The girls were full, some even ate a little too much.
Shizuka Hiratsuka was already drunk and was even helped into the room by Yukinoshita Yukino.
When she came out of Shizuka-sensei, she saw Akira working and approached him.
"Shall I take over? You probably need a break."
"Yukinoshita-san, this is my job. If you're free, you can wash the dishes." Akira looked at her and pointed at the plate on the table.
"No problem." Yukinoshita Yukino nodded and went to wash the dishes.
She wasn't the kind of young lady who couldn't do anything—she was the kind of person who could do everything.
Yumiko Miura was a little surprised to see Yukinoshita Yukino washing dishes. She walked over and helped her.
"Yukinoshita-san, I'm sorry. I always thought you were that kind of arrogant young lady," Miura said.
"No need to apologize, Miura-san. Most people may think so, but I don't care," Yukinoshita Yukino replied calmly.
"You and Hayama-kun are childhood friend, right?" Miura asked tentatively.
"We are classmates. His father is the legal advisor under my father, we grew up together but that is that, Hayato Hayama likes my sister," Yukinoshita Yukino said, pausing.
"You… how do you know…"
"He probably only told you that he liked someone else but didn't say who. Given our previous relationship, I could understand your guess, so I chose to tell you directly. If you want, I can tell you more about it," Yukinoshita Yukino said, while continuing to wash the dishes.
"Is your sister very outstanding?" Miura hesitated, then asked in a quiet nervous voice.
"She is very good, even I have to admit she is better than me. She's someone I cannot surpass, no matter how hard I try," Yukinoshita Yukino said seriously.
When Miura heard this, her eyes dimmed.
She already knew the answer—there was no chance for her to win.
Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at Miura, wanting to say something, but couldn't.
There was no chance for Miura and Hayato to be together unless she waited for him to give up pursuing Yukinoshita Haruno.
But that was too cruel.
Yukinoshita didn't want to give false hope and then let someone fall into despair.
The most important thing: Hayato would probably not give up easily.
.....
Evening, 6 p.m.
Akira finished cleaned the kitchen utensils, and put them back in Hiratsuka Shizuka's kitchen.
While, he was finished doing the work, he noticed that Miura's mood had dropped .
Yukinoshita Yukino was ready to leave, and Ebina Hina had lost interest in staying and was ready to leave too.
She originally wanted to suggest singing, but seeing Miura's expression, she suggested leaving together.
Akira sent the four girls to the station.
Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko left first.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Akira, wanting to say something, but couldn't.
"Yui, can you buy me a bottle of drink?" Akira said, noticing Yukinoshita's troubled expression.
"Yeah." Yuigahama Yui nodded and left quietly.
Yukinoshita watched Yui walk away.
"I told Miura that Hayato likes my sister, but I didn't tell her that my sister doesn't like him."
"Are you asking me whether what you did was right or wrong?" Akira asked her, calmly.
Yukinoshita nodded softly.
She felt she was doing the right thing but was also a little uncertain. This came from her lack of experience—she feared she might be making a mistake.
"After graduation, if your sister takes control of the Yukinoshita family's company, Hayato will definitely go to her. Even if he just stays close, he'll feel happy. Unless your sister marries someone else, he might eventually look elsewhere," Akira said slowly, understanding what yukino was thinking about.
"Before, you said you didn't know him well, but now you seem to know him perfectly. Akira, do you know me well too? Did someone tell you everything about me? Did someone ask you for help…?" Yukinoshita about him in a serious voice while staring at his eyes.
"Yukinoshita, you're overthinking. Even if Hayato or your sister asked me for something, I wouldn't accept it. Unless your sister is willing to pay, then I'd consider it," Akira said.
"I don't want you approaching me with any purpose. I hope you can remain the same as before. This way, I can let you continue staying in the Service Club," Yukinoshita said, her eyes complicated.
"The reason I said you are the moon is because the moon emits light at night. This light is beautiful, but feels out of reach," Akira said, pausing a moment, then turned and left.
Yukinoshita opened her mouth to say something to him, but in the end she was only able to watched his leave, silently.
.....
On the way to Yuigahama Yui's house…
"What we were talking about was that Yukinoshita told the truth to Miura, and she wanted to ask me if what she did was right or wrong. Also, she thought I was approaching her with a purpose…"
Akira walked out of the station, took the drink, and began explaining her.
"Akira, you don't need to explain. I know you and Yukinoshita-san don't have that kind of relationship," Yui whispered quietly.
"Do you mean that I'm not worthy of Yukinoshita?" Akira asked, slightly teasing.
"…That's not what I meant," Yui said, avoiding his gaze.
"I may not be worthy now, but I will surpass her in the future," Akira said while sipping his drink.
"Do you… like her?" Yui couldn't help but ask.
Akira extended his hand.
Yui smiled shyly and placed her small hand into his.
"Yukinoshita is very beautiful, liking her is normal. Anyone would, if they stayed close enough to truly know her," Akira said softly, gently, while helding her hand firmly.
"Does Akira really know Yukinoshita-san well?" Yui asked doubtfully.
"Her sister and Hayato both wanted me to break Yukinoshita's barrier and become her first friend," Akira replied.
"Did you agree?" Yui asked quickly.
"Yui, why do you think I asked you to join the Service Club?" Akira asked.
Yui froze.
Then realization dawned.
"You mean… you wanted me to be friends with Yukinoshita-san?!"
"Because I wanted to read Yukinoshita's notes, I came up with a way to get you to join. I made up a small lie and asked Yukinoshita to delay her lunch break. This way, you two could have some time together," Akira explained.
"I see… no wonder Yukinoshita-san invited me to join the Service Club herself," Yui said, understanding a lot at once.
"You hesitated back then. Were you wondering what your relationship with Yukinoshita would be if you didn't join?" Akira asked after finishing his drink.
"I… I don't think so." Yui's face turned red.
Seeing her blush, Akira knew he had guessed correctly.
He tossed the empty can into the trash and looked at her profile again. She was still blushing.
....
When Akira sent Yui home and returned to Sakurasou, it was already dark outside.
He was about to study his notes when he received a message from Hime Ebina.
Ebina Hina: "Akira, I hope I didn't disturb you and Yui. Did Hayato contact you about Miura? What are you planning to do? Also, what did Yukinoshita-san say to Miura? She seemed really sad and didn't talk much,"
Akira read the message, thought for a moment, and replied:
"Hayato did look for me, but not about Miura. Yukinoshita told the truth to Miura about who Hayato likes. Miura guessed it was Yukinoshita. This matter has little to do with me; I don't know what to do."
After sending the message, he put down his phone and returned to his notes.
A few minutes later, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen, slightly stunned.
He thought it was Hime Ebina, but it was an unfamiliar number.
He hesitated a few seconds, then pressed the call button.
"Akira, it's me, Yukinoshita Haruno," a familiar voice said.
"Is something wrong?" Akira wasn't surprised that she had his contact info.
"I'd like to treat you to coffee," Yukinoshita Haruno said directly.
"It's very late. I don't want to go out. Besides, if I drink coffee with you, it might get more bitter," Akira said, glancing out the window.
"I expected that. I'm already at the gate of Sakurasou. Even if you don't want coffee, surely chatting won't be a problem?" she said, smiling.
"...Wait a moment." Akira paused, hung up, and walked outside.
Their car was parked in front of Sakurasou gate.
A few minutes later, he opened the gate and started walking near the car.
Yukinoshita Haruno's driver gestured him politely, inviting him in the car.
Yukinoshita Haruno smiled at him, as he sat down in the back seat and closed the door.
The driver remained outside, giving them privacy, while guarding the surrounding.
"This is the first time Yukino has accepted someone else's invitation. So, I came immediately, Akira, what method did you use to make my sister accept?" Haruno asked.
"Is that why you called for?" Akira asked while looking at her.
"It's just the first thing, I am curious about," she smiled.
"....Will I get paid for answering?" Akira asked, while looking out the window.
Haruno was stunned for a second, then opened a suitcase at her feet.
It was full of money.
"If your answer is worth money, I can pay you."
"I pretended to invite her at first, said only half of it, then acted like I gave up, which sparked her curiosity. Then I used the identity issue to irritate her…" Akira explained after thinking about it, repeating exactly what Yukinoshita had suspected earlier.
Haruno listen his explanation, without saying anything after which she handed him a stack of money.
Akira accepted it without hesitation.
"Mr. Akira, if you can guess the two reasons why I came here, I'll give you double," she said, with her classic professional smile.
"...Break down Yukinoshita's wall, and make Hayato give up his love for you?" Akira answered.
Haruno smiled widen as she gave him double the amount that was promise.
Akira accepted it quietly, without looking at the total amount.
"Well, you should already know what I want next, right?" Haruno asked, her tone suddenly grew more serious.
"Sorry, I can only do the first one." Akira said, while shaking his head.
...
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