Chapter 5: Yukinoshita Yukino!
In the end, Hiratsuka Shizuka resisted the temptation of the cigarette, her steps firm and purposeful as she led him to their destination.
As they walked, Luke casually tossed the cigarette, which was basically trash anyway, into a nearby bin.
He mentally calculated that he might have to go to his client's house a little later today for the exorcism ritual.
Because clients lived at varying distances, the appointment times he set were usually approximate.
So, being a bit late wouldn't be a major issue.
But to avoid the sun setting and night falling completely, he generally tried to arrive early if possible.
After all, compared to the daytime, evil spirits always seemed a bit more active at night.
In this line of work, you could never be too careful.
Although, usually, clients who had the leisure to hire him for an exorcism ceremony... the strange occurrences in their homes were often caused by human factors or their own delusions.
Rarely were there actual malevolent spirits involved.
After all, if it were a truly powerful ghost, they would have already paid extra to have him exorcise it properly.
"We're here."
Hiratsuka-sensei stopped in front of a room that looked no different from any other classroom.
The sign above the door was blank.
But this must be the 'Service Club' she mentioned.
This school really had all sortss of weird clubs.
Hiratsuka Shizuka forcefully pulled the door open, the change in pressure sending a gust of air sweeping through.
Luke followed her inside, curiously looking around the classroom.
Aside from a corner where desks and chairs were haphazardly piled up, the room wasn't much different from a regular classroom.
So, he shifted his gaze to the only other person in the room.
A gentle breeze from the window softly brushed past the girl.
Strands of her glossy black hair occasionally swept across her delicate, fair profile.
Her figure was slender, yet she sat perfectly straight, head bowed, intently reading the book in her hands.
It seemed the sound of the door opening hadn't disturbed her in the slightest.
In the soft light, the girl sitting by the window looked exceptionally captivating.
She placed a bookmark between the pages and lifted her head.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, I believe I've told you before, please knock before entering."
Luke got a clear look at her face.
Her features were symmetrical and refined, her eyes clear and bright.
Long, thick eyelashes curled slightly upwards.
Her hair was long and smooth cascading naturally over her shoulders.
She wore the same standard uniform as the other girls, but the aura emanating from her, the look in her eyes, gave her a uniquely distinct feel.
"Oh? Did I not knock? I thought I did," Hiratsuka Shizuka said, sounding puzzled.
Luke snorted inwardly. Maybe a ghost knocked.
The girl replied in a cool, clear tone, "That's because Sensei always pushes the door open immediately without waiting for an answer."
Or maybe she really just barged in without knocking at all.
"Also, who is that dazed-looking fellow behind you?" the girl continued in that same cool tone, her eyes now sizing him up and down.
Hiratsuka Shizuka clapped him on the shoulder.
"Oh, oh, this is Luke Nova. He's the new club member I brought for you."
Then, she introduced the girl to him.
"Her name is Yukinoshita Yukino. The person who consistently holds the top spot in the entire grade for every exam!"
Luke gave a slight nod to Yukinoshita Yukino, whom he had vaguely heard of.
He wasn't quite ready to refuse the well-meaning Hiratsuka-sensei just yet; otherwise, something even more troublesome would definitely happen.
Yeah, definitely.
Hiratsuka Shizuka patted his back, presenting him like a product on display, and spoke to Yukinoshita Yukino:
"As you can see, this is a guy who's all alone at school. Not only does he have a terrible personality, but he's also always secretive and holds unrealistic fantasies about the world."
Luke explained, exasperated, "My personality is fine, and I don't have any unrealistic fantasies. I'm a normal person, not mentally ill."
"See?" Hiratsuka Shizuka looked like she was dealing with a lost cause, sighing dramatically at Yukinoshita Yukino as she spoke:
"So please let me leave him here. Help me straighten out his personality and worldview."
Yukinoshita Yukino replied impatiently, "Sensei, for this kind of unrealistic fantasist, violence might be more effective than kind-hearted lecturing."
Hiratsuka Shizuka, however, squeezed his shoulder defeatedly and said, "Can't be helped. The higher-ups have been strict lately, forbidding teachers from inflicting any kind of physical violence on students. Besides, this guy's physical fitness is too good; normal punches and kicks are useless."
Luke turned his head away, speechless. Was that something a teacher should say out loud?
It was truly disheartening.
"So, just consider it my request. Isn't that the purpose of the Service Club?"
"...A request? Sigh!" Yukinoshita Yukino laced her fingers together and let out a soft sigh, clearly reluctant.
"Since it's Hiratsuka-sensei's request, I suppose I'll accept. However, I hope you won't bring any more strange people here next time, Sensei."
In contrast, Hiratsuka Shizuka beamed with satisfaction, then quickly turned and left without a backward glance.
"Well then, he's all yours—!"
Luke watched Hiratsuka-sensei's retreating back, speechless.
Her eagerness to leave was honestly staggering.
This woman is truly mean-spirited.
No wonder she's so pretty but still can't find someone she likes.
I really hope she stays single forever...
He was willing to trade all the merit he'd earned exorcising ghosts for that outcome.
The clubroom door soon closed.
Luke turned to look at the cool beauty, sizing her up...
Just like her name suggested (Yuki means snow), she possessed an icy aura that made her difficult for ordinary people to approach.
Although beautiful and graceful in her mannerisms, her outward demeanor likely deterred anyone less socially adept from initiating contact.
However, he was ultimately just someone busy with work, not actually the silent, withdrawn loner he might appear to be.
So, he pointed to the pile of desks in the corner and asked, "Can I use one of these desks?"
"Mm."
Like a cat, she let out a noble and elegant sound of affirmation, then reopened her book, resuming her focused and serious reading.
Keeping some distance from the girl, he arranged a desk and chair, took out the tissues he carried, gently wiped away the dust, and sat down comfortably.
Actually, going to the client's place a bit later wasn't that big of a deal.
It had been a while since he'd had the chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of the late afternoon sun nearing dusk.
He wasn't really opposed to joining a club either.
After all, the demanding exorcism work was just a habit he maintained; it wasn't like he couldn't reduce his caseload.
Joining a club was a good way to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime high school experience.
But, this weird club called the Service Club... the name just didn't sound very inspiring...
So, consciously or unconsciously, his gaze drifted towards the president of his newly joined club.
He wanted to ask her about the activities of this 'Service Club'.
But seeing her focused and absorbed expression, he ultimately decided against breaking the tranquility the girl had created.
Perhaps her keen senses picked up on his hesitation.
Yukinoshita Yukino put down her book and turned to look at him.
"Is there a problem?"
Since she had spoken first, he didn't hold back anymore and asked directly:
"...Yeah, there are some questions... For example, this Service Club, judging by the name, it's a bit... strange... right?"
Luke didn't quite know how to phrase his question.
The club's name just tended to conjure up unpleasant associations.
Yukinoshita Yukino instantly understood his problem: Hiratsuka Shizuka hadn't fully explained things to him.
So she explained, "When the wealthy, out of compassion, give to the poor, that is charity. Like providing aid to developing nations, feeding the homeless, or helping unpopular boys talk to girls—extending a helping hand to those facing difficulties, that is the purpose of this club."
Yukinoshita Yukino had stood up now, looking down at him slightly, and spoke with a measure of seriousness, "Welcome to the Service Club."
...
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