Chapter 60: An Unwelcoming Atmosphere

After lunch, there were only two classes left before school ended and club activities began.

As soon as school was over, Hayama approached the three idiot. "Can you guys help me with something?"

The sunny boy's smile was just as bright as ever, but in Hikigaya Hachiman's eyes, Hayama's smile seemed forced and less natural than usual.

"Ha…"

Hikigaya Hachiman let out a short, mocking laugh before getting up and heading to the Service Club alone.

Hayama and the others weren't coming over right away. Yuigahama was still dealing with Miura Yumiko, so he used this time to ask Yukinoshita what solution Hayashizaki had suggested.

He was eager to improve.

Standing outside the activity room of the Service Club, he didn't just barge in like before. Instead, he politely knocked on the door and waited for the voice inside to say, "Come in," before he opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Yukinoshita."

Hikigaya Hachiman's respectful tone made Yukinoshita Yukino frown. "What's with the way you're talking?"

"You're joking, right?" 

He forced a smile. "I'm just in awe of your impressive presence."

Why does that sound so disgusting?

Seeing Hikigaya Hachiman so determined to be a loyal subject, Yukinoshita Yukino rubbed her temples, not wanting to correct him further. "Forget it. Why are you the only one here? Where are Yuigahama and Hayama?"

"They're still in the classroom; they'll probably be here soon. By the way, um..." 

Hikigaya Hachiman scratched his head, avoiding the topic, looking rather shifty.

"Just say what you need to say. What's with all the hesitation?"

"I want to know, what method did Hayashizaki tell the president to use to find the criminal?"

"You're making that disgusting pose just to ask this?" 

Yukinoshita Yukino shook her head in amusement and explained, "By using the changes in cursed energy caused by negative emotions, we can sense those changes to infer who the culprit is."

"I see, thanks for clearing that up, president."

Hikigaya Hachiman understood. He had experienced the changes in cursed energy caused by negative emotions himself, especially since it was he who had his arm cut off back then.

Not long after, a lively "Yahallo~" rang out as Yuigahama Yui entered the service club.

She bounced over to Yukinoshita Yukino's side excitedly. 

"Yukinon, I'm here! Do you need my help with anything? I'm really looking forward to your reasoning; it feels like we're in a mystery drama!"

No, that probably doesn't count as reasoning anymore; it's skipping straight to naming the culprit, Hikigaya Hachiman silently critiqued.

But how will President Yukinoshita carry out the crucial evidence-gathering step? 

Is it possible she'll resort to torture? 

Hikigaya thought that one of the them would be possessed and controlled by Hayashizaki while Yukinoshita Yukino chopped off their arm, forcing them to confess before using reversal magic to heal them in a bloody scene. 

Hmm… probably not?

"I do need your help with something," 

Yukinoshita Yukino said with a smile. 

"Could you lend me your phone for a bit, Yuigahama-san?" 

"You just need to open that chain letter email; it won't invade your privacy."

"Eh? Of course!"

Yuigahama Yui happily took out her phone, opened the strange email, and handed it to Yukinoshita Yukino, resting her chin on her hands with a big smile as she watched her. 

"Actually, it's not really about invading privacy; we're friends after all."

"Uh… is that so?" 

Yukinoshita Yukino's cheeks turned slightly red as she took Yuigahama's phone.

"Okay! What do I need to do next?"

Yuigahama Yui's eyes sparkled with excitement. 

Although she had been in the service club for a while, she always felt like she didn't quite fit in. So being able to help Yukinoshita Yukino made her really happy.

"Um, that's it. This is enough."

Yukinoshita Yukino confirmed the email's content again, and after making sure it was correct, she smiled at Yuigahama Yui.

"Eh? That's all?"

The orange haired girl blinked in surprise. Was that all she could do to help? 

At the same time, a chatter came from outside the service department. 

"I'm only here because of Hayama!"

"Yeah, yeah! We're the victims, yet we're being interrogated. How is that fair!?"

"After this, Hayama, you better treat us to a big meal to make it up to us!"

"Sorry, sorry! I can't help it; I asked them to investigate, but I promise I'll treat you all to a meal afterward!"

The noise grew louder as it approached, and soon the door to the Service Club was knocked on. Hayama Hayato and the others walked in.

"So, let's wrap up this investigation quickly!" 

As soon as he entered, the loud-mouthed Hōbu, sporting a head of orange hair, shouted.

Before they could even begin asking questions, Yukinoshita Yukino had already furrowed her brows tightly.

"We're here. Can we start now?"

Hayama Hayato pulled Tobe behind him and smiled at Yukinoshita Yukino.

"Then let's begin."

Yukinoshita Yukino replied coolly, "The orange-haired gorilla stays, and everyone else can leave for now."

"Eh? Is there a special reason? Can't we stay to listen?" 

Hayama Hayato seemed surprised that Yukinoshita Yukino would make such a request.

He soon met the girl's calm and expressionless gaze.

Hikigaya Hachiman, who had been quietly observing, immediately stood up. "The president has her own methods. We should step outside for now."

Saying this, he gave a signal to Yuigahama Yui and stood in front of Hayama, putting an arm around his shoulder as they headed out.

"But…"

Hayama Hayato was surprised to find that, as a star player on the soccer team, he couldn't even stand his ground against Hikigaya Hachiman's shove.

With no choice, he followed the others out into the hallway, where they began to wait.

Ooka and Yamato both wore tense expressions, looking quite unhappy. Even the usually cheerful Hayama Hayato had a serious look on his face.

"Uh, it's really no big deal, right? Yukinon should just be asking a few simple questions!"

Caught between the Service Club and her classmates, Yuigahama Yui was likely the most awkward one there. With a forced smile, she tried to lighten the stiff atmosphere, but aside from a brief response from Hayama, the other two ignored her.

"Yuigahama."

Hikigaya Hachiman noticed the awkwardness on her face and spoke slowly, "Could you help me buy a bottle of drink? Max Coffee. I'll pay you back."

"Ah… Sure, okay!"

After glancing at him, the girl with the bun quickly left with her head down.

Once she was gone, Hikigaya Hachiman shifted his focus back to the three in front of him.

…

…

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