"Sister, please don't tell anyone else about Akira-kun, including Mother." Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly looked at her sister seriously and said.
Upon hearing this, Yukinoshita Haruno satre at her younger sister with a smile.
Yukinoshita Yukino who was being stared at by her and couldn't help but avoid Haruno's gaze.
"...Don't worry, Yukinoshita-san, your sister won't tell anyone." Akira Fujimiya looked at Yukinoshita Yukino and said calmly.
Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned for a moment.
How could he be so sure?
"I'm very touched that Fujimiya-kun trusts me so much." Haruno smiled playfully at him.
"If I had a sister like you, I would probably come home late every day,"
"Fujimiya-kun is so much. However, my appreciation for you has increased a bit more. I am looking forward to seeing Yukino and Akira-kun being together." Haruno smiled, her eyes falling on Yukinoshita Yukino.
"I'm going to prepare dinner. Akira-kun, you can stay here for a while. Yuigahama-san, please don't believe what she says." Yukinoshita Yukino said helplessly to the two of them before leaving the music room.
Yuigahama Yui watched Yukinoshita Yukino leave and then looked at Haruno.
Haruno only smiled at her, then stood up and left as well.
In a flash, there were only two people left in the music room.
Akira sat in front of the piano, thinking about the anime songs from his previous life, and slowly began to try playing the tunes of those songs.
Yuigahama Yui quietly approached and stood beside him, watching in silence.
Akira's talents and wealth seemed to perfectly suit Yukinoshita Yukino.
Plus, his understanding of her…
The two of them are also working together on animation production—Akira with his creativity, Yukinoshita with her resources—seemed like an ideal match. For Akira, Yukino's family background and connections were exactly what he wanted.
If they were together, they would definitely be a successful couple.
Yuigahama Yui clenched her hands slightly, lowering her head as her eyes dimmed.
She was just an ordinary girl.....who couldn't help him in any way.
Moreover, Yukinoshita Haruno had openly expressed her support for Yukino and Akira being together.
"... Are you thinking that Yukinoshita Yukino and I seem like a good match, while you're just ordinary?" Akira's gentle voice suddenly cut through her thoughts.
"Eh?" Yuigahama Yui was stunned.
How could Akira, with his back to her, know exactly what she was feeling at that moment?
"It seems I guessed right." Akira turned around to face her, then stood up.
"I… I just—"
"If you propose to break up now, my answer is that we're not really together yet. Since we're not truly together, why talk about breaking up? We haven't even experienced true love yet, and you're already planning to back off....Do you think I can accept that?" Akira said seriously as stretched out his hand and gently but firmly held Yui's hand.
"I… we…"
Before she could finish her words, Akira pulled her into his arms.
"When we're really together and in love, you won't think like this. I'm sorry—to make you feel that way." Akira hugged her tightly.
"...I'm sorry, I… I shouldn't think that way." Yuigahama Yui said softly as she was being embraced by him, and the doubts in her heart slowly melted away, replaced by warmth—a warmth rising from the very bottom of her heart.
In truth, she had always been afraid that Akira would fall in love with Yukinoshita Yukino. And now, with both Akira and Yukino showing their talents, and even Yukinoshita Haruno's involvement, her sense of inferiority had only grown stronger.
That was why she started questioning herself and felt unworthy of Akira.
"From now on, don't think too much. The fact that you like me is enough." Akira looked down at her.
"Okay…" Yui nodded slightly.
"What would you think if someone told you that Yukinoshita Yukino and I were walking very closely together?" Akira suddenly asked.
"I would b-believe you?" Yui asked in return.
"Why a question?"
"...sorry. I believe you, Akira-kun.."
.....
Akira had been able to guess Yuigahama Yui's thoughts, but not because he possessed any kind of supernatural ability.
It was simply her expression.
When Haruno had teased about wanting Yukino and Akira to be together, Yui's expression became complicated, and she lowered her head.
Obviously, those words had pierced her heart.
That was why Akira tested her with the earlier question.
Her reaction confirmed his suspicions.
She had been uneasy, even to the point of possibly wanting to step aside and let Yukino and Akira be together.
But as Akira had said, they weren't even officially a couple yet—so how could she talk about breaking up?
Because of his words, and because of his embrace, Yui's uneasiness temporarily faded.
At the same time, Akira had also laid some groundwork for the future.
In this way, even if he really did get together with Yukino one day and people saw it, Yui would remember his words—and he would still have room to explain.
He did feel like a Slumbag though, a little...
Akira hugged Yui and whispered sweet words to her for more than ten minutes before his hand moved somewhat unruly.
Yui did not resist this time, allowing his hand to wander.
After a few minutes, Akira withdrew his hand.
He let go of her and looked at her blushing little face.
"I'll wait until tomorrow to slowly bully you. Now isn't the right time—I still need to think about the music for the anime."
"..I… I'm going to find Yukinoshita-san and learn how to cook from her." Yui blushed, spoke softly, and quickly left the music room.
Akira sat down and began recalling two songs in his mind.
He had always loved the opening theme of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and the opening of Parasyte. He had listened to them countless times.
Now, with his little knowledge of the piano, he could somehow arrange and combine them.
Akira slowly began to play, adjusting the keys in between, he was not perfect at first but he was improving with each step.
...
In the kitchen,
Yui opened the door and slowly enter the kitchen.
Yukinoshita Yukino seemed to be in a daze inside.
When she heard the sound of the door opening, she looked over.
"Yukinoshita-san, can I watch you cook?" Yui asked softly.
"...Of course," Yukino replied.
Yui smiled and stepped inside.
Yukino glanced at her, remembering what Haruno had said earlier, and felt a pang of guilt.
"...Yuigahama-san, I'm sorry. My sister always likes to tease me. Please don't believe what she says."
"....I don't think she is wrong. Akira-kun is very outstanding, and Yukinoshita-san is also very outstanding. If you two were together, you'd definitely be a good match." Yui hesitated, then spoke.
Yukino looked at her in disbelief.
"When I thought about it earlier, I even wanted to give Akira-kun to you," Yui continued.
"Yuigahama-san…"
"Akira-kun saw through my thoughts" Yui smile bitterly and continue, "And told me that since we're not together yet, how could we break up? He said a lot of things to reassure me. I thought about it again, and it's true—if I back down, it would only hurt him. So… if Yukinoshita really likes him, please tell me. I want to compete with you seriously....Even if I lose, I want to be your lifelong friend." Yui said earnestly.
"Yuigahama-san…" Yukino's face grew complicated.
"Can I call you Yukino?" Yui asked suddenly, not waiting for an answer.
Yukino opened her mouth, hesitant for a second then finally nodded slightly.
"Yukino, I hope we can be good friends forever." Yui smiled sweetly.
"Yeah." Yukino looked at her.
For the first time, she feeling warmth in her heart.
Yuigahama Yui was truly sincere. She wasn't like ordinary girls—she didn't inspire jealousy or malice.
This was something Yukino could see clearly and admire.
As for Akira…
Yukino was indeed curious about him, but it wasn't to the extent of romantic feelings.
It was more admiration for his talent.
...
After, Akira successfully replicate the two songs from his memory, he quickly wrote down the lyrics for both opening themes.
At that moment, Yukino and Yui came to call him for dinner.
When Akira turned around, he was stunned — Yui was holding Yukino's arm and Yukino.
How did their relationship suddenly become so close?
"Akira-kun, the food Yukino made is delicious, even better than yours," Yui said with a smile.
"Really?" Akira didn't ask what happened between them. He simply stood up and walked toward them.
"Have you thought of the music for the animation?" Yukino asked.
"I've already thought about it, including the lyrics. I'll play it for you after dinner," Akira nodded.
"If the music satisfies me—"
"I've already thought of the third story," Akira interrupted.
Yukino was stunned.
Taking advantage of her daze, Akira walked past her.
When she came back to her senses, she looked at his retreating back.
"...Akira-kun is so amazing. I just hope the third story will be a little easier," Yui said expectantly.
"I hope he won't be so cruel this time," Yukino sighed.
.....
When the two girls arrived at the table, Haruno and Akira were already seated.
Haruno noticed how Yukino and Yui seemed unusually close, she only smiled slightly and said nothing.
Yui sat next to Akira, not far from Yukino.
Haruno sat opposite Akira, her eyes watching the three of them with quiet amusement.
Akira ate his dinner, while ignoring Haruno's gaze.
Yui didn't know what to say and felt a little nervous in front of Haruno.
Yukino had many questions for Akira but didn't want to ask them in front of her sister, afraid she would twist things with her teasing.
As a result, dinner was unexpectedly quiet.
Afterward, Haruno received a phone call and immediately left Yukino's apartment.
The two girls cleaned up the dishes together, while Akira returned to the music room.
When they finished cleaning and entered the room, they heard the sound of his piano playing.
Hearing their footsteps, Akira stopped.
"This song doesn't seem suitable for them, right?" Yukino asked, confused.
The melody had a slightly sad tone. It didn't sound like something from Puella Magi Madoka Magica, nor from Parasyte.
"This is a song for another story," Akira shook his head.
"What kind of story?" Yukino asked curiously.
Akira looked at the two of them but gave no answer.
...
If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my Patreon: patreon.com/Zero0000683