Welp. That was a weird lunch break. I suddenly have a friend now.
I feel like I can do anything! The world is mine to conquer! MUAHAHAHA!
"Are you Aizawa Aiko?"
I look up. Classmate. NPC. One of the many background extras of my daily life. At least he has friends.
"Yeah, that's me."
"Hiratsuka-sensei wants to see you. Teachers' room."
Me? The Iron Fist herself? What, is she going to fight me? If she throws a punch, I'll counter. Probably die, but I'll counter.
"Understood. Thanks."
He leaves.
"Hiratsuka-sensei is calling for you? Did you do something bad, Aiko?" Alya's voice floats over, teasing, amused.
"Maybe she's just mad that she's single in her 20s and wants to take her anger out on me. Maybe I'll get expelled. Wouldn't that be a dream."
She laughs and taps my shoulder.
"Don't say that. Want me to go with you? Protect you from the scary teacher?"
She's joking. I think.
"A girl trying to block the legendary Iron Fist? You won't survive the first swing. And if she takes me down, tell my bento it was delicious."
"Maybe, maybe not. You don't know~"
I sigh and leave the classroom. What I don't see is the way her smile fades.
"I definitely won't live to see another day, huh..."
...
Knock knock.
"Come in."
I step inside the teachers' room.
There she is, Shizuka Hiratsuka. 26. Long black hair. Grey eyes. Lab coat. Unmarried. Somehow still terrifying.
"You're not thinking anything weird about me, are you, Aizawa Aiko?"
She smiles. The kind of smile that comes before a disciplinary suplex.
"Of course not, Sensei. Only positive thoughts."
"Oh? What kind of thoughts exactly? Certainly not the rumors where they call me the Iron Fist, right?"
I clear my throat. Danger.
"Only that you are a fair, just, wise, kind, and selfless educator who strives for the wellbeing of all students."
...And has a short temper, violent tendencies, and might secretly be a final boss.
"Hmmm. Good answer. Sit down."
I do.
"Starting today, you'll be joining the Service Club."
My soul leaves my body.
"I refuse."
"Why?"
"Clubs are full of people. I dislike people."
"It has two members."
"Still two too many."
"You don't have a choice."
"Why me?"
"Because... I'm worried about you."
I blink. Did I hear that right?
"I mean, I'm forcing you. That's it."
I sigh.
"Fine. Happy now?"
"Very. Now go."
"Can you at least tell me what it is?"
"Nope. You'll find out yourself. It's in the special building. Unused classroom. That's all."
Right. Very helpful.
I get up to leave.
"Oh, and Aizawa? Be careful."
I pause. Look over my shoulder.
"...Okay?"
I leave. Behind me, I don't see her face tighten, or the way she bites her lip.
...
"This is it?"
I read the crooked sign: [Service Club]. Stickers on the corner. Someone tried to be cute.
I text Alya where I am. She says she's on her way. Apparently we exchanged numbers during lunch. Achievement unlocked.
I knock. A voice tells me to enter.
The room's dusty, cluttered. Tables pushed against the walls. A long table in the center. Simple. Unremarkable.
Except for the girl.
Black hair, long and silky. Pale skin. Blue eyes like sharpened ice. She sits upright like a porcelain doll molded from discipline and indifference.
She stares.
I stare back.
Did... did her eyes just widen? Did I see imaginary cat ears wiggle on her head from excitement? Am I hallucinating?
"...Aiko?"
Her voice is soft, stunned.
"Uh. Yeah. Hiratsuka-sensei sent me. Is this the Service Club?"
She snaps out of it. Clears her throat.
"Yes. I'm Yukinoshita Yukino. Nice to meet you. Welcome."
Yukino... Yukinoshita Yukino. The Ice Queen? The Empress of Sobu? The Tyrant of Solitude?
"The one who froze ten boys with a glance and turned down a confession with a thesis paper?"
She giggles. Actually giggles.
"The rumors are exaggerated. I'm not that dramatic."
...She's not what I expected. I thought she'd snap her fingers and summon a blizzard.
"So what's the point of this club anyway?"
"It's a volunteer group. We help students with their problems. Personal, academic, social, anything."
"Then why was I forced to join a volunteer club?"
"Because I asked Hiratsuka-sensei for help."
I blink.
"You asked for me?"
"We need three members to stay active."
"And she just agreed?"
"She's stubborn."
"Fair. So... what's in it for me?"
She frowns.
"You need payment?"
"I dislike work. I like money. It's simple math."
"...Wait here."
She disappears into a cabinet and returns with a bag.
"There's 30,000 yen inside."
My eyes sparkle.
"I'm honored, Yukinoshita-senpai."
"Will this suffice for now, Aizawa-san?"
"Yes, and for the record, I'm open to monthly installments."
"Fine."
Sugar mommy. I kneel.
"Then I gladly join."
"Good. But there's one more member. She'll join us soon."
I sigh.
"Please be a guy. Girls are terrifying."
She smirks with her eyes closed.
"She's a girl."
Mind reader?!
The door opens.
Alya walks in, elegant and radiant. My new friend, who may or may not be a goddess of chaos.
"White Oni?"
Her eyes narrow on Yukino. Yukino stares back, posture straightening, expression colder.
...And suddenly the temperature drops. I feel frostbite.
Two beauties. One room. No survivors.
The air crackles.
I sit down slowly.
Yeah.
This is going to be a problem.
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Thanks for reading, hope this uptaded version is better.