Chapter 12: The Non-Problem Child and the Service Club
"Service Club!"
Usually, Shin went straight home after school without spending time with classmates, so Akagi hadn't expected much when he invited him. But unexpectedly, Shin seemed to change his tune, asking where they were going, which caught Akagi by surprise and sparked his enthusiasm.
While Shin appeared ordinary, Akagi knew his true abilities were far beyond what he showed. Having Shin along gave him confidence.
"The Service Club?"
Shin was surprised by Akagi's answer. He recognized the name—it was a club featured in a work from his previous life.
It had been founded by Yukinoshita Yukino, a well-known girl at school. With her excellent grades and aloof attitude toward others, she often attracted attention.
Of course, her disregard for others' opinions made her unpopular with some, and despite her exceptional looks and talents, many teachers saw her as a problematic child.
Shin's homeroom teacher, Hiratsuka Shizuka, was one of those teachers deeply concerned with students' mental health. She'd repeatedly tried to address Yukinoshita Yukino's problematic personality.
In the original story, Hiratsuka's approach was to throw another "problem child" into Yukino's Service Club, hoping the two troubled kids might support each other.
Shin couldn't quite grasp her reasoning, but he doubted such a scenario would play out in this world.
After all, he hadn't heard of "The Master," the protagonist Hachiman Hikigaya, as readers in his previous life had called him.
This wasn't Sobu High School but rather the private Toyosaki Academy. With students from different works crammed into one school, it was inevitable that some students wouldn't make the cut.
Hikigaya Hachiman, unfortunately, might have ended up elsewhere.
As for Shin, given his typical behavior at school, Hiratsuka Shizuka wouldn't see him as a problem child, let alone force him into the Service Club.
Honestly, while Yukinoshita Yukino's "high-up-and-untouchable" persona was appealing in fiction, Shin figured reality might not feel the same way.
"Even if you're out of touch, you should have heard of it, right? After all, it's the club Yukinoshita Yukino established."
Akagi wore an eager smile as he extended the invitation to Shin.
The Service Club was already well-known. Yukinoshita Yukino had explained that it offered support to students facing difficulties and would accept any request from students.
However, it was evident that Akagi had other motives. He was simply eager to meet the elusive Yukinoshita Yukino.
In fairness, Akagi wasn't lacking. Possibly due to family genetics, he was athletic and didn't share his cousin's overly bulky build.
This ideal "athlete boy" image gave Akagi some popularity among girls. If he wanted, he could probably find a cute girlfriend to experience a sweet high school romance.
But his ambition was too high—always seeking out the school's renowned girls, only to be disappointed every time.
Yesterday it was Kasumigaoka Utaha, and now Yukinoshita Yukino.
Rumor had it that Akagi once tried to join the art club just to meet another famous beauty, Sawamura Spencer Eriri, only to be kicked out because he'd eaten all their fruit supplies before even meeting her. His classmates teased him for days.
"Even if I know your motive, you should have a reason to go to the Service Club, right?"
Shin looked at Akagi, helplessly.
"The Service Club is a place where students submit requests. If you go with nothing, Yukinoshita might just kick you out."
Hearing this, Akagi's expression shifted, and he nodded earnestly, probably recalling how he'd been booted from the art club.
"Good point... How about I ask them to teach me soccer?"
"Aren't you the star of the soccer club? Going to the Service Club to learn soccer sounds like you're just picking a fight."
Shin rubbed his forehead, exasperated. Akagi was a top player in the soccer club—few in the entire school matched his skills.
Did he really expect Yukinoshita Yukino to teach him soccer? Was he going there to stir things up?
Despite Akagi's haphazard approach, Shin decided to go with him to the Service Club. After all, Akagi would probably head there on his own anyway.
It seemed better to accompany him, partly to prevent Akagi from embarrassing himself too much, and partly because he was curious to see Yukinoshita Yukino—a character he'd only seen in illustrations in his previous life.
"Alright, it's settled! I'll come up with a request for Yukinoshita today, and after school, you're coming with me, Shin!"
Now that Shin had agreed, Akagi's confidence surged. It seemed he knew how unreliable he could be and felt better with Shin to keep things steady.
"You should focus on your studies."
Shin couldn't help but throw in a jab. Judging by Akagi's words, he'd spend the whole day thinking of a request for the Service Club, leaving no room for studying.
"Shin, are you also interested in Yukinoshita?"
After Akagi left, Kato Megumi, seated in front of him, turned around and asked.
She had overheard the conversation and knew Shin planned to go to the Service Club with Akagi after school.
Akagi's intentions were transparent, but Shin's were less clear. Kato Megumi was a bit curious if Shin had his own reasons for going to see Yukinoshita.
For a boy who noticed her and willingly talked to her, Kato Megumi found herself a little curious.
"I suppose you could say I'm interested… though not in the way you'd expect."
Shin responded with a smile. His interest in Yukinoshita Yukino was more a curiosity about seeing an illustrated character come to life, unlike Akagi's intentions.
In the past, he might have avoided high-profile girls to maintain a peaceful life, but now he was more open to it.
Maybe his newfound strength made him feel more at ease.
"Is… that so?"
Kato Megumi looked puzzled. Clearly, she didn't fully understand Shin's response.
To be continued…
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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