"Someone's coming. It's Shizuka Hiratsuka."
Luo Yu's quiet remark made Yukino's eyes widen.
Less than three seconds later, the clubroom door was knocked on—and immediately pushed open.
"Yo! Yukinoshita, I came to—... huh? There are other people here?"
Standing at the doorway in her white lab coat, Shizuka Hiratsuka instantly noticed Miko Yotsuya sitting beside Yukino, as well as Luo Yu seated across from the two girls.
Seeing another girl there didn't surprise her much. After all, the whole idea behind Yukino's club was to help students in need, so it was only natural that visitors might appear.
But seeing a boy—especially Luo Yu, who was in the same class as Yukino—was quite unexpected.
Even more intriguing was the fact that the two of them sat next to each other in class.
That alone made Hiratsuka curious about why he would be here.
As she recalled the lunch she had just shared outside with Haruno Yukinoshita, and the things Haruno had mentioned during their conversation, a vague feeling rose in Hiratsuka's mind.
Somehow, she suspected that Luo Yu might have something to do with it.
Meanwhile, Yukino looked at Hiratsuka with a cold expression.
"Shizuka Hiratsuka, I believe I told you before, didn't I?"
Hiratsuka waved her hand dismissively.
"It's fine, it's fine. I knocked before entering, didn't I? It's not like you were doing anything inappropriate with a boy in here."
That casual remark immediately made Miko Yotsuya blush, and she couldn't help glancing at Luo Yu.
Yukino's lips twitched slightly as she stared at her unreliable teacher.
"So, Shizuka Hiratsuka… do you actually have something you need?"
Hiratsuka placed her hands on her hips and looked at the three of them.
"I just finished lunch and thought I'd stop by to check on your club. After all, I'm your advisor, remember?"
"So, are these two your new club members?"
Yukino shook her head.
"No. We were simply eating lunch together. I haven't even mentioned the club to them yet."
Miko Yotsuya looked at Yukino curiously.
"So you started a club that helps people?"
Yukino nodded.
"The goal of the Service Club is to offer help to those in need."
"However, since its establishment, no one has come seeking help. Even though I posted a notice outside."
Hiratsuka scratched her head.
"Well, that's not too surprising. The club's only been around for less than a week."
If it had been the old Yukino, she might indeed have been anxious about that.
But now, her thoughts had shifted.
After learning the truth about the world—and gaining new power—she had begun considering entirely different possibilities.
Such as exorcising evil spirits.
Yukino glanced at Hiratsuka, whose gaze kept shifting between Luo Yu and Miko Yotsuya, clearly trying to figure something out.
After a moment of thought, Yukino stood up.
"It's almost time. We should return to class."
"Huh? I was hoping to have a cup of tea."
"Sorry, Shizuka Hiratsuka. There's no tea prepared today. You'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? The club isn't meeting after school today?"
Yukino nodded.
"Something came up."
With that, she walked toward the door. Luo Yu and Miko Yotsuya followed behind her.
Once outside, Yukino turned back toward the clubroom.
"Shizuka Hiratsuka, I'm locking the door."
"Alright, alright, I got it."
Hiratsuka stepped out while watching Yukino lock the door, feeling as though the girl was becoming increasingly difficult to handle.
Compared to her sister Haruno, Yukino seemed to be developing in a completely different direction—one Hiratsuka had never expected.
After locking up, Yukino returned to class with Luo Yu and Miko Yotsuya.
Hiratsuka remained behind, quietly watching the three of them walk away.
Something definitely felt different.
Taking out her phone, she hesitated for a moment.
"Hmm… should I tell Haruno about this?"
Although it had only been a week since school started, she had already noticed that Luo Yu from Class A was a capable student.
Still, she didn't know much about him beyond that.
Considering that Yukino was Haruno's younger sister, Hiratsuka ultimately decided to make the call.
—
On the other side, Haruno Yukinoshita was driving home when her phone rang.
Seeing Hiratsuka's name, she answered with mild surprise.
"Shizuka Hiratsuka? What's the matter? Don't tell me you're inviting me for tea this afternoon—I'm heading home."
"Not that," Hiratsuka replied. "Didn't you ask me to keep an eye on any changes with your sister at school?"
"I noticed something just now."
"Oh?"
"She wasn't eating lunch alone today. She was in the clubroom with two other students—a boy and a girl."
"Really?"
That genuinely surprised Haruno.
She understood Yukino's personality very well. With only one week since school started, it was unlikely anyone would invite her to eat together.
A similar situation had already happened when Yukino was in middle school.
"So who are they?"
"The girl's name is Miko Yotsuya, from Class C. I remember seeing her at the office before."
"And the boy is from Class A, the same class as your sister. His name is Luo Yu."
"They're also seatmates."
Seatmates?
Haruno narrowed her eyes.
Her sharp instincts immediately told her she might have found the source of the change.
Luo Yu from Class A…
It seemed she would need to investigate him carefully.
After all, since the school year began, she hadn't looked into the students in Yukino's class yet.
As for Miko Yotsuya, Haruno mentally placed her far lower on the list of priorities.
She would investigate Luo Yu first. The girl could wait.
Seeing Haruno fall silent, Hiratsuka added a reminder.
"I know you care about your sister, but don't go overboard, alright?"
"I don't want your sister finding out and holding a grudge against me at school. You know how sharp her tongue can be."
"Oh? Has she already started verbally destroying people after enrollment?"
"Not yet. It's only been a week."
"But I heard some boys made a 'school beauty ranking.' I wouldn't be surprised if someone confesses to your sister soon."
Haruno chuckled softly.
"Well, that's only natural. Yukino is very cute, after all."
"Don't worry. I only want to learn more about the people around my little sister."
"I won't do anything extreme. The Yukinoshita family are law-abiding citizens."
Hiratsuka didn't believe a single word of that.
After all, the Yukinoshita family owned a large number of real estate businesses and had once been connected to organized crime.
Although those ties had faded over the past decade—especially after Yukino and Haruno's father became a politician—the family was still far from harmless.
With a sigh, Hiratsuka said,
"Let's hope that's true. Anyway, focus on driving. I need to go prepare my lessons."
"Bye then. Thanks for the information today, Shizuka Hiratsuka. I'll treat you to drinks next time!"
After hanging up, Haruno immediately dialed another number.
"Are you free?"
"I need you to investigate someone—Luo Yu, my younger sister's classmate."
"Yes, just basic personal information. Nothing else."
"Do not approach or harass him. Once the information is collected, send it to my phone."
After giving the instructions, Haruno tightened her grip on the steering wheel and turned into the driveway of the Yukinoshita family estate.
Originally, she had planned to return to Tokyo for class.
But her mother had called earlier.
Apparently, someone from a major religious group called Qixing Cult had come from Tokyo, and the family was expected to meet them.
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