Of course, if he spend his afternoon in the service club the studying speed might increase.
However, he might be distracted in front of Yukinoshita Yukino, so the Service Club in the afternoon is not an option.
It would be best to use his lunch break to quietly read all the notes, then organize and summarize them.
But… there's Yuigahama Yui in the room.
"Love really does affect grades," Akira concluded silently.
If he spent more time with Yuigahama Yui, his free time would shrink, and eventually, his grades would drop.
However, if he didn't have lunch with Yui, her favorability would definitely decrease—which was unacceptable.
As Akira pondered, he arrived at the gate of Sobu High School.
Coincidentally, a car stopped nearby.
Yukinoshita Yukino stepped out.
As soon as she got out, she spotted Akira and walked straight toward him.
"Judging by your appearance, you must have stayed up late reading my notes. If you don't understand something, you can ask me directly. That's the benefit of being in the Service Club," Yukino said calmly.
"There's nothing I don't understand for now. Your notes are excellent. Your handwriting is beautiful—just like the impression you give me," Akira replied, looking at Yukino.
"Thank you for the compliment. I'm beautiful to begin with," Yukino said, smiling without a trace of modesty.
"I went on a date with a girl yesterday. She left a good impression, but I need more time to finish reading your notes. Could I bring her to the Service Club and let her join? This way, her lunch break is extended, and the Service Club gains another member," Akira said after a brief pause.
"Miura Yumiko?" Yukino asked, puzzled.
"No… her name is Yuigahama Yui," Akira corrected.
Yukino's eyes widened slightly, then softened into a small smile.
"Was Miura Yumiko… too difficult?"
"Yes," Akira admitted.
"Do you really like her this time?" Yukino asked, curious.
"Do I need a reason to like someone?" Akira said, and continued, "She's very gentle, and her shyness is endearing,"
Hearing that, Yukino looked at him with satisfaction.
"Then during lunch break, take her to the Service Club," she said.
"Yes," Akira replied respectfully.
After speaking, he watched Yukino walk away.
Other students who arrived later stared at him.
Being able to talk to Yukino in front of the school gate definitely drew attention.
Akira didn't want to attract attention, so he waited a few minutes before walking toward the school.
...
He changed shoes at the shoe cabinet and entered his classroom.
The atmosphere in the classroom seemed off.
Miura Yumiko was lying on a desk, with Ebina Hina and Yuigahama Yui sitting beside her.
Akira instinctively looked at Hayama Hayato.
Hayama met his gaze but said nothing.
Akira withdrew his eyes and moved to Yui's side.
"What's going on?" he asked quietly.
Yui looked at him with a complicated expression, unsure what to say.
"Hayama-kun said something to Yumiko? She's been like this since coming to school," Ebina whispered.
Akira understood immediately.
It seemed Hayama had revealed his intentions.
Yui had guessed why Yumiko was upset but didn't speak up—she trusted Akira's judgment.
Akira glanced at Yumiko, unsure what to say.
Besides, class was about to start.
He walked to his seat just as the teacher entered.
Ebina and Yui returned to their seats.
During class, Akira took notes diligently.
During several breaks, Yui and Hina stayed with Yumiko, even accompanying her to the bathroom.
When they returned, Yumiko's light makeup was gone, and her eyes were red from crying.
....
Akira had originally planned to take Yui to the Service Club to meet Yukino.
This would achieve two goals:
Firstly, Yui would be guided by Yukino.
Secondly, Yukino would gradually become familiar with Yui and eventually befriend her.
But now, Yumiko needed Yui's attention, so there was no chance for Akira to follow the plan today.
He silently watched the three girls.
Yumiko's emotions had stabilized somewhat, but whenever she looked at Hayama, her eyes seemed lost.
Yui and Hina tried to distract her by talking about TV shows they watched yesterday.
Akira checked the time—it was just lunchtime.
Yukino should be on her way to the Service Club.
He stood behind Yumiko.
"Yui, I'm fine. You and Akira can go have lunch together," Yumiko said softly.
Though she felt sad, she cared about her friend's happiness.
Hearing this, Yui looked at Akira.
"Miura-san, I'm not here to have lunch with Yui. I want to invite you to a barbecue at my place this afternoon. How about it?" Akira suggested.
"Huh?" Yumiko blinked in surprise.
"Can Akira also grill meat?" Hina asked, curious.
"Yes. It's a little different from what you might imagine—it's from my hometown," Akira explained briefly.
"Yumiko, what do you think? I love barbecue," Hina said, smiling and passing the decision to Yumiko.
"We're just casual invitees. Yui is the main guest," Yumiko said with a smile to Yui.
Yui blushed, lowering her head.
"Yui please, I haven't been to a barbecue in a long time," Hina teased, smiling at Yui.
"I… I want to eat barbecue too," Yui admitted shyly, looking at Akira.
"Then it's decided," Akira said with a smile and walking out.
Yui watched his back, excited for the barbecue he would prepare.
She then looked at her friends, who were smiling, and lowered her head shyly.
"Yui, how far did your date go yesterday?" Hina whispered.
Yumiko glanced curiously at Yui.
"…We just watched a movie together. Nothing else," Yui said, blushing.
"Nothing else? What do you mean by nothing else?" Hina pushed her glasses up teasingly.
"Hina…" Yui's face grew hot.
"Did you…with...Akira-kun" Hina whispered suggestively in her ear.
Yui's face turned redder; she didn't know how to respond.
"Looks like… not yet. There's actually someone Yui can refuse…"
"Hina!" Yui interrupted her.
Yumiko smiled quietly, watching her two friends.
.....
On the way to the Service Club, Akira met the expected person.
Hayama Hayato was waiting in the quiet corridor.
Akira glanced at him but ignored him.
"I said some harsh things to Yumiko," Hayama said.
"Hayato, I think you're a good person. At least you haven't done anything extreme and haven't continued deceiving Miura," Akira stopped him.
"I'm not good… I took advantage of her…" Hayama stammered.
"I don't have time to hear the rest. I know what I needed to do. And like I said you're too close to the sun but can't touch it," Akira interrupted and started to leave.
"Then can you touch the moon?" Hayama asked.
"I'm not ready to go to the moon yet," Akira replied, leaving without looking back.
Hayama watched Akira's back, sensing that he could become her friend and help break down her inner walls—something he couldn't do himself.
.....
In front of the Service Club,
Akira knocked on the door.
"Please come in," Yukinoshita Yukino's voice answered.
Akira opened the door and saw her sitting by the window.
"Are you the only one?" she asked.
"Some accidents happened. She can't come today," Akira said, sitting in his usual seat.
...
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