"Akira-kun, you big bad guy," Yuigahama Yui said shyly as she walked over, her cheeks slightly red, when she saw where his hand were going for.
"...It's almost time to rest. I have to go to school tomorrow morning," Akira Fujimiya yawned.
"Yui, I'm going back to my room first," Ebina Hina said quikly as she turned around and left.
"You big bad guy… you must have done that on purpose!"
Yuigahama Yui pouted, glaring at Akira.
Akira glanced at the cute dress she was wearing, then stood up and walked toward her.
Yui's face flushed, and she instinctively took a step back.
Akira caught her before she could escape, as he pushed her on the bed.
Before Yui could get up, Akira leaned over her, blocking her retreat.
Flustered, Yuigahama Yui turned her head away, unable to meet his eyes.
Akira lowered his head and kissed her softly on the cheek and whispered something in her ear.
.....
The night passed in the blink of an eye.
When morning came, Akira got up, put on his clothes, and glanced briefly at Yui, who was still sleeping beside him, her breathing calm and steady.
He left the room quietly.
As soon as he stepped into the living area, he saw Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko already awake and preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
When Ebina noticed Akira, her face turned slightly red.
Akira understood why—last night, he had mistaken her for someone else for a moment.
But he didn't bring it up.
After all, she was Ebina Hina — someone who genuinely cared about him, and that affection had always shaped how he treated her.
The two girls had already prepared lunch for the day.
Akira washed up in the bathroom, then went to wake Yui.
Yuigahama Yui's clothes were still in the other room, so she came out wearing Akira's oversized T-shirt.
When she saw her two close friends at the dining table, her entire face turned crimson. Without a word, she darted back into the bedroom, hiding her embarrassment.
Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko exchanged knowing glances, their expressions suggesting all sorts of thoughts they didn't voice.
...
After breakfast, everyone headed to school together.
Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko had brought clothes and their bags from the day before.
Yui's things were delivered by Yukinoshita Yukino when she came to pick up Yuigahama Asuna.
Saki Kawasaki couldn't help but feel a little envious of Yui, but she didn't get too close to Akira in public.
She preferred keeping a calm, polite distance when others were around.
Ebina Hina and Kawasaki Saki walked together, whispering about something that made Saki's face turn bright red.
Every so often, she glanced shyly in Akira's direction.
Meanwhile, Miura Yumiko and Yuigahama Yui were chatting about clothes. Yumiko, as always, was the most knowledgeable when it came to fashion.
The outfits Akira had bought for Yui yesterday could be matched in all sorts of stylish ways, and Yumiko seemed eager to experiment.
The group walked to the school gate, chatting and laughing, their lighthearted energy drawing attention.
Yukinoshita Yukino was already standing there, waiting for them.
When Yui spotted her, she smiled brightly and ran over.
Yukino's lips curved into a gentle smile—something so rare that passing students stopped and stared.
The Ice Queen of Sōbu High… smiling?
Realizing the stares, Yukino's expression quickly returned to its usual calm, frosty composure. Her sharp gaze swept across the bystanders.
In an instant, everyone scattered.
"Yukino, you're really cute when you smile," Akira said softly as he approached.
Yukino shot him a sidelong glare and walked past him into the school.
...
"Senpai!"
A voice called out. Akira turned and saw Isshiki Iroha running toward him.
Without responding, he continued walking toward the building.
Iroha, flustered, hurried after him and caught up at the entrance.
"Senpai, that's so mean! You saw me and didn't even wait!"
"Were you calling me? I thought it was someone else. There are plenty of senpai here," Akira replied with mock seriousness.
"Senpai, are you feeling sick or something?" Iroha frowned in concern.
"I have a rare condition," Akira said gravely.
"Eh? Really? Don't scare me like that, Senpai!"
"It's a disease," Akira paused, then added with a faint smile, "that makes me irresistibly liked by younger girls."
Iroha froze, her face burning.
"W-What are you saying…" she muttered and quickly turned her head away.
Akira chuckled, patted her on the head lightly, and walked toward his shoe locker.
...
During Lunch break—
When morning classes ended, Akira didn't go to the Student Council room.
Instead, he headed straight to the tennis court.
He quickly spotted Totsuka Saika and Hikigaya Hachiman waiting for him.
Both seemed slightly nervous.
"Fujimiya-san," Totsuka began, bowing politely, "Hachiman and I were wondering if we could work at your publishing house or animation studio during summer vacation."
Even Hachiman bowed slightly beside him.
Akira glanced at Hayama Hayato, who was standing nearby, and replied,
"If you're friends, don't hesitate to ask me about small things like this."
"Neither of us has any work experience," Saika said a bit awkwardly. "We don't want to trouble you, Akira-kun."
Akira smiled faintly. "Don't worry about that. Let's not talk about Hachiman for now — Totsuka, even without experience, I think you could still earn money easily."
Saika's face turned pink. "F-Fujimiya-kun…" she stammered, clearly misunderstanding his tone.
"Don't be nervous," Akira laughed. "I'm not like Hachiman; I don't have any strange thoughts about you. I just thought you could maybe do some modeling work or something like that."
"I-I don't have strange thoughts about him!" Hachiman protested, his own face reddening.
Akira only stare at him without saying anything.
.....
In the upcoming tennis tournament that Totsuka Saika was entering, would be held before the end of summer vacation — sometime in August, in Tokyo.
The schedule depended on how far each participant advanced.
Travel, lodging, and meals would all cost money, so Saika and Hachiman decided to find part-time jobs.
Hachiman claimed he just wanted to "see the tournament," but Saika could tell he was simply tagging along to support him.
{T/N: That Him will be Her, I give you my words}
Akira didn't say anything, only giving a knowing, amused smile.
In the end, he agreed to let the two of them work for him.
Hachiman would work under Hayato Hayama, while Totsuka's assignment would be finalized later.
There was still over a month before summer began, so Akira had time to arrange things.
.....
After lunch break,
Akira and Hayato walked back toward the classroom together.
The earlier task Akira had given Hayato — to get closer to Hachiman and Saika — had been completed perfectly.
Hayato had befriended both and even understood the reason Hachiman needed money.
He had taken the initiative to invite them to join him for part-time work, which in turn led them to Akira.
Akira noticed this and raised his opinion of Hayato.
Hayato himself hadn't mentioned the details to them, but his sincerity was clear — he genuinely cared about his friends, not about completing any "mission."
That alone proved that Hayama Hayato was a good guy.
....
"Hayama," Akira said suddenly, "what's the difference between your old friends and your current ones?"
Hayato thought for a moment. "With my old friends, every day was fun. With my current friends… every day feels meaningful."
Akira smiled faintly. "As expected of you, Hayama."
"I don't want to speak badly of my friends," Hayato said softly, looking down.
He really was a good man — too good, perhaps.
{T/N: That is why if you want a girl to like you become a douchebag}
Akira placed a hand on his shoulder and said nothing more.
After a few seconds of silence, Hayato asked quietly,
"Yukinoshita-san became the Student Council president. Was that your doing, Fujimiya-kun?"
"I spoke with her mother," Akira admitted without hesitation.
"...If I had your courage," Hayato murmured with a bitter smile, "maybe people wouldn't treat me like a child."
"Don't dwell on that," Akira said gently. "Just work hard in the future. With your personality and looks, finding a girlfriend won't be a problem."
Hayato gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "...Did you touch the sun, Akira-kun?"
"....Yes," Akira said after a pause. He didn't lie to him.
Hayato's eyes dimmed, and he lowered his head.
He understood perfectly well — there were some things forever out of his reach.
.....
That afternoon, the tennis club was in full swing.
Hayato played a match against Akira but couldn't manage to win, even after giving it his all.
{He was realising some of his pent up frustration}
Afterward, Akira bought two bottles of sports drinks and handed one to him.
"...Thanks," Hayato muttered quietly.
"You're welcome," Akira replied, opening his own bottle.
They drank in silence for a moment.
Then, Hayato's gaze shifted toward Hachiman and Saika practicing nearby.
"Fujimiya-kun," Hayato said, "I had known Yukinoshita-san from childhood but could not help her when she needed it. You helped her, didn't you? But at the crucial moment… you chose everyone else?"
Akira looked thoughtful for a moment, his eyes drifting toward the tennis court.
The sound of rackets striking balls echoed through the air — sharp, rhythmic, and steady.
He didn't answer immediately.
For a fleeting second, his expression softened, touched by a quiet sense of helplessness.
{T/N: Why are you making an expression like you didn't try to make other girls like you, don't behave like they fall in love suddenly and you don't want to hurt them... 💀🤬}
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,623