On the way to the supermarket.
"Last night, after watching a movie with Yui, we met your sister and Hayato Hayama while chatting in a coffee shop…"
"From Hayato Hayama's actions and the look in his eyes, I came to the conclusion that he likes your sister."
"So, I hinted to him. I said you are the moon and your sister is the sun. If you get too close to the sun, you will be burned by it."
"Your sister understood my hint and reminded Hayato Hayama. It was probably because of this incident that Hayato Hayama decided to confront Yumiko Miura."
"Of course, this is just my personal guess."
Akira told Yukinoshita Yukino what happened last night and his reasoning.
Yukinoshita Yukino listened quietly, then asked,
"Why do you say I am the moon? Is this really where your focus is?"
Akira looked at her speechlessly.
"I know he likes my sister. This is normal. My sister has always been outstanding, and there are far more people who like her than those who like me," Yukinoshita Yukino said, as a matter of fact.
"I don't like your sister. At least, I don't like her fake smile," Akira whispered softly.
"Did my sister say anything else?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked, not surprised by his words.
"She suspects that I like you. Also… maybe because they were drunk last night and I helped them back to their room, which might made her think I'm a good person?" Akira state his guessed.
When Yukinoshita Yukino heard this, she stopped and stared at him.
"Akira, you shouldn't have said anything to them…"
"Yukinoshita-san, do you think I would dare?" he replied speechless.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at him for a few seconds and was about to look away when she remembered what happened during lunch break.
I can't be defeated by Akira twice!
When she thought of this, she stared firmly at him in front of her.
"Um, Yukinoshita-san, we still need to go buy some ingredients," Yuigahama Yui's voice rang out.
Only then did Yukinoshita Yukino remember that Yuigahama Yui was still beside her.
Her face flushed a little, and she walked forward without saying anything.
Yuigahama Yui watched Yukinoshita Yukino walk away, then looked at Akira beside her.
Akira smiled and extended his hand.
Yuigahama Yui hesitated for a moment, then placed her small hand in his hand.
He held her hand as they walked forward.
Slowly, she hugged his arm.
Akira felt the soft pressure and glanced at her.
Yuigahama Yui turned her head sideway, a blush rising to her cheeks, not saying anything while the hand hugging his arm tighten.
Akira not saying anything continue to walk with yui by his side.
....
The supermarket was not far from Sakurasou.
Akira walked with Yuigahama Yui, while Yukinoshita Yukino kept her distance.
Yuigahama Yui let go of his arm after some time and started walking beside him. Hugging him in such a public place made her feel shy, and it would also interfere with Akira's selection of ingredients.
Akira stated to picked fresh vegetables and meat.
While, Yuigahama Yui carried the bag of vegetables in her hands.
Glancing at her, Akira felt that it was very much like a married life—if they were really together.
Yuigahama Yui had learned how to cook, and he had become a light novel writer. When he had time, he would accompany her to the supermarket, and they would prepare meals together when they returned home.
While he worked, Yuigahama Yui would either watch TV or play on her cell phone in the living room.
When he finished, she would let him lie on her lap.
That kind of life… seemed simple,beautiful, peaceful.
"Akira, what's wrong?" Yuigahama Yui stretched her little hand and waved it in front of him, after noticing him staring at her.
"I feel like we are a young couple who have just started their married life," Akira said softly without any hesitation.
"Huh?" Yuigahama Yui didn't expect him to say such a thing, and her face instantly turned red.
"While I was daydreaming, I even thought of what to name the child," he continued after a pause, thought their was a small teasing smile on his face now.
Yuigahama Yui turned her head in shame and didn't dare look at him, too embarrassed to face him.
"I invited Yukinoshita because she lent me her notes. I want to improve my grades and help you again," Akira said gently, telling her about his plan.
"Help me?" Yuigahama Yui was momentarily confused.
"Don't you want to go to college with me?" he reminded her.
"I… I want to go," she finally understood, warmth spreading in her chest.
"Before I finish reading Yukinoshita's notes, you can try to become friends with her. After I finish reading those notes, I can help you and have the opportunity to visit your house," Akira said gently.
"My grades are very poor… so you have to tutor me well," Yuigahama Yui said shyly, a smile beginning to appear at her face. She was looking very beautiful.
Akira nodded and extended his hand.
Yuigahama Yui took his arm directly and smiled brightly.
.....
On the way home, the three of them walked together.
Yukinoshita Yukino bought beer and a box of snacks, both for Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Yuigahama Yui carried vegetables and tried to find a topic to chat with Yukinoshita Yukino.
While, Yukinoshita Yukino seemed disinterested to chat about anything.
Seeing this, Yuigahama Yui looked at Akira, asking for help.
"Ms. Yukinoshita, what is your impression of Hayato Hayama?" he asked.
"The type who looks and feels similar," Yukinoshita Yukino replied.
"Hayama-kun is handsome on the outside, but is he also handsome on the inside?" Yuigahama Yui didn't quite understand the meaning behind her words.
"Mr. Akira, you answer this question," Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at him.
"I can't guess what Yukinoshita-san means," Akira said.
"What I mean is… Hayato Hayama looks sunny on the outside and seems good at heart. But when faced with something serious, he only shines without causing any real change. He's like the awful male protagonist in light novels who has neither the ability nor the courage to help others," Yukinoshita Yukino explained firmly.
When Yuigahama Yui heard her, she felt something must have happened between Hayama and Yukinoshita Yukino for her to say something like that.
While, Yui was surprise by Yukino's statement, Akira wasn't surprised.
Yukinoshita Yukino and Hayato had been classmates for a long time. When she was isolated, he didn't play any meaningful role.
He may have tried, but failed.
Thus, the two now had almost no communication.
Hayato Hayama was in the current group, while Yukinoshita Yukino remained alone.
"Mr. Akira, what kind of person do you think Hayato Hayama is?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked again.
"I don't know him well enough, but I think he is a good person. At least, he didn't continue to deceive Miura's feelings," Akira said.
Yukinoshita Yukino seemed to think of something and looked at Akira.
"Yukinoshita-san, do you have any questions?"
Akira felt her gaze, asked her in a confused tone.
"No more," she shook her head.
She actually wanted to know more about what he thought of her.
Asking Akira to answer Yuigahama Yui's doubts earlier had been a test. Yukinoshita felt that Akira understood her very well, probably because someone had told him.
.....
The three returned to Sakurasou.
Akira began preparing for the barbecue as quickly as possible.
While, he was preparing, Yumiko Miura offered to help, and Hime Ebina also said that she knew how to cook. Only Yuigahama Yui's skills were the worst among them.
Yukinoshita Yukino gave the snack box to Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Shizuka didn't refuse and put it away. She opened a beer and watched the others with a smile.
Yukinoshita Yukino tied up her hair, put on Shizuka's apron, asked Akira about the cooking method, and started preparing the vegetables.
Shizuka had only prepared meat yesterday. Seeing the vegetables Yukino skewered, she thought they were worth trying.
After everyone was ready, it was Akira's turn.
He had already mastered barbecue yesterday, and now his skills were even sharper.
The aroma of grilled food wafted through the air, making Yuigahama Yui's stomach growl.
"Akira, Yui is hungry," Ebina Hina said, smiling teasingly.
"It'll be ready soon," Akira said, while looking at the flushed Yuigahama Yui. As she look away im shame.
When the first plate was done, Akira placed it on the table neatly.
They each took a plate and began eating.
Shizuka had been skeptical about vegetables with barbecue, but they were surprisingly delicious.
Yukinoshita Yukino tasted one and was impressed with Akira's skill.
Even Yumiko Miura, Hime Ebina, and the hungry Yuigahama Yui were a little surprised, though they had eaten his food before.
The first plate was quickly finished by everyone.
Akira grilled the meat efficiently, serving the next plate in less than a few minutes.
The girls were eating without hesitation.
After an hour, Akira ate leisurely, while noticing that there weren't many ingredients left.