Yui Yuigahama looked at Gotou Hitori and the others with their flushed cheeks and dazed, dreamy eyes and felt like once she left, a battle she couldn't imagine might break out there. But she didn't dare say anything; she just swallowed nervously and, together with Hitori, gave their address to the maid/driver Saya and then listened in torment to the occasional sounds of fondling coming from across the car.
She absolutely had to ask Yukino what was going on when she got home.
If everyone else had joined and she was the only one who hadn't, then she'd either quit the club or join too. Otherwise, constantly facing scenes like that, being "isolated and bullied," she really wouldn't be able to hold up.
Hachiman of course noticed Yui Yuigahama's reaction, but he was busy strengthening bonds with Bocchi-chan, Saki, Miki and the others; he didn't have time to care about the new pink-haired dumpling.
Although he knew Yui better than Saki and the others and knew how to handle her easily, Saki, the big dumpling, was already in his arms. Compared to Saki, who was closer and more obedient, little-dumpling Yui couldn't measure up.
That said, he wasn't ignoring Yui. If he truly didn't care about her, he wouldn't have allowed Yui to join his serving club.
Considering that Yukinoshita Yukino was nominally the vice-president but practically couldn't be ordered by anyone, it was better to let Yui stay over with Yukino for a while.
Otherwise it would be bad if Yukino felt the whole serving club was bullying her. All the members going to the serving club party while she was absent would be awkward.
Setting aside private club group activities, Yukino still needed help with simply completing commissions.
The serving club's reputation had gradually spread around Sobu High, and commissions would start coming to them on their own.
Tennis club commissions, delinquent girls skipping class to work part-time, an ostracized elementary student who stayed in the U.S. for studies, even the cultural festival would probably ask the serving club for help.
Of course, in a Sobu High where the heroine of the other world is rampant, the commissions the serving club faced might be a little different.
If Yukino couldn't handle them, he'd still have to deal with it personally.
"Master, we've arrived at Yuigahama-san's house."
Saya slowed the car and glanced at Hayase Saki, who was nearly lying down in the back, before quietly reminding him.
"Um... President, can I go home now?"
Yui Yuigahama looked at Saki, who already had her head on Hachiman's thigh and seemed unable to contain herself, and asked Hachiman cautiously.
"Mm, Yui, you go home first. See you Monday."
Hachiman flicked the hair on Saki's forehead dampened by sweat and nodded.
But right after saying that he seemed to remember something and called Yui back.
"By the way, Yui, if you want to go to the aquarium or the concert tomorrow, tell Yukino in the group chat so she can tally attendees and have Ellio arrange our concert seats."
Even though he didn't have time to take Yui out now, the club perks that should be given still needed to be given.
When they go to the concert, he, acting as an idol manager, would be with Ellio and the others; the others didn't need to come along, just watch the concert normally.
"No problem, President! I'll convey your orders to Yukino truthfully! Saki, Miki, Bocchi-chan! Bye-bye!"
Yui stiffened when Hachiman called after her. Once he finished speaking she realized her misunderstanding and quickly agreed. She got out, closed the car door, grabbed her keys, ran up to the gate, shut the door, and collapsed against it, sitting on the floor in relief while patting her chest and gasping.
She was really, really scared.
Just now she nearly thought the President wanted to come to her house or do something at her doorstep.
If she were home alone, fine, she could clean up afterward. But her mother was at home too.
Luckily it was just her imagination; otherwise she didn't know how she would refuse the President, or whether she'd even have the courage to refuse him.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
"Yui, you're back? Was the livehouse show good? It's so late, do you want me to make you something to eat?"
Heavy footsteps came from the front. Yui, leaning against the door, looked up instinctively and saw a plump, mature figure with lovely fair skin who looked a lot like her, wearing beige loungewear and coming out from the living room with a concerned face, looking at Yui's flushed cheeks.
"No need, Mom, didn't I message you? After the serving club friends and I watched the show, we went to eat."
Yui sprang up from the floor and explained as soon as she saw her mother. She had notified her mother of her late return, otherwise her mother would worry.
"But aren't you sitting on the floor because you're hungry?", Her mother still looked worried.
Yui resembled her mother when her mother was young. Without someone to protect her, such gentleness, kindness, and tendency to read and accommodate others could easily make her get hurt.
"No, I'm full. After dinner the President sent me home, there's no way I'd be hungry enough to sit on the floor."
Seeing her mother still worried, Yui rolled her eyes helplessly.
Her mother hadn't been so anxious before, but since she'd been hospitalized on the first day of school and returned a month late, many social circles had already formed. It was normal for her mother to worry.
But she had already figured out a solution. Her mother didn't need to worry at all.
"You were sent home by the President? That car at the gate was your serving club President's? Is that why you were so flushed just now?", Her mother's eyes narrowed as she looked thoughtfully at Yui, whose blush was fading.
"Mom? You were watching from upstairs the whole time and you're asking me now?"
At those words, Yui realized why her mother had been so concerned and looked speechless at her.
"The President didn't just take me alone; there were three, uh, four other girls in the car."
"I thought you went on a date with your President all by yourself."
Her mother stuck out her tongue playfully when her intention was revealed, smilingly trying to put Yui at ease.
But before Yui could drop her guard, her mom couldn't help but gossip some more.
"Even if other girls were in the car, why was your face that red? Could it be that you've fallen for your President?"
"I'm not in any relationship with the President! I'm going to take a bath!"
Seeing her mother acting like a little girl and sticking out her tongue, but looking so suited to it, Yui rolled her eyes and ran up the stairs.
Because her mother didn't have to work. She was a full-time housewife taking care of the family. And because she was gentle and considerate, their mother-daughter relationship was equal and intimate.
They shopped together, and with her mom looking so young despite the years, people often mistook them for sisters.
Only Yui knew that her outwardly calm and gentle mother was actually very lively.
Her carefree mom liked gossiping about Yui's school life and giving homemaker advice; sometimes she'd act like a child and playfully snatch things from her.
"What a headache... looks like Yui might be in love...", Yui's mother stood there looking at her daughter's retreating figure, who had avoided directly answering and fled instead, while lightly touching her smooth fair cheek and thinking of a plan.
She didn't intend to stop her daughter from dating. Whether the suitor was rich or poor, as long as Yui liked him it was fine. Even if he wanted to be a househusband.
But she worried Yui might be naive and get deceived, so next time she'd have Yui invite the serving club members to their house so she could secretly observe the suitor's character.
———
After Yui left, the heat in the car rose to its peak.
Saki and Miki, who had been resting with their heads on Hachiman's thigh, no longer had to suppress themselves.
"Bocchi-chan, I'm not going back in tonight. Next time can I visit your house with Nijika and the others?"
Hachiman glanced at the two athletic, big-appetite girls who, not long after eating, were hungry again. He didn't stop them. Instead he moved Bocchi, who had been in his arms, to sit beside him, put his arm around her to help her straighten and correct her stooped posture, and softly asked in her ear.
After dropping off Yui, it was time to take Hitori home.
Yuigahama's house had a mature, plump, lovely Mrs. Yuigahama; the Gotou family also had a mature, plump, lovely Mrs. Gotou; and Bocchi even had a cute little sister, Nori.
Last time Hachiman had dropped Bocchi at her door and left because it was late, promising to visit next time.
But tonight it was also late; there wasn't much time to deal with Bocchi's mother.
Besides, there were a group of princesses, elves, succubi, and little sisters waiting at home for him; he couldn't linger.
If he suddenly visited at night, Bocchi's mother wouldn't have prepared anything and wouldn't know how to entertain him properly.
"Um... it's fine. I wasn't prepared either tonight...", Hitori looked down at Hachiman's hands adjusting her posture. Her delicate, fair face was flushed. She answered in a small, timid voice.
She was a little regretful; she wanted to introduce Hachiman to her mother and sister.
They didn't believe she had real friends at school; they thought Hachiman was a friend she'd made up from romance novels.
Honestly, it did seem a bit sci-fi.
Childhood friend with the student council president, close with the Elf Princess and the Merman idol, friendly with the wealthy political heiress in the same club, yet always stooped, friendless, neurotic, and troubled. If not for her own experience, she'd think it impossible.
At first she felt like she was dreaming too.
But Hachiman truly liked her; he escorted her to make friends in the serving club, introduced her to Nijika's band when she liked music and playing guitar, and made sure to send her home when she was late.
He never teased her cruelly. He was always gentle, giving more than asking.
Hachiman treated her even better than he treated Vice-President Yukinoshita.
She had never seen him accompany Yukinoshita like this.
But Hachiman was right. Tonight it was too late and she wasn't prepared.
Neither the house arrangements nor her mental readiness were sufficient.
Preparing the house to welcome friends would take time, and she needed Nijika and the others to help her be mentally ready so she wouldn't fumble.
She would invite Hachiman over only when everything was ready, and then invite Nijika, Ryou, and the others to introduce her future husband and friends to her mother.
Although Saki and Miki were also shy and insecure, they could be asked for help, but when it came to this they behaved differently than usual.
Hitori glanced at Saki and Miki, their cheeks flushed and eyes dreamy, and her heart raced; she quickly averted her gaze.
It was better to ask Nijika and Ryou for help. Saki and Miki had too much experience. If she wore that empathy bracelet and shared feelings with them, she was afraid she couldn't handle it.
But Nijika and the others would likely be first-timers, which suited her lack of experience.
She learned and understood slowly, was a bit dumb, and even if she studied hard could easily get zero.
She hoped Nijika and Ryou's first-time experiences would teach her.
Hitori didn't dare to scan her surroundings; her heart pounded and her mouth went dry.
Although she wouldn't refuse Hachiman, lacking preparation she was afraid she'd do something wrong. If Hachiman didn't take the initiative, she wouldn't express anything.
"Bye Hachiman! I'm going home first!"
When Saya parked at the Gotou residence and Hachiman straightened Hitori's clothes, she panicked and hurriedly said goodbye, opening the car door and getting out quickly.
"Bocchi-chan, your guitar."
"Ah, right! Guitar, guitar!"
Hachiman called out. Hitori, who had almost reached the gate and was about to pull out her keys, froze, then ran back to the car with her head down.
She took the guitar case Hachiman handed her and, intending to say goodbye again, found Hachiman holding the case by his side.
"Bocchi-chan, did you forget something? You always had it last time."
Looking up dazed, Hitori's blue eyes showed confusion. Hachiman pressed the guitar case and pointed at his lips with a faint smile.
'Last time? Kiss?'
'Now in front of Saki and Miki?'
Seeing Hachiman's clear hint, Hitori's already flushed face grew even hotter.
Last time, after Hachiman had seen Keiko Karuizawa off, there'd been no one else around; she'd boldly tried a "goodnight kiss" like in a novel. Now with Saki and Miki present, she never expected a repeat.
But she only dared think those things in her head.
Seeing Hachiman's gentle smile, she couldn't summon the courage to refuse.
Even knowing he wouldn't force anything, he was a good friend who would never demand something she didn't want. Hachiman always gave more than he took.
This requested kiss was maybe because she had kissed him first last time; that's why he reminded her now.
"Ugh... I know..."
Hitori did some inner work and slowly lowered her head, her reddening face edging closer to Hachiman who remained seated in the car.
———
"Huff! Huff! Huff!"
"Tonight Bocchi-chan did great, but you can do better. Practice well with Nijika for a while. Once you find a lead singer, get on stage and show your true strength."
Hachiman let go of Hitori, who was still breathing hard, and gently stroked her rosy, tender cheek as he smiled.
"But tomorrow's still a rest day. I'll take you guys to the concert to have fun; on Monday we'll think about the band."
"Tonight sleep well, Bocchi-chan. It's okay to wake up late tomorrow. I can come pick you up."
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