"Two million yen," Yukinoshita Haruno immediately named the price after seeing him refused to answer.
"There's a very simple way, hire a woman to play with Hayato Hayama, and while they are at it — you just happen to run into her," Akira said after a moment of silence.
Haruno was stunned for a moment.
Then, she shook her head.
"What I want is a way that doesn't hurt him. He grew up with me. To me, Akira, Hayato is like a younger brother…"
"What you said just now is the best solution," Akira interrupted her.
Haruno looked at him, confused.
After a few seconds, her eyes widened as she seemed to understand what Akira meant.
.....
After getting enough sleep, Akira felt his mind was much clearer.
Last night, he had earned a total of 300,000 yen from Yukinoshita Haruno.
This morning, he went straight to the supermarket and bought two very expensive lunch boxes and a snack box.
While, walking to school under the bright sunshine, Akira surprisingly felt this normal, ordinary life was very comfortable.
He arrived at school and, while changing his shoes in front of the shoe cabinet, when he suddenly noticed someone standing there.
" Yukinoshita-san, is there something wrong?" Akira looked up to see Yukinoshita Yukino.
"My sister… came to see you last night?" Yukino asked after a brief hesitation.
"Why would she look for me?" Akira asked back.
"I… I told my sister that I accepted your invitation and went to your apartment," Yukino's tone sounded slightly apologetic.
"Just because of this, she wouldn't look for me, right? If we had gone to a movie or a place like a hotel, she probably would have," Akira said, with a confused look.
"If she didn't look for you, forget it. If she did and said something excessive, I would apologize on her behalf," Yukino said seriously.
Akira shook his head.
"Yukinoshita-san, you're overthinking it."
"Sorry to bother you,if it is just that."
Yukino looked at him after apologizing.
After which Akira finished changing his shoes, stood up, and faced her.
"During lunch break, please hold back for Yui. She's a bit naive, but also very kind."
"I know," Yukino nodded gently.
Satisfied with her anwer,
Akira startes walking towards his classroom, with Yukino quietly following him.
When they reached the upstairs hallway, they walked in completely opposite directions.
.....
Akira entered the classroom but didn't go to his seat as usual.
He directly went to Hayato Hayama seat.
Hayato's face was filled with confusion as he watch Akira approached.
"See you on the rooftop during lunch break," Akira said suddenly.
Hayato froze, unsure what he meant. But, before he could say anything, Akira had already walked toward his seat.
Hayato glanced at Yumiko Miura, while she avoid his gaze, feeling his eyes on her.
'Could this be about Yumiko's matter?' Hayato guessed and turned away.
Akira had just sat down when his phone lit up.
He took it out to check what it is and froze.
It was a message from Yumiko Miura. She thanked Akira but said she didn't want him and Hayato to fight.
Akira looked at Miura, her expression complicated. He didn't know how to respond.
At this point, Yumiko's favorability toward him had alreaexceeded 30% and reached 40%.
If he replied that it had nothing to do with her, her favorability would drop. If he stirred trouble for Hayato for Yumiko's sake, their relationship would become even more delicate.
After thinking for a while, Akira put his phone away.
It was better not to reply. He wanted to maintain his friendship with Yumiko. That 40% favorability represented her recognition and gratitude.
Maintaining this before settlement meant he could earn the A-level reward—exactly what Akira wanted.
....
Morning passed quickly.
Akira took out the lunch box and the snack he had bought beforehand and started walking up to Yuigahama Yui.
"Yui-san, take this snack box to the Service Club. This bento is my gift to you."
"Gift?" Yui blinked, stunned for a second without knowing how to answer.
"Open it after you get to the Service Club." Akira patted her head gently.
"....ok." Yui blushed as she felt the gazes of others students on her and quickly left the classroom with the lunch and snack boxes.
As soon as she left, Akira turned to Hayato in the front row.
"Akira-san…"
But before he could do anything, a female voice can be heard from behind.
"We won't fight," Akira whispered to Yumiko without directly looking at her.
After that, he walked out.
Hayato followed silently.
While, Yumiko watched them with worry without knowing what to do.
"Don't worry, Yumiko. Akira isn't the kind of person who likes to fight," Ebina Hina said, appearing beside her.
Yumiko nodded, still a little anxious.
.....
In the corridor,
Neither Akira nor Hayato spoke as they silently through the hallways.
They walked to the rooftop. No one else was there—just as Akira had expected.
Hayato faced Akira.
"Akira, you're here because of Yumiko's matter…"
"I'm doing this for your sake. The person you like offered me one million to prevent me from interfering. Except for harming you, I can use any other means," Akira interrupted.
"You… what did you say?" Hayato blinked, stunned.
Akira took out his phone and start the recording that was saved in it.
"As long as you make Hayato give up, this money will be yours," Yukinoshita Haruno voice came from the recording, talking in a serious tone.
"Miss Yukinoshita, this is… difficult…"
"One million yen." Yukinoshita Haruno stated the price.
"... How about finding a woman to play him and have it happen right in front of you?" Akira voice could be heard from the recording after a pause.
"No… what other options are there?" Haruno reply, rejecting his suggestion.
"...Let me think. I'll give you an answer when I'm done thinking" Akira said in a low voice.
"Okay, I'll wait. To be honest, I just treat him as a younger brother. As the future heir of the Yukinoshita family, how can I be with him?" Haruno said in a tired and frustrated tone.
"Miss Yukinoshita, that's… harsh. If Hayato heard it, he'd be very sad."
"If he feels sad and gives up, I'll feel more at ease."
Recording ended—
Hayato stared at Akira's phone, his face pale.
Yukinoshita Haruno's each words had struck like a knife to his heart.
"Hayama, give up. Mrs Haruno will inherit the Yukinoshita family. The husband she chooses will be someone successful with a prestigious family," Akira said firmly.
"Akira, why…?" Hayato stammered, his voice breaking, while clenching his fist.
"I recorded the conversation because I anticipated this. Another task she gave me was to break Yukino's wall, but she also told me I wasn't worthy of her," Akira sighed.
"So you…"
"I plan to let Yui become her friend. I won't chase the impossible," Akira said calmly, putting away his phone and walking to the guardrail.
"Akira, I…" Hayato didn't know what to say. He didn't want to give up—but Yukinoshita Haruno's words had struck deeply.
Akira turned his back to Hayato, as he gazed at the scenery below.
Although it was just a recording, for Hayato, it felt like a heavy hammer had struck again and again in his heart.
This was Akira's plan.
The recording captured the cooperation between him and Haruno. During it, Haruno had been watching his phone carefully.
She knew exactly how sad Hayato would feel hearing it—but she went ahead with it anyway.
Using Akira's help, she could make Hayato's love for her fade, without burdening herself.
Even if Hayato didn't give up completely, Haruno had other plans.
Akira watched Hayato, who had lowered his head, struggling internally. Even after knowing Haruno's stance, he couldn't fully let go.
Akira stepped closer.
"Miura-san felt exactly the same way you do now when you abandoned him," he said softly.
...
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