Chapter 99: Trouble Comes Knocking in a Different Sense

"Alright then, I'll leave it to you all. I'll come back tomorrow afternoon to hear your opinions~" Zaimokuza Yoshiteru didn't give Hikigaya Hachiman a chance to warn him. After handing out the manuscript copies of his novel, he gave Hikigaya a thumbs-up and shouted out a strange move name—"tonkotsu mōshin" (a sort of rushing charge)—before bursting out of the classroom. "Well then, Hikigaya-kun, you're in charge of working overtime tonight to read your friend's manuscript." Seeing Zaimokuza leave the Service Club room, Yukinoshita Yukino immediately put the manuscript into her backpack and instructed Hikigaya. "Eh, what about me?" Hearing that only Hikigaya was asked, Yui Yuigahama quickly leaned her head toward Yukinohita. "Yuigahama-san, you don't seem to be a member of the Service Club, do you?" Looking at Yui with a hopeful expression, Yukinohita didn't hesitate to state the harsh truth. "Is that so?" Yui blinked and turned to Hikigaya, apparently seeking confirmation that Yukinohita was telling the truth. "Counting today, Yuigahama-san, you've only been to the Service Club three times in total. Also, joining the Service Club requires submitting an application form." Ignoring Yui's pitiful look, Hikigaya responded coldly. "Hmm, got it. Can't I write an application now?" Saying this, Yui sadly took out a blank sheet from her bag and began writing an application. "The application form needs to be taken from the student council. I won't accept any non-standard applications like yours, Yuigahama-san." Yukinoshita looked down at her book again. When she raised her head, she saw that Yui had filled the paper with a lot of writing. Seeing Yui's pitiful, dog-abandoned-by-owner look after hearing Yukinohita's words, Yukinoshita sighed helplessly, stood up, took the application from her, and led her toward the student council. "So, are you going to celebrate the addition of a new member later?" Watching them leave the classroom, Hikigaya rubbed his head with some distress. If Yui joins the Service Club, his peaceful days will probably shorten quite a bit. "Ah, found you!" Just as Hikigaya was imagining the future scenario with Yui in the club, a cheerful female voice came from the classroom door. Curious, Hikigaya looked up toward the door. What came into view was a very cute and familiar face. "Oh, it's the girl from the train the other day..." After confirming the girl's identity from memory, Hikigaya lowered his head again. "That's so unfair, senpai. I've been looking for you for so long, but you're acting so cold..." Seeing Hikigaya's indifferent reaction, Iroha Isshiki showed no sign of discouragement. She closed the classroom door and excitedly ran up to Hikigaya to greet him. "This student, are you here at the Service Club for something?" Ignoring whatever Iroha was saying, Hikigaya looked up again, putting on a businesslike expression. "Hmm, of course, I'm here to see senpai~" Iroha blinked, flashing a sweet smile capable of melting any boy's heart. Too bad the target was Hikigaya Hachiman. Faced with Iroha's fake cuteness, Hikigaya only nodded to show he understood, then stood and went to the classroom door, reopening the door he had just closed, and made a gesture inviting her out. "Senpai, what do you mean by this?" Confused by Hikigaya's unusual behavior, Iroha tilted her head. "Aren't you here to see me? Now that I see you, please leave." Even though Iroha was a very cute girl, Hikigaya had seen through her little devil nature and troublemaker traits from the moment he laid eyes on her. To ensure his peaceful life wasn't disturbed, staying away from Iroha was the best choice. "...Senpai, you won't get a girlfriend acting like this, you know." Hearing Hikigaya's explanation, Iroha's smile instantly froze, then shifted to a troubled look. "Thanks for the concern, I don't want a girlfriend anyway." "Ahhh..." Upon hearing Hikigaya's words, Iroha immediately went into a rage. "So, that's why you don't have a girlfriend—because of your personality!" "Then first, tell me your real reason for coming to see me." Hikigaya remained unmoved by Iroha's words and began interrogating her about her true purpose for coming. Based on Iroha's earlier complaints, it seemed she had been searching for him ever since the night he saved her. "Of course, it's to thank senpai for saving my life~" "Saving your life?" A cold voice suddenly came from the doorway. Then, with a cold expression, Yukinoshita Yukino appeared at the Service Club's door, accompanied by Yuigahama Yui, who had just completed her club entry procedure. "Ah, well..." Unlike her playful and lively attitude toward Hikigaya, when Iroha saw the "Ice Princess" Yukinoshita, who was more popular in the entire Sobu High than herself, her demeanor instantly changed. She stood obediently in front of Yukinoshita, just about to explain what she had just said, but Yukinoshita raised her hand to stop her. "You're first-year student Iroha Isshiki, right? I'm not sure what business you have with the Service Club that requires our help?" To Hikigaya's surprise, Yukinoshita did not pursue the truth behind Iroha's words but instead used a very oppressive tone to ask about her purpose at the Service Club. "Ah, well, um..." Inexperienced in conflict, Iroha was clearly intimidated by Yukinoshita's presence. She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say. "Hey, Yukino, you scared her..." At that moment, Yuigahama tugged Yukinoshita's sleeve. "Ah, sorry, I'll be more careful." Hearing Yuigahama's reminder, Yukinoshita nodded in understanding.Then, with a scrutinizing gaze, she continued to stare at Iroha and asked, "So, Isshiki-san, you came to the Service Club to post a request, right?" Her intimidating aura didn't waver at all! Under Yukinoshita's pressure, Iroha trembled. If she had known the legendary Yukinoshita Yukino was this scary, she would have come to see Hikigaya at another time.