Akira Fujimiya remained silent after seeing the ending of the movie.
"This movie is very good, Akira-kun. What do you think?" Yukinoshita Haruno leaned against Akira's shoulder, looking at him with a sweet, languid smile.
"The action design and background music are excellent," Akira commented calmly. "But the script feels very strange."
"It seems like everything happened exactly as expected?" Haruno voiced the thought he didn't say aloud.
"Yes. Everything feels like it was already arranged, predetermined." Akira nodded.
"As long as the ending is good, I don't think it's a problem even if the process is a little bumpy. Just like me," Haruno smiled softly. "I suffered a lot, met Akira, and finally gained my freedom."
"You just jumped from one pit to another," Akira replied, glancing down at her.
In the past, with Mrs. Yukinoshita backing her, Yukinoshita Haruno would have eventually take over the Yukinoshita family.
That future was practically predetermined.
But now that Haruno was with Akira, her daily life had changed drastically.
She still took some calls and handled urgent matters from time to time, but compared to the suffocating environment she grew up in, this was freedom—though it came with a different kind of pressure.
Hearing Akira's words, Haruno didn't refute him.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.
It lasted a long time.
When she finally pulled away, her eyes were slightly hazy as she looked at him.
"Akira… will you help me manage the Yukinoshita family's assets from now on?"
"No." Akira refused instantly and without hesitation.
"Aren't you worried that I'm too tired?" Haruno's eyes carried a faint, playful resentment.
"Find a few more assistants and split the workload. Then you won't be so exhausted," Akira said gently. "After all, you're too much like Mrs. Yukinoshita. You want to control everything yourself. That's what makes it tiring."
Haruno froze for a few seconds, stunned.
Then she quietly leaned back into his arms, letting out a soft breath.
"I can't be as carefree as Akira-kun," she murmured. "The only people I trust are you and Yukino."
"Is that really the level of intelligence the heir of the Yukinoshita family has? I don't buy it." Akira stroked her hair as he spoke.
Knowing she couldn't hide anything from him, Haruno slowly confessed her true thoughts.
"I want Akira-kun to take over some affairs first. Later… when you're truly in charge of the Yukinoshita family, I'll help you handle most of the company's operations."
"....Mrs. Yukinoshita is going to kill me," Akira said after a brief silence.
"Apart from this method, I don't think there's any other way to keep Akira-kun," Haruno whispered.
"What are you worried about?" Akira asked, genuinely confused.
"Mother is with that young lady," Haruno said, biting her lip. "If she invites you to Tokyo, you'll definitely meet her. And even though I don't want to admit it… I think she'll absolutely make Akira-kun fall for her. If she does, Yukino's engagement with you might…"
"No one can change my mind unless she has superpowers." Akira cut her off bluntly.
Haruno raised her head to stare at him, her expression mixed with emotions.
"Akira likes to make girls owe you favors so they can't leave you. I also want to tie you down—using the Yukinoshita family, plus me and Yukino."
"...." Akira stared at her eyes without saying anything, her eyes carried complicated emotions—venerable, anxiety, fear.
"…Fine," Akira finally said. "I'll go to the Yukinoshita Construction Company once a week to help you process documents. When you hold a meeting, I'll act strong so they think I'm trying to take over the family property."
"That's perfect, Akira-kun." Haruno's smile blossomed like a flower, her eyes bright as if the emotions in it were fake.
"You should invest in my company first," Akira added thoughtfully. "Then the board will think I'm planning to become the new president. After that, we go to the meeting together and perform."
"Akira-kun… you actually thought of that instantly." Haruno feigned surprise. "Do you really have ambitions for the Yukinoshita family?"
"Yes," Akira said with a straight face. "I want the Yukinoshita family. I want you. I want Yukino. And…"
He intentionally paused and didn't finish.
Haruno's eyes widened and her face flushed bright red. She glared at him fiercely, embarrassed.
Seeing this reaction, Akira didn't bother to tease further. He simply leaned in and kissed her.
Haruno responded immediately—soft but intense.
A few minutes later…
Akira raised his head, casually reached for Haruno's wine glass, and took a sip.
Seeing him drink from her glass, Haruno leaned toward him, eyes narrowing with a flirtatious glint.
.....
Sunset—In the Study
In the study, Akira sat at his laptop, reviewing the internal documents of the Yukinoshita Construction Company.
The Yukinoshita family had countless investments—domestic, overseas, and in several industries Akira was particularly interested in.
These were the ones he focused on.
If he used the Yukinoshita Construction Company to support his business expansions overseas, it would definitely draw attention from the board of directors. Mrs. Yukinoshita would almost certainly call him.
But Akira didn't fear any of that.
After all, Haruno was determined to hand the Yukinoshita family's authority over to him and.....if he rejected her, she'd become uneasy and act recklessly.
When that time came, if he casually told Mrs. Yukinoshita about Haruno's insecurities…
Her expression would be priceless.
What could be confirmed was this:
Mrs. Yukinoshita would never stop Haruno again.
As long as Akira didn't try to seize the family shares outright, she would pretend not to see anything.
In truth, Akira couldn't take them anyway.
Unless Mrs. Yukinoshita agreed, Haruno had no authority to transfer the family shares to anyone.
As for making Akira the vice president and letting him manage Yukinoshita Construction Company—that wasn't an issue.
Haruno represented Mrs. Yukinoshita.
Akira represented Haruno.
That was more than enough to justify his position.
Akira sorted through the industries and selected the ones most useful. Then he printed out a document and handed it to Haruno.
Haruno looked through it with satisfaction shining in her eyes.
With this, she could rearrange the Yukinoshita family's overseas operations to support Akira's plans. It would strengthen his business considerably.
And eventually… Akira's industry would naturally rise to a position capable of taking over the Yukinoshita family's business.
"Akira-kun," Haruno said softly. "From now on, you and the Yukinoshita family are one. So from now on, you must be kind to Yukino…"
"I understand. I'll treat you better," Akira interrupted immediately.
Haruno smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
At that moment, there was a knock on the study door.
"Miss, Master Akira, dinner is ready," Setsuna Nagano's voice called.
.....
Dinner
Akira and Haruno chose a simple dining table instead of the long banquet table, which looked like something from a movie set.
For a dinner meant for just two people, the enormous table was unnecessary.
On the table were numerous fish dishes personally prepared by Nagano Setsuna. They suited Akira's taste perfectly. She even included several of Haruno's favorites.
Of course, there was too much food for just two people.
So Akira invited Setsuna to join them.
Technically, that broke all the rules that they normally follows.
But here, Akira's word was the rule—
Setsuna looked at Haruno, seeking permission.
"Don't look at me," Haruno said with a smile. "I'm not the owner here—Akira-kun and Yukino are. If Yukino isn't here, you follow Akira-kun's instructions. Even if he tells you to go to his room tonight."
Hearing that, Setsuna's face turned bright red as she lowered her head in panic.
"Sit down and eat with us," Akira said calmly. "For now, set aside your role as a maid and be a guest."
"Yes… Master Fujimiya." Setsuna bowed, blushing. She quickly fetched a chair and tableware, then sat timidly at the table.
"Come to think of it, Setsuna, you graduated from the University of Tokyo, didn't you? Why choose to work here?" Haruno asked while eating grilled fish.
"Graduated from the University of Tokyo?" Akira glanced at Setsuna in surprise.
"I've dreamed of being a maid since childhood," Setsuna explained earnestly. "After graduation, I wanted to find a job I truly enjoyed. This opportunity came up, the salary was excellent, so I applied."
"I see," Haruno said. "By the way, I've heard that girls who graduate from Tokyo University have trouble getting married. Are your standards too high?"
"I—I don't know," Setsuna murmured, confused.
"If I were a girl from Tokyo University," Haruno said lightly, "I'd probably choose a good partner… or get close to someone with status, and then—"
She didn't finish.
But Setsuna instantly understood. She stood up at once and bowed deeply.
"Miss, I absolutely don't have such intentions. I really love being a maid!"
"What do you think, Akira-kun?" Haruno asked with a teasing smile.
"If you scare away such an excellent head maid over nothing, who will teach Yukino's and my future children?" Akira said, feigning annoyance.
"Sorry, I was just joking. Setsuna, please don't mind. Akira-kun and I are grateful to have you as the head maid," Haruno said warmly.
"It's… it's fine. I don't mind jokes like that," Setsuna replied with a forced smile.
"Let's continue dinner," Akira said, ending the topic.
.....
After dinner—
Inside the Bedroom,
Akira looked up at the clear night sky. Unlike the city, the stars here were bright and visible.
It was quiet.
And because of the warm lighting, the night didn't feel eerie at all.
Holding a glass of red wine, Akira took a slow sip.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting," Haruno's gentle voice sounded behind him.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,645