Multiversal Chat Group: The Cultivator

Service Club, Clubroom.

As usual, Ren Asakura and Megumi Kato arrived together.

Yukino Yukinoshita didn't say much.

Since there were no new requests, everyone was free to do as they pleased.

Ren picked a light novel from the club's bookshelf.

Megumi did the same.

But today, something was off about Hachiman Hikigaya.

He was trying to quit the Service Club… and join the Tennis Club instead.

The reason? Saika Totsuka invited him.

Naturally, Yukino rejected his request immediately.

Ren's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"Trying to run away? Not happening."

"Hachiman, I never expected you to be the type who values romance over friendship. I'll admit, Totsuka is ridiculously pretty, but…"

Ren leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mock shock.

"He's a boy. A cute boy. Hachiman, I used to think you were just socially awkward, but now I see the truth…!"

His face was a perfect picture of dramatic disbelief.

Hachiman stared at him, completely lost.

He wasn't actually trying to join the Tennis Club.

He just wanted an excuse to leave the Service Club, slowly fade from everyone's attention, and return to his friendless daily life.

But Ren wasn't about to let that happen.

"Hachiman, I respect your orientation," Ren said, voice dripping with fake sympathy.

"But if you insist on quitting, I'll have no choice but to report this, word for word, to Miss Hiratsuka."

"And I believe she'll educate you with her fist… filled with love, of course."

Yukino turned to Hachiman with a look of pure contempt, as if she was staring at trash.

Damn it. She misunderstood.

Hachiman realized his plan had completely failed.

There was no way out now.

"No, no, you've got it all wrong!" He panicked.

"This was just a request from someone else—"

Ren smirked.

His plan had worked perfectly.

Before Hachiman could say anything else, the clubroom door swung open.

"Yo! Hello!"

Yui Yuigahama bounced into the room, full of energy.

"I brought a client today!"

Behind her, Saika Totsuka stepped forward, looking a little shy.

"Hachiman? Ren? Megumi? What are you guys doing here?"

Seeing familiar faces, Totsuka looked genuinely surprised.

Ren answered with a grin.

"What do you mean? We're here for club activities.

All three of us are members of this club."

Ren Asakura explained the situation. Meanwhile, Yui Yuigahama continued speaking enthusiastically.

"Since I'm part of the Service Club too, I wanted to help! That's when I ran into Saichan, who was completely overwhelmed."

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at her before responding in a calm, even tone. "Yuigahama-san, technically speaking… you're not actually a member of the Service Club, are you?"

Yui froze for a moment. That was true. She hadn't officially submitted a club application.

"Ah…!!" Ren sighed dramatically. "Dango-chan, submitting an application is necessary for joining a club. That's how all of us got in. Strictly speaking, you're not an official member yet. But since you've brought it up—if you really want to join, you can submit your application right now. It's not too late."

"Okay! I'll do it! I don't care how many words I have to write for the club application!" Yui's expression was both panicked and determined.

At that moment, Megumi Kato silently handed over a club application form and a pen.

"Just state your reason for joining."

Yui immediately picked up the pen and started filling out the form.

Yukino turned to Totsuka and asked, "So, what's your request, Totsuka-san?"

Totsuka explained the situation. Since the third-year seniors in the Tennis Club were about to graduate, the club was losing members. He hoped someone could help him train and improve his skills.

After a brief moment of thought, Yukino nodded. "I accept your request. I will assist in improving your technique."

Totsuka smiled shyly. "I think… if I can improve, the others might be motivated to train harder too. That's what I believe…"

Ren found the whole situation quite amusing.

Just then, Yukino turned her gaze to Hachiman Hikigaya.

Hachiman stiffened. Of course, he hadn't forgotten what had just happened.

"Why are you looking at me like that? You're not seriously thinking of…" His voice trailed off. A bad feeling crept up his spine.

Yukino Yukinoshita smiled slightly. "It's exactly what you're thinking, Hikigaya."

—-—

Club activities usually took place during free periods. In this relatively normal high school setting, the curriculum wasn't too demanding. Aside from third-year students preparing for university entrance exams, first- and second-year students had plenty of free time.

The school not only prioritized academics but also encouraged students to develop social skills and life experiences.

And so, the group began accompanying Saika Totsuka in his tennis training.

Since Yoshiteru Zaimokuza didn't have many friends—aside from Hachiman Hikigaya—he decided to join as well, helping out with training while also revising his novel and getting feedback.

Meanwhile, Ren Asakura simply enjoyed his youth. Spending time with a cute boy truly lifted his spirits.

Using scientific methods, Yukino created a structured training program for Totsuka.

Day after day, the training continued. Eventually, Totsuka reached Phase 2 of his regimen.

—-—

That day was like any other.

Ren and Totsuka played a match.

Even when going easy, Ren still made it difficult for Totsuka to win a single point.

The tennis ball spun midair, drawing an arc before landing perfectly.

Totsuka was just a second too slow. He missed the ball and slipped, falling to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Ren asked casually.

Totsuka struggled to get back up. "I'm fine! Everyone's helping me train, so I want to push myself harder!"

Ren nodded. "Take a break first. Dango, you can spar with Totsuka next."

Totsuka blinked in surprise.

Ren twirled his racket and continued. "Totsuka-kun, playing against me right now is pointless. At least wait until you've completed all your training. Only then will it actually help you improve. Don't rush ahead too quickly."

Yukino agreed and nodded.

Totsuka held his racket, looking a bit down. "It just feels like… no matter how hard I train lately, I'm not improving."

Ren, unfazed, simply responded, "Since Yukino accepted your request, she will push you to the highest standards. That's just how she is—she always does things to the absolute limit."

Even Hachiman stepped forward to encourage Totsuka. "You'll be fine. Just keep at it."

As the group continued their conversation, an unwelcome voice suddenly interrupted them.

"Oh? Playing tennis, huh? Hey, mind if we join in?"

Ren turned toward the approaching group of students.

Leading them was Hayato Hayama, the head of Class 2-F's popular clique.

The one who had spoken was Yumiko Miura—the same girl who had been left speechless by Yukino's sharp tongue not too long ago.

It seemed she was here for payback.

After all, what's youth without a few antagonists showing up?

°°°

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