Y/N was currently sprinting back to the school, having been called back by his teacher, Shizuka Hiratsuka. The reason was concerning the prom being cancelled.

After a few minutes of running, he arrived at the faculty room. Inside, he sat at Shizuka's personal space on where she would hold her meetings with students as she is the guidance counselor. On the coffee table in front of them were two cans of MAXX coffee cans.

Hiratsuka: Now...where should we start?

Y/N: First off, what about the prom?

Hiratsuka: (puts cigarette in mouth) Right. To get right to the point, the school administration is heavily considering cancelling the prom. 

Y/N: "Considering" it?

Hiratsuka: (lights cigarette) Yes. Although they're holding off on making it final, I don't expect anybody in the administration will change their mind. Therefore, it's safe to say the organizers will be asked to refrain from any further planning. 

Y/N: Refrain from planning? They'll phrase it however they want, but that just means it's cancelled, right?

Hiratsuka: (scratches cheek) Both the school administration and the PTO are in a real tricky position here. Which is why they're trying to get the students to do it voluntarily. 

Y/N: I mean, but earlier...

Hiratsuka: Yeah...

Y/N: (sigh) With influential parents coming to the school to complain, it only makes sense they'd ask the students to give up. Is one of the assholes "that" guy.

Hiratsuka: Language. And yes, he is one of the ones wanting it shut down.

Y/N: (mutters) Tsk. Annoying prick. 

Hiratsuka: When problems like this go above my pay grade, whatever I say is only considered as an outside opinion. That's the sad part about working for the bureaucracy. 

Y/N: Being a working adult really is the pits. Then again, Nii-san complains sometimes when he'd get home from work. 

Hiratsuka: That's not true. If you can become one of the top dogs, then it's a blast! You got free rein to do as you please. 

Y/N: Yeah, I know that. That piece of garbage thinks he can do whatever he wants. (thoughts) Well, as long as a problem isn't treated like a problem, it's not really a problem. But once something is acknowledged as a problem, it's easier to give in and deal with it than to fight back against the fallout. Sooner or later, the opinions against prom and those requesting we cancel will be well-known to the students and the PTO. If that ends up occurring, the anti-prom faction will gain strength... It's basically checkmate already.

Hiratsuka: You really do plan on making this prom a reality, don't you? 

Y/N: I'm not sure whether it's a good thing or not. 

Hiratsuka: Right. Yukinoshita doesn't want you to intervene. 

Y/N: She's always been like that in the past. She'd deny my help, but I'd end up helping her anyway.

Hiratsuka: (puts out cigarette) You're still going to do it anyway, huh?

Y/N: I'm used to girls wanting to get my attention, but it's always annoying. But, not giving up on my habits isn't too bad, I guess. 

The teacher only begins to laugh as Y/N stared at her confused, taking a sip from his coffee can. Small amounts of tears could be seen from Shizuka's eyes as she continued to laugh in happiness.

Hiratsuka: I'm sorry. And I'm kind of happy. However, Yukinoshita is also making every effort to change things. I want to encourage her to do that. That's why I'm not sure if simply helping her is the right decision. 

Y/N: If you're talking about dependency, I think you have the wrong idea about us. 

Hiratsuka: It's something important to Yukinoshita. To her, this may be something like a trial she's imposed on herself. 

Y/N: A trial?

Hiratsuka: Yes. Or a rite of passage, to put it in other words. (puffs smoke) Do you think that's blowing it out of proportion?

Y/N: No. I think stuff like that happens. 

Hiratsuka: Exactly. It happens often enough. From school entrance exams to job hunts, you may not even get a break from it all until you turn thirty. You know? Eventually, you'll reach the period of life where you have to come face-to-face with yourself. 

Y/N: Does that go for you, too?

Hiratsuka: Yes, of course. There were a lot of things I wanted to do and become. There were also a lot of things I didn't want to do or become...each time I would choose carefully, try it out, screw it up, give up, and then choose again. It's a cycle. And I'm still in it, even now. With that in mind, let me ask you...how do you intend to associate with her from now on?

Y/N leaned back in his seat slightly, thinking back to all his interactions with her. Sure, he was always kind to her, but sometimes he'd be blunt about things, not realizing the statements he'd say would hurt her. And yet, she'd find it somewhere in her heart to forgive him. Then he'd remember the feelings of desire he'd hold to her.

If there's one thing he knew. It was that he wasn't going to abandon her. Not anytime soon, at least. Looking back up at Hiratsuka, with his most determined look, he answered.

Y/N: Disassociating or abandoning her isn't option. That, I can promise. 

Hiratsuka: I see.

Y/N: "I see"? That's it?

Hiratsuka: That's enough. I believe you. (thoughts) Itsuki sure was right though. His desire to help her is so great, he doesn't even realize himself. I wonder how he's that dense that he loves her that much?

Y/N: Well...I guess, I appreciate it. 

Hiratsuka: (grin) Listen up, L/N. You won't save her just by simply helping with the prom. What matters is how you interact with her and your feelings towards her.

Y/N: My...feelings...towards her...?

Hiratsuka: Correct. You get it, right?

Going back to his thoughts, she remembered what she said to him.

"I won't ask you for help anymore."

Despite the warm smile she had put up when telling him, Y/N could tell it hurt her inside. In fact, it hurt him as well. Not a lot, but to a certain extent.

Y/N: (scratches head in annoyance) This is pretty difficult. 

Hiratsuka: Well, it's certainly not easy. Especially when it comes to you all. 

Y/N: For sure. Since this time, our goals totally clash with each other. 

Hiratsuka: Hey now, what are you talking about? What have you all been doing up until now?

Getting up from her seat, she thrusts her fist forward, Y/N flinching slightly as he leaned back. But her fist didn't connect with his face.

Hiratsuka: It's a time-honored custom to settle conflicting opinions with... (thrusting more air punches) If you ask me, you should all have a little more faith in the experience that you've acquired for yourselves. 

Y/N: (slightly wide-eyed) I guess you're right. 

Hiratsuka: There's not much left to talk about now that you've got a plan of action. Yukinoshita should still be in the student council room. 

Y/N: Okay. Oh, one last thing...as it stands, they only want us to "voluntarily" refrain from having prom, yes?

Hiratsuka: (sighs and grins) I just got asked a similar question by someone earlier. 

Y/N: Are you sure about this? If we screw up, you'll be in a real tough spot, right?

Hiratsuka: I'll already be long gone by then. And why should I care about what happens after that?

Y/N: Heh. That kinda sounds like what a hip, you person would say. 

Hiratsuka: Whaddaya mean "kinda"!? I AM hip and young, thank you very much!  In the worst case scenario, I just lose my job. Maybe if that happens, I'll her married or something...I don't have any prospective partners now, though...

Y/N: (thoughts) -_- There is one, though. (normal) You don't need to worry about that.

Hiratsuka: Huh!? You'll take me as your bride?

Y/N: (grins) No. Oi, Nii-san! I know you're outside! Get in here!

A loud gasp was heard before running footsteps was heard. Y/N gave a two finger salute towards Shizuka before he exited the door and went after the person who left.

Minutes later, Y/N was dragging Itsuki by the ear. 

Itsuki: Ow, ow, ow! Uncle! Let go of my ear already!

Y/N: Then stop being a wuss and tell her already. God damn, it was already stressful enough when Nee-san and I would awkwardly watch you two talk to each other.

Itsuki: S-Sorry. Just nervous, you know?

Y/N: Yeah, I get it. Now, go get her. I've got someone to help out. No matter how much they don't want it. I promised, after all.

As the oldest L/N watches his younger brother walk away, he gained a determined look before walking into the faculty room, Shizuka deep in thought before she saw Itsuki walk in.

Hiratsuka: I-Itsuki-san!?

Itsuki: C-Can we talk?

Shizuka shyly nodded as the two sat in front of each other, both sporting light blushes. It was silent. Itsuki kept shuffling in his seat, Shizuka awkwardly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear after about three seconds.

Soon enough, Itsuki took a deep breath and stood up, looking out the window as he blushed.

Itsuki: We...we've known each other since the first year of high school.

Hiratsuka: Y-Yeah...

Itsuki: I...I was kinda stupid for not admitting this, but...

The oldest L/N faces Shizuka with a determined look, Shizuka's eyes widening at his question.

Itsuki: Shizuka Hiratsuka, will you be my girlfriend?

It took a few minutes before Shizuka to process the information, her blushing a deep red before she got up and slapped Itsuki. The oldest L/N recoiled his face in pain, screaming to the top of his lungs.

Itsuki: What the hell was that for!?

Hiratsuka: S-Sorry! I thought it was a dream...

Itsuki: I was being serious about it.

Hiratsuka gained a shy smile as she began to stutter, muttering things about marriage. This caused Itsuki to roll his eyes before he grinned himself, grabbing Shizuka by the chin and making his move. He didn't want to regret things here.

He planted his lips onto her, Shizuka's eyes widening from the shock of Itsuki's action, but she soon softened up to it, giving in. He then separated, awkwardly chuckling as he scratched his cheek.

Itsuki: Soooo? Is that a yes?

She didn't respond as she grabbed Itsuki's face, kissing him again as Itsuki accepted it. At least twelve years since they met each other. Pent up feelings. In conclusion, it was worth it.

---

Y/N was walking down the hall with his bag slung over his shoulder. Heading to the student council room, he spotted Iroha just exiting out of it. The foxy student council president then took notice of the L/N boy.

Iroha: You did end up coming.

Y/N: Yeah. Where's Yukinoshita?

The brown haired girl only took a step forward, startling Y/N slightly as he tilted his head in confusion. He tries to step past her, but Iroha only moves in the direction he's trying to go to, not letting him past. He tries again, but she kept denying him entry into the room.

Y/N: Oi. What are you doing? You're in the way.

Iroha: You'll need to state your business first. Non-members aren't allowed inside. 

Y/N: (sigh) I just came to fulfill a promise I made to her years back. I've been neglecting it so far.

The girl stared at him, slightly shocked. Her mouth was agape as Y/N kept his bored expression.

Y/N: Well, I'm going in.

Iroha: You can't!

Y/N: Huh?

Iroha: You already got the details about the prom situation, right? 

Y/N: Eh, more or less. 

Getting into a thinking position, Iroha looked off to the side. It wasn't until an idea popped into her head. She grabbed Y/N by his jacket sleeve, pulling him with her.

Y/N: Wha...? Hey...

Small Timeskip

The sun continued to set more, an orange horizon now cascading upon the area. In a common area-like room, Iroha and Y/N were seated on the seats.

Iroha: To be honest, I thought things would get complicated if you went in now. 

Y/N: Good point, I guess. Don't worry, I fully intend to talk it out. 

Iroha: Eeeeehhhh? Are you being serious?

Y/N: I am serious. I have an idea of how to talk to her. 

Iroha: "How to talk to her"...ugh, that doesn't inspire confidence. 

Y/N: Now that is something I can't really help you with. 

Iroha: You're so overprotective. Yukino-senpai's definitely gonna shoot you down, you know. 

Y/N: I know. I figured she'd do that. 

Iroha: You're still gonna do it though?

Y/N: Yeah, I'm gonna do it. 

Iroha: (shocked) Huh? Why!? 

Y/N: ...I told you already. I have a promise to keep, and I don't intend to break it now. 

Iroha: ...What!? You're doing this for me!? What's going on, are you hitting on me? I guess I do like getting special treatment, and I don't hate being saved when I'm in a pinch, but putting that all aside, I'm gonna need you to wait until things are cleared up. Sorry!

Y/N: (flicks Iroha's forehead) Baka. It's not for you. If anything, use that response on Hikigaya, not me. You're off-base, but you've got the gist of it. 

Iroha: (rubs forehead) What's with that reaction? I'm off-base, huh? Is that so? (sigh) Why are you going through with this?

Y/N: Hmm?

Iroha: Yukino-senpai is totally going to reject your help and I'm sure Haru-san senpai must have warned you against that, right? So why are you pushing it? Anybody in their right mind would avoid dealing with annoying stuff like this. 

Y/N: I have my reasons. I've already told you one of them. 

Iroha: (grabs Y/N's shirt and pulls him closer) Give me a proper answer. 

Y/N: I already told you. Even if I didn't, I don't think I can give a good explation. 

Iroha: I don't mind. 

Y/N: (sigh) ...It's my responsibility. 

Iroha: (confused) Your responsibility? 

Y/N: The situation is getting complicated, the worry about dependency in our relationship, and all of that stuff is my fault. Mostly. But, I'm going whatever it takes to set things right. That's all it is. 

Iroha slowly let Y/N's shirt go before she blinked a few times.

Iroha: Oh, I'm sorry. (fixes shirt collar) I kind of zoned out when I got a different answer than what I expected. 

Y/N: Don't worry about. Not that I give a shit about my uniform anyway. 

Iroha: Are you going to tell Yukino-senpai exactly what you just told me? 

Y/N: Saying it should be easy enough, yeah. It's whether it'll get through to her or not. 

Iroha: You guys are a real pain, you know... (slaps Y/N's chest)

Y/N: Ow...! Oi!

Iroha: Personally, having the Service Club assist the student council makes everything a whole lot simpler. So I'm counting on you to make this work. 

Heading off, Y/N smirked slightly before he grabbed his things and followed after. The two now walked down the hall to the student council room together.

Iroha: But frankly, I don't think that will be enough to convince Yukino-senpai. 

Y/N: I figured. What is this conversation, an infinite loop? But hold on, Isshiki, can't you put in a good word for me?

Iroha: Huh? Absolutely not. I can't do that. 

Y/N: You didn't even consider it...

Iroha: I just can't. Girls don't change their minds once they've decided on something. Though girls are quick to change their stance on whatever someone else decided, and if things ever go south, then we just play dumb. 

Y/N: Girls are the worst. Wait...isn't that just you?

Arriving at the student council room, Y/N actually felt nervous, which was rare. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door, Iroha standing next to him.

Inside, Yukino's laptop was still open, the computer glasses they got for her birthday was next to it. The Ice Cold Queen stood in front of the whiteboard, looking at their progress. Now noticing the open door, she turned around.

Yukino: Oh, Y/N. 

Y/N: Osu.

Yukino: Isshiki-san, want to take a break? 

Iroha: That sounds good. 

Yukino then flips the whiteboard the other way, turning it around so Y/N couldn't see it and flipping it to the blank side. Y/N then takes a seat at the table, the one in front of Yukino's laptop. The black haired girl goes to the tea set, going to make refreshments for the three.

Yukino: Did you hear?

Y/N: Yeah. I was with Yuigahama and Hikigaya at the time. 

Yukino: ...I see.

Y/N: I got the details from Hiratsuka-sensei. Are you alright? If there's anything I can do--

Yukino: There's no need to worry. I'm also thinking about what move to make. 

The green-eyed teen kept his straight face and turned his head around slightly. Iroha was behind him, motioning her head to get him to leave before the situation got worse. She then sat down, tea refreshments in front of them.

The atmosphere felt tense at the moment. No words were exchanged after a few seconds. Calmly, he took the tea and took a sip.

Y/N: What do you plan to do?

Yukino: We're still discussing it right now.

Y/N: (thoughts) "Discussing it," huh? (normal) From what I heard, the school is insisting you voluntarily refrain from moving forward. Worst case, it's not possible to outright refuse. 

Yukino: I'd like to make every effort to avoid that. 

Y/N: Since they want it to be a "voluntarily" thing, it's easy enough to use that against them. But if threatening that drastic measure is the only move you make, it won't be enough to convince them. 

Yukino: I'm aware of that. I plan to discuss things beyond that. 

Y/N: (thoughts) At least she's not going to try to force the prom to happen. But, dangling the sort of self-destructive threat can be enough to win a spot at the negotiation table. The real problem is figuring out what terms are suitable to negotiate with.

Getting up from his seat, he went to the whiteboard and went to flip it over. Yukino looked shocked for a moment before she recomposed herself, looking to the side slightly. 

After turning it around, Y/N gazed at it, reading the words and the important sections they had highlighted.

Y/N: You two came up with this?

Iroha: (sweat drop) Our process has been more like, I eliminate the ideas that Yukino-senpai gives, and Yukino-senpai points out the flaws in my ideas. 

He looked back to the board, seeing the ones circled in read. Keeping it classy, a dress code, and no uploading photos. They even want an official photographer. 

Y/N: What's the chance of success with this?

Yukino: More than fair. It address demands they've made, and I'm working on a road map to assure the changes are implemented. I don't think the odds are low for us at all. 

Y/N: Hmm, I see. If you're more or less going to follow their demands, then they'll approve, right? In normal circumstances, that is. 

The black haired girl flinched in her seat, clenching her hands on her lap.

Y/N: Things aren't normal this time. They're intentionally finding faults with the intention of killing the prom. They're not making demands because they want to improve the plan, or bring it to fruition. Yukinoshita, can I talk to you? In other words, there's space for me to intervene. 

Iroha: Uh, I'll just go and--

Yukino: Wait This is about prom, right? Then it's best if you stayed and listened.

Iroha: Oh...I guess you're right. 

Y/N: ...Can I help you with prom?

Iroha send nothing, looking between the two as Yukino gasped, looking up at him. She goes to say something, but Y/N interrupted her.

Y/N: Your proposal isn't a bad one, honest. But, the odds of it working aren't very good. That's why you should come up with a better plan. Not that I don't agree with your current idea, but I could also think of something. That's the situation. It doesn't mean I'm going to do something to intervene. Simply put, I'll be going what you instruct me to do. Consider me as a wall to get your ideas over. It's no different from how you give instructions to Isshiki or the others, right? There's been multiple situations like that. This is no different. 

Yukino: ...That's true. That's no different than how things have been. 

Y/N: Then--

Yukino: And when push comes to shove, I'll just end up depending on you. That's exactly what I want to change. You understand why Nee-san was trying to say, right? 

Once again, she put a smile, but Y/N could see the hurt in her eyes.

Y/N: Yeah. But, I think I should accept responsibility for that. If there's a problem with how we've been doing things, we'll find a different way to do things, or a different way of thinking, or way to interact or something. Then...whatever the end result is, I'll take responsibility for it. So...I...want...to keep my promise to you. I said I'd save you, didn't I?

Iroha sat in her seat shocked, her mouth agape as she stared at Y/N. Yukino felt elated. Well, elated wasn't the word she'd use. She felt happy.

Yukino: (smiles) Thank you. But it's okay. Just hearing that is enough. 

Y/N: ...I see. I won't say anymore. I...I won't help you out. 

Iroha: Huh!? 

Y/N: (grin) However, I never said I wouldn't go against you. 

Iroha: Wh-What? 

Y/N: You know what to do when me or Hikigaya would have a difference of opinion than you, right? Let's just say I'm joining the battle now.

Yukino's eyes widened when she remembered what Shizuka had said on the first day when Y/N and Hachiman had joined the Service Club.

"You'll have a contest to see who can serve someone better!"

Y/N: It won't sit right with me if prom doesn't happen after I half-assed my involvement in it. It doesn't help that "he" wants to shut it down, too. So, there's no way I can agree with the way you're doing things. I'll just have to do it myself. 

Yukino: Are you serious about what you're saying?

Y/N: The showdown isn't over. It's just getting started. There's no reason for the entire Service Club to be bound by one single method. That's why it's okay if you and I do things differently. I'm not wrong, am I?

She looked down momentarily, thinking about Y/N's decision. It wasn't until Iroha's answer, which shocked her greatly.

Iroha: That should be fine, right? Either way is fine with me. I don't care what you use as long as the prom happens. 

Y/N: I'm not saying this because I want permission. I'll just do it, anyway. (thoughts) She's always hated it when she loses, so I'm not sure if she'll go along with it. 

Yukino: Well then... (stands up) Whoever loses this showdown will have to do one thing the winner says. (smirk) Does that work for you? 

Y/N: Hmph. Yeah, sounds good. 

Iroha: Huh? What's that mean? That's creepy.

Y/N: Shut up. It sounds weirder if it leaves Hikigaya's mouth. 

Iroha: I mean, it is kinda creepy and I don't get what you mean...and what's with that smug look?

Yukino: (giggle) Yes, that definitely is a bit creepy.

Y/N: (eye twitches) Oi...

Iroha: I know, right? 

Y/N: Oi, oi...

Yukino: I'm joking. But that was how this all started, right?

Y/N: Yeah. But I didn't want any part of it.

Iroha looks at the two as they argued, a small smile gracing her lips.

Iroha: (thoughts) This is essentially a confession. That, or a lover's quarrel, or maybe a break up. Having to listen to it right next to them, I feel like an idiot. It felt like being forced to realize how irrelevant I am. It kind of annoyed me. It would make anyone want to hurl a little insult like, "That's creepy." Honestly, I really want him to take responsibility. 

Yukino: Just to confirm, I'll do things my way, and you do things your way to make the prom happen. 

Y/N: Yes, no problem there.

Yukino: The winner of this competition will get to make one request of the loser. Is that correct?

Y/N: ...

Yukino: (tilts head) What is it?

Y/N: It's...I didn't expect you to go along with this. (looks to Iroha) Right?

Iroha: None of my business. 

Yukino: It's really not that much of a mystery. You should already know. I hate losing. 

Y/N: Obviously. We spent at least seven years knowing each other.

With a grin, Y/N grabs his bag and prepares to leave the room. He sent a wave to the two and leaves the room. After he left the room, he sighed, but still kept his grin on his face.

Y/N: This is such a drag, but...I'll still keep my promise, right?