As I walked down the hallway towards our destination, a thought has been plaguing my mind the entire way: where have I heard the words 'special building' mentioned before? It feels as though those words had come up recently in conversation with her, but I can't quite place my finger on the context it came up.

Was it during our last study session? I was so tired by the end of it, I don't even remember what we talked about after. Well, if I can't remember now, I can simply ask her about it later, though she'll probably insult my memory – or lack thereof.

Organizing my thoughts, I return my attention to Hiratsuka who's been leading me to an unknown location this entire time. After lecturing me about my essay she simply told me to follow her and not ask questions. Before we got to the special building, I was holding out a bit of hope that maybe we were just going on a ramen run, but those hopes were quickly shattered.

Given that we're in the special building I can only assume that we were heading to a club; worst case scenario Hiratsuka force me to join a club as punishment. I really hope that isn't the case. That being said, I am grateful that sensei is pitying me a little, leading me to a club located in the special building and not one of the athletic ones outside.

Sensei suddenly stops at a door. Ah, it seems we've arrived. There aren't any signs which would indicate what kind of club this is, though I'm sure I'm about to find out. She proceeds to grab the door handle and slide the door open to reveal a beautiful girl sitting near the window, reading a book. Seeing her simply took my breath away, though not for the obvious reason.

She looks away from her book and responds to the loud intrusion, "Hiratsuka-sensei. I believe I told you to knock before you come in."

As she looks in our direction, our eyes meet momentarily. Surprised at my presence, her eyes widened and yelped, "H- Hikigaya-kun?".

This seems to have caught Hiratsuka-sensei off guard. "Oh, do you already know Hikigaya?"

Before she can give a response, I quickly answer for her, "Ah yeah, we are somewhat acquainted. Yukinoshita and I attended the same elementary school. That's all." Yukinoshita seemed a bit irked by the response I gave.

"It's as Hikigaya-kun said. We both attended the same elementary school in our youth, so it was a surprise to see an old, familiar face walk through the door." She continues, "In any case, why have you brought Hikigaya-kun to the Service Club?"

Suddenly the answer to my earlier question comes to me in a sudden rush. Ah, that's why I've heard of a special building mentioned recently.

"Well, this was a surprising discovery, I never would have thought that you two knew each other." She looks between us and pauses for a bit. "This may make things a bit easier." She turns her attention toward Yukinoshita. "You see, I brought him here because I thought joining a club would do him some good."

So, I was right. "Oi, why do you mean 'do me some good'? I'm perfectly fine the way I am. Not only am I ranked first in Japanese…", Yukinoshita eyes twitches in response to this, "…but I also score pretty well in math and science. I would consider myself an outstanding student." I point to myself and puff my chest in pride. "Besides I don't know how much someone like me could contribute to the Service Club."

"Oh please, you'll do fine in the Service Club. Meguri told me about how you helped the student council last year."

Damn, she knows about that. I was hoping Meguri-senpai would keep that a secret.

Seemingly ignoring my little tirade Yukinoshita then asks sensei, "What exactly will my role be in this?"

She points to me. "With a personality as rotten as his eyes, I worry about what will happen when someone like him enters society. In class he refuses to participate, he refuses to talk to anyone, and as of recently has wished death upon his peers. In short, I'd like you to fix his loner-prone personality."

"There's nothing wrong with my personality, and if anything, it's everyone else's views on the world that are twisted!" I responded in my defense. Yukinoshita places her hand on her forehead as if to quell an unseen headache.

"Your most recent assignment says otherwise.", she says, holding out my essay.

Yukinoshita stood up from her chair and walks over to Hiratsuka who proceeds to hand her my essay. Yukinoshita looks over my essay while placing a hand on her chin in contemplation. Seemingly done reading it, she looks towards Hiratsuka, "I accept this request. I believe I understand the core issue and know how to proceed with his rehabilitation. We can start by having him rewrite his essay."

I opened my mouth a bit and began to lift my hand in order to object but stopped myself because I realized there'd be no point. Once she decided to do something there was no stopping her. She's stubborn that way, though I'm no different. Besides I doubt Hiratsuka would give me the option to object.

Speaking of which, "If there is no objections.", she looks at me sternly and I nod my head in agreement. "Great. Well, I'm counting on you, Yukinoshita." She then proceeds make her exit, leaving me alone with Yukinoshita.

There's a brief silence between us before Yukinoshita broke it, "Don't just stand there, grab a chair and desk so that you can start working on revising your essay."

"Right.", I say awkwardly. As she sits down at her chair, I go to retrieve what she asked. I place down the chair and desk next to her and take my seat. She hands me my essay, paper, and a pencil.

"Well? Start.", she said. I begin rewriting my assignment as she looks over my shoulder to oversee my work. She didn't have to. I'm ranked first in Japanese for a reason.

"The problem with your essay was not your Japanese, it was its content.", she suddenly says. Wait what?!

"You know it's rude to read people's minds.", I complain as I scratch the back of my head.

"I don't need to read your mind when your thoughts are plastered on your face.", she says with a smile and a small chuckle. A small smile creeps on my face.


"This is a bit of a surprise.". Hiratsuka had walked in after a few minutes. She stares at what must seem on odd site: cynical loner and ice queen beauty, comfortably sitting next to one another. "You said you were acquainted in elementary, but is that all there is to it?"

I go to respond but before I can Yukinoshita gives me a stern look that says, 'focus on your work', so I do what she says - or looks? She then proceeds to ask, "What do you mean by that Hiratsuka-sensei?".

"I was outside the club room listening in, to see how you two would interact. I was half expecting an argument to occur but you two seemed to be close. Not only that, but I also didn't expect to find my most lazy student so readily working."

I would defend myself if I weren't under the watchful eye of Yukinoshita-sensei.

"If we seem close, I can only say that it's due to the length of time we've known each other. As for why Hikigaya-kun is working so diligently, it's likely due to the fact that he knows better than to defy the direction of his superior." She says the last part, placing her right hand to her chest. I roll my eyes at this.

"I see.", is all sensei could really respond with. "Well, things seem to be working out, so I'll leave him to you." Sensei proceeds to make her way out of the room.

After she leaves, I continue to work on my essay while Yukinoshita, thankfully, goes back to reading her book from earlier. It's not that I don't appreciate her help, in fact it's always welcomed. It's just that I'm concerned about what will happen if other people saw us together.


We went on like this for some time. The silence is broken by a small cough to my left; I turn my attention toward Yukinoshita. She puts down her book and turns to face me. She begins, "I know we've had this discussion a couple times before, though given the recent developments I believe it warrants discussing again, Hachiman."

I noticeably panic at the use of my given name. Frantically, I look around my surroundings as if I was expecting to find someone overhearing what she said in the empty classroom. She did not look impressed by my antics. I try to calm myself down a bit. "What did you want to talk about… Yukino?"

"About how we are going to interact with one another at school going forward. Since the start of our first year, you have maintained the position that it would be best if you did not interact with me at school. While I've disagreed with you, out of respect I went along with it. However, as that will no longer be possible, I'd like to propose we also no longer hide our friendship from others at school."

"I disagree, while we are going to be in the same club that doesn't necessarily mean we have to let people know about us. I still think it's best if people don't know that you're associated with me.".

"When you first proposed this arrangement, your reasoning was you did not want our association to negatively impact my social standing or hinder my opportunities at making connections with my peers. However, as this past year has shown, whether people knew you and I were associated, the end result was the same."

I look down in regret knowing she was right. Even before she said it, I knew she was right.

"The 'youth' mentioned in your essay, you were referring to peers of mine who talked behind my back, yes?" I nod in agreement. "You were frustrated that it happened again?"

"I was frustrated that I didn't help you."

"You did help me. You helped me then and continue to help me by being my friend. Even when I'm alone, I know I'll be okay because I at least have you." She gives me a heavenly smile. Hearing those words, seeing that smile, I can't help but blush. How can I not, anyone would in this situation.

"That being said, do you find my proposal acceptable? No longer hiding our history and interacting with each other at school as friends."

"Of course. After that conversation how could I say no."

"Good, because I think we can both agree, having a friend at school will make these days more enjoyable."

"I agree. Though I still think we should address each other by our family names. It would shock people if we used our given names all of a sudden. They may get the wrong idea, you know?", I say at such speed I don't know if she fully understood what I said.

It seems as though she did because she gives me the most disapproving face I've ever seen; one I haven't seen since I showed her my math and science scores for my Sobu mock exam.

"I will allow that concession, but no more." Her cold eyes pierce my very soul. Even though I'm her friend I'm still under threat of the ice queen's wrath.

"Understood, ma'am." I reflexively straighten my posture for some reason

"All done.". I drop the pencil and stretch my arms.

"Good.". She takes the essay from the desk and looks it over. "Well, this is certainly an essay, better befitting of the rank one Japanese student. Though I certainly could have written better."

"Careful, Yukino. Your jealousy is showing."

She sighs. "It's getting quite late, perhaps we should end it here." I nod in agreement. I hand her back her supplies and she tucks my essays into her bag. I return the desk to the back of the room but leave the chair where it is. I head to the door where Yukino is waiting for me.

Yukino headed to the staff room to return the club room key and my essay to Hiratsuka-sensei while I went to retrieve my bike. I stand at the entrance waiting for Yukino to come. It doesn't take long for her to arrive. We greet each other and begin our trek home.

"Hachiman, when you came to the club room with Hiratsuka-sensei, why were you surprised to see me? In our last study session, I believe I discussed the Service Club with you in length."

"Ah it actually slipped my mind that your Service Club was in the Special Building." I give her a small chuckle and an awkward smile.

"It was less than a week ago that we discussed it. If a week is all it takes for you to forget information, I fear that I'm wasting my precious time tutoring you."

"It's not my fault! We spent like seven hours going over that physics stuff! I was really tired!"

"If you spent more time paying attention in class, rather than dozing off, then maybe we wouldn't need to spend so much time reviewing the material."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Speaking of our study sessions, would it be alright to reschedule tomorrows for Sunday, and move locations to your home?"

"If you want to see Kamakura all you have to do is ask, there's no need to hide your motives."

"While I admit Kamakura was a deciding factor in moving the venue to your home, I have a proper reason for rescheduling. Nee-san is returning from studying abroad for a week and she'll be staying at my place, so I thought I would spare you, her antics."

"Thank you for your mercy." I jokingly say, as I stop to bow. Not that that would save me from her.

"You are very much welcome. Also, if it's not too much trouble, be sure to be a proper host. I know that it can be a challenge for someone like you."

Years later and she still insists on reminding me. It was my first time having a friend over, and I was really nervous, okay! I never forgot to offer her drinks after that visit! I swear!

"Don't worry I won't forget." I mumbled.

"Good. It seems this is where we part."

"I guess I'll be seeing you Monday in the club room."

She turns to face me. "Yes. I look forward to working with you this year."

"Me too."

"Say hello to Komachi-san for me." She gives me a small wave before heading on her way.

I stand there for a bit waiting until she's out of sight. I then turn and begin to make my way home.


When I arrived, it was getting kind of late. The sun was already setting. I guess this is when I'll be getting home from now on. I open the door and walk in, only to be greeted by my precious imouto.

"Onii-chan! Why did you come home so late! I was so worried about you! Oh, I bet that's worth a bunch of points!"

"Yea a whole bunch of them.". I close the door behind me and then take off my shoes.

"So why were you late onii-chan?"

"About that. I'm going to be coming home at this time from now on. I joined Yukino's club, so I'll be staying after school for club activities. Oh, and Yukino says hello."

"Ooo! So, you were spending time with Yukino-onee-chan! Thank goodness. When you didn't show up, I thought maybe you finally entered your delinquent phase."

"That's pretty low in points, Komachi. Also, Yukino is coming over to study this Sunday so don't refer to her as 'onee-chan'; you know how flustered she gets when you do it." Not just her but me too.

"But she's going to be my sister-in-law in the future, right? Haruno-onee-chan says so too." She gives me a sly, teasing smile.

Haruno please don't corrupt my precious imouto. She's too pure of heart to be exposed to your influence.

"Just don't call her onee-chan alright. I'm going to my room to rest for a bit. I'll have dinner later."

"Alright onii-chan!"

I head up the stairs and into my room. I set down my bag on the side of my bed and just flopped on it. This wasn't the most tiring day, but more developments happened in this one day than this whole past year. Not only will I be helping Yukino with her Service Club, but we'll also stop hiding our connection to one another from others.

I suddenly get a notification on my phone. It's a text from Yukino.

[Hachiman, would you mind having lunch with me on Monday at the club room?]

How should I respond? I know we agreed that its fine, but I'm still hesitant.

I then receive another message.

[If you are hesitating to accept the request, would a homemade bento sway your decision?]

[I will be seeing you during lunch break then, thank you in advance for the free meal.]

[You're welcome. See you Sunday.]

[See you Sunday.]

Well, I guess having one friend at school won't be so bad.