I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

As always, Hayama tried to smooth things over.

"But think about it, that's someone more trustworthy than Penguin! How can we possibly ask him for help? His trust level is practically zero."

"What the Minister of Revenue said is going too far!"

Considering that Yuihama and Hayama and others usually had a good relationship, she didn't want to say anything too harsh.

“However, this is also Hikigaya’s fault. There’s nothing we can do about it. He’s just like everyone else,” Yukinoshita said coldly. “Well then, I’m sorry, please leave.”

"Okay, I'll come in after you've finished talking."

Hachiman consciously wanted to leave.

"Wait, where are you going?" Yukinoshita called out to Hikigaya, who had stood up.

"Huh?"

“I’m telling them to leave,” his gaze, sharp as a blade, pierced Ye Shan and Hu Bu without mercy. “They’re ignorant of manners and have no sense of propriety. Why should we listen to their requests?”

"Please hurry back inside."

Yukinoshita lightly tapped the ticket for the national tournament with her finger, stopping Kiyoyori's movement.

"Besides, we have more important things to discuss now."

P.S.: Speaking of which, has the word "Auntie" become a job title in hospitals? Today, I went to the outpatient clinic to visit a friend. On my way back to the department, I ran into a daughter who was there with her father for a checkup. She stopped me to ask how to use the automatic blood pressure monitor outside. The machine seemed to be malfunctioning; it wasn't taking any readings. I couldn't help it, so I was about to leave, since I had other things to do. And then, and then! I was called "Auntie" by an old man who's about my grandfather's age! What the hell?!

Chapter 90, Section 328: The Hidden Request

"That means you have to confess your feelings to Ebina and then date her."

This is clearly Hikigaya, who is not interested in this matter.

"real or fake!"

This is Yuihama, who is clearly very interested in this matter.

Confession...

Kiyoshi seemed to remember something and awkwardly rubbed the tip of his nose with his finger.

“Yes, yes, that’s right,” said the Minister of Revenue, sitting in his chair with a beaming expression. “I would be very sad if I were rejected.”

Is it based on the premise of not wanting to be rejected...?

Kiyoshi looked away.

No chance, right?

"I think this is great! I'll cheer you on!"

Yuihama was clearly very interested in the topic of romance; she was probably one of only two people in the classroom who seemed genuinely happy about it. Even Hayama, who had brought Tobe to the Service Club, could only manage a slightly awkward smile.

"Is it difficult for you to help with something like this?"

This sentence...

Kiyoshi tapped the tabletop lightly with his finger and glanced at Hikigaya.

"I'm sorry, we probably can't be of much help."

Under Yuigahama's eager gaze, Yukinoshita still intended to refuse the request.

"Huh? What's the big deal? Let's help him out~"

Yuihama used her charm on Yukinoshita, and it worked wonders.

Yukinoshita was already hesitant, and now she wavered even more, "This..."

She glanced subconsciously at Hikigaya, who was sitting at the farthest point, but he avoided her gaze. Then she looked at Kiyori, who was pretending to be invisible, and narrowed her eyes slightly.

Don't look at me...

Kiyoshi cleared his throat helplessly. "Since the premise is that we don't want to be rejected, we should at least understand the situation, such as the other party's thoughts on Senior Hobu. Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to do such a job."

I dare not make any definitive statements, since if the other party wants to use the school trip as an opportunity to confess, then Kiyoyori will have very little say in the matter.

"Speaking of which, if we accept the commission, what would this senior want us to do?"

"I'm going to confess my feelings, so I hope you can do some support and backing work for me!"

"So, Yuihama-san, since you're quite familiar with that Ebina-san, you should know something about his attitude, right?"

In an instant, all eyes were focused on Yuihama's face, and Yuihama, who was suddenly asked a question, froze.

"Oh no! This is something I'm really concerned about too!"

"What is it like...?"

Yuihama awkwardly looked away.

This development...

Avoiding eye contact guiltily and repeating questions meaninglessly are typical signs of trying to fabricate an answer on the spot that won't hurt anyone too much.

"Wait a minute, are you really going to ask this? This is the final judgment."

Hachiman kindly reminded him.

"But if we don't ask, we can't move forward, right?"

It's hard to say whether the Ministry of Revenue was too slow to react or too optimistic, but in any case, Kiyoyori had already guessed the outcome.

"Is he... a good person?"

They're out.

Kiyoyori and Hikigaya, sitting opposite each other, exchanged a knowing glance.

Hayama seemed to be getting restless. "I'll go to the club first. You guys continue chatting."

Before the Ministry of Revenue could say goodbye, Ye Shan hurriedly left.

“Well, it’s like this,” Kiyoyori said, watching Hayama leave. He thought this was the best opportunity to refuse the commission, which had almost no chance of success. “Actually, before the two seniors came, I wanted to invite the three seniors of the Service Club to watch the National Concert Band Competition.”

Knowing full well that the other party wouldn't care about such a thing, Qinglai began to deceive:

"This national competition coincides with the time of the seniors' school trip, and the city where it is held is also Kyoto. It's a rare opportunity, and I hope that my competition can be witnessed by the three seniors, so this request will be very time-sensitive..."

"A wind instrument playing competition?! What's that?! Can it increase my chances of a successful confession?!" For some reason, Hobe missed the point and seemed to suddenly become interested in the wind instrument playing competition. "Can we participate too? Will Ebina accept my confession in that kind of setting?"

Just as Kiyoyori was at a loss for words, Yukinoshita said helplessly, "We've accepted your request. All we need to do is provide support, right?"

“However, we do have one condition,” Yukino slowly put down her teacup, “We will choose the location for the confession.”

The Ministry of Revenue blinked. "Sure! Then I'll leave it to you!"

He immediately put the wind instrument competition out of his mind.

"Then please go out first, we'll discuss this request."

Thanks!

The Minister of Revenue left the Ministry of Service happily, leaving behind only a few people sighing.

"Tachibana-san, regarding going to watch the national tournament, I'd like to..."

"It's alright, requests take priority," Kiyotaka said, but still handed the tickets to the three of them. "Besides, I probably won't be able to help this time, so I'll have to trouble you seniors."

"So, how do you plan to help him confess his feelings?"

Hachiman clearly wasn't optimistic, stating, "When there's no certainty of a good outcome, you have to take the risk."

"risk?"

Yuihama asked, puzzled.

“The relationship changes,” Kiyoyori continued Hikigaya’s words, “Two people who were originally friends may become strangers forever because one of them’s feelings have changed. Even if they are still friends, they can never be the same as before.”

“That’s not so bad,” Hachiman continued quietly. “It doesn’t matter if we can’t be friends. What’s worse is that people around us will look at the person who was rejected with strange eyes and gossip about it. Before long, everyone who knows them will know about it.”

"Is this another personal experience from a small business owner...? Speaking of which, is it already based on being rejected...?"

At that moment, the door was knocked again, and the woman who was about to be confessed to walked in was none other than the female protagonist.

"Himena! What brings you here?"

"Yui, ya hello!"

"Actually, it's like this..." After a brief greeting, Ebina sat down in the client's seat, her cheeks flushed, "It's about Keibu Chika..."

The members of the Service Department all showed varying degrees of surprise.

"Minister of Revenue...Minister of Revenue! What, what do you mean?!"

"Tobe kisses him..." Ebina's expression was unusually shy. Just when the others thought there was going to be a big twist, "Tobe kisses him lately, he's been getting a little too close to Hayato and Penguin-kun! Ooka-kun and Yamato-kun are both jealous!"

Huh...?

"I'd love to see them have an even more indecent relationship! If this keeps up, the love triangle will be over!"

Just as the members of the Service Department were somewhat stunned, Ebina made an even more revealing statement about his fetish.

"Wait a minute, so what are you trying to say?"

Ebina calmed down and said, "I just feel that the atmosphere in the circle lately is strange."

“But there are complicated things between boys too,” Yuihama said meaningfully, “like interpersonal relationships.”

"The complicated relationships between men, Yui, you're so lewd."

"Did I say something strange?!"

It was as if they were talking on two different channels, but Kiyoshi sensed something else in it.

"Although things are indeed very different from before," Ebina smiled slightly, looking down, "I still hope we can get along well with everyone as before! Of course, I think Penguin-kun can also get along well with us!"

She seemed to have received something, and winked like a penguin.

"I want to see some more interesting things on my school trip!"

"Then I'll leave it to you!"