There was no denying it. Yukinoshita Yukino, the icy beauty, was incredibly serious when it came to work. Watching her from the side, with that graceful profile and calm demeanor, gave off an almost strikingly cool impression.
As the girls from the Light Music Club snuck glances at Yukinoshita, they began whispering among themselves.
"She seems super capable!"
"And she's really pretty too! But… she looks kind of cold. Do you think she's hard to talk to?"
"This Service Club thing sounds kinda like a do-it-all shop."
"Sugoi!"
Yukinoshita maintained her composed expression, as if she hadn't heard their murmurs at all.
But Sato, watching closely, could see the faint twitch of her ears. She was definitely listening carefully to every word.
"Nohara, what do you think?"
Tainaka Ritsu tiptoed over to Sato and whispered.
"This kind of decision should be up to you as the club president, no?"
"If I could make a decision, I wouldn't be asking you!"
Ritsu puffed up her cheeks in frustration.
But since Sato wasn't offering an opinion, she couldn't exactly force him to think of a solution either.
"Do you think… maybe we should just say no?"
Ritsu hesitated, clearly torn.
Sato smiled. "It's your call."
"Ugh! Why am I even the president? Nohara, why don't you take this job instead?!"
Ritsu clutched her head in despair.
"Let's talk after you've made your decision."
"Hmph! Dream on!"
"I've decided!"
Ritsu rolled her eyes dramatically, then turned toward the composed girl standing nearby.
"Okay, I agree. But Yukinoshita-san has to make sure you have enough members."
Sato thought he saw her shoulders finally relax, like a weight had been lifted.
"I'll make sure of it," she said, her tone still cool and even.
"Well then, my job here is done," said Hiratsuka Shizuka, who had been watching quietly. She clapped her hands as if brushing the dust off them.
If the Light Music Club had refused, there wouldn't have been much she could do.
In truth, her request was a bit presumptuous. If Yukino weren't Haruno's sister and if she herself didn't think highly of the girl, there's no way she would've pushed like this.
Now that everything was resolved, a smile broke out on her face.
But—
"One more thing!"
Hiratsuka turned to Yukinoshita. "A club needs at least four members. If you don't reach that number within a month of starting, the club will be disbanded, Yukino-chan."
Yukino blinked, then gave a small nod. "Understood."
"And as for the Light Music Club, you only have three registered members too. If you don't find a fourth within a month, you'll be shut down as well."
Snap!
Tsumugi Kotobuki and Mio Akiyama immediately turned to glare at Ritsu, who froze.
"Ritsu! Did you forget to submit Nohara-kun's application?!" Mio demanded, dark clouds gathering over her face.
"Ahaha, that... Sorry!"
Ritsu laughed awkwardly, trying to play it off. But under Mio's piercing glare, she bowed in a perfect ninety-degree angle, an action that looked almost pathetically well-practiced.
Mio sighed, half annoyed and half exasperated. "Ritsu, can't you at least take this kind of stuff seriously?"
"You're the one who dragged everyone into forming this club. How can you be the one who cares the least?!"
"Sorry! I'm really sorry!"
Ritsu kept bowing and apologizing, occasionally making desperate faces at Tsumugi and Sato for help.
Thankfully, Mio still knew how to maintain appearances in front of outsiders. After a bit of scolding, she ended the topic by insisting they submit Nohara's application immediately.
Hiratsuka watched the scene unfold with an amused smile.
"Well then, my task here is done. I won't bother you all any further."
"But don't forget, your focus should be on your club activities."
She glanced at the tea and snacks on the table, giving the Light Music girls a sly, almost teasing smile.
Mio's face flushed red, while the other three girls looked away nonchalantly as if they hadn't heard her.
"Seriously, you girls are a handful," Hiratsuka muttered, dark lines forming on her forehead.
"My warnings aren't just empty threats. Every club is required to show results from their activities. Otherwise, you won't get any funding and might even be disbanded."
"Funding?!"
Ritsu's eyes lit up instantly.
Thunk!
Only to be brought back to earth by a well-placed punch.
Hiratsuka, face dark, withdrew her fist from Ritsu's head. "Can't you focus on the important part?!"
"The point isn't the funding, it's that your club could be shut down!"
"Okay, okay! We get it!"
Ritsu, wincing from the blow, quickly backed down.
"That's all I have to say. If I remember correctly, the school festival is just around the corner. If the Light Music Club doesn't prepare a performance, you might find yourselves on the disbandment list."
She left the group with a meaningful smile, sending a chill through the room.
Just before walking out, Hiratsuka gave Sato a glance.
"And you, Nohara. Don't go taking advantage just because you're surrounded by girls."
She leaned in conspiratorially.
"Let me tell you a secret, don't let Yukino's slim frame fool you. She may not look like much, and her... ahem... assets may not be, well... coughcough!!"
Under the intense glare of the "Snow Girl," Yukinoshita Yukino, who radiated icy pressure, Hiratsuka swallowed her next words. After a couple of dry coughs, her face regained its usual sternness.
She addressed the now-shivering Light Music members seriously:
"In any case, Yukinoshita-san is a trained aikido practitioner. She could easily flip you into the hospital with one throw…"
"HIRATSUKA-SENSEI!"
Yukino finally lost her composure, her icy gaze drilling into the teacher.
Are you sure you're not just describing yourself?!
"Hehe, well then, minna-san, see you around!"
With a cheeky grin and a wave, Hiratsuka Shizuka left the clubroom.