Chapter 61: Recruiting Saeko Busujima!
Yukinoshita Akira looked at the girl standing before him—Saeko Busujima—and smiled gently.
"In that case, Saeko... if you're feeling jealous, why don't you move in with me? That way, it might prevent certain things I may no longer be able to hold back."
"Eh? Move in... with you? Isn't that way too fast?"
Saeko blinked, stunned by how straightforward Akira was.
By all accounts, they hadn't known each other for long—just a few days. And now he was suggesting they live together? It felt sudden.
But she wasn't rejecting the idea either. As a woman, her pride and sense of modesty simply didn't allow her to appear too eager.
"Oh, and I've already prepared everything I wanted to teach you."
"I'll come home with you tonight."
Without any hesitation, Saeko gave a small nod and accepted.
Having seen Akira's incredible strength with her own eyes, Saeko yearned for power—power like his.
As for whether her father, Busujima Munemasa, would object to her moving in with a man?
That was a complete non-issue. If anything, her father was hoping she'd marry Akira as soon as possible and bless him with grandchildren.
That way, he could enjoy his retirement as a happy grandfather.
At the same time, while he was still active and full of vigor, he wanted to personally guide the next heir of the Busujima clan.
In fact, when Akira first visited the Busujima residence, her father had nearly insisted he stay the night.
His goal was obvious—he wanted to ensure his daughter and Akira took that next step.
"She's one of your chosen candidates too, isn't she?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's voice cut in. Her words were phrased like a question, but her tone made it clear she already knew the answer.
"That's right. I chose Saeko to inherit Thunder Breathing."
"Heh~ Thunder Breathing, huh? So Flame Breathing for Nee-san and Stone Breathing for Hiratsuka-sensei got pushed to the back of the line."
"Don't forget—your Water Breathing came before Saeko's."
At Akira's casual remark, a light blush rose on Yukino's cheeks.
Because based on what she'd just said, it sounded like Akira was showing favoritism toward Saeko Busujima.
But then his reply flipped it—wasn't he actually favoring her more?
"Hmph. I don't feel like arguing with you right now."
Yukino huffed, then turned and walked briskly into Sobu High.
But Akira caught the faint pink tint lingering on her face.
This Second Daughter of the Yukinoshita family… was unexpectedly adorable.
"Thunder Breathing and Water Breathing... So these are breathing styles you've developed, Akira-kun?"
"Yeah. Breathing Techniques are like distinct schools of combat—each with its own path."
"But... it seems like things between you and Yukinoshita Yukino-san deepened quite a bit last weekend."
"Don't worry, Saeko. I've always been waiting for you. You're ahead of the others."
"Oh my~ So tonight, Yukinoshita Akira wants me to serve him?"
"Of course. I'm a young man with passion. With a girlfriend as stunning as you, how could I not be tempted?"
"Understood. Then I'll do my best... I won't disappoint you."
When it came to romantic matters, Saeko Busujima wasn't some naive girl.
She understood well what it meant to please a man. As a future wife, making her partner happy was something she took seriously.
She'd never had a boyfriend before—but in theory, she knew what to do.
And when it came to serving Yukinoshita Akira, she wasn't just okay with it... a part of her was genuinely looking forward to it.
After all, both Yukinoshita Yukino and Yukinoshita Haruno were incredibly close to him now.
Especially Haruno—Saeko had done her research. That woman was the epitome of perfection within the Yukinoshita family.
If she slipped up even once, if the Yukinoshita household realized Akira's true worth, they might arrange a marriage between Haruno and him right away.
She had accepted the possibility that Akira might eventually have several women in his life.
But if possible… she wanted to be his first.
On the surface, she looked composed and graceful—a model of Yamato Nadeshiko elegance.
But deep inside, Saeko was just a young woman, with emotions and desires of her own.
However, this was still a school day. It was getting late.
So Yukinoshita Akira and Saeko Busujima walked side by side through the gates of Sobu High.
— — —
"Akki-kun, good morning~!"
Standing just outside their classroom door was a familiar face.
As always, Yui Yuigahama was bursting with energy, her voice full of warmth.
It didn't seem to matter what day it was—this girl was always full of life.
"Good morning, Dango."
"Hmph~! I told you, I'm not a dango! And stop calling me that!"
"You're the one who started it."
"But Akki is such a cute nickname~!"
"Then Dango is cute too."
Once again, Akira's reply made Yui flush with embarrassment.
When it came to nicknames, Akira had already given up. Unless something drastic happened between them, she'd never stop calling him "Akki."
"Really…? You think it's cute?"
This time, Yui gazed up at him, blushing softly with a hopeful glint in her eyes.
Akira blinked in surprise.
Whoa. This girl's pace was accelerating too fast…
— — —
Tap. Tap.
A few minutes before class started, footsteps echoed up the stairs.
A faint stench of pessimism, like a rotting fish, filled the air. The aura of deathly apathy arrived with none other than...
The Master of Sarcasm himself—Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Good morning, Hikigaya."
"Morning, brooding one."
"Good morning, Akira. You too, Yuigahama-san."
With a quiet nod, Hachiman walked straight into class.
As if their connection didn't run all that deep.
— — —
"Well, well. Class is about to start. Why are you all still loitering around the door?"
That sharp voice came from behind.
Shizuka Hiratsuka.
"Yes, ma'am!"
At the sound of her voice, Yui immediately scurried into the classroom like a startled rabbit.
It was an unspoken rule—when students saw their teacher, instinct made them nervous.
"And you. Why are you still standing there? Hurry up."
"Sure thing, Shizuka-sensei."
Akira smiled at her, then followed Yui inside.
Hiratsuka Shizuka could only sigh quietly as she watched his back.
It was this boy's fault that she'd been dragged into a world beyond imagination.
Sometimes, knowing too much was a curse.
If she had a choice... she would've preferred not getting involved at all.
Even so, she couldn't deny her interest in the so-called "Stone Breathing" that Akira once mentioned.
That kind of unshakable willpower… wasn't it the very essence of who she was?
— — —
"Enough. No more thinking. Time to teach."
Shizuka Hiratsuka shook her head with a small sigh and stepped into Class 2-F.
A new week. A new day.
And it all began with the first lesson from their formidable teacher.
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