~Our First Service~
It's been a week since I joined the Service Club. Within the week, it was mostly the same, quiet inside the room, eating alone with Yoshiteru, then after class. The only thing that changed in my daily school life was me going to a club, but one day, I went to my club room and Shizuka said…
"Hikigaya-kun, I have good news." Shizuka said.
"What's the good news?" Hachiman asked.
"I won't tell you, but be early tomorrow, promise me." Shizuka said.
"I won't be promising you that I'll be early, but I promise I'll be here tomorrow," Hachiman promised.
"Your promise doesn't matter because you always go here anyway, just try to go here earlier than you usually go, okay?" Shizuka asked Hachiman.
"Fine, I'll be earlier than usual but don't expect me to be here first," Hachiman said.
"Sure, thanks, Hikigaya-kun," Shizuka thanked.
After Shizuka asked Hachiman to go to their clubroom earlier than usual, Hachiman is going home early because he was asked by Komachi to buy ingredients for dinner. After he was done fixing his things, he left without saying anything to Shizuka until…
"Hikigaya-kun, goodbye, see you tomorrow." Shizuka said.
"Oh…, goodbye." Hachiman said and then left quietly.
After Hachiman closed the clubroom door, Haruno-sensei appeared out of nowhere…
"Hi, Hikigaya-kun, I heard something in the Service Club." Haruno-sensei said.
"Haruno-sensei, stop pretending you didn't hear everything that me and Hiratsuka said." Hachiman said.
"Jeez, you didn't need to make it sound so mean. Anyway, I know why she wants you to be early at club tomorrow." Haruno-sensei said.
"I am not gonna ask why, but is this important for the club and the bet?" Hachiman asked.
"You have to find out tomorrow, it could be just Shizuka's manga or something else, but even if it's not important to the club and the bet, keep your promise with Shizuka." Haruno-sensei asked Hachiman to keep his promise to Shizuka.
"By the way, Hachiman, you don't need to worry about meeting with me tomorrow, the teachers are having a drinking party, so I'll be leaving as soon as school is dismissed." Haruno-sensei said.
After Haruno-sensei and Hachiman finished their talk, Hachiman left, and went to a nearby supermarket and there he met someone from club…
"Oh, Hikigaya-kun, why are you here? Did you stalk me?" Shizuka said.
"No, I didn't stalk you, I am just here to buy ingredients for dinner." Hachiman said.
"Oh, you're here to buy ingredients, do you cook?" Shizuka said.
"No, I don't." Hachiman answered Shizuka's question.
"Why are you also here? You don't look like someone who knows how to cook." Hachiman said.
"I am buying ingredients as well, and also I know how to cook. I live alone so I learned to cook by myself." Shizuka said.
"While you're here as well buying ingredients, can you accompany me?" Shizuka asked.
"No, I'll be going now." Hachiman said.
"Eh?! Hikigaya-kun, please come with me." Shizuka asked again.
"If I said I'll be in the clubroom earlier than you, would you stop asking to come with you?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah, why?" Shizuka asked.
"Because I'll be there earlier than you, Haruno-sensei doesn't need me to meet with her tomorrow, so I'll be going to the clubroom earlier." Hachiman explained.
"Thanks, Hikigaya-kun, let me ask you one last thing, why did you decide you'll be earlier even though you already promised me that you'll be earlier than usual?" Shizuka questioned.
"Because I would be missing an important announcement for the club, Right?" Hachiman said.
"Thanks, Hikigaya, for caring about the club." Shizuka said.
"You're welcome," Hachiman said.
"Also, Hikigaya-kun, don't tell anyone that we met, I don't want any of my friends, thinking I am dating you. Okay?" Shizuka said.
"Yeah, I won't. I don't even have anyone to tell it to." Hachiman said.
"Thanks, Hikigaya-kun, I am gonna pay for these now, don't break the promise you said to me. Okay?" Shizuka said.
"Yeah, I won't." Hachiman said.
After Hachiman and Shizuka's chat, Hachiman left and got his ingredients, while Shizuka paid for her ingredients and left. After Hachiman got the ingredients and paid for it, he left the supermarket and walked back home. After arriving at his house, he came into the house…
"I am home." Hachiman said.
"You're late," Komachi said.
"I am sorry, I had something to take care of earlier," Hachiman said.
"It's fine, as long as it's a reasonable thing to do, I wouldn't mind at all." Komachi said.
"Anyway, put some pajamas on and come down here, I am gonna have a chat with you since this is one of the rare occasions I rarely get where I don't have any work to do right now." Komachi said.
After Hachiman gave the ingredients to Komachi, he walked up to his room to change into his pajamas, and then came down as soon he's done changing.
"How's club?" Komachi asked.
"Fine." Hachiman said.
"That's it? You don't have any people asking for your service?" Komachi said and asked Hachiman another question.
"I don't know, but a clubmate told me to go to club tomorrow earlier than I usually go because she has something to show or tell me." Hachiman said.
"Are you going earlier than usual?" Komachi asked.
"Yeah, why are you asking?" Hachiman asked.
"Because the old Hachiman wouldn't go earlier than needed to unless there is a good reason to be earlier than usual, you've changed a little bit, Hachiman." Komachi told her the reason.
"No, I haven't, I still wouldn't go earlier than I need to unless it's needed, but tomorrow is an exception." Hachiman explained his reason for tomorrow.
After no response from Komachi, she became quiet and continued to cook. After she was done cooking, Komachi and Hachiman went to the table, and ate. After eating, Hachiman cleaned the dishes and then Komachi said…
"Goodnight," Komachi said.
"Yeah, goodnight." Hachiman said.
"Be early for tomorrow, or else your club members will be mad at you," Komachi said.
After what Komachi said, Hachiman didn't say anything and continued washing the dishes. After washing the dishes, Hachiman went to his room and wondered what Shizuka's reaction would be if he was late. Without any further thinking he stopped thinking about it, and went to bed.
*the next day*
"Yo, Hachiman" Yoshiteru greeted Hachiman.
"Yoshiteru, can I ask you something?" Hachiman asked.
"Sure, what is it? Hachiman" Yoshiteru accepted Hachiman's request.
"If a girl asked you to promise her, what do you think of that girl, if you don't do your promise with said girl?" Hachiman questioned Yoshiteru.
"Hachiman, what did you do yesterday? Why are you asking that kind of question, that's not like you, worrying about a promise with a girl" Yoshiteru asked instead of answering Hachiman's question.
Hachiman didn't say anything, leaving Yoshiteru to figure out if he should answer Hachiman's question or not… Then…
"Hachiman, I don't know what you are worrying about but if I was asked to promise a girl, I would do whatever it takes to make that promise true. A girl's heart is delicate and brittle so I suggest don't breaking your promise with her" Yoshiteru answered Hachiman's question.
After Yoshiteru answered Hachiman's question, they became silent and continued to walk to school. After arriving and changing their shoes. Hachiman said after he closed his locker.
"Yoshiteru, thanks," Hachiman said.
"It's fine, man, just like I said earlier I don't know what you are going through right now, but as a friend, I can't leave you hanging, having no idea what to do" Yoshiteru said.
After their little moment, they went to their classroom and started classes.
~class ended~
"Hachiman, see you tomorrow," Yoshiteru said.
"Yeah," Hachiman responded.
With class finished, Hachiman is now walking to the clubroom. Meanwhile, Shizuka has gone to class 2C to call her friend…
"Yui, let's go, my clubmate might be there already." Shizuka said to her friend.
"Ok, Shizu-chan," Yui said.
After Shizuka calls Yui, both of them are now walking to the clubroom. Meanwhile, Hachiman, who has now arrived at the clubroom, opened and entered the clubroom without any sign of Shizuka and her friend around. Hachiman grabbed a seat and grabbed his book from his bag and waited for them to arrive… 5 minutes later. Hachiman heard Shizuka's voice and then…
"Hikigaya-kun, you're actually here, earlier than usual" Shizuka was shocked about Hachiman's early arrival.
"I promised you that I'll be earlier than you, plus this is important for the club, right?" Hachiman said.
"Yeah, because this is our first service club activity," Shizuka said.
"Who are we assisting today?" Hachiman asked.
"It's my friend, she wanted to bake cookies, let me introduce her to you" Shizuka answered Hachiman's question.
After that, Shizuka came outside and alongside her, was her friend…
"Hello, my name is… Wait, Hikki. You're part of this club?" Shizuka's friend is shocked as to who Shizuka's clubmate is.
"Yeah, I am part of this club, dog girl," Hachiman said.
"Hey! I have a name, Yui Yuigahama, have I not told you my name before?" Yuigahama asked.
"Yeah, you told me before," Hachiman answered.
"Huh, you two have met before. When? How?" Shizuka kept asking questions.
"First-year high school. I was late for my first year of high school for three weeks because of a car accident that left me with a bone fracture. The next day after I was discharged, I went to school. Since most of the students have already been acquainted with each other, I gave up on having a social life and continued my loner life, but your friend is the only one who asked me what happened to me. Of course, I knew she was only being nice to me and only for that reason, she wouldn't like me to be her friend, so I just answered with "nothing" and went to my seat and after that, your friend didn't talk to me ever again." Hachiman explained their history.
"Really? You two were already acquainted with each other. Why didn't you tell me Yui, that you already know Hikigaya-kun!" Shizuka said.
"Eh! Well it's because…" Yuigahama stopped talking.
"Ah! Fine, you don't tell me why, just tell me what you need our assistant for." Shizuka said.
"Okay, so I wanted to bake cookies, and I am planning to give it to a guy." Yuigahama said.
"Okay then, let's go to the home economics room and bake cookies," Shizuka said.
After their introductions to each other, they walked to the home economics room. While they were walking, Shizuka and Yui had a conversation about the shapes of their cookies that they are going to make. Meanwhile, Hachiman walked right behind them so he couldn't draw any unwanted attention, then Hachiman suddenly asked Shizuka…
"Hiratsuka, do you even know how to bake cookies?" Hachiman asked Shizuka.
"Yeah, of course, I can cook and bake," Shizuka answered Hachiman's question.
After Hachiman asked Shizuka, she answered his question and after answering his question, she started to talk with Yui again, and Hachiman became quiet. After a while, they arrived at the home economics room…
"Yui, put on your apron," Shizuka said.
"Okay." Yui said.
"And? What am I supposed to do, Hiratsuka" Hachiman asked.
"Taste them and offer us your opinion," Shizuka told Hachiman.
"Yui, your apron is crooked, let me fix it," Shizuka said.
"Ah, sorry, thanks," Yui said.
After Yui and Shizuka finished preparing, they started to make and bake cookies. After their first try, the result of the cookies of Yui compared to Shizuka is a total shock to Hachiman…
"Yui, you followed my instructions. Right?" Shizuka asked.
"Yeah..." Yui said.
"How can someone mess up like this?" Shizuka said.
The result of Yui's cookies was completely burned and black that looks like…
"It looks like the charcoal they sell at the hardware store," Hachiman said.
"I feel like I am gonna die if I try this," Hachiman said.
"You're not gonna die to this." Yui said.
After what Yui said, she grabbed a piece of the charcoal-like cookies, and looked at it and she said…
"Yeah, these might actually kill you," Yui said.
"Yui, it's fine, you don't need to think about these, it's only your first try, so let's just think of ways on how to improve it" Shizuka said.
"I know an idea that could help you, Yuigahama," Hachiman said.
"What is it?" Yui became curious about Hachiman's idea.
"Never cook again, so you could avoid killing people," Hachiman said.
"That's how you're solving things, by completely stopping," Yui said.
"Hikigaya-kun, stop making Yui feel bad" Shizuka told Hachiman to stop.
"Yui, don't mind Hikigaya-kun, he's like that most of the time" Shizuka said.
"No, it's fine, Hikki is right. Maybe I'm just not cut out for cooking, I don't have the talent" Yui said.
"Yui, you just need to try harder, that's it" Shizuka encouraged Yui.
"You just said you don't have talent, Right?" Shizuka asked
"Yeah…" Yui said.
"People have different talents; it doesn't mean that you don't have any talent, it's just that you can't do that, some people like Hachiman, can't even make friends so be happy for the ability to have friends. Don't let yourself down, strive to do better and you'll succeed" Shizuka said.
"Thanks, Shizuka. Let me do it one more time and this will be the one I'll give to him." Yui said.
"Make sure, you don't kill the guy." Hachiman said.
"No! I won't kill him." Yui shouted to Hachiman.
"Okay, okay. Yui, calm down and also Hachiman, apologize right now." Shizuka said to both of them.
"Okay." Yui and Hachiman said.
After Shizuka's encouraging speech and Hachiman's comment. Yui started to make cookies for one last time since it was becoming late and there's almost no more ingredients left. Yui was focusing, she really wanted to show Shizuka and Hachiman that she can do anything. After a while. Yui finished making her last cookies, and the result of the cookies shocked Hachiman…
"Wow, these are not burnt. That's a nice place to start out with." Hachiman said.
"Now, what is the taste of these cookies?" Hachiman said.
Hachiman tasted the cookies and he was shocked…
"This is surprisingly good. They aren't burnt and they taste like cookies." Hachiman said in an excited manner.
"Well done, Yui. You made me proud and made Hachiman like your cookies. Now, let's put them in a bag and give it to the guy tomorrow. Okay?" Shizuka said.
"Thanks, Shizuka and thanks to you also, Hachiman." Yui said.
"Welcome." Hachiman said.
After they wrapped the cookies in a bag. They cleaned the Economics Room and after that they cleaned the room. They said goodbye to each other. Shizuka and Yui walked home together. Meanwhile, Hachiman was walking by himself back to his house. Then his phone vibrated. And it was a text from Yui and said "Hikki, thanks for the help. I forgot to give you your cookies. I already gave Shizuka's. I'll give yours tomorrow." And Hachiman replied "Sure."
~the next day~
"Hikki, here are your cookies. This is thanks for helping me." Yui said.
Then Hachiman asked and said…
"The guy you're giving cookies is Yoshiteru right?" Hachiman whispered.
Yui, who was shocked by what Hachiman whispered back.
"Yes, and please don't tell him that I'll be giving him cookies." Yui requested.
"Sure." Hachiman said.
"Thanks again, Hikki." Yui thanked Hachiman again.
After Yui and Hachiman's small interaction. Classes started and all usual things happened. After classes, Hachiman walked to the Service Club and opened the door. Shizuka suddenly…
"HACHIMAN, I WON THE FIRST SERVICE CLUB REQUEST. HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT!" Shizuka bragging to Hachiman
"Okay, okay. You only won once and many more to go. Don't get your hopes up, I still have a chance." Hachiman said.
"Game on, Hikigaya-kun." Shizuka said.
~Meanwhile Yui~
"Yoshiteru-kun, I like you! Please accept my confession and my cookies for you." Yui confessed.
This led Yoshiteru to be confused and didn't know what to respond to. After all, he was unpopular and didn't know what to do, despite his good looks.