The Heroines All Regretted It

Afternoon.

The bell rang for the last class of the day, and Yoru packed up his bag at a leisurely pace.

It was his turn for cleaning duty today.

"Yumiko, you guys don't need to wait for me..."

"I'll head to club after I'm done, and won't be going anywhere after that."

Yuigahama Yui came over and said that to Miura Yumiko.

"Alright, see ya."

Miura Yumiko waved.

Each class at Shuchiin typically had around thirty students.

There were four students on duty each day, rotating daily.

A few minutes later, the classroom emptied out.

Yoru picked up a broom and started sweeping.

Since all Shuchiin students wore the same indoor shoes, the floor wasn't very dirty. Cleaning didn't take long.

The only task left was taking out the trash, which landed on Yoru and Yuigahama Yui.

"Let's go, Yoru."

Yuigahama Yui called out to him.

"Mhm, I'll head to the Service Club afterward."

Yoru grabbed one side of the trash bin and lifted it.

"Come to think of it, Miss Hiratsuka told me to join the Service Club for tutoring, so I wouldn't get expelled from Shuchiin."

"But the misunderstanding's been cleared up. The punishment no longer applies. Should I still go to the Service Club?"

As he walked, Yoru pondered.

He preferred freedom and didn't like being tied down by clubs.

But he had gotten used to the Service Club. It wasn't bad. He got to see two cute girls every day. He was kind of reluctant to stop going.

Maybe just drop by now and then?

"Taking the trash out always means carrying it downstairs..."

"Shuchiin is way too big. It's such a walk just to get to the trash area."

At the stairs, Yuigahama Yui sighed in exhaustion.

"At least ten minutes round trip."

Yoru nodded, but his thoughts drifted to Yuigahama's mother, Kaori.

He felt a bit guilty. Here he was interacting with a classmate, yet thinking about her mom.

"Hey, Yuigahama. Can I ask you something?"

Yoru tried to distract himself.

"Sure, sure."

Yuigahama Yui held one side of the trash can and used her other hand to brace herself on the wall as they walked down the stairs.

"What's the relationship between Miura Yumiko and Hayama Hayato?"

Yoru asked out of curiosity.

"Yumiko? And Hayama?"

Yuigahama Yui looked up, surprised.

She didn't think Yoru was the type to ask questions like that.

"Yoru, are you gossiping now?"

"No no... Or wait, could it be that he likes Yumiko? I mean, she is cute and super pretty..."

Yuigahama thought for a moment before saying, "They're just really good friends... I think..."

"Yumiko likes Hayama."

"That's what I think. And I think Tobe Shō likes Ebina Hina too. They give me the same vibe."

Yoru showed no change in expression, continuing to look ahead.

"Huh?"

"Tobe likes Hina?"

Yuigahama Yui, usually good at reading people, had no clue about that. And she realized what Yoru was really asking about.

That was probably the main reason behind his question.

"You guys always hang out after class. Unless I gouge out my eyes and plug my ears, there's no way you wouldn't affect me, right?"

Yoru gently set the trash can down so Yui could rest.

"I don't know…"

Yui mumbled and looked at Yoru, her expression thoughtful and a little curious. "Yoru-kun, is there a reason you're asking about this?"

"Lately, I feel like Ebina Hina's been way too friendly with me. It's like…"

"No… never mind, maybe I'm just imagining things."

Yoru frowned slightly, then relaxed again.

He had wanted to say that Ebina Hina seemed to be using him as a shield—intentionally sticking close to him to avoid Hoshinuma.

After a short break, Yoru and Yuigahama took out the trash and carried the bin back to the classroom. After closing the door, they headed to the restroom to wash their hands.

"Yoru-kun is seriously so good-looking…"

"A lot of girls at school have been talking about him lately."

Yuigahama wiped water from her face and glanced at the mirror, which reflected Yoru beside her, washing his hands.

I almost forgot Yoru used to be a gross, chubby otaku. He was really fat back then.

Heh…

She chuckled quietly to herself at the funny thought.

Thankfully, she'd seen him so much, she'd built up some immunity.

A few minutes before four o'clock, Yoru and Yuigahama arrived at the Service Club.

"I almost thought you two weren't coming."

Yukinoshita Yukino looked over as they walked in.

"We were on cleaning duty today, Yukino-chan."

Yuigahama smiled and took a sip of juice.

"Here you go, Yukinoshita."

Yoru had two bottles of juice in his hand and placed one on the long table, pushing it toward Yukinoshita.

"For me? Thanks."

Yukinoshita closed her book and glanced at Yoru, not rejecting the offer.

"No prize…"

Yuigahama scanned the QR code on her bottle and let out a small complaint.

"There's a prize?"

Yoru sat down, pulled out his phone, and scanned his bottle too.

Third prize?!

A brand-new pair of headphones.

"I actually won?"

Surprised, Yoru showed them his phone screen. He then filled in his address and phone number.

A lucky little surprise.

"Let's get started. I'll tutor you now."

Yukinoshita remained indifferent, but Yuigahama looked a little disappointed.

"Um… Yukinoshita-san, Yuigahama-san, there's something I wanted to tell you."

Yoru called out to Yukinoshita.

At his words, both girls looked at him quietly.

"It's good news."

"Someone came forward to clear up the misunderstanding about the stolen stockings and panties from Kasumigaoka Utaha during the field trip."

"This morning, I went with her to the student council."

"Most likely, by tomorrow morning, the news will be on the bulletin board and in the school paper."

Yoru straightened his back and puffed out his chest, smiling faintly.

"Really? Congrats, Yoru-kun."

Yuigahama had always had doubts about the incident, never fully convinced either way.

"Thanks, Yuigahama-san."

Yoru looked at her gratefully.

"Is that so?"

"Congratulations."

Yukinoshita followed up with her usual calm demeanor.

"So, Yoru-kun… will you still be coming to the Service Club?"

"Because you don't really need tutoring anymore, right? Your grades have improved so quickly—"

Yuigahama quickly made the connection.

"You want to join the club?"

Yukinoshita finally realized his intentions.

"Hmm…"

"I don't really want to join officially, but I'd like to come by sometimes. Maybe one or two tutoring sessions a week, is that okay?"

Yoru turned and gave Yukinoshita a natural smile.

"Then…"

"That's fine."

Yukinoshita, always cold and composed, found herself a little stunned when Yoru suddenly smiled at her like that.

"Thank you so much, Yukinoshita-san."

"Even though I'm no longer worried about being expelled, I still care about improving my grades."

Yoru put his hands together in thanks and gave a small bow.

Who wouldn't want to be better?

Especially when he had a passive skill that gave him ten times the return for every bit of effort. A little work yielded great rewards.

Warm autumn sunlight poured through the windows of the Service Club.

At that moment, the sound of shuffling footsteps interrupted Yoru and Yukinoshita's conversation.

The three turned their attention toward the door.

The footsteps lingered outside for a while without resolution.

Yoru got up to check.

Just then, the footsteps stopped, and someone knocked gently on the door.

Knock knock knock…

"Sumimasen… is this the Service Club?"

"Is anyone inside?"

A boy with a slightly cracking adolescent voice called from outside.

"Come in."

Yukinoshita replied.

Matsushita Hidetoshi heard the response and, a little nervous but clearly excited, opened the door to the Service Club.

He widened his eyes, trying to take in everything.

Yoru, Yukinoshita, and Yuigahama all looked straight at him.

He was average height, decently good-looking, with some faint acne scars on his face.

Judging by his Shuchiin uniform, he was in the same grade.

"Yoru… Yukinoshita…"

Matsushita froze, stunned at how close they were. He could see everything in the room, and his mouth opened in surprise.

"We're the members of the Service Club. Come in."

Yukinoshita spoke politely, though her tone remained distant.

"S-Sorry for the interruption."

Matsushita felt intense pressure as he entered, glancing at Yoru and Yukinoshita.

One used to be a despised, fat otaku with a terrible reputation—now transformed over the summer as if possessed, or returned from another world, with a face that could make almost any girl blush.

The other was the ice-cold beauty Yukinoshita Yukino.

What a rare combo!

Yuigahama kindly pulled over a chair for him.

"I heard about the Service Club by chance. They said this club helps solve people's problems—is that true?"

Matsushita gave Yuigahama a thankful look.

"Yes. Tell us, and we'll do our best to help."

Yukinoshita nodded lightly.

"It's just… um…"

"This Friday afternoon, I want to…"

Matsushita, feeling awkward, reached behind his head and scratched as he spoke haltingly.

The others waited patiently, sipping their juice.

"I… I want to confess to someone…"

"It's my first time, and I have no idea how to do it…"

He seemed embarrassed about sharing something so personal, but finally blurted it out, speaking so fast his voice nearly cracked.

"You want us to help you come up with a way to confess?"

Yuigahama's eyes sparkled as she looked at him, clearly interested.

Yukinoshita gently tapped her fingers on the table.

"No… I was hoping you could help set up the place where I confess."

Matsushita hurriedly waved his hands.

"Oh… I see. The setup and the mood—those are really important."

Yoru nodded in agreement.

"Have you ever dated anyone?"

Yukinoshita suddenly turned to Yoru.

"Uh? No, I haven't…"

Yoru froze at the question, then looked over awkwardly.

"As long as the other person likes you enough, whether it's a long speech, vows of eternal love, or just a message on LINE, they'll say yes."

"We'll take on this request. We'll also do our best, but don't get your hopes too high about the confession scene."

Yukinoshita Yukino looked back at Matsushita Shuujun and gave a word of caution.

She was worried that if Matsushita didn't have enough confidence, it would all end in disappointment.

"I know, I know... I get it…"

"Please, just leave it to you... mmhmm…"

Matsushita tried to ease his tension by shaking his leg, fists tightly clenched on his thighs.

"So, tell us your thoughts and plans."

Yukinoshita prompted.

"I want to confess this Friday afternoon after school, somewhere inside Shuchiin. Preferably somewhere private—I don't want anyone else to see."

"Just me and the girl I'm confessing to, the two of us alone would be best."

Matsushita wasn't sure if it was because he feared being embarrassed in front of a crowd or if he simply disliked being around many people.

"That's not a problem. Do you have a spot in mind?"

Yukinoshita glanced around the Service Club room.

Wasn't this already the perfect place?

It met all the requirements—private, and no one else around.

"No."

Matsushita shook his head.

"What about decorations? What kind of setup do you want?"

Despite never having been in a relationship, Yuigahama Yui was surprisingly invested, almost like she was the one confessing.

"Something simple. Balloons, colored paper, candles… candy… and flowers would be enough. Not too complex, but not too plain either."

Matsushita had a general idea.

He took a deep breath and added,

"But don't worry—I'll cover all the costs. Just let me know how much everything comes to."

"Even if you need to spend on transportation, I'll pay for that too."

"So, we're handling the entire setup then?"

Yukinoshita asked.

"Yes... I'm not good at this kind of thing. I don't know how to decorate."

Thinking of the girl he was going to confess to, Matsushita nodded shyly.

"Then we'll use our clubroom—the Service Club."

"We'll draft a plan and set the basics. Can you come by on Wednesday to take a look?"

Yukinoshita laid out the steps clearly.

"Yeah, I'll leave it all to you. Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Well then, I'll be heading off."

Matsushita stood up and gave a small bow.

Then, without wasting another second, he quickly left the clubroom—escaping in nervous haste.

"Such a romantic vibe…"

"Girls like a bit of romance. We should start from there."

Yuigahama suggested excitedly.

"Let's all share our ideas."

Yukinoshita called for a brainstorming session.

"Flowers. Definitely roses! Cover the clubroom with them. At the very least, arrange them into a huge heart shape!"

"And music too! Best if it's live—something lyrical, cheerful, and elegant."

"Matsushita could lead the girl inside, close the door, and we'll perform just outside. That way, they get a sense of privacy."

Yuigahama raised her hand.

"That's a great idea. We can polish the details later."

Yukinoshita nodded and looked toward Yoru.

Recently, she'd been hearing Yoru's name quite a bit from other girls in class.

"Hmm…"

"We could get heart-shaped balloons filled with air so they float. Inside, put in rose petals."

"Set up a remote-controlled resistor. When the confession begins, pop the balloons. It'll startle the girl."

"Out of instinct, she might lean into Matsushita, and he can catch her. Rose petals fall gently around them while he confesses—soft and romantic."

Yoru finished his juice and picked up from Yuigahama's suggestion with a spark of creativity.

"Wow!"

"Wow wow! Yoru, you're really romantic—that's a great idea!"

Yuigahama nodded eagerly, slapping Yoru on the shoulder.

"The electronics club can easily make a resistor like that."

"There was a hands-on class back in first year. I saw it then."

Yoru gently caught Yuigahama's hand, pressing it down and giving her an apologetic smile.

That hurt a bit!

Kaho was gentler...

"Sorry. Haha…"

It was only when Yoru held her hand that Yuigahama realized, and her face turned shy and red.

"You two should open a professional confession support company."

Yukinoshita glanced at Yoru and Yuigahama with a mild expression, clearly approving of their idea.

"I can handle the flowers. My family runs a flower shop. I can get fresh ones at a good price."

Thinking of his mom's flower shop, Yoru realized he might help support the family a little.

"Really? Your family does that?"

Yukinoshita seemed a little surprised.

"Yuigahama, that slap hurt…"

Yoru looked at her with mild exasperation.

To get a little revenge, he pinched her hand and didn't let go.

"Gomen nasai, sorry…"

It was the first time Yuigahama had held hands with someone. Before she even realized it, Yoru had already taken hers. Her ears turned red from embarrassment.

Yoru and Yukinoshita didn't seem to notice.

"Sorry."

Yoru quickly let go of her soft, fragrant hand.

At the same time, a strange and slightly wicked thought crossed his mind.

Silently, he compared the soft hands of a daughter and a mother.

"That's it for today's club activities. Let's head to the shopping district and look for inspiration."

Yukinoshita always followed through on what she promised. She wasn't someone who took things lightly.

On the contrary, she always gave her best.

That part of her really reminded Yoru of Aoyama Nanami—they were nearly identical.

Yuigahama said nothing, still flustered, calming herself down.

Yoru suddenly sneezed—out of nowhere.

Maybe he'd accidentally stirred something in a classmate's heart without realizing.

A while later...

Yukinoshita locked the Service Club door. The three of them left the clubroom building and headed for the shopping district.

The area was lively, a wide and bustling street.

Yukinoshita and Yuigahama walked together while Yoru trailed slightly behind, casually glancing at the shops on both sides.

"Besides flowers, balloons, and music, it'd be nice to have a cake too—something for blowing candles."

"And don't forget perfume. Lighting is important as well. We should dim the clubroom to create a romantic mood."

Bored anyway, Yoru thought to himself while following the two girls.

He checked out knick-knack shops and accessory stores...

Before he realized, they'd arrived near the Angel Café.

"Yukino, Yoru, want to go in and grab a coffee?"

"My treat."

Yuigahama invited them.

"I'll pass. I've seen enough. I need to head home soon."

Yukinoshita waved her hand.

"Same here."

Yoru still needed to look over some documents, watch fitness videos, and plan a strength training routine. He wanted a good body and muscles.

"Huh?"

Yuigahama let out a small sound but didn't insist.

"Let's end here for today. See you."

Yukinoshita replied calmly and left with Yoru toward the train station.

"You in a hurry to go home?"

Yoru noticed Yukinoshita seemed preoccupied.

"Yeah… Something came up at home."

Yukinoshita nodded lightly.

Since she didn't want to talk about it, Yoru didn't ask further.

They walked side by side toward the station at the far end of the shopping district.

"Isn't that Yoru…?"

Inside a bookstore, Aoyama Nanami sat idly behind the register, resting her chin in her hand as she looked out the window.

When she saw Yoru walk by, her eyes lit up with excitement and she stared intently.

Then she noticed Yukinoshita walking beside him.

Another school-famous beauty and top scorer in the final exams—Aoyama definitely recognized her.

"Yoru was with Kasumigaoka-senpai this morning too…"

Aoyama felt confused, and seeing this scene left her uneasy.

"I've never heard anything about Yoru knowing Yukinoshita…"

[Shit, Completely forgot this Fic even existed. Well, I promise I'll post tomorrow. Just bear with this single chapter in the meantime.]