Let's rewind to just after class ended. At the same time Kanzaki Saku was leisurely hunting for prey in the school like a cat patrolling its territory, only to be 'successfully' kidnapped by a junior member of the Kato Legion...
The Service Club's emergency meeting had also just concluded. Although Yukinoshita Yukino had already taken swift, decisive action yesterday to perform some damage control and suppress dissent.
However, this humiliating defeat had not only shattered the invincible belief the Service Club members had cultivated during their long string of victories, but it had also thrown all their original plans and strategies into disarray.
As the absolute core and supreme leader of the club, Yukino had to chart a new course and set new goals.
Fortunately, the Service Club's empire was one Yukino had built with her own two fists in a time of chaos. Her foundation was solid.
Yesterday's loss was a loss of morale, a loss caused by the collapse of command after she left mid-battle, but it was not a loss due to her, Yukinoshita Yukino's, personal combat prowess being insufficient!
One could say the Service Club lost, but Yukinoshita Yukino did not!
As long as her banner had not been struck down in a direct confrontation, she still maintained absolute, iron-fisted control over the Service Club.
There is a saying from the legendary military strategist Cao Cao: "A victorious army is bound to be arrogant, and an arrogant army is bound to be defeated," and "a defeated army is bound to be sorrowful, and a sorrowful army is bound to be victorious."
By this logic, the Service Club should have taken advantage of their defeat to press on. However, Cao Cao clearly didn't account for the existence of internal strife.
Yukino's prestige remained as high as the midday sun, but thanks to the deliberate instigation of a certain pink-haired dango, the executives' pent-up resentment was quietly growing.
The girls could accept a fair defeat; they could just start over. But for Yukino to say, "I'm going to find my man," in the middle of a team fight... how were they supposed to fight without their commander and their big boss?
In truth, if Yukino had been willing to humble herself, admit her mistake, offer a token apology, and play the 'star-crossed lovers' card with Kanzaki Saku, the executives would most likely have chosen to forgive her.
Unfortunately, the Yukino of this timeline was clearly not a wise ruler who would issue an edict of self-blame, but a tyrant who would rather use her fists than her words.
Yukino's final solution was simple: she beat up the executive with the most complaints to make an example of her. After that, no one dared to voice any more grievances.
At the end of the meeting, Yukino established a policy of defensive turtling to rebuild their strength.
After the meeting was dismissed, the executives left with complex emotions, each returning to their designated areas to deal with the aftermath of the defeat.
Yukinoshita Yukino rubbed her temples, which were still throbbing slightly, temporarily suppressing the undercurrents within the club and the frustration of defeat.
At this moment, the one who occupied her thoughts the most was the person for whom she would abandon the battlefield—Kanzaki Saku.
'Saku... he should be in the classroom reading quietly right now, right?' She thought of Kanzaki Saku's behavior in the infirmary yesterday, and her heart couldn't help but warm.
An image of Kanzaki Saku's delicate, yet always somewhat sickly, profile appeared in Yukino's mind. Immediately after, she recalled his performance in the infirmary yesterday—so different from his usual self, filled with an aggressive passion and a heat that made her blush.
Yukino felt her ears begin to burn, and her heart warmed up again.
They had just confirmed their relationship; it was a time of fiery passion, when they were thick as thieves, wishing they could stick together every single moment.
Moreover, in her perception, Kanzaki Saku was still "frail and sickly." He needed the meticulous company and care of his lover. How could she let him stay alone in the classroom?
Thinking this, she immediately stood up and called out to Miura Yumiko, who was about to head back to her classroom.
"Yumiko," Yukino called.
"Boss!" Miura Yumiko immediately stood at attention, responding respectfully, though her gaze was a bit unnatural when it met Yukino's.
Now, whenever Yumiko saw Yukino, her mind would uncontrollably conjure the blush-inducing "loyalty test" from the train yesterday.
She quickly lowered her gaze, her long, thick eyelashes hiding the guilt in her eyes, afraid that the perceptive Yukino would notice something was amiss.
"You escorted Saku safely to school this morning, right?" Yukino didn't notice Yumiko's strangeness and asked directly.
"Eh? Ah, yes. I waited until I saw Kanzaki-san enter the classroom before coming here. Class just ended, so Kanzaki-san should still be in the classroom."
Logically speaking, as Boss Yukino's man, Kanzaki Saku's status was clear. Both officially and personally, Miura Yumiko should have changed how she addressed him, respectfully calling him 'brother-in-law'.
Doing so would show that she was getting along 'harmoniously' with Kanzaki Saku and had completed her escort duty well. It would also invisibly bring her closer to Boss Yukino. It wasn't impossible that she could one day replace that troublemaker Yuigahama and become the club's de facto second-in-command.
But for some reason, Yumiko just couldn't bring herself to say the words 'brother-in-law.' Every time she thought about addressing Kanzaki Saku that way, a subtle emotion mixed with a sense of the forbidden and the thrill of transgression would spread through her heart.
Especially in front of Boss Yukino. If she really called him that, she felt she might not be able to hold back...
This secret thought of using Boss Yukino as a catalyst for her sense of transgression made her feel both ashamed and faintly excited.
"Good," Yukino nodded, satisfied with Yumiko's answer.
She had no idea, of course, that the loyal blonde girl before her was mentally using her as part of some 'transgression play.'
She was just happy at the thought of seeing Kanzaki Saku soon, and her tone became unconsciously lighter.
"Perfect timing. Club matters are settled for now, and I want to spend more time with Saku. Let's go, Yumiko. I'll go with you."
As she spoke, she took the lead and started walking towards the classroom. Her posture was still upright, carrying the sharp air of a delinquent leader, but her slightly quickened footsteps betrayed the girlish sentiment in her heart—an eagerness to see her beloved that didn't quite match her status.
Miura Yumiko looked at Yukino's back, her feelings complicated. She replied with a "Yes" and silently followed.
On one hand, she was relieved that Boss Yukino hadn't probed further. On the other, she thought about having to face both Boss Yukino and Kanzaki Saku at the same time.
Her legs, it seemed, were starting to feel a little weak again.
_____
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