"I've got the general idea of the situation," Yukinoshita Yukino said, putting down her book and looking at Hikigaya.
"So, where is the client?"
"I've already asked Yuigahama to go get him," Hikigaya replied honestly.
Yukinoshita looked at Mori Shinra and asked, "What are your thoughts?"
"I feel that if we don't help, Hikigaya might martyr himself for the cause," Shinra replied.
"Even so, the final result will not develop in the intended direction!" Yukinoshita mercilessly refuted Hikigaya's approach.
Then, as if remembering some bad experience, her expression turned so gloomy it seemed like water could drip from it.
"Having a common enemy might indeed unite people, but that's only for the purpose of eliminating the enemy, not for self-improvement. So the problem won't be solved; only the person will be. This is my personal experience."
"I see. If you can't solve the problem, can't you just solve the person who raised the problem? But then again, why do you have this kind of experience?" Shinra was more curious about this.
Hikigaya, who had just been thoroughly refuted, also pricked up his ears.
"I returned to Japan from abroad as a transfer student in middle school. At that time, the girls in my class—no, all the girls in the school wanted to get rid of me. However, not a single one of them worked hard to improve themselves in order to win against me... What a bunch of incomprehensible idiots..."
As she spoke, it felt as if a black flame of resentment was about to ignite behind her.
Shinra quickly put out the fire. "Well, who can blame them when you're so naturally beautiful and outstanding? Even if they worked their hardest, they wouldn't even be able to see your back. The only thing they could do was slander you, right?"
"...Y-yes, you're right. In terms of appearance, I am far superior to them, and my dignity would not allow me to be subservient to those people. In a way, such a result was to be expected. However, Yamashita-san and Shimamura-san were also quite cute and had a certain degree of support among the boys. But that was just their appearance. If we were to compare grades, sports, arts, or even etiquette and willpower, they were ultimately far inferior to me. Since they couldn't win against me no matter what, it's understandable that they would try every means to hold me back..."
It was clear that she was still resentful about what had happened back then. This was the first time Shinra had ever seen her speak at such length.
"Hah... I'm sorry, I lost my composure a bit."
After taking a sip of black tea and calming herself, her expression returned to normal. Although her face was still slightly flushed from speaking too quickly, she quickly brought the topic back on track.
"By the way, this seems to be the first time Hikigaya has been worried about someone else, right?" Yukinoshita was a little surprised. She hadn't expected this guy to actually be able to correct someone like Hikigaya.
The treatment was actually this effective?
"I feel like he was seduced," Shinra retorted without mercy.
"?"
A large question mark appeared above Yukinoshita's head, right next to the exclamation mark symbolizing the golden Wish Request.
Shinra explained, "Although Totsuka-san is a boy, Hikigaya said he's quite cute."
As soon as these words were spoken, the look in Yukinoshita's eyes became visibly disgusted. She looked at Hikigaya as if he were non-recyclable trash.
"I'm feeling a bit unwell. Can I go home first? I'll leave the Service Club in your hands for now," Yukinoshita said, wanting to take her leave.
Just as her voice fell, Yuigahama arrived at the activity room with Totsuka Saika.
"Yahallo~ I brought him," Yuigahama greeted everyone cheerfully. It was clear that she was very happy to be of help.
Then, she made way for Totsuka and introduced him. "This is our president, Yukinoshita Yukino. Next to her is Mori Shinra. Yukino-chan, Shinra-san, this is Totsuka Saika."
"Hello everyone, my name is Totsuka Saika. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, bowing politely. He then looked at Mori Shinra. "I know you, Mori Shinra-san. You got first place in the grade this time. That's very, very amazing."
...Oh, wow.
Shinra suddenly understood why Hikigaya had been acting so flustered. First, Totsuka Saika's appearance was very feminine. His eyes were large and beautiful, prettier than most girls'.
Second, he wasn't tall and had a slender build. His arms, waist, and legs were all slim, his skin was fair, and his voice was very androgynous. He was the type of boy who could easily be mistaken for a girl if you weren't careful.
Lastly, he was extremely polite and very gentle with people. Unlike ordinary girls who could be haughty, he was, on the contrary, very good at discovering others' strengths and frankly pointing them out. To be honest, the girls should be glad that Saika was a boy.
"Haha, not at all. I'm not the only one who got first place. Yukinoshita and I tied for first."
"Spare me the unnecessary pleasantries. I've already gotten the general idea of the situation from Hikigaya. You're Totsuka Saika-san, correct? Please state your request."
Yukinoshita ignored Shinra's introduction. In her eyes, that 'tied for first' was not an achievement worth boasting about.
She looked at Totsuka. Perhaps the black flame that had been surrounding her earlier hadn't completely dissipated, because the lingering might of it alone was enough to make him shiver.
"P-please... can you make me, and everyone in the tennis club, better at playing?"
Why was he looking at Hikigaya as he said that?
Was Yukinoshita that scary? Shinra looked at her. Other than being excessively cute, there was nothing else, was there?
"Let me state this in advance. Not everyone who comes here for a consultation can have their problem solved just by us listening and helping. The Service Club only provides assistance. The only one who can truly fulfill your wish is you yourself."
"I-I'll work hard!"
"That alone is not enough. You must at least be prepared to run until you die, swing your racket until you die, and practice until you die!"
Seeing Yukinoshita say this with a smile, Shinra silently retracted his previous statement. Okay, she was indeed a little scary.
The color instantly drained from Totsuka's face, and his body began to tremble.
"Am I... going to die?"
"It's a metaphor, just a metaphor," Yuigahama hurriedly mediated. "Right, Yukino-chan?"
Yukinoshita frowned. "If you don't even have that kind of resolve, what right do you have to ask your other club members to work hard together? If you don't lead by example, it's all just empty talk."
"I understand. For everyone's sake, I'll work hard!" Totsuka's eyes became unprecedentedly firm.
At this moment, a gray Wish Request also appeared above his head.
Mori Shinra: That works too?
"It's not about working hard, you must do it! Totsuka, prepare yourself!" Shinra instantly sided with the Wish Points (crossed out) Yukinoshita.
"Eh?"