"Advertise the club?"
"Yes. I was thinking of advertising the club during homeroom announcements to bring in more requests, and if possible, more recruits to the club."
"Is this really necessary? Even if we don't bring in customers ourselves, I'm sure sensei will find customers and jobs for us to do.". That being said, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if this club transitioned into a literature club. I'd be spending my time after school how I normally do; except this way I can enjoy Yukino's tea while doing so.
"But there lies my problem with the current circumstances. While I do appreciate the support Hiratsuka-sensei has given me, I must admit I dislike that I had to rely on her so much, this early on into the club's lifespan. Finding customers. Recruiting club members. That is supposed to be the job of the club president. I cannot consider this club a success unless it is through my own efforts."
I see where she's coming from. It was sensei who brought the Service Club's first customer and first club member, albeit by force. While I'd be okay with this club turning into a two-member literature club if she is going to achieve her goals, 'Hiki-lazy-kun' can't be a part of this club.
"Okay. Okay. I see your point. So how do you plan on advertising the club?"
She opens her school bag and reaches for a slip of paper; on it was a short sales pitch for the club. She hands it over to me to read. Pretty simple. No longer than a short paragraph. She introduces herself as president and goes over the club's objective. Pretty standard. The last point is an idiom about leading a horse to water does catch my eye though.
"The last part is a bit pretentious, but other than that this does the job. If people know the top student in the school is leading the club, that's bound to bring some customers."
"On the former, I disagree. I think the quote is a profound way to convey how we will be leading our fellow classmates to the road of independence and success."
"Let's agree to disagree."
She gives me a cold glare. In an act of self-preservation, I look away and take a sip from my cup of hot tea.
"I'M HOME ONII-CHAN!", is shouted from the entryway, followed by the slamming of the front door. Taking this as an opportunity, I went to meet Komachi at the entryway. I find Komachi taking off her outdoor shoes, a bag of groceries to the left of her on the floor.
"Oi! Komachi. Don't be so loud when entering the house.", I say as I make my way towards her. I pick up the bag and inspect its contents to see what she bought for herself in addition to the groceries. Ice cream huh?
"Oh, was I interrupting something.", she said with a smirk hidden behind her hand.
"Didn't I tell you to not make those kinds of jokes? That's minus 10 Komachi points."
"It's fine, she can't hear us from here.", she whispers.
I sigh, and make my way towards the kitchen, only to find Yukino already there preparing to start dinner. With Komachi trailing behind me, we enter the kitchen and the three of us begin to make dinner.
Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched? It's a strange instinct, no? Even if we can't see the observer, we know that they are looking at us. Maybe it's survival instinct, left over from when we were simple hunters and gatherers. Why am I bringing this up? It's because for the past few weeks in class, I've had this feeling that I was being watched by someone. When I try to look around to see who it is, I can't seem to find them. My first suspect would be Hayama, but we're on, for a lack of a better word, good terms. Can't really say I have another suspect. You can't make enemies in your class if you never interact with any of them. Though, maybe I have?
The ringing bell, indicating the start of the school day breaks me out of my thoughts. The cliques in the classroom make their way to their seats, while I, already in my seat, continue to rest my head on my folded arms. Hiratsuka-sensei, comes in and yells at the remaining stragglers to get to their seats. She takes attendance, then begins to go over the morning announcements.
None of the announcements really impacted me, so I never really paid them much attention. Though we she got to the Service Club advertisement, my interest was piqued. From the corner of my eye, I looked around the classroom to see what the class's reaction was. Not much of a reaction from the class. I look over to Hayama and as expected, if he had a reaction, he's hiding it well.
I then look over to the front of class, where Hiratsuka is nearing the end of the advertisement; she hasn't mentioned anything about a horse, so I'm guessing Yukino did take out that quote in the end. As she reads the last word, I notice a devilish smile creep on her face. Even scarier, she makes eye contact with me.
"That was the announcement from the Service Club. If you have any more questions about the club, or would like to join, feel free to ask Hikigaya. Hikigaya, would you mind saying a few words about the Service Club."
Pointing in my direction, the entirety of the class looks in my direction. I immediately raise my head and sit up. Thirty or so pairs of eyes on me, I accept my fate and awkwardly stand up from my desk and sigh. I scratch the back of my head, thinking of what I'm going to say.
At first, I'm only able to mumble out, "I'm Hikigaya Hachiman.". I stop myself and clear my throat and start to speak properly. "I'm Hikigaya Hachiman. As you heard I'm a part of the Service Club and we're looking to bring more business to it. If you have any academic, personal, or problem in general, consider coming to us. Yukinoshita… -san and I will help you come to a solution to any issue you may have.". I give an awkward bow, then proceed to sit down.
Back in the safety of my seat, I hear a couple of whispers from around the class. From behind me I could hear a group of girls talking about "who am I" and "was I always in their class". Fair. I strive to hide my presence as well as I have.
"Thank you Hikigaya. Now continuing on with the other announcements….", Hiratsuka continues to read the rest of the announcements and I go back to resting my head.
A ringing bell wakes me from my stupor. I yawn and reach to put away my notebook and pencil. Honestly, Yukino is too good of a tutor. She covered everything that was taught today, and then some.
Finished packing, I make my way towards the nearest exit. Yukino promised me a made lunch in exchange for eating lunch with her at the clubroom, though I will miss my old lunch spot. Though maybe we can start eating there in the near future.
As I near the door, someone calls out to me, "Hikigaya, could I talk to you for a bit."
Making his way towards me with what can only be described as a perfect smile and a welcoming aura, I internally cringe. What was I thinking, I should have moved for the exit more quickly. If I had prepared ahead of the bell, I could have snuck out with the first wave of students.
"What do you want Hayato? I'm heading somewhere right now." There's a lunch with my name on it and I will not be robbed of my reward!
"Right.", he gives a small chuckle. "I was surprised to see you join a club, let alone speak to the class. I know you usually don't like to bring attention to yourself."
"Due to circumstances out of my control, I found my way into the Service Club. However, due to unrelated, personal reasons I have decided to put effort into supporting this club."
"Straightforward as always I see."
"Hey, Hayato! What are you doing over here? Do you know this guy?", a blond girl shouted from behind Hayama. I don't know her name, but I know that she's a part of Hayama's circle. She comes and stands close to his side. Really close. It's obvious how she feels about him.
"Sorry Miura. This is Hikigaya, he's an old friend. We've known each other since elementary.". The girl named Miura seemed to perk up when she heard that last part. I foresee a request for love advice in the club's future. But before that happens.
"I prefer the term acquaintances. In any case, it seems like your clique wants you back, so who am I to take your time away from them.". I begin to turn around, when another voice shouts out, this time calling for me.
"Hey Hikitani, that's your name right? Are you serious about that Service Club thing! Can I come to you for help?", the guy with bleached hair screamed out.
Why do you have to be so loud? Also my name is Hikigaya not Hikitani! How dense do you have to be to get my name wrong. I wanted to tell this to him, but Hayama stepped in before I could.
"I can vouch for Hikigaya. He may like to keep to himself, but he's always willing to help people. He's a very capable person: You know he got the second highest score in our entrance exam."
"Whoa he scored the second highest! That means he beat Hayato. I never knew there was someone as smart as you in the class too!". His shouting seemed to get the attention of the students within the class. Is this why you called me over Hayama, a public endorsement from the golden boy? Get people interested by associating myself with you? It's not a particularly bad thing; leaching of his popularity in order to bring attention to the club. Of all people, I just don't like getting help from him.
"Thank you for the endorsement, Hayato. If that's all, I'll be heading off now.", I turn around and give a weak wave goodbye as I finally make for the exit. My lunch, here I come!
"I heard from Hiratsuka that you gave a rousing speech advertising our club," Yukino said.
I chew and swallow the bite of food I had in my mouth and nod my head in agreement. "Just like my membership to this club, it was done involuntarily. She put me on the spot, and I had to say a few words.". I reach for my can of Max Coffee and take a sip.
"Still. I appreciate you doing this. I know you prefer to how do you put it: 'Work alone and in the shadows.'"
"You make me sound like Zaimokuza. I am many things, but a chunibyo I am not."
"From what I understand you two read from the same pool of trashy light novels. Forgive me if I express doubt."
"Recognizing good literature and thinking you're a character from said literature are two different things. I should not be shamed for what I read. In fact I ask you to apologize to all light novel authors!"
"You have yet to recommend a good light novel for me to read."
"What do you mean? I thought you enjoyed the work by Isin-sensei."
"While I do admit his use of the Japanese language is innovative and impressive, the content itself is very much written for a teenage, hormonal male audience. The same problem that lies with most other light novels."
I can't argue with that. With that, we both return to eating our lunches.
To sum up this day. I went to school. Slept through half my classes. Was forced into a conversation with Hayama. Had a heavenly lunch. Continued classes. To end the day, I went to the club. In terms of customers, we had three people pass by.
The first was Meguri-senpai who came to see me at the club; she had heard from Hiratsuka-sensei that I joined a volunteer's club. She didn't come with a request, but she said she would ask for our help later on in the year. Yukino was very happy to have guaranteed work for the club later down the road.
Next, was Zaimokuza who asked us to review a first draft of a light novel he's writing, Yukino was not amused by this request. Looking over the first page, I had to agree. Yukino is definitely not going to enjoy this.
The last person was a girl with short pink hair who just walked in at the end of club hours. The way she's dressed, she looks like the popular type. But for some reason, she looks familiar. I think she's a part of Hayama's clique.
Entering the room, she looked very nervous, almost like this was a job interview for a position she desperately wanted. "Umm, excuse me. Is this the Service Club?". Before either one of us could respond she looked in my direction and said, "Whoa, Hikki really is a part of this club!"
First off, am I meant to take that as an insult? The implication being that I was pathetic enough to lie about being a part of a club. Second off, who is Hikki? Is that meant to be short hikikomori?
"Hey, my name is Hikigaya, not Hikki! And I am a member of this club. Who are you?"
Weirdly, it isn't Yui who responds to my question but Yukino to my left, "Her name is Yui Yuigahama. Do you not recognize her?"
"Sort of? She's in my class I'm pretty sure."
"But not from anywhere else?"
I give Yukino a quizzical look. Where else should I know her from?
"She's the owner of the dog you saved last year. I believe she went to visit your room to thank you."
"Eh!? How do you know I went to visit him? Oh wait! You're that crying girl from the hospital!"
"I was not crying. I admit perhaps I was teary-eyed, but given the circumstances, it is a valid physical reaction."
"Okay. Stop. Can you start from the beginning? So, you met Yuigahama at the hospital."
"No, Komachi-san was the one who met her. I was off to the side organizing my thoughts."
"'Organizing your thoughts, huh?". Yukino gives me a glare in response, but without any of the ice queen intensity that usually backs it.
"In any case, Komachi led Yuigahama to your room to thank you."
"But I never met her so what happened?". I looked over to Yuigahama who has been standing quietly in front of us.
"Oh well. I meant to thank you, but you were asleep. So I left you the candies. But I did mean to thank you at school! It's just that it was kind of difficult to approach you. Like I didn't know how to talk to you."
Right. So, at the end of the day, all this confusion is because Komachi didn't tell me about her. Now that I'm thinking about it, she didn't even share any of the candies with me! She's going to lose so many points for that.
"Is that why you are here today? You wish to properly thank Hikigaya-kun for saving your dog."
"Yea! But that's not all! I also want to join this club!"
Responding to her declaration, "Why do you want to join the club?"
"Can I not? I thought you were searching for new club members?"
"We are, but I want to make sure that you're not joining out of guilt for what happened. If you're doing this out of kindness, you don't have to. I've moved on from the car crash, I've accepted it. I'm not angry at you or anyone else involved.". It was subtle, but Yukino definitely flinched at that last part.
"No. No. I don't want to apologize. I genuinely want to join the club! A club that helps people sounds really cool! I want to try and do that!"
"If you are serious about joining the Service Club, here is the application to join. As the club president, I welcome you to the Service Club, Yuigahama.",
"Thank you, uh, Yukino right?"'
"Yes. You're welcome."
Just like that we got one new club member. Our first voluntary member. If we're being honest, she seems like an airhead, but her social ability could come in handy for requests on the personal side.
In this chapter, there really isn't a focus. We kind of just follow Hikigaya throughout his day at school and jump around. The story playing out the way it did, Yui makes her way towards the service club more quickly, and misunderstanding are clarified immediately. I would like to write a bit from Yui's pov about her speculation of 8man's and Yukino's relationship. There was small hints of Meguri's past with 8man; in this timeline, 8man would have helped this StuCo the past year and she wants to help 8man in return. Finally there's Hayama, who 8man dislikes. I would describe it as the same way Yukino's felt about him at the start of the og story. There might be more members joining the SC in the story. but we'll see. Thank you for reading this, hope you enjoyed this chapter.