Once the door closed, without the usual energy from Yuigahama, the Service Club was unusually quiet.
"Sit across from me." Yukino unzipped her bag while glancing at Yoru, who was about to sit by the table.
"Oh, okay."
Yoru didn't quite understand but obediently moved his chair over.
Nervously sitting across from Yukino, he began observing the icy beauty before him.
"Do you like what you see?"
Yukino asked coldly as she pulled out a small stack of notes from her bag.
"Ah? Y-yeah!"
Yoru jumped a little in surprise.
"Then please don't keep staring at me like that. It's unsettling and makes me uncomfortable." Yukino lifted her head to meet Yoru's eyes.
"Sorry…"
Yoru quickly lowered his head.
"Look at this." Yukino pushed the notes she took out toward him.
These were materials she had stayed up last night to dig out from her past study notes and resources.
Yoru had terrible grades, weak foundations, and fragmented knowledge.
To sprint, one must first learn to stand.
"Your foundation is too poor. You need to start reviewing from the basics," she explained.
Yoru nodded and picked one notebook from the stack Yukino handed him.
Opening to a random page, it wasn't filled with densely packed text as he expected.
Instead, it was a very neat page with a short section, clean and elegant handwriting.
It included textbook page references, progress notes, and key points to focus on. Nothing seemed too difficult.
At a glance, it was clear and easy to understand.
Yoru was a bit surprised and impressed. He picked up another one.
It was from a different subject, but just as well organized.
Yukino remained silent the entire time. Only after Yoru finished browsing did she speak.
"These are my past notes. Take them and study on your own."
"And this is the goal I've set for you."
"If your overall score doesn't rank in the top 30 this school year, you'll be expelled, right?"
She picked up a red notebook and flipped to the last page, which had a detailed plan written on it.
"No problem, I'll do my best," Yoru said with determination and gratitude.
It was clear that Yukino had put in serious effort.
"Say… Yukinoshita-san, do you think I have hope?"
Yoru tentatively asked, anxiously waiting for her reply.
"If you can follow the plan I made, and if your IQ is average and you work hard enough, you should be able to manage," Yukino answered without even looking up.
"I'll definitely work hard." Yoru took a deep breath.
"Really? I think hitting 50% is already quite good." Yukino immediately replied.
"You're underestimating me?" Yoru asked back.
"We'll see in a week. I hope you prove me wrong," Yukino stood up.
"I will."
"Don't make bold claims, peeping pervert, shoe thief…"
"That wasn't me!"
"When I was little, people used to steal my shoes because I was too cute. What do you think boys do with stolen shoes?"
"Yukinoshita-san, aren't you listening to me?"
"And you weren't listening to me either?"
"Enough. Come with me to get some chalk and tools. I'm going to tutor you now."
…
From 3:30 p.m. to around 5:00 p.m., Yoru stayed alone with Yukino in the Service Club, receiving her strict tutoring.
If word got out, every boy in school would probably die of envy.
Getting forcefully tutored by the school's icy beauty—just imagining it felt so lewd?
In reality, after the session, Yoru stretched his sore arms and back with a sigh of relief.
Yukino had launched into a full-on lecture like a strict teacher.
Yoru didn't dare relax for a second, listening attentively, answering questions, asking his own, and enduring the icy beauty's sharp tongue.
It also showed how seriously Yukino took her role.
"Thank you, Yukinoshita-san. I really don't know what to say..."
Packing up his bag, Yoru thanked her again before leaving.
"This was a request from Hiratsuka-sensei. Since I accepted it, I'll give it my all."
"Peeping pervert, don't get any funny ideas."
Yukino replied crisply, keeping her distance.
She didn't even want Yoru to feel indebted to her.
Yoru scratched his head awkwardly and walked off.
The Service Club was on the top floor of the club building, and there was no restroom on that floor.
Yoru went down to use the restroom, and as he walked past one of the clubrooms, someone inside suddenly opened the door.
He was far enough not to be startled, but the three girls inside were visibly spooked.
"Ew... fat creep?"
"What's he doing here? So gross."
"Eriri, let's walk faster."
"Ugh, disgusting."
Three girls from the Art Club huddled around Eriri, speeding up and throwing looks of disgust at Yoru.
Normally cold and aloof, even Eriri gave Yoru a scornful look and rolled her pretty eyes just to blend in.
Innocent Yoru stopped silently where he was. Only after they walked away did he start moving again.
That damn fair-skinned half-blood bitch—he had never wronged her. Why did she always look down on him and roll her eyes?
Do they really like rolling their eyes that much?
Feeling down the entire way, Yoru's mood was as gloomy as the sky. He left Shuchiin alone.
He went straight to the station at the end of the shopping street and caught a ride home.
While waiting on the platform, he ran into Yukino and greeted her.
"What a coincidence, heading home?"
"No, I'm going to the police station to report a peeping pervert."
Yukino sighed like she had accepted her fate.
That reply shut Yoru up.
He'd only meant to say hello after bumping into her. He didn't intend to strike up a conversation.
Still, thankfully Yukino was a decent person, not like Utaha with her paranoia.
A while later, the train arrived.
At this hour, the car was a bit packed.
Yoru's large build came in handy—he easily got into the car and snagged a spot near the door.
To be exact, it was enough for three people.
He sat down comfortably.
Yukino waited until the crowd settled before boarding. She grabbed a hand strap and glanced at Yoru, who was standing silently.
At first, Yoru didn't think much of it.
But once the train started moving, he suddenly wondered if Yukino was blaming him for taking up too much space.
Feeling awkward, he shrank himself down a bit, left enough room for half a person, and moved his backpack to cover his lap to signal her.
After hesitating, Yukino walked over and sat beside him.
"In Japan, being severely obese is practically a crime, Kitakami-kun."
She hugged her bag and spoke in a detached tone.
The next second, Yoru's reaction surprised her.
He went silent. His energy completely deflated.
"I have a medical condition… that caused my obesity."
That one short sentence brought back countless painful memories Yoru had buried deep in his heart.