyway, continued bothering only anger Yukino more, stiffen atmosphere. Not Yuu's intent bursting in.
After satisfying evil taste, next real business.
"Alright, no joking."
Expression calm. Yuu clapped, as cleaning dirt from grasping fingers.
Yukino's brows twitched. Focused Okuda suddenly felt temperature drop. Like Ice Age early in meeting room. Near-window students instinctively checked seals, cold winter wind entering.
Yuu eyed Yukino. Serious tone: "Yukinoshita, maybe feel Committee unrelated to me. Prefer other members share work, not let me do for friend... Girlfriend."
"Not unwilling." Half-second pause, Yukino connected. Quickly office mode: "Said, ask help when can't endure. Forgot?"
"Not forgot. Isn't now?"
"Also said, don't underestimate me."
"Worrying is underestimating? Then loving you pity?"
Office mode shattered. Yukino pursed lips, somehow dared not meet eyes.
"...Don't use that example."
Yuu stepped forward, kept eye contact. Pressed: "Am I wrong? Unrelated to Cultural Fest Exec, but unrelated to you? You helped big thing, can't I lighten Fest work?"
"Just want rely self..."
"Return favor. Only you saint self-sacrifice? Can't do for hardworking girlfriend?"
"Don't exaggerate..."
"Exaggerate? Then helping bit fine, right? Or kneel beg permission help?"
"Meaning not that..."
"Then what?"
Yuu repeatedly cut Yukino's words, influenced thinking with rapid questions, even moral blackmail.
Yuu beside chair. Coldly stared head-lowered, fist-clenched Yukino before desk. Like thug winning argument, lip corner cynically grinned. Merciless final blow.
"Say again, Yukino—"
"Came help not because useless, but don't want disturbed by beyond ability things, bothered by others besides me till can't rest proper. Intervened work without permission."
"Now, not reject pridefully, but rationally accept help. After ensuring Fest and self on track, all fine, then think proper thanks!"
Words heavy fell. Yuu deep breathed, exhaled strongly.
Silent wordless. Air suffocating quiet.
As Yukino secretly raised eyes, Yuu's gaze normal. Brought helpless sigh-like. Tone not stiff, slightly sad.
"Hey... Gave many outs. Won't embarrass me before crowd, right?"
Yukino unconsciously glanced meeting room back.
Exec members, frozen statue-stare, not recovered from their argument drama. Receiving gaze, hurriedly resumed work, like animation play button pressed.
All guilty, dared not eye. But Yukino same. Dared not face their odd ambiguous stares.
Drew gaze as nothing happened, bit lower lip. Stared desk. Fingertips anxiously scratched surface. As pondering rejection words.
Yuu helpless against too stubborn girl. Could only endure odd shame, lower head slightly, sigh in ear:
"Rationally using surroundings resources what mature strong person should... Treat me as tool you use."
This truly loosened Yukino's tense dam. Always straight unyielding back seemed curve weak bow.
"No need go that far, just want help."
"Who made you troublesome?" Yuu complained: "Just help friend, why make me go that far?"
"If came bit later, maybe accept offer open-heartedly. I'm that complicated." Yukino self-mocked smile. Slowly raised eyes, straight stared.
"Anyway, world, where disobedient tool lectures master?"
Yuu annoyed: "Would say this if not you? Still dare talk."
"Just say, can't treat you utilizable tool."
Yukino sighed. Past cold firm pride melted like ice, left sincere warm gentleness in eyes.
Pinched clothes hem. Resigned smile, softly:
"Bit trouble here. Can I ask help, Tenkuji-kun?"
Slightly startled, Yuu smiled too.
"As wish."
*👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻!*
Agreement, merry applause in meeting room. Not loud, but full blessings joy.
"Yay!"
"Thank goodness!"
"Congrats you two~"
"Sob sob sob, so envious—"
"Is this god-love..."
"Though heartbroken, fell love again... Even two at once."
Varied cheers, continuous claps turned heavy atmosphere lively cheerful instantly.
Next second, Yukino slammed desk both hands. Stood furrowed brows, cold eyes.
Suddenly tilted head, sweet smile.
"All finished work? Good. All just clapped talked, forward. So free, coincidentally work for you."
"..."
"Start Okuda, count them."
"..."
Meeting room dead silent.
Then, as nothing happened, all lowered heads, continued work.