Isshiki Iroha's arrival this time gave Yukinoshita the impression that Isshiki Iroha was worried Lin Ye wouldn't head to the Service Club, and so had hurried over to the classroom to intercept him.
Was there some important matter?
Yukino Yukinoshita thought to herself.
"Does Student Isshiki need him for something?"
"Ah! Just a little private matter,"
Isshiki Iroha continued with a giggle.
For now, she still couldn't tell Yukinoshita-senpai about the marvelous ability Senpai had to hypnotize people, and even less could she tell Senpai about how he was already toying with a pair of sisters, enjoying the blessing of having both at once.
If word of that got out, where would she find the leverage to threaten Senpai, to make him yield and submit beneath her intimidation?
"Mm,"
Yukino Yukinoshita wasn't the type of girl who liked to press for answers. She had already keenly sensed that Isshiki Iroha wouldn't tell her, and since that was the case, she wouldn't bother asking.
Seeing that Isshiki Iroha had nothing else to say, she picked up her bento box and headed straight for the club building where the Service Club was located.
Isshiki Iroha followed.
A few minutes later, the two of them arrived.
The Service Club was empty; they were the first to arrive.
Not many minutes later, a cheerful voice came through.
"Yahallo, Yukinon, Iroha-chan,"
It was Yui Yuigahama.
"I'm late—things with Yumiko took a little bit of time,"
"It's fine,"
Yukino Yukinoshita gestured for Yui Yuigahama to sit down.
"Mm-hmm, is Student Lin Ye still not coming today?"
Lin Ye still hadn't shown up by now, and generally speaking that meant he wasn't here.
"No, he's coming. But he wasn't feeling well this morning, so he's in the infirmary."
"Eh eh eh, Student Lin isn't feeling well?"
Inevitably,
Yui Yuigahama said with concern.
"Senpai, are you this concerned about Senpai because you like him?"
Isshiki Iroha was very direct, seizing the chance to ask.
Yui Yuigahama's face turned bright red.
"No, don't say such nonsense. I'm merely concerned about a fellow member of the same club. If Iroha-chan were feeling unwell, I'd be just as concerned and worried,"
"Ah, eh eh eh, so that's how it is?"
A teasing smile appeared on Isshiki Iroha's face.
"Of course, that's how it is."
"How happy, so Senpai cares this much about me too,"
Isshiki Iroha clutched her chest. "If Senpai heard this, he'd surely think exactly the same as me, and he'd surely be moved and happy. By then, he'd sink right into the tenderness of Yuigahama-senpai's concern,"
Under Isshiki Iroha's extension of the topic, it once again veered off in that direction.
Sometimes Yui Yuigahama felt she really had to admire Isshiki Iroha.
"It wouldn't go like that at all!"
The pink dumpling waved her hands a bit bashfully.
"Senpai, Yuigahama-senpai says it won't happen! So which is it—will you or won't you?"
"Ah-huh, eh eh..."
With a startled cry, Yui Yuigahama immediately spun around to look toward the door, only to find the doorway empty—not a soul in sight.
"You tricked me,"
"Ah, I was seeing things, my eyes played a trick on me. Sorry, Yuigahama-senpai,"
"Ngh..."
Yui Yuigahama was thoroughly displeased.
"But my thinking is serious—Senpai really would think that way,"
"He wouldn't,"
"He really would, what do you say! Senpai,"
"Heh heh, I won't fall for it again."
But the voice that suddenly came from behind left Yui Yuigahama frozen.
"What would I think?"
Lin Ye, who had just arrived, was utterly baffled, with no idea what had happened.
What were Yui Yuigahama and Isshiki Iroha discussing?
"Of course it's... mmph mmph mmph."
The moment Isshiki Iroha tried to open her mouth, Yui Yuigahama clamped down hard over it. No matter how Isshiki Iroha struggled, Yui Yuigahama held firm, not giving her the slightest chance to break free.
"What's going on, you can't say?"
"No, no,"
Yui Yuigahama shook her head vigorously in denial, telling Lin Ye not to pay it any more attention.
But Lin Ye turned to look at the other person present, Yukino Yukinoshita. As someone who had been in the Service Club the whole time, Yukinoshita ought to know the situation.
The girl with long black hair noticed Lin Ye's questioning expression. She pursed her lips and considered for a moment, then spoke up. "Student Yuigahama is quite concerned about you. She learned that you were sick this morning and went to the infirmary."
Yui Yuigahama froze, her grip over the mouth loosening.
The very person she least expected to speak had actually spoken.
More than sorrow, what she felt was shock.
She had truly believed that Yukino Yukinoshita would never bring up such a thing on her own, because the impression Yukino Yukinoshita had always given her was one of coldness and aloofness—not very attentive to outside matters, and never taking the initiative on anything.
But now, that impression had been changed.
She was curious about just what had happened to turn this cold girl into who she was now.
Yui Yuigahama really wanted to figure out the reason.
"So that's how it was. Thank you for your concern, Student Yuigahama,"
"Eh, it's, it's nothing. We're all comrades in the same club, it's only right to care for one another,"
Isshiki Iroha found her opening and pried away Yui Yuigahama's covering hand. "Senpai, Senpai, I care about you a lot too, I care about you a lot as well!"
She blinked her big, glistening eyes, radiating a luster, seeking affirmation and praise from Lin Ye.
But Lin Ye seemed not the least bit inclined to give Isshiki Iroha any good feeling, merely saying flatly, "I know."
The stark contrast that emerged after comparing the two left Isshiki Iroha so miserable she shut herself off for a moment.
Too much.
This was just too much.
Isshiki Iroha clenched her fist and decided she absolutely had to give Senpai a big 'surprise'—otherwise, how could she face herself!
Very good.
One look at Isshiki Iroha's reaction told Lin Ye that this girl was already plotting something again. Her recovered memories had given her the nerve to once more raise thoughts of threatening him.
But even Yukino couldn't do anything against her—what was a mere Isshiki Iroha worth?
"Senpai, I'm not happy, I'm very unhappy,"
"Oh!"
"Treat me to dessert, treat me to dinner,"
Isshiki Iroha just came right out with it, not caring in the least about the rudeness of her behavior. In fact, it was precisely because she knew how rude it was that she did it—only that could demonstrate her relationship with Lin Ye.
"I have plans,"
"Ah!"
Isshiki Iroha was stunned, then thought of something. "With whom? Senpai, tell me, is it some very pretty beautiful girl? Prettier than me?"
"Far prettier than you—you can't compare at all,"
Isshiki Iroha took it like a critical hit, pouting to express her displeasure. "Too much, Senpai, talking like that you'll never get a girlfriend,"
As this line dropped, Lin Ye glanced at Yukino Yukinoshita.
And Yukino seemed to sense Lin Ye's gaze as well. Their eyes met, and a brief exchange of awareness passed between them.
"That's not something you need to worry about, Isshiki,"
"As your underclassman, I absolutely must worry! If Senpai were to commit some illegal crime out of prolonged loneliness and isolation, how could that be allowed!"
Isshiki Iroha came up with all sorts of reasonable justifications for her behavior.
But the ultimate goal was to be alone with Lin Ye after school. Only by being alone could she have a proper talk with Senpai.
It was just that Lin Ye wouldn't relent.
This left Isshiki Iroha—mindful of Yui Yuigahama and Yukinoshita being present—with no choice but to give Senpai some even more obvious hints.
Message sent.
Beep beep beep...
The phone in Lin Ye's pocket buzzed. He took it out and looked.
It was a text from Isshiki Iroha. The content was worded very vaguely, but knowing the real situation, he could tell exactly what Isshiki Iroha was talking about.
This girl—so she'd come out and said it after all.
Lin Ye had to play along.
He really wanted to see Isshiki Iroha get rebuffed once more after school.
"Senpai, what do you say, what do you say, do you have time? For the sake of me, your cute little underclassman, just have a meal with me! Okay okay okay!"
Tossing out three 'okays' in a row, Isshiki Iroha was as pleased as if victory were already in hand.
At the thought of Senpai going from his initial firm refusals to now accepting—this dramatic, sudden shift sent joy surging unstoppably through Isshiki Iroha's heart.
She was even more eager to see Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama wear astonished expressions at Senpai's change.
In that moment,
her sense of satisfaction would climb to its peak.
"Not much to say."
Isshiki Iroha: ??
She momentarily doubted her ears, wondering if she was hearing things.
"Senpai, Senpai, are you... serious?"
"Yes, there really isn't much to say."
Isshiki Iroha gritted her teeth. Indeed, Senpai's behavior alone was unpredictable.
"But since you, Student Isshiki, have begged so many times, it's not that I can't keep you company for one meal,"
Isshiki Iroha immediately broke into a smile. She figured she understood Senpai's thinking—he wanted to agree, but didn't want to agree outright, so he'd put on this whole act.
Heh heh.
This time we'll leave it here; after school I'll give Senpai a proper lesson.
"Then it's settled—after school Senpai treats me to a meal,"
Isshiki Iroha was as happy as a victorious general.
It took Yui Yuigahama quite a while to register that Isshiki Iroha had successfully secured an invitation with Lin Ye.
As expected, Student Isshiki had feelings for Lin-kun, was fond of him—otherwise, why would she keep inviting him over and over, even after Lin Ye had refused so many times!
Yukino Yukinoshita kept silent, made no sound, didn't look around, merely working her chopsticks and eating the bento before her.
And Lin Ye too began his lunch for the day.
The bento Yukino had made was, as ever, so delicious and enticing, perfectly suited to his taste.
He cast a glance at the girl, his gaze lingering a few extra seconds on her red lips.
A bit addictive.
That feeling really was addictive to him—from time to time he wanted to experience it again.
The lunch break ended.
In the end, on the way back, it was just Lin Ye and Yukino Yukinoshita.
"Who did you originally have plans with?"
The old her certainly wouldn't have asked, but now she was Lin Ye's girlfriend—she had the right to ask.
"I wanted to make plans with you, Yukino,"
This was Lin Ye's answer.
Faced with Lin Ye's earnest reply, Yukino Yukinoshita nodded slightly.
"Eat a little less."
"Hm?"
"Come back early; I'll prepare dinner for you at the apartment,"
What was this? This was the first time Yukino had taken the initiative to invite him to her apartment.
"If you don't want to, then forget it,"
"No—I want to, I definitely want to."
How could he possibly refuse? This was the best opportunity to advance his relationship with Yukino.
"I'll come back early, I won't keep you waiting long."
"..."
She merely gave him an extra glance, as if she didn't hold too high an expectation for this promise of Lin Ye's.
"Just don't let Student Isshiki trick you into staying out overnight."
"Ahahaha, I won't, I won't. Am I that kind of person?"
"Who knows what a man is thinking!"
"If I really were the kind of man Yukino was just imagining, Yukino would have been completely devoured by me long ago."
The soft voice that sounded close by her ear left Yukino blushing prettily, her heart racing.
When it came to Lin Ye's character alone, she could maintain a high degree of trust.
After school,
Isshiki Iroha arrived as agreed.
"Yukino Yukinoshita, Senpai and I will be going on ahead. I won't be participating in today's Service Club activities."
Yukino Yukinoshita nodded to show she understood.
The two of them left, vanishing from view.
The girl with long black hair clenched her fist. "Tonight, you can wait to be punished too!"
No matter what—even though she knew the truth—she was still very displeased that he was going out to dine alone with a girl behind her back.
'Click...'
Bathed in sunlight, the Service Club now held only Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama.
And today the Service Club hadn't received a single request, leaving both of them quite bored.
In the end, Yui Yuigahama turned her attention to her phone, looking at fashionable little trinkets, her mind filled with nothing but the thought of 'buy, buy, buy'—but alas, she was only a High School Student, with limited pocket money.
Meanwhile, Yukino Yukinoshita read the literary anthology she hadn't yet finished, but her heart couldn't settle, and she couldn't focus her attention very well.
She was thinking about Lin Ye and Isshiki Iroha's meal—what might happen between the two of them.
But before long, her reason told her again that this worry was unnecessary.
If that guy wanted to make a move on Isshiki Iroha, had any interest, he'd have done it long ago—and he'd have done it openly, announcing it beforehand, never sneaking around to do it in secret while hiding it from her.
This analysis left her caught between laughter and tears.
The shopping street.
Lin Ye and Isshiki Iroha arrived.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Isn't it supposed to be Senpai who arranges this?"
"Then let's keep it simple—we won't eat,"
"Senpai, that really is simple of you,"
Isshiki Iroha nearly burst out laughing.
"Barbecue, then! I feel like having barbecue."
Since Lin Ye had no ideas, Isshiki Iroha made the suggestion herself.
"Sure,"
And this time, Lin Ye specially took Isshiki Iroha to an upscale barbecue restaurant.
Just the floor it was on and the understated, luxurious decor brought a wave of pressure crashing over Isshiki Iroha.
For a moment she wondered whether Senpai planned to run off halfway through the meal, leaving her alone to foot the bill!
"Senpai, why don't we... switch to a different place!"
"No need. This time I'll treat you properly,"
And so,
Isshiki Iroha followed along into a rather private booth.
This private setting actually suited Isshiki Iroha's needs.
It was perfect for her to have a proper talk with Senpai.
"Please wait a moment, the ingredients will be ready shortly,"
The uniformed waitress bowed slightly and left the booth.
'Glug glug...'
Lin Ye poured Isshiki Iroha a fruit juice.
Isshiki Iroha took a sip and was certain this was absolutely orange juice squeezed from top-quality oranges.
How much must this cost?
How much must Senpai be spending?
Of course, what worried Isshiki Iroha most was the purpose behind Senpai spending such a price—that was the key.
To win her favor? To covet her body?
Impossible. If Senpai truly harbored such thoughts about her, he'd have acted long ago—he'd have brought her to a high-end restaurant like this from the start, and used all sorts of methods to hint at courting her, rather than only now, after she'd pestered and hinted in every way, bringing her to such an upscale place.
"Senpai..."
"Eat first. Once we've eaten our fill, we'll have a proper talk."
"Oh!"
Isshiki Iroha thought it over and gave an "mm" of agreement.
But the gloom in her heart grew ever heavier.
Could it be he really meant to treat her to a high-end meal just to make her keep quiet about the matter of Senpai and the Fujibayashi sisters?
This...
She could keep it quiet, but it wouldn't be settled with a single meal. What she wanted was to know more and more of Senpai's secrets—she was curious about that world, wanted to know more about that world.
'Guests...'
Several waiters arrived. One first knocked, then they orderly arranged plate after plate of barbecue ingredients on the table.
The beef was fresh, thin and red, its marbling distinct.
Isshiki Iroha couldn't tell what grade of beef this was, but from this feeling alone, it was absolutely premium ingredients.
This one meal
would probably eat up several months of her living expenses!
Plate after plate of barbecue ingredients was arranged on the table.
The waiters left as well, the door closed, and the booth held only Lin Ye and Isshiki Iroha.
Only the suction device on the table was working, but its sound was very soft, yet it absorbed all the smoke and grease until everything was spotless.
"Eat up!"
"Oh, oh!"
Isshiki Iroha was a bit restrained,
"Loosen up. We've known each other so long now, there's no need to be nervous."
"How could I not be nervous,"
Isshiki Iroha thought it over and recovered a bit of her usual state. "Senpai, you suddenly bring me to a place that's obviously so high-end—of course I'm nervous!"
"I almost thought Senpai was about to confess to me, that that's why you brought me to such an upscale place—to show off your financial power and how much you value me, ready to win me over in one go,"
Her playful tone eased the nervousness and worry in her heart.
Isshiki Iroha had recovered a bit of herself.
This was her style.
"It's not."
"Senpai, has anyone ever told you that being like this you really won't find a girlfriend? I hinted so obviously just now, practically spelled it out, and you still don't respond?"
Isshiki Iroha felt so stifled, Was she really so lacking in charm?
"As long as you confess to me, Senpai, I'll say yes! That way, you'll have a cute underclassman as your girlfriend, and your rose-colored youthful school life will be about to begin—aren't you looking forward to it?"
Isshiki Iroha blinked her sparkling eyes, "You're a good person, but we really aren't suited after all,"
Isshiki Iroha: ???
"If I really said that, you'd definitely reply this way,"
"Ah!"
She'd been seen right through!
Senpai understood her so well!
Isshiki Iroha thought to herself, sullen and unhappy.
But still, the thought of agreeing—she really did have it; occasionally the thought of having a talk with Lin Ye would surface as well.
____
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