Yukinoshita’s Method of Correction [9]

“Ah... um.”

Yuigahama Yui blinked her wide eyes.

What kind of expression was she supposed to wear in a moment like this?

Fortunately, Yukinoshita Yukino didn’t seem concerned with her reaction. She continued speaking, composed as ever.

“It probably started around the upper grades of elementary school. The boys around me started having feelings for me. And that’s never really stopped since.”

Instinctively, Yuigahama glanced at the only boy in the room.

“I’d agree with that.”

Higashigumo Sugi leaned back into his seat with effortless ease.

“That moment when you landed flat on your butt—definitely adorable.”

“There were more.”

Yukinoshita responded with a death glare.

“In elementary school alone, my indoor shoes were hidden sixty times. I had to bring them to and from school every day.”

“That’s awful...”

Yuigahama’s eyes shimmered with sympathy.

“Well, can’t be helped. I am cute.”

Yukinoshita narrowed her eyes slightly. “The important part is—fifty of those times, it was the girls in my class.”

Higashigumo nodded, understanding what she was getting at. “Jealousy?”

“When people meet someone who’s like them, but undeniably superior, they start to wish that person would disappear.”

Yukinoshita’s voice was cutting.

“They’re no better than mindless beasts—actually, no, they’re worse.”

She let out a cold laugh. “There were a lot of people like that at my old school. They needed to put others down just to prove to themselves that they existed. That’s why people act cold toward you. Sagami Minami isn’t just ‘in a bad mood.’ She’s jealous.”

Yuigahama opened her mouth, like she wanted to defend Sagami—but couldn’t say a word.

“It’s not something you can help. No one’s perfect. People are weak. They harbor ugliness in their hearts. And they’re quick to isolate those they envy. The more gifted you are, the more painful life becomes. Don’t you think that’s ironic?”

Yukinoshita turned to Higashigumo. “That’s why I want to change people. And the world. That’s what the Service Club and its activities are truly about.”

Just as she had declared at the beginning—she was conducting Service Club activities and restoring its reputation in tandem.

The problem was...

“Setting aside the speculation about Sagami Minami’s attitude,” Higashigumo said, getting to the point, “Yuigahama-san’s actual problem is that Satou picked something up and won’t give it back.”

“Very good. Progress.”

Yukinoshita gave him a look of approval—as if he’d finally learned to brush his own teeth.

“Yuigahama-san,” she continued, “during this time, who have you thought about the most?”

“Who I’ve thought about the most?”

Yuigahama quickly arrived at the answer. Of course—it had to be the one who found the plushie but wouldn’t return it...

“Satou.”

“If he really didn’t want to return it, he’d have hidden it better. He wouldn’t have let you see it at all.”

Yukinoshita scoffed. “It’s just a childish ploy for attention.”

Yuigahama’s face filled with disbelief. “Seriously...?”

“I’ve always been cute, so I recognized the pattern early on.”

Yukinoshita offered her guidance like a seasoned veteran.

“But you only became cute after entering high school. That’s why this is unfamiliar to you.”

“Just call him out. Tell him it’s childish. Call him out on his bad behavior. Then he’ll hand it over quietly.”

“But if I do that...”

Yuigahama looked troubled. “Satou would be really embarrassed.”

“And so he should be. Burdening others for your own ego? That kind of behavior only stops when someone makes you suffer enough to learn.”

Yukinoshita’s voice was practically shrouded in a dark aura.

“An eye for an eye. Truth must never yield to falsehood.”

Yuigahama looked even more worried. “But... isn’t that a bit much?”

“Which is why I said from the beginning—you’re the root of the problem.”

Yukinoshita’s icy tone seemed to freeze the very air.

“You’re constantly trying to please others. That’s why you dig your own hole and get stuck in your misery. You can’t let go of people, and you won’t let yourself off the hook either. It’s exhausting to watch.”

“I thought you just didn’t like me because of the Service Club,” Higashigumo said, blinking in mild surprise.

“Turns out you talk like this to everyone.”

“I...”

Yuigahama’s eyes brimmed with tears, her shoulders trembling ever so slightly.

Well... she was a high schooler. That reaction wasn’t unreasonable.

Higashigumo had been fragile in high school too.

“So cool!”

Yuigahama suddenly clenched her fists, her expression brightening.

“You didn’t say a single pretty lie. Every word was the truth... That’s so cool!”

“W-What are you saying...”

Yukinoshita turned away, clearly flustered.

“Did you even understand what I said? I wasn’t being nice at all.”

“No! I mean, yeah—you weren’t nice. I was kind of scared. I’ve never had someone talk to me like that before. But...”

Yuigahama took a deep breath. “I think you were right. Everything you said felt honest. Just like when you argue with Higashigumo-kun—it’s intense, but it’s real communication. Me? I’m always trying to read people’s moods. It looks peaceful, but... I’ve never really talked to anyone.”

She trailed off, uncertain. Yukinoshita tucked her hair behind her ear, as if trying to block Yuigahama’s gaze.

It was clear she didn’t know how to respond—this situation was unfamiliar even to her. She busied herself with unnecessary adjustments, pretending to look occupied.

Neither girl spoke.

The silence in the clubroom thickened with awkward tension.

This was the time when a mature, dependable adult should step in and smooth things over.

“I don’t know about you two, but my throat’s dry after all that talking.”
Higashigumo stood up. “I’ll go grab some drinks. What do you want?”

“I’d like a Vegetable 100 strawberry yogurt,” Yukinoshita said, clinging to the lifeline like a drowning woman.

“Oh, no—I couldn’t ask you to—”
Yuigahama waved her hands in panic.

“It’s a Service Club benefit,” Higashigumo said, cutting her off.

“But...”

Yuigahama paused mid-protest, then took a deep breath and straightened her posture. “I-I’ll have the strawberry yogurt too!”

Yukinoshita gave her the same approving smile she’d given Higashigumo earlier—like a parent watching a child brush their teeth properly.

“I’ll be right back.”

Higashigumo left the room.

On the first floor of the special building, in front of the school store, there were vending machines—some stocked with strange box drinks you couldn’t even find in convenience stores.

He tucked two cartons of strawberry yogurt into his coat, then cracked open a cold can of cola and took a long swig.

And then—

What exactly... feels off about all this?

He lightly squeezed the can in his hand.

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This is a fan translation of 雪之下的矫正方式 by 微凉温热 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!