The Stand User Of The Daily World

Chapter 153: Yukinoshita Yukino's Relentless Pursuit

Noon, Shunsuke was still having lunch in the Service Club.

"Yukinoshita, don't you think it feels a bit empty?"

"Empty? Where?"

"Right here. In such a big clubroom, it's just the two of us. Doesn't it feel like there aren't enough people?"

Shunsuke found it a bit unusual that Yui hadn't joined the Service Club yet, forming the eventual "avalanche destruction trio."

At this rate, you'd be at a huge disadvantage when competing alongside the Saekano duo or the Kakegurui team.

Unfortunately, Yukino had no intention of accepting Shunsuke's suggestion. She rejected it outright:

"Quality over quantity. The Service Club is fine with just the two of us. I won't allow those who fail to grasp its true purpose to join."

"Well, it's enough, sure. But since I joined, we haven't had a single request. That's why it feels too quiet. If we had someone to liven things up a little, it wouldn't feel like such a waste of space."

Yukino was momentarily at a loss for words. She hadn't expected that despite the club being established for so long, not a single person had sought their help.

It was almost as if she was using her status as an honor student to get a special privilege from Tachibana-sensei—occupying a large classroom all for herself.

Taking a deep breath, Yukino calmly said, "So, Fujii-kun, do you already have someone in mind? Is it Shiina-san, or Sawamura-san? Or perhaps both?"

"Why are you suddenly bringing them up?" Shunsuke looked at Yukino with a puzzled expression. "And where did you get the idea that they could liven up the atmosphere?"

"..."

Yukino fell silent.

"Oh, right. Here, this is for you. I bought it at the shopping district over the weekend."

Shunsuke suddenly pulled out a Mr. Panda plushie from his bag and handed it to Yukino.

Her expression changed instantly. "A new Mr. Panda merchandise! How did you get this?"

Shunsuke replied matter-of-factly, "Because you like these things, don't you?"

Yukino gave him a wary look. "Fujii-kun, how do you know that?"

"You should be more honest when accepting a gift. It makes you cuter." Shunsuke firmly pushed the plushie into her arms. "Besides, haven't you loved cats since you were a child?"

She picked up Mr. Panda, hesitating between returning it and keeping it. Her expression was conflicted, and it took her a moment before she realized something. "Wait… since I was a child?"

"Yeah, isn't that right?"

"No... I just thought you had forgotten."

Yukino still remembered their first meeting in the Service Club. Back then, when Shunsuke introduced himself, she had felt a little shaken—something she still remembered vividly.

"I didn't recognize you at first, but by the second day, I remembered. After all these years, Yukinoshita, you really haven't changed much."

Though he was referring to her personality, Shunsuke's gaze unconsciously drifted to her chest.

Yukino's expression immediately turned cold. This was a sore spot she was particularly sensitive about.

Shunsuke quickly tried to console her. "Don't worry, I've seen Miss Haruno and your mother. You still have a chance."

If not for Mr. Panda in her hands, Yukino might have thrown something at him.

"Sorry, sorry! Just take this as my apology. Please forgive me, oh magnanimous Miss Yukinoshita."

Shunsuke lightly tapped his own mouth and then pointed at Mr. Panda.

"...Do you really think I'll accept it that easily?" Yukino shook Mr. Panda. "This was already a gift from you. It's not some kind of compensation."

Shunsuke was at a loss for words at Yukino's ever-changing attitude.

Weren't men supposed to be the unpredictable ones?

"As compensation, you're going to help me with my investigation on Minagawa Akane-sensei."

"You're seriously looking into Minagawa Akane?"

"Yes, but Mugi-kun hasn't been cooperative. When I questioned him, he refused to answer and was openly hostile toward me."

Shunsuke rolled his eyes. "Isn't that obvious? You're going after the guy's dream goddess with a condescending attitude. The fact that he didn't curse you out is already pretty yasashii... no, wait, soushoku... no, actually, the right word here is probably just 'spineless.'"

Yukino ignored Shunsuke's disdain for Mugi and continued, "As much as I hate to admit it, my reckless approach probably tipped them off. So, I want you to use your position as a guy to find out who else might be involved with Minagawa Akane and gather evidence."

Shunsuke shook his head. "Actually, the best approach now is to talk to the girls instead."

Yukino frowned. "Why?"

"You literally just said it yourself—you already tipped them off." Shunsuke took his time finishing the last bite of his bento, chewing slowly. Only when Yukino started looking impatient did he continue. "Mugi is definitely going to report this to Minagawa Akane immediately. After that, you can forget about getting anything out of the other guys."

Yukino was still frowning. "Then why would asking the girls work?"

She was still too inexperienced. Being a top student couldn't make up for her lack of practical sense. In the original story, the great teacher was always there to cover for her mistakes, coming up with questionable but surprisingly effective solutions. But since he wasn't here, Shunsuke had to take over.

After packing up his bento box, Shunsuke explained, "I already mentioned this—Minagawa Akane only targets good-looking, popular guys. And those kinds of guys always have plenty of girls openly or secretly crushing on them. Don't underestimate the love instincts of teenage JKs—they're always watching. No matter how discreet Minagawa Akane tries to be, there are bound to be some sharp-eyed girls who've noticed something. That's where our opportunity lies. However..."

Seeing Yukino biting her lip slightly, Shunsuke smirked and shook his head. "Neither of us has female friends, so that makes this plan a bit tricky, doesn't it?"

"I'm not incapable of making female friends—I just don't need them. A bunch of people who only know how to envy those better than them? I don't need friends like that." Yukino remained stubborn.

"Well, in that case, there's nothing I can do." Shunsuke shrugged. "I can ask around among the guys, but when it comes to the girls, that's on you. You'll have to handle that yourself."

Yukino opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to admit any kind of weakness.

"Which is exactly why we need a cheerful and outgoing girl to join our club. Then we could just leave all of this to her."

Without realizing it, Shunsuke had brought the conversation back to where he started.

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