"....I have some books to buy. You can come to the library with me and help carry them home," Yukinoshita Yukino said after a brief hesitation.
"Yui, are you free on Saturday?" Akira asked, turning to Yuigahama Yui.
"Huh?" Yui was momentarily stunned.
"If I go alone to help Yukinoshita-san, it will definitely be misunderstood. If any students from Sobu High School see us, strange rumors will spread. So, you have to come with me. Understood?" Akira said, giving her a pointed look.
"I understand. I'm free." Yui quickly nodded, realizing what he meant. This was an opportunity to go shopping with Yukinoshita Yukino.
Yukinoshita Yukino silently observed Akira, expression unreadable.
"Yukinoshita-san, are you okay?" Akira asked, glancing at her.
"Yuigahama-san, give me your contact information. I'll send you the time and place when it's ready," Yukino said, taking out her phone and turning to Yui.
Yui smiled and exchanged numbers without hesitation. Akira watched from the side, seemingly uninterested in Yukino's contact information. He knew she had no intention of exchanging hers with him.
The three of them walked toward the Service Club.
Akira took out Yukino's notes.
Yukino took out her books to read.
While, Yui glanced at them and suddenly felt like a third wheel.
Suddenly—
Yui had an idea about what to do —
Yui pulled out a piece of paper and began sketching. She was drawing the scene at the Service Club, occasionally she would glanced at the two to them.
Akira and Yukino noticed her gaze and simultaneously looked at her.
Then —
Their eyes met for a moment — Akira's indifferent, Yukino's cold.
It was a silent competition.
Yukino didn't want to lose to Akira for the third time, while Akira carefully studied her sharp little face.
Yui, noticed the tension but didn't say anything, she only found it amusing and continued drawing quietly.
Ten minutes later…
"It's done," Yui broke the silence.
Both, Akira and Yukino looked up at her.
She smiled, holding up the paper.
The drawing depicted all three of them: cute Yui, elegant Yukino, and the handsome Akira.
Although drawn in a cute, chibi style, Yui's work was impressive.
"....Yuigahama-san, I didn't expect you to be so skilled," Yukino remarked, slightly surprised.
"I just draw occasionally," Yui replied with a sweet smile.
"Yui, have you ever thought about becoming a a mangaka?" Akira asked calmly.
"I've never considered it, manga's are too difficult!" Yui shook her head.
"If we weren't the Service Club, but the Game Club, I'd probably suggest making a game together—Yui handling characters and backgrounds, me on the script, and Yukinoshita-san on the music," Akira explained thoughtfully.
"... Make games together?" Yui blinked, astonished.
"That's a good idea, A text adventure would be manageable," Yukino said seriously.
"Eh? Yukino-san, are we… really going to play games?" Yui asked, surprised.
"If Mr. Fujimiya can write an excellent script, I'll consider it," Yukino nodded firmly.
Hearing this, Yui's eyes sparkled as she looked at Akira.
...
In some of the novel that Akira had read, most protagonists living in ordinary worlds, became best-selling authors, and instantly achieved fame.
In this world of anime, where light novels were popular. Some online novels could still become bestsellers, but even with memory enhancement, he couldn't recall all the content.
He had watched plenty of anime, but only a few light novels. As for games? Most he'd played were online. The only one that could be called a text adventure had a "pat on the head" option—which taught him what a head-pat killer move was.
So, he truly didn't know much about writing game scripts.
Mrs. Yukino had just handed him a very difficult challenge.
But, looking at the expectation in Yui's eyes, Akira sighed.
"I'll try to write a story," he said.
"Really? Akira-kun?" Yui's face lit up.
"....Just don't have too high expectations," he warned.
"Then… once you finish the script, I'll handle the characters and background. I'll try my best to draw them well," Yui said, clenching her fists with determination.
"Mr. Akira, I hope your story will be interesting to me," Yukino added, smiling faintly.
"Yukino-san, I hope that next time you smile, it will truly come from the heart," Akira said quietly.
Yukino froze slightly.
Akira lowered his head and continued reading the notes.
.....
As the sun set, the Services Club activities ended.
Akira finished reading the notes, and the three walked out of Sobu High.
Yukinoshita family's car had already arrived to pick up Yukino.
Yui watched Yukino get in, then glanced at Akira beside her.
"I'll walk you home," Akira said, extending his hand.
"Okay," Yui smiled sweetly, taking his hand.
They walked together, towards her house.
Her house was only about — Two kilometers from school.
And given their relationship, Akira insisted on accompanying her.
"Akira, do you think we can really make a game?" Yui asked as they walked.
"As long as Yukino wants to do it, there's nothing she can't accomplish," he replied casually.
"Because she's a young lady?" Yui asked, confused.
"Because she's Yukinoshita Yukino," Akira said simply but firmly.
"Huh?" Yui tilted her head.
"Spend more time with her, and you'll understand," he said, leaving it at that, with no intention of explaining.
"Why do you know her so well? You and her…" Yui hesitated, before asking what was in her mind all day.
"...I've been in the Service Club for a month. I've learned some things about Yukino from her sister too, and I can guess some details. What do you think our relationship is?" Akira asked, giving her a sidelong glance.
"I-I..."
"If you kiss me, and I'll forgive you," Akira suddenly said.
"Wha—?"
Yui's face turned bright red. She hesitated, then look at Akira.
After some hesitation, she stood on tiptoe and gave him a quick, gentle kiss on the cheek.
The kiss only lasted for a second, and she quickly turned away.
Too embarrassed to look at his face.
"...I don't feel anything. Let me do it properly next time," Akira commented casually.
"Akira, Baka," Yui muttered to herself, shyly.
As they kept walking forward, Yui unexpectedly hugged his arm at some point as they continued.
Akira noticed the pressure on his arm and glanced down.
Yui, embarrassed, glared at him.
He averted his eyes and looked straight ahead. Her face felt warm from the blush. While she was thinking of what Hina has said:
Was this the same feeling Hina had mentioned… the desire to… tease her?
Yui's heart started beating faster as she thought about it.
As they neared Yui's house, Akira glanced at her.
"....If your family sees us holding arms like this, will I be in trouble?" he asked.
"No, don't worry. My father's been on a business trip for a month. My mother should be preparing dinner by now," Yui said softly, blushing.
"Then I'll be at ease…"
"Yui?" A voice called from behind.
"Eh?" Yui turned slowly.
An orange-haired woman stood there. Young, vibrant, almost the same height as Yui—her mother.
Yuigahama Asuna.
"Mom… why… why are you here?" Yui's face flushed as she immediately let go of Akira's arm.
"Vegetables were on sale, so I went to buy some," Yuigahama Asuna reply, her gaze shifting to Akira.
"Hello, I'm Yui's classmate. My name is Akira Fujimiya," he bowed politely.
"Classmate?" Asuna smiled knowingly.
Yui blushed and lowered her head.
"I… haven't confessed properly yet. I want Yui to know me better," Akira replied, while lifting his head.
"I see. Then you should confess quickly. Come to the house for dinner. When you two are in the room, I'll leave you alone~" Asuna said, with a teasing smile.
"MOM!!" Yui couldn't help interrupting, flustered.
Asuna covered her mouth and chuckled, then turned to Akira.
...
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