Yukinoshita Yukino, a student in Sobu High School's Class 2-J.
Her grades were outstanding. Whether in midterms or mock exams, she consistently held the number one spot in the entire grade. Coupled with a beauty so striking it was unforgettable at first glance, she had naturally become a focal point of the school.
The title of "Sobu High's Number One Beauty" was bestowed upon her with virtually no opposition.
Yukinoshita Yukino herself was aware of her own attractiveness, but she didn't feel happy about it. More than the conveniences her beauty brought, she felt it was more of a nuisance.
Unexplained malice, unwarranted jealousy, misplaced anger. Of course, if she had to choose, she would still choose to have her current appearance. After all, being outstanding is never a bad thing; the ones at fault are the envious mediocrities.
In this regard, Yukinoshita Yukino was very fond of a poem from the neighboring Celestial Empire: "A true hero withstands the trials of heaven; only the mediocre escape envy."
It was precisely because of such experiences that she founded the Service Club, with the intention of "changing the world" by "changing the weak aspects of people."
Of course, progress so far had not been smooth. She didn't know if it was because she usually acted too cold, or if her aura was too unapproachable, but to date, the Service Club had not received a single request from a fellow student.
However, despite not receiving requests from students, there were quite a few from Hiratsuka-sensei, though they were mostly just daily chores.
Yukinoshita seriously suspected that Hiratsuka Shizuka was using the Service Club's name to use her as a personal assistant.
Considering the Service Club indeed had no requests, and Hiratsuka Shizuka's requests were all trivial matters, she supposed she could only let it be for now.
Originally, Yukinoshita thought that Hiratsuka-sensei's visit to the Service Club today meant she had another task for her. She never expected her to bring someone else along.
Someone who wanted to join the Service Club.
Admittedly, the Service Club was severely lacking in members. Sobu High's requirements for establishing a club clearly stated that a certain number of members were needed to be considered an official club. If the number was not met, it could at best be considered a preparatory club, essentially an interest group.
But why did it have to be him?
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't understand.
Could something as ethereal as fate truly exist in the world?
Yukinoshita Yukino recognized the boy next to Hiratsuka Shizuka. It wasn't that she harbored any strange feelings for him, but rather because of an accident.
Yes, a not-so-pleasant accident.
To put it bluntly, the reason he was on crutches was basically all thanks to her. That's what Yukinoshita Yukino believed.
If she hadn't felt unwell that morning and asked her family's driver to take her to school, that car accident could have been avoided.
Thinking about it carefully, if she had been a bit tougher and chosen to go to school herself, or if she had just obediently taken a day off and stayed home, the accident wouldn't have happened.
Moreover, as someone who was sitting in the car and witnessed everything, Yukinoshita Yukino knew very well that for the boy before her, named Mori Shinra, this car accident was a complete and utter disaster that he did nothing to deserve.
He had been walking very properly by the roadside, not violating any traffic laws or regulations, and then he was inexplicably hit by a car on the road and sent tumbling. By the time the ambulance arrived, he was still in a daze.
Yukinoshita Yukino had seen it all clearly.
Afterward, her family handled everything and didn't let her get involved, but the seed of guilt had been planted in the young girl's heart.
What Yukinoshita Yukino didn't expect was that only a day had passed, and she would meet him again in her own club. If this was karma, it had come a little too quickly.
However, upon seeing that he was in high spirits and didn't seem to have any irreversible injuries, Yukinoshita Yukino quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Then came another question: should she accept him as a member of her club?
Before Yukinoshita Yukino could make a decision, she heard the boy speak: "I'm Mori Shinra from Class 2-F. Um... have we met before?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's heart skipped a beat. She then heard him continue, "I'm sure I've never met you, but it seems you've met me."
That confident tone gave Yukinoshita Yukino the illusion that she was a fish on a chopping block.
Although the situation was sudden, her long-standing elite education allowed her to calm down quickly. She habitually tucked a strand of hair from her cheek behind her ear with her fingers, her voice calm and polite as she replied, "This is our first time meeting. As for you saying that I've seen you before... perhaps. We are in the same school, after all. If you're trying to use this method to hit on me, then please spare me."
Mori Shinra replied noncommittally, "Is that so."
He neither explained nor denied, simply brushing off the previous question with an ambiguous answer.
For some reason, Yukinoshita Yukino felt a strange sense of irritation.
It wasn't directed at Mori Shinra, but at herself.
Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't notice this subtle change in Yukinoshita's emotions. She continued to ask, "So, Yukinoshita, what's your decision?"
"May I ask Mori-san a few questions?" Yukinoshita Yukino didn't give a direct answer.
Hiratsuka Shizuka glanced at Mori Shinra. He saw no issue with it and said, "Go ahead."
"Mori-san, why do you want to join the Service Club?"
"To help others."
"That sounds very noble."
"It's not noble. Helping others is just to satisfy myself." Mori Shinra was very honest. He was no saint. If it weren't for the system, he would, like any normal person, prioritize his own well-being most of the time.
Upon hearing Mori Shinra's answer, Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes shifted slightly. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded in agreement. "In that case... welcome to the Service Club."
According to her knowledge, this Mori-san had excellent grades, an upright character, and no bad habits. He could be considered a high-quality member. Many clubs in the school had extended invitations to him, but he had refused them all.
Now that he wanted to join the Service Club, Yukinoshita Yukino had no real reason to refuse. She couldn't possibly forbid him from joining just because he was hit by her family's car, could she?
That would be far too unreasonable.
The just and proper Miss Yukinoshita could never do such a thing.
Seeing that Yukinoshita had agreed to let Mori Shinra join the club, Hiratsuka Shizuka checked the time and saw that there was still a while before club activities ended. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Well then, you two can chat. I have something to take care of. I'll come back when it's almost time for club activities to end. Ja ne~"
Before leaving, Hiratsuka Shizuka gave Mori Shinra a meaningful look, patted his shoulder as if in encouragement, and then left him with a cool view of her back.
So... how is this person anything like a teacher?