"So, let me get this straight. This guy started a club just to help students solve their personal problems, and I'm the 'client' for this week even though I have no idea what kind of problem I'm supposed to be asking help for?"
Teacher Hiratsuka stood with her hands in her pockets, grinning brightly. "I told you about this last week, didn't I?"
Yukinoshita's blank expression wavered slightly. "Even hearing it a second time, it still sounds absurd."
Hiratsuka chuckled and patted Yukinoshita's head. "She's a bit of a handful, isn't she? President Hikigaya, your job is to help fix her terrible personality."
Hikigaya Hachiman glanced over, his dead-fish eyes making him look like he'd rather be anywhere else. He had that unmistakable aura of a guy silently begging to be left alone so he could happily rot in peace.
His features were actually quite well-proportioned he could even be called handsome but those eyes killed any atmosphere he might've had.
Yukinoshita's head was in danger of becoming "Flatinoshita" under Hiratsuka's relentless pats. "I won't comment on your evaluation of my personality. But as a commission, isn't that far too vague? Can't we change it?"
Hiratsuka gave her a curious look. "You have something else in mind?"
Yukinoshita paused for a moment. "I've been struggling to find a private tutor lately. If this 'President Hikigaya' can help me solve that problem, I'd be grateful."
"Well, well, Yukinoshita's finally remembered her terrible grades. I'm so moved I could cry."
Under two unimpressed stares, Hiratsuka dropped her over-the-top act with a cough and turned to Hikigaya. "So, President Hikigaya, what do you think of this new commission?"
Hikigaya looked at Yukinoshita. "I heard you're transferring to Class 2-F?"
Yukinoshita responded calmly. "No other teacher besides you would take in a walking disaster like me, would they?"
His voice was dry. "Glad you're at least self-aware."
Yukinoshita: "..."
"I'll take the commission. I'll start screening some candidates soon."
For someone who looked like he wanted nothing to do with the world, Dead-Eyes President Hikigaya still answered like that.
"Well then, mission accomplished!" Hiratsuka laughed, hands on her hips. Then, as if in passing, she added, "Actually, Hikigaya wouldn't be a bad tutor himself. He's third in the grade for liberal arts."
I got in with the top score in liberal arts!
Damn it. It's only because I was out of school for over a year!
Yukinoshita cursed her golden-haired other self again in her mind.
Meanwhile, President Dead Eyes responded instantly, "I'm terrible at science. I'd rather not ruin someone else's education."
Yukinoshita snorted. "It's good to see you have some self-awareness."
Hikigaya: "..."
And with that, the usually emotionless Hikigaya finally folded his arms, turned his head, and let out a dramatic little "tch."
There it was that flicker of youthful fire he should've had more of at his age.
As they left, Yukinoshita glanced back. When he accepted the commission, Hikigaya had at least sat upright. Now he was back to lying facedown on the desk like a salted fish.
She closed the clubroom door and walked away with Hiratsuka.
Walking beside her, Hiratsuka turned and studied her face. "You've changed, Yukinoshita."
Yukinoshita's heart skipped, but her voice and expression were steady. "Naturally. There were over a hundred posts on the school forum today saying I've gotten prettier."
Hiratsuka chuckled softly but didn't argue. "Sometimes watching students like you grow so full of energy it makes us teachers feel younger too."
Yukinoshita glanced at her but didn't make a snide remark this time.
Though they had just met, she could tell this Hiratsuka-sensei was a genuinely good person.
Hiratsuka smiled warmly. "You know, Hikigaya actually likes you."
Yukinoshita blinked with a perfectly straight face and made a faint "Ah" of disbelief. "Should I commit seppuku to wash away the shame?"
Hiratsuka patted her on the head again, laughing. "What a little rascal."
As for the idea that Hikigaya might actually like her, Yukinoshita didn't believe it for a second.
Golden Yukinoshita, though slightly less beautiful than her current black-haired self, had still been a charming gyaru a campus darling. With just a little initiative, she rarely got turned down by the awkward, lovestruck boys in school.
Hikigaya had been one of those fish in her pond.
Back when she and Yui Yuigahama were classmates and getting close, rumors spread that the two were about to start dating. Golden Yukinoshita had jumped in, disrupting the whole thing. After that, Yui and Hikigaya's friendship fell apart.
But even then, he hadn't chosen Golden Yukinoshita.
He didn't choose anyone.
Hikigaya Hachiman remained one of the two rare defeats in the golden playgirl Yukinoshita's romantic career.
...
The next day, word that Yukinoshita would be transferring from the prestigious International Studies Class 2-J to their regular Class 2-F evolved from rumor to near-certainty. The class was abuzz.
In Class 2-F, Miura Yumiko's clique was still chatting and laughing over the latest fashion magazines.
Onozawa Kana, a gossip-lover, leaned lazily on Yumiko's desk and suddenly asked, "Do you think that annoying Yukinoshita really likes girls?"
Yuigahama Yui let out a barely audible sigh.
If it were the old Yukinoshita, she wouldn't have been surprised no matter who she liked.
Kamizawa Junko wrapped an arm around Yui's shoulders, her sweet smile laced with curiosity. "Yui, were you really friends with Yukinoshita?"
Yuigahama forced a small smile. "Not exactly friends, but I did know her."
"Come on, spill. I'm dying to know."
"Well, her family's car almost ran over my dog. She came to handle it, and we got to know each other that way."
"Huh? And what about Hikigaya-kun?"
"It was actually Hikigaya-kun who saved my dog, so I met him then too."
"So, the rumor that you like Hikigaya-kun... is it false?"
"Yeah… it is."
She didn't really want to talk about it actually, she felt deeply uncomfortable. But even more than that, she hated the version of herself who always gave in just to please others.
Having satisfied her curiosity, Kamizawa left Yui and leaned toward Miura Yumiko. "Hey, Yumiko, what if Yukinoshita's transferring just for you?"
Yumiko froze, then slammed the desk with a blush of rage. "Wh-what the hell?! That annoying freak?! No way!"
And right at that moment, the bell rang.
Hiratsuka-sensei entered the classroom, leading a girl with long black hair.
Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her skin look even paler, her lips like cherry blossoms.
She had a beauty both dignified and crystal clear.
Her eyes swept across the room and settled on Miura Yumiko.
Yumiko's ears instantly turned red.