Chapter 435: A Clown Only Needs To Be A Subject Of Ridicule
"Is there anyone who would like to nominate themselves?"
As the current student council president, Meguri, smiled and spoke, she glanced hopefully around the conference room, hoping someone would step forward.
However, most people were unwilling to take on this role.
Meguri scanned the room and then hesitated when she reached Yukino's position.
"Um... you're Yukinoshita, right?"
"Yes." Yukino was somewhat surprised but nodded nonetheless.
Seeing this, Minami, sitting on the other side, felt displeased.
With her excellent grades and aloof demeanor, Yukino was also a prominent figure in the school. If Yumiko was at the top of the class, then Yukino was at the top of the school.
If there was anyone in the school who could rival Yukino, it would only be the two third-year students, "Unattainable Flower" Utaha Kasumigaoka and "Flower of Kendo" Saeko Busujima.
But as long as I can shine at this cultural festival, then I can also become a prominent figure in this school.
Thinking this, Minami became even more eager for the position of executive committee chairperson.
...
On the other side, seeing Yukino nod, Meguri clasped her hands together, a happy smile on her face. "Just as I thought, you're Haruno-senpai's sister, aren't you?"
"Back then, Haruno-senpai was also the executive committee chairperson, and that cultural festival was unprecedentedly splendid in Sobu High's history."
"Yukinoshita-san, would you like to be the executive committee chairperson for this year's festival? I believe that as Haruno-senpai's sister, you'll definitely be able to organize this cultural festival well."
Hearing this, Yukino felt a bit unhappy.
Here it comes again; she's once again being compared to her sister.
From childhood to adulthood, it was always like this. Everyone who met her sister would praise her endlessly, while she was just a subsidiary existence in her sister's shadow.
It was as if her own efforts were worthless, and her excellence was all because she was Haruno's sister, as if it were only natural.
This made the girl quite unhappy.
After all, Yukino Yukinoshita was never anyone's appendage.
Regarding Meguri's suggestion of her becoming the chairperson, Yukino simply shook her head with a cool expression.
"No need to become the chairperson. I will fulfill the duties of an executive committee member."
"I see... well then."
Seeing Yukino reject her proposal, Meguri's face showed a hint of disappointment, but she wouldn't force anything.
Just then, another voice spoke up.
"Um... if no one else is willing, I can give it a try."
The speaker was Minami Sagami.
When Minami saw Meguri's attempt to make Yukino the executive committee chairperson, she felt quite anxious. She planned to leverage this position to become the focal point of the cultural festival. How could she let someone else snatch it away?
So, when she saw Yukino refuse Meguri's offer to be the chairperson, Minami couldn't wait to speak up.
Seeing someone volunteer, Meguri's face lit up with a happy smile.
"Really? What's your name?"
"Um... I'm Minami Sagami from class F of the second year. Although I'm not very good at this kind of front-line work, I will do my best."
Minami stood up, looking a bit embarrassed as she introduced herself.
"I also hope to grow through this cultural festival."
Seeing this, Hachiman's lips curled into a faint smirk.
This guy could have been a tea master in a past life, no doubt about it.
But Meguri, being naive, couldn't see through Minami's disguise. Upon hearing her words, Meguri clasped her hands together and surveyed the people in the conference room.
"Well then, if there are no other volunteers, shall we appoint Minami as the executive committee chairperson?"
No one objected to her proposal. In fact, no one wanted to be the chairperson. After all, if the cultural festival didn't go well, the chairperson would bear the blame. Now that someone stepped up, it was for the best.
So, everyone applauded, congratulating Minami on becoming the chairperson.
Seeing everyone applauding for her, Minami knew she had succeeded.
Although she was happy inside, she made a show of looking embarrassed, bowing to everyone in gratitude.
"Thank you for your trust. I will do my best as the chairperson."
...
As the meeting ended, everyone began to leave the conference room one by one.
After all, it was lunchtime, and classes would resume soon.
As Hachiman got up from his seat to leave, he overheard Minami's troubled voice not far away.
"What should I do? I impulsively became the executive committee chairperson. What if I can't handle it?"
Her two friends beside her comforted her, "It's okay, as long as you work hard, Minami, you'll definitely do well, and we'll help you."
"That's right, we'll definitely help you."
Hearing this, a faint smirk appeared on Hachiman's lips.
Just work hard?
Sorry, while hard work is indeed important, it doesn't fix everything.
And judging from Minami's performance in the original work, she never put in any effort.
Since becoming the chairperson, she hadn't accomplished anything, especially after asking the Service Club for help. She only focused on having fun and waited for success to come to her.
Hachiman remembered Yukino collapsing from exhaustion due to handling too many tasks.
With that in mind, Hachiman's eyes narrowed.
He wouldn't allow such a thing to happen. If Minami showed some improvement, he wouldn't mind lending a hand. But if she remained the same as in the original, he wouldn't be polite about it.
A clown only needs to be a subject of ridicule.
Ignoring Minami and her friends' continued chatter, Hachiman walked out of the conference room.
In the hallway, he saw Yui and Yukino chatting together.
Seeing Hachiman coming out, Yui waved at him.
"Hikki, you're so slow. Yukinon came out a while ago."
Watching the silly Yui, Hachiman's mood improved considerably.
Just then, the bell signaling the start of class rang.
"Oh, it's time for class," Yui remarked.
"Well then, Yukinon, we'll see you at the Service Club this afternoon," she added.
Yukino nodded in response and turned to walk towards her classroom.
Watching the girl's retreating figure, Yui couldn't help but admire.
"Yukinon is really hardworking."
Before Hachiman could respond, she turned back with a smile.
"Let's go, Hikki. It's time to head to our classroom for class."
...
After school, at the Service Club.
Yukino, Hachiman, and Yui arrived as usual.
Previously, they had decorated the club room a bit, making it much cozier than before.
On the central table were flowers for decoration and various other ornaments. On another table, a teapot was brewing tea.
After taking a sip of the tea, Yui smiled and said, "I didn't expect you, Yukinon, to become an executive committee member too. If I had known, I would have joined as well, so we could work together. What a shame."
"That would have been nice," Yukino replied with a hint of regret in her tone, then shifted her gaze to Hachiman on the other side.
"But what surprises me is, Hachiman, how did you end up becoming an executive committee member too? Aren't you the one who dislikes trouble the most?"
"Indeed, Yukino, you know me well," Hachiman shrugged helplessly.
"I didn't want to become an executive committee member either. It was forcefully assigned by Shizuka-sensei."
"I see," Yukino nodded understandingly. Given Shizuka's personality, it's entirely possible for her to do something like that.
Yui, on the side, laughed awkwardly. It was because she had also chimed in at the time. It was due to her, along with Yumiko and Hayama's recommendations, that Hachiman became an executive committee member.
But then, she hesitated for a moment and spoke up.
"But come to think of it, the committee meetings for the cultural festival will be held every day, and I also need to help with class activities, so I'm afraid..."
Hearing this, Yukino closed her book.
"That's true. I've been considering temporarily suspending the activities of the Service Club for a few days until the cultural festival is over. We can resume our club activities afterward."
"Then let's temporarily end today's activities. Everyone, go home and rest well to prepare for the cultural festival."
Hachiman and Yui nodded in agreement without any objections.
However, as the three of them were preparing to leave, they heard a knock on the door.
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Chapter 436: Protagonist or Clown
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Hearing the knocking at the door, Hachiman raised an eyebrow. If he was right, it was likely that Minami Sagami had come.
"Excuse me!"
As the door slid open, Minami and her two friends indeed appeared at the entrance.
"Minami?" Yui exclaimed in surprise upon seeing her.
"Yui, you're here too," Minami replied, raising an eyebrow before noticing Hachiman on the other side of the room. "Oh, Hikigaya-kun is here too."
For some reason, she and the two girls beside her started laughing.
Seeing this, Yukino felt an inexplicable irritation. However, since they had come to the Service Club, it meant they had a request, so she maintained her composure.
"Is there something you need?" Yukino asked, trying to be patient.
"Ah, I heard from Hiratsuka-sensei that this is your club, Yukinoshita-san. I have something I need help with," Minami said, her demeanor changing to seriousness. "As you know, I became the cultural festival executive committee chairperson, but I have no confidence at all. Hiratsuka-sensei mentioned that this club could help, so I hope you, Yukinoshita-san, can assist me."
"Didn't you say you wanted to grow as a person, Sagami-san? That seems contradictory to what you're saying now," Yukino replied, still flipping through her book without looking up, clearly unimpressed with Minami.
Seeing Yukino's dismissive attitude, Minami felt annoyed but kept her facade of being troubled. "I know it's not ideal, but it would be even worse if I caused trouble for everyone due to my incompetence. No one wants the cultural festival to fail, right? Helping each other achieve something is also a form of growth."
"So, I want to ask for your help, Yukinoshita-san."
After hearing her out, Yukino closed her book. "Let me summarize. You want us to support your work as the chairperson, correct?"
"Yes, exactly," Minami nodded eagerly.
"Very well. If that's the case, I can help you, considering I am also an executive committee member. As long as it's within the scope of my duties as an executive committee member, I can assist you."
"Really? Thank you so much," Minami said, her face lighting up with joy as she celebrated with her friends. "That's wonderful!"
Compared to Minami and her friends' happiness, Hachiman and Yui were quite surprised.
They had just been talking about pausing club activities, so why had Yukino accepted this request?
However, Hachiman had a vague idea of what was going on.
"Since that's settled, we'll take our leave now. Please take care of it," Minami said. Having achieved her goal, she and her friends didn't stay long; they had plans to go have fun.
Once Minami and her friends left, the Service Club fell silent again.
"Yukinon, why did you accept the request? You said we were going to pause club activities," Yui asked, confused.
Yukino paused for a moment before responding calmly, "Yes, the Service Club activities are indeed paused. I accepted the request in my personal capacity, so I'll handle it myself. Besides, as an executive committee member, it's my duty to help."
"But..."
Yui was about to say more, but Yukino cut her off.
"No 'buts'. Yui, you need to help your class with the cultural festival, so there's no need for you to worry about this."
Given her good relationship with Yui, Yukino wouldn't say something hurtful like "it's more efficient if I do it alone," as she might have in the past.
However, Yui's expression still dimmed a bit. She indeed had to assist her class during the cultural festival and might not have time to help. She also felt that something was off, as if Yukino was hiding something from her.
At this point, Hachiman spoke up with a smile. "Don't worry, Yui. Remember, I'm also an executive committee member. I'll help Yukino."
Yui's eyes lit up at his words. "Oh, right! I almost forgot you're an executive committee member too. That solves everything."
In Yui's mind, Hachiman was very capable. With his help, Yukino would have an easier time.
However, Yukino frowned slightly. She didn't want anyone else to help her with this, not even Hachiman.
As Student Council President Meguri had mentioned earlier, Haruno's cultural festival was an unprecedented success. For Yukino, who always aimed to surpass her sister, this cultural festival was crucial.
Becoming an executive committee member and accepting Minami's request were both steps toward her goal of surpassing Haruno.
So when Hachiman said he would help her, it was a situation she didn't want to see.
But just as Yukino was about to say something, Hachiman gave her a different look, making her hold back the words she wanted to say.
After deciding on this matter, the three of them left the activity room together.
...
"Well, I'll head home now. Bye, Hikki, Yukinon."
At a crossroads, Yui waved to Hachiman and Yukino before turning and heading in the direction of her home.
Watching Yui's disappearing figure, Yukino finally asked the question she had been holding back.
"Why did you say..."
But before she could finish her sentence, Hachiman interrupted her.
"I understand your thoughts, Yukino. You want to surpass your sister Haruno, which is why you became an executive committee member and accepted Minami's request, right?"
Hachiman could easily guess the girl's thoughts.
This only deepened Yukino's confusion.
"If you already know my purpose, why offer to help me? If that's the case, how can I surpass my sister?"
Hachiman shook his head with a smile at the girl's words.
"I think you're misunderstanding something, Yukino. How do you know if Haruno completed all the work by herself when she was the executive committee chairperson?"
"But regardless of whether my sister did it alone, as long as I can do it by myself, that would prove I'm better than her," Yukino countered.
"But the result would be the same. As long as you can make this cultural festival more lively, you can still prove you're better than Haruno," Hachiman shrugged.
"And don't forget, you're just one of the executive committee members. Minami is the chairperson. What you can do is assist her in completing her work well. That's what you promised to do, right?"
Hearing Hachiman's words, Yukino fell silent.
Yes, she had only promised to assist Minami's work, not overshadow her.
Seeing the girl's expression, Hachiman took a few steps forward, took her hand, and said, "And remember, you're not alone now. You have me. I'll help you make this cultural festival lively and surpass your sister."
Feeling the warmth from his hand, Yukino smiled.
Yes, she still had Hachiman. With his help, she was confident they could make this cultural festival a success.
And she wanted to surpass her sister not only in this cultural festival but in other aspects as well.
No, she realized she might have already surpassed her sister in one aspect.
That would be in the realm of emotions.
As far as she knew, Haruno still didn't have a boyfriend, but she herself now had Hachiman, and maybe in the future, when she got married, her sister still wouldn't have found a boyfriend.
Hm, looks like I've won.
Thinking this, Yukino felt a hint of satisfaction.
"Well, let's work hard together then. We must make this cultural festival a success to show it to my sister," the girl said, tightening her grip on his hand and flashing a beautiful smile.
Seeing this scene, Hachiman smiled too.
"No problem, leave everything to me."
However, where Yukino couldn't see, Hachiman's eyes flickered for a moment.
Since he had decided to get involved in this matter, he would make sure to be fully prepared.
But it all depended on Minami's performance.
Protagonist or clown,
It all depends on her choice!
------------
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