Akira Fujimiya also sat down on the chair beside the tennis court.
Unlike the others, he wasn't sweating at all; he looked perfectly relaxed, as if he could easily play another few rounds without even warming up first.
"Are you a monster?" Hikigaya Hachiman muttered while handing Akira a bottle of sports drink.
"Don't called me that. I only like it when girls call me that," Akira replied, as he accepted the bottle.
"???" Hikigaya froze.
He felt as if invisible tires had rolled over his face. Repeatedly.
"Fujimiya-kun," Hayama Hayato's voice sounded from the side, "Miss Yukinoshita's birthday is in a few days. What are you planning to give her?"
"I haven't thought about it yet," Akira said, shaking his head slightly.
He had only learned about it last night. Haruno Yukinoshita had told him she was looking forward to it.
She had even implied she would cancel her own family's formal birthday celebration just for him.
A Yukinoshita family banquet—canceled for him.
That alone showed how unusual and significant this event was.
Hiratsuka-sensei would also be attending.
Only after learning that did Akira understand why Haruno had been so insistent on teaching him to dance.
He had to attend that banquet.
And Yukinoshita Yukino would certainly have to attend as well.
The thought that he might have to dance twice…
No, three times…
Possibly even more if Haruno felt like teasing him—
or if Akira felt like teasing her back.
He could already imagine the hectic schedule of that evening.
"The gift doesn't have to be expensive, Fujimiya-kun. As long as it shows your sincerity, that's what matters most," Hayama reminded him gently.
"You're right," Akira said with a sideways glance.
Hayama's suggestion matched the nature of Akira's relationship with Haruno Yukinoshita quite well.
Even if he picked up a random stone on the beach, Haruno would probably treasure it.
But…the Yukinoshita family's reputation would never allow him to give something that careless.
"If Fujimiya-kun still hasn't decided, I can help you look for a gift," Hayama added.
"No need, I've already decided," Akira waved his hand.
"What kind of gift?" Hayama asked, curious.
"Secret," Akira replied with a faint smile.
.....
Later that afternoon—
Yukinoshita Yukino also messaged Akira asking about Haruno's birthday present.
Akira replied that he already had it prepared.
Yukino immediately asked what it was.
Akira responded with one word: "Secret."
Seeing that, Yukino did not probe further.
She simply replied that she would prepare her own gift as well.
.....
Student Council Office—
When Akira entered the room, Isshiki Iroha was nowhere to be seen.
She had gone to attend the cooking club activities.
The final exams were only a few days away.
The new school cafeteria building would be completed just before summer vacation, and by then, the cooking department would have to display their well-practiced culinary skills.
Their dishes would be the final "answer sheet" of the club.
They planned a large-scale tasting event, inviting every student to try the cooking club's food and give evaluations.
As for the other club?
Even during summer vacation, they still had to come to school every day to take care of the animals.
Back to the student council.
Meguri Shiromeguri, was organizing the monthly budget reports.
Akira joined in to help, and with his assistance, the sorting work finished quickly.
This was the budget report for last month, which had to be submitted to the principal.
Every month, the student council spent several days sorting out these reports.
If Meguri handled it alone, it would take much longer.
Fortunately, the principal trusted the student council entirely and never pressured them for timely submissions.
"Thank you, Fujimiya-kun," Meguri said softly as she held the neatly stacked budget sheets.
"You're welcome. Let's go submit these together," Akira replied. "After that, I want to take you to see my apartment."
"Um… c-can we go… a few days later?" Meguri asked, voice almost whispering.
"Senpai… could it be that you…" Akira realized what she meant.
Meguri lowered her head shyly.
Akira gently pulled her into his arms.
"At times like this, I can't really do anything to help you. All I can do is hug you."
"Thank you, Fujimiya-kun…" Meguri murmured, leaning into his embrace, soaking in the warmth.
"If you're feeling unwell, just tell me. I'll come right away to take care of you," Akira whispered.
"I'm okay. Really. If you just want me to look around, I can still go," Meguri said, lifting her head to meet his eyes.
"Then let me show you around," Akira said.
"Mm… let's go," Meguri replied with a small smile.
.....
On the way to Sakurasou—
Akira held Meguri's hand.
Meguri, however, was nervous. She kept looking around as if expecting students from school to suddenly appear.
Akira knew this road was rarely used by other students, but he didn't tell her.
Her nervousness was… cute.
Eventually, the two arrived at Sakurasou's entrance.
Meguri instantly exhaled in relief.
But the moment they stepped inside—
They saw Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"...Hiratsuka-sensei? Why are you back again?" Akira asked, genuinely confused at her sudden visit.
"Can't I come back?" Hiratsuka-sensei glanced briefly at Meguri Shiromeguri, then glared straight at Akira.
"Of course you can. Sakurasou will always be your second home," Akira answered with an easy smile.
"Shiromeguri, come with me," Hiratsuka-sensei said sternly.
"If there's something you want to say, say it to me. Don't tell Senpai," Akira stepped protectively in front of Meguri.
"Shiromeguri," Hiratsuka-sensei said boldly, "this guy is terrible. He has a fiancee and several girlfriends."
Meguri's head immediately lowered.
Seeing her reaction, Hiratsuka-sensei understood instantly—Meguri already knew Akira's situation.
"You really are…" Hiratsuka-sensei clenched her fists and glared at Akira as if she wanted to punch him directly.
"Sensei, don't tell me… you came here to ask for my help," Akira suddenly said.
Hiratsuka-sensei froze, her face stiff.
"I don't need your help."
"Okay then, I'll go upstairs first."
Without wasting another word, Akira took Meguri's hand and headed upstairs.
Hiratsuka-sensei stared at his retreating figure, biting her lip.
He obviously knew she wanted assistance but insisted she ask directly.
"What a terrible guy…" she muttered.
...
Akira's Room—
Meguri changed into slippers and stepped inside timidly.
"My place is pretty simple. Just a normal apartment—maybe a little bigger," Akira said, pouring hot water for her.
"An apartment like this must be expensive, right?" Meguri asked while looking around.
"If Senpai moves in, I'll only charge 50,000 yen," Akira said as he placed the cup in front of her.
"Fifty thousand yen can only rent a very small apartment… and sometimes even one with a history…" Meguri whispered shyly.
"Since Senpai would be moving in, I'd be disturbing you from time to time, so I should lower the rent," Akira replied with a teasing smile.
"I-I'm moving closer to the university in a few months… so…" Meguri's face reddened.
Akira didn't push further. Meguri quietly lifted the cup and sipped the warm water.
Knock knock knock.
A sharp knocking echoed through the room.
"I-Is that Hiratsuka-sensei?" Meguri asked anxiously.
"It should be. Don't worry. She came to ask for my help," Akira said as he stood up.
He opened the door.
It was Hiratsuka-sensei.
"Sensei, do you know what might happen if you disturb me right now?" Akira said, with a hint of mocked irritation.
"I-I need to talk to you," Hiratsuka-sensei said, cheeks slightly red.
"You want to talk? Wait until I'm done here. Then we can talk." Akira began closing the door, slowly.
"Y-you can't do that!" Hiratsuka-sensei grabbed the door desperately.
"Sensei, this is like asking someone who's in a hurry to use the bathroom to wait," Akira sighed.
"…I want you to help me," Hiratsuka-sensei murmured in a tiny voice.
"What was that, Sensei?"
"I… want you to help."
"Sorry, didn't hear you."
"I WANT YOUR HELP!" she shouted, her face red as tomato, with embarrassment and shame.
Akira smiled, clearly satisfied.
Hiratsuka-sensei realized he was doing it deliberately and clenched her fists, furious but unable to strike him.
Akira stepped aside politely.
Hiratsuka-sensei snorted coldly and walked inside.
...
Note— From now on I am going to upload 1 chapter / 2 days, both here and in Patreon.
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,409