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Chapter 22: A World Where Only Two People Get Hurt is Achieved
🕑 Added 2025-07-30 20:22:01 +0000 UTC"Come with me to the Service Club after school today."
With that brief instruction, Hiratsuka-sensei ended their conversation as the class bell rang and walked off.
Aoki Kei gave a silent nod and returned to the classroom.
Only one class remained before lunch.
After it ended, Kei grabbed a pineapple bun from the school convenience store for a quick meal, then rested his head on the desk for a short nap.
Afternoon classes passed as usual, and by around 3:30, the dismissal bell rang.
After saying a quick goodbye to Hikigaya Hachiman, Kei slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for Hiratsuka-sensei's office.
After much hesitation during both morning and afternoon, he had finally made a decision: he sent a resignation message via LINE to the boss at the convenience store.
He hadn’t told the owner of “morke” bar yet, but since his shift there wasn’t until later, he wasn’t too concerned.
He met up with Hiratsuka-sensei in the staff room, and the two of them headed to the Service Club a few minutes after school ended.
The Service Club.
Despite the odd name, it was a legitimate club.
Its purpose: helping others.
A group devoted to extending a hand to those in need...
It wasn’t until they reached the clubroom door that Hiratsuka-sensei gave Kei a quick explanation.
Before Kei could respond, she threw the door open without hesitation.
‘Clatter.’
Along with the sound of the door, a voice rang out from inside—clear, cold, and strikingly beautiful.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, didn’t I ask you to knock next time before entering?"
Kei turned his gaze toward the voice and involuntarily drew a sharp breath.
Silky black hair like fine veil, a flawless, porcelain face, and an aura of unshakable calm.
Whether in looks or demeanor, she could stand toe-to-toe with any of the girls in Kessoku Band.
Sitting alone in the spacious clubroom, the girl had a paperback in hand.
Upon hearing the door open, she raised her head slightly to glance over.
Aoki Kei’s expression turned serious as he looked at her.
Yukinoshita Yukino — brilliant, diligent, and the reigning top student for years. Besides being the president of the Service Club, she also held another title...
Kei's biggest rival in the pursuit of a scholarship.
"Even if I did knock, you wouldn’t answer anyway," Hiratsuka replied dryly.
"That’s because you always come in before I even get a chance to respond..."
Yukino gave Hiratsuka a disapproving glance, then sighed. "So? What’s the reason for dragging this student into our club?"
She turned her gaze toward Kei.
"I have a request to make," Hiratsuka said. "I’d like this student Aoki—to join the Service Club. Though not... as a full member."
"...?"
Yukino gave her a puzzled look.
Kei remained silent, and Hiratsuka continued with her explanation.
"He works part-time after school, so he can’t attend club activities regularly. But he’s free on Thursdays and Fridays, so I thought he could help out then."
She left out the part about Kei working at a bar, keeping it vague.
"Sorry, but I refuse," Yukino said plainly.
"The Service Club isn’t a daycare or a hobby group. I don’t accept half-baked requests like this."
Shot down immediately.
Hiratsuka looked awkward for a moment, glancing between Yukino and Kei, trying to find the right words to sway the iron-willed Yukino.
Then, something clicked.
She remembered just how prideful Yukino could be.
Clearing her throat, Hiratsuka continued.
"Ahem. Actually, there is a specific reason Aoki wants to join."
Yukino gave her a look that said, ‘Go on, explain.’
"You see, Aoki-kun is a recent transfer student here at Shuchiin High. Back at his old school, he consistently ranked first in his grade. So now that he’s here, he’s very focused on maintaining that position."
To be fair, Kei wasn’t obsessed with being number one, but the scholarship tied to it was a different matter.
Close enough.
Hiratsuka pressed on.
"But as you know, Shuchiin High is one of the top schools in Tokyo. Taking the number one spot isn’t easy. He’s confident, but not arrogant. That’s why he wants to study how you manage your academics... and use your methods to surpass you."
Yukino blinked, taken aback.
She paused, seemingly deep in thought.
Hiratsuka seized the moment and continued her pitch.
"Besides, the Service Club is technically under-staffed. Having another member would help when dealing with requests. Don’t you agree, Aoki-kun?"
‘Agree?...Do I need to agree?’
Kei turned toward Hiratsuka with a look of disbelief.
This wasn't the plan! Weren’t they just supposed to talk?
What’s with suddenly being roped into club activities!?
Noticing his silent protest, Hiratsuka gave him a look—'Don’t worry, the club rarely gets requests anyway.’
Still, Kei was beginning to regret his decision.
But it was already too late.
Yukino, still holding her book to her chin, wore an intrigued expression.
“To try and defeat me using my own methods? Is that a challenge?” Her lips curled slightly. “Interesting... I accept the request.”
Hiratsuka achieved her goal.
Yukinoshita Yukino had taken on the request she found amusing.
Kei, on the other hand, had just joined what was likely to become a massive headache of a club... and had also gained a rival more alert and competitive than ever before.
A world where only Aoki Kei gets hurt has now been achieved.
…Actually, maybe not just Kei—
————————————————————————
Later that afternoon, when Kei had hastily said goodbye to Hikigaya Hachiman, the latter hadn’t even had time to respond.
Now, lying on the sofa at home, Hachiman replayed that moment in his mind over and over.
‘Did that guy think I was being cold? What if he thinks I’m ignoring him?’
‘Hikigaya Hachiman, how could you not respond when someone says goodbye to you?’
‘That’s exactly the kind of behavior those nasty normies who isolate others would do…’
‘Should I greet him first tomorrow morning…?’
"Ahhh! This is so stressful!" he groaned.
