Upon hearing this, Hayato Hayama raised his head and looked at Akira in front of him.
"I'm not saying this to help you two mend your relationship, but because I think you owe her an apology," Akira said calmly.
"I… I understand." Hayato lowered his head.
At that moment, he finally understood how sad Yumiko Miura had been.
"Think about Yukinoshita Haruno's matter yourself. If you refuse to give up, then work hard from now on. Get into a good university, become an outstanding person, and make her look at you with admiration," Akira patted Hayato on the shoulder.
"Thank you, Akira." There was a faint glimmer of gratitude in Hayato's eyes.
"You're welcome," Akira replied, preparing to leave.
"I will keep my feelings in my heart, and one day she will look at me with admiration," Hayato said slowly, clenching his fists.
Akira paused, but didn't respond, as he opened the door, and walked downstairs.
Does hardwork matter? Maybe.
But the direction Akira had given him was just a clever lie. Even if Hayato became outstanding, he would still be the same in Yukinoshita Haruno's eyes. By that time, she might have already inherited the Yukinoshita family—how could she possibly take him seriously?
Akira pulled out his phone and typed a message while walking toward his classroom.
A few minutes later, he received a reply from Yukinoshita Haruno.
"Akira, you are so gentle. You made up a beautiful lie for Hayato. You should know the Yukinoshita family is not short of talented people. No matter how outstanding someone is, they are still only valuable as a resource. Thank you for your effort on this matter. If there is any news on Yukino's side, remember to tell me." —Yukinoshita Haruno
After reading the message, Akira put away his phone and walked into the classroom.
When Yumiko Miura saw him, she stared at his face, fearing that he and Hayato might be fighting.
"The matter has been resolved. We didn't fight. Don't worry," Akira whispered as he walked past her.
Yumiko was stunned and watched him return to his seat. He took out a lunch box and ate while glancing at his notes.
She stared at him for over ten seconds before looking away, her mind racing. She wondered what Akira and Hayato had discussed and why he had helped her. Was it just because she was Yuigahama Yui's friend? Or…
As she pondered, a warm feeling blossomed in her chest.
By the time Akira finished his lunch, Hayato had returned.
He didn't sit at his desk but approached Yumiko.
"I'm sorry, Yumiko," he said loudly, bowing deeply.
All the students in the classroom turned to look—
Except Akira, who was still focused on his notes.
Yumiko was caught off guard by the sudden apology.
"I don't actually want to be in a relationship before college. I was with you because it could help block other girls from pursuing me. But I can't accept your feelings just because I feel sorry for you. I used you, and I can't deceive your heart anymore. I'm truly sorry. If you want me to kneel and apologize properly, I will—just so you can forgive me," Hayato continued.
Yumiko snapped out of it and glanced at the window, where Akira was seating. Is this his help?
Her heart felt warm.
Hayato's apology slowly eased the pain she had felt. She already knew he didn't like her romantically, yet she still choose to stay with him.
Now that he had confessed honestly, she felt both relieved and a little foolish.
She looked at him and said softly, "Hayato-san, I forgive you."
"Thank you, Yumiko," he replied, standing straight with a complicated expression. This apology might have hurt his image, but it was worth it.
The heavy weight in his heart seemed to lift. Hayato glanced at Akira.
Yumiko noticed and looked back at Akira, her face blushing faintly.
At the end of the first afternoon class, Akira received a message from Yumiko.
She had written a long paragraph.
The general meaning: after Hayato's apology, her love for him seemed to have faded. To thank Akira, she wanted to give him something he liked.
Akira hesitated briefly before replying.
As he read the reply, Yumiko had been watching him carefully. When she saw him put away his phone, she quickly checked her own.
A new message appeared. She open the message as soon as it appear. And the next moment she read the message — Her face turned red instantly.
"Your smile is the best gift."
Yumiko stared at the message for some time, then stole a glance at Akira, who was still focused on his notes.
In truth, he didn't mean to receive a gift from her. Of course, he also knew that she would probably misunderstand the simple meaning behind the text.
By the end of class, he hadn't received a second message, which meant she was still thinking… one piece of news could lead her to overthink everything.
Even in class, Yumiko wondered: Did Akira help Yui because of her? Or did he actually like her from the start? Did she unintentionally push him toward Yuigahama Yui?
...
Afterschool,
Akira packed up his things and looked in Yuigahama Yui direction.
Yui saw his gaze and lightly smiled at him.
Seeing her smile, Akira smile back and walked out of the Classroom.
She waved at her two friends before following him.
Yumiko Miura watched them leave, feeling a little lost. She still didn't understand what his message had meant.
...
On the way to the Service Club,
"I talked a lot with Yukino-san this morning. She doesn't like watching TV much, but she does enjoys cooking…"
"I don't understand the books she likes to read, but that's probably why she's such a good student…"
"She likes movies, though she rarely goes to the cinema. I suggested that the next time if there's a movie she wants to see, she can ask us to go with her—but she refused."
Yuigahama Yui talked happy about the conversation she had with Yukinoshita Yukino during lunch break, while Akira listened quietly.
There's no need to comment on Yukino's cooking—she can do anything well.
As for her books? Definitely not light novels.
She prefers classics and serious literature and has likely read them all.
And the cinema…
Yukinoshita Yukino feels nervous and uncomfortable in crowded places.
It's why she avoids them.
"Akira, are you listening to me?" Yui noticed him silent, and tilted her head.
"I heard everything. From what you said, I've already guessed Yukinoshita-san life," he replied, glancing at her.
"Her life?" Yui asked, slightly stunned.
"She's a lonely, beautiful girl, who like to stay home reading, during weekend. She rarely goes out and so she likely feels uneasy in crowds. She also has little experience interacting with friends," Akira said slowly, calmly.
Yui blinked.
She stared at him in surprise.
"Akira, you really understand her," Yui said softly.
"This is just my guess," Akira said calmly.
Then suddenly—
"Then guess what my mood right now, Mr Akira"
A voice came from behind him.
Akira pause and turned back to look at the owner of the voice.
It was Yukinoshita Yukino.
Akira looked at her, quitely without saying anything as if analyzing her.
Yukino frowned under his gaze.
"You're in an unhappy mood because of how I looked at you earlier," Akira replied.
"I am… a little unhappy," Yukino said, her tone slightly cold.
"Yukinoshita-san, I-I am s-sorry", Yui's said in a nervous voice.
"Yuigahama-san, you don't need to apologize. It's this man who should," Yukino glanced at Yui, then at Akira.
"President Yukinoshita, I'm sorry," Akira bowed deeply.
"Your apology is insincere," Yukino said, eyes narrowing.
Akira slowly stood.
"So… as an apology, what gift would you like, Yukinoshita-san? Or, what would you like me to do for you?"
...
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