Seriously speaking, in Aki Tomoya's opinion, the biggest difference between Furuhashi Fumino and them was her terrifying talent in liberal arts.
Her talent was actually enough for her to be 'willful' once. She wasn't without a way out; in fact, she had quite a few ways out.
Aki Tomoya neither overestimated Furuhashi Fumino nor underestimated this genius.
Just like someone he was more familiar with, who was also called a literary genius at school, though few knew that she was now also thriving in the light novel industry.
In terms of utilizing talent, his Senior was definitely more capable, while Furuhashi Fumino was someone who didn't want to use it, or perhaps the time hadn't come yet.
And how to describe her conflict with her family? It was reasonable, yet unexpected.
If you simply looked at this matter from a Father's perspective, it would make sense.
However, what Furuhashi Fumino didn't mention was that her conflict with her Father wasn't just about this, and it wasn't only because of this matter.
The conflict between this genius girl and her Father was still very significant.
"Next month is the second mock exam. Everyone, don't think about anything else for now, and prepare well for next month's mock exam."
At this critical juncture, they still had to prepare for next month's mock exam.
And at this time, everyone felt that there was still room for reconciliation in the conflict between Furuhashi Fumino and her Father.
But on the following Sunday, when Aki Tomoya had arranged to study together at the Tokyo Metropolitan Library, he saw an unexpected guest.
"H-hello..."
Often on Sundays, Aki Tomoya would study at the library with friends from the cram school and friends from school.
However, before today, Furuhashi Fumino had never shown up.
But just today, she was with Kudo Sayaka.
Furuhashi Fumino greeted the others somewhat reservedly, and also introduced herself: "Third year at Ichinose Academy, Furuhashi Fumino. I attend the same cram school for cram school as Kudo Sayaka and Aki-kun."
"Kudo, say a few words?"
Aki Tomoya quietly asked Kudo Sayaka.
If it was just studying together, Aki Tomoya wouldn't say anything; on the contrary, he would welcome Furuhashi Fumino.
However, Furuhashi Fumino's expression looked off no matter how he looked at it.
Kudo Sayaka looked over somewhat guiltily. Her reaction immediately gave her away.
"You..."
"What about me?!"
"Anyway, can you come over for a moment?"
Her appearance looked guilty no matter how he looked at it.
At Aki Tomoya's request, Kudo Sayaka had to follow him over.
"What happened to Fumino after just one day? Also, you two are both very suspicious!"
After walking away, Aki Tomoya asked in a low voice.
Meanwhile, Furuhashi Fumino was still talking somewhat reservedly with Kato Megumi and Kamigō Yoshihiko, while occasionally stealing glances at Aki Tomoya and the others out of the corner of her eye.
Noticing Furuhashi Fumino's reaction, Aki Tomoya's suspicion grew stronger.
These two must be hiding something from others.
"How should I put this... well, this..."
Kudo Sayaka hesitated, then suddenly turned back to look at Furuhashi Fumino.
If she explained the situation, would it be considered betraying her?
Thinking this, Kudo Sayaka was torn.
Both Aki Tomoya and Furuhashi Fumino were her friends.
Seeing her like this, Aki Tomoya sighed inwardly and was about to say 'never mind' when Furuhashi Fumino suddenly stood up and walked over.
Kato Megumi and Kamigō Yoshihiko looked over in confusion, unsure what was going on with the trio from the cram school.
"Aki-kun, I'm sorry!"
Furuhashi Fumino walked over and immediately bowed to apologize to Aki Tomoya, which stunned him.
Looking at Furuhashi Fumino, who had suddenly come to apologize to him, Aki Tomoya took two seconds to react and asked: "...You don't need to apologize to me."
He was just wondering what had happened to Furuhashi Fumino after just one day. Both she and Kudo Sayaka had shown signs of guilt after he arrived.
"After going back yesterday, did Fumino perhaps argue with her Father again?"
Aki Tomoya guessed.
He had just heard about Furuhashi Fumino's conflict with her family yesterday. During the three-way meeting, her aspirations were opposed by her Father.
Furuhashi Fumino and Kudo Sayaka exchanged glances upon hearing this, still somewhat hesitant.
"If it's difficult to say, you don't have to. I'm just a little worried."
Aki Tomoya frowned. Their behavior was quite concerning.
But forcibly questioning them felt a bit like meddling. As a compromise, Aki Tomoya still expressed his worries.
They had known each other in the cram school for a year. After hearing about her conflict with her family yesterday and seeing how suspicious she and Kudo Sayaka were acting today, Aki Tomoya couldn't pretend not to notice.
"How about you tell him, Fumino?"
Kudo Sayaka said, looking conflicted.
This matter was putting a lot of pressure on her as well.
Furuhashi Fumino sighed and replied: "Actually... I... I had an argument with my Father..."
After returning home yesterday, she had another argument with her Father.
The reason was still about her aspirations, and also about continuing cram school at Aomine Cram School.
"It was just an argument, right?"
Aki Tomoya looked at Furuhashi Fumino worriedly, a bad feeling already forming in his heart.
"..."
Furuhashi Fumino and Kudo Sayaka fell silent simultaneously under Aki Tomoya's questioning, both looking a bit awkward.
Seeing their reaction, it was Aki Tomoya's turn to fall silent.
Their behavior made the bad feeling in Aki Tomoya's heart grow deeper.
After about ten seconds, Furuhashi Fumino finally replied in a difficult-to-articulate tone: "I... ran away from home..."
"Ran away from home..."
Aki Tomoya repeated Furuhashi Fumino's words, his face completely frozen.
Running away from home, this was a very serious situation. Just how bad was the argument for her to do something so irrational as running away from home?
"Fumino is temporarily hiding at my place."
Since Furuhashi Fumino had already admitted to running away from home, Kudo Sayaka had nothing left to hide.
After learning that Furuhashi Fumino had run away from home and Kudo Sayaka had become an accomplice, Aki Tomoya's eyes no longer showed much fluctuation; he was already surprised enough.
"Sigh!"
Aki Tomoya let out a heavy sigh.
What was there to say?
Running away from home, then hiding at a female friend's house.
"Do Kudo's family members know?"
"We were very careful last night, and we were very careful coming out today!"
Hearing Kudo Sayaka's answer, Aki Tomoya subconsciously clutched his chest.
What in the world were they trying to do?!
=
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