"Growth? Have you grown?" Akira Fujimiya tilted his head slightly, feigning confusion as his gaze shifted from her face to her chest.
Noticing where his eyes were, Yukino's expression immediately turned cold.
Akira smiled faintly and lifted his teacup, taking a slow sip before continuing,
"I admit you've made some progress, but you still have a lot to learn. However, the way you handled the matter with Saki Kawasaki was impressive. Thanks to that, my plan went smoothly."
"Your… plan?" Yukino blinked in surprise, as she narrowed her eyes.
"My plan was to do nothing—and let Yukino handle it for me. If you hadn't driven Saki Kawasaki away, there would've been only one option left." Akira's tone was calm, but there was a teasing glint in his eyes.
"I was used by you?" Yukino's voice carried a trace of disbelief.
Akira shook his head lightly.
"No, not used. I simply predicted what kind of move you would make."
"Hmph." Yukino crossed her arms but didn't press the issue. "Then guess what Shizuka-sensei and I talked about?" she asked, changing the subject quickly.
She knew even if Akira had used her, he wouldn't cross any moral lines.
"You told Shizuka-sensei the truth about the agreement between you and me," Akira replied smoothly. "She probably worried about Yui, and you took responsibility, offering to help. Then you proposed a way to change her perception of me. By using her request as a pretext, you made sure Shizuka-sensei continue to stay here in Sakurasou, right?"
Yui Yuigahama's eyes widened in surprise at how easily Akira had read the situation.
"...." Yukino fell silent for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "...What do you think of Shizuka-sensei?"
"I respect her very much," Akira said. "Being managed by someone is, in its own way, a kind of happiness. It shows that someone cares...I won't reject that kind of care."
"So, what does Sakurasou mean to you?"
Akira smiled faintly. "I want to sleep under a cherry tree forever."
"Do fallen leaves return to their roots?" Yukino murmured.
"This is my second home," he replied simply.
A soft smile formed on Yukino's lips at his words.
Yui, who had been quiet the entire time, finally understood the subtle exchange between them.
...
After their little "family meeting," the two girls went to the bathroom together.
It was finally a moment when they could speak frankly, openly.
The so-called "feelings" between girls were just a passing joke — something neither Yukino nor Yui could truly take seriously.
Even if Yui admired Yukino deeply, it was the same kind of admiration Akira once had for her — an appreciation for beauty itself.
People are drawn to beautiful things, and Yukino Yukinoshita was undoubtedly one of them.
Meanwhile, Akira had returned to his room, continuing to draw his manga in quiet concentration.
When the two girls finally emerged from the bathroom, dressed in pajamas, Yukino's face was faintly red.
"Good luck, Yukinon," Yui said cheerfully as she headed toward the small bedroom.
While, Yukino hesitated for a movement but started walking over to Akira's door and knocked lightly.
knock-knock
A few seconds later, the door opened. Akira greeted her with a teasing smile.
"I thought you two would come together."
"You… you're such a jerk!" Yukino stammered, her face turning crimson.
Akira chuckled. "Just kidding. Come in."
He stepped aside, making room for her to enter.
"You… you'd better behave the same way as last time," she whispered, stepping inside.
Akira closed the door and turned toward her.
Yukino sat on the edge of the bed, looking uneasy, her small hands gripping the hem of her pajamas.
Her cheeks were flushed pink, and her gaze was restless.
Smiling gently, Akira walked over and pulled her into his arms.
Yukino froze, then quietly leaned her head against his chest, her body trembling slightly.
"Thank you, Yukino," Akira whispered softly.
"You're welcome… I chose you only because there wasn't a better option," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
"Tsundere Yukino," Akira teased.
"Pervert Akira," she shot back, her lips twitching faintly.
"What kind of wedding do you like?" he asked.
"When the time comes, you'll arrange it," she replied, her tone softer now. "I'd like to keep it simple."
"I really want to marry you right away," Akira said, half joking, half sincere.
"I… me too."
Hearing her quiet confession, Akira lowered his head and looked into her eyes. Yukino slowly lifted her gaze, then closed her eyes.
Akira leaned in and kissed her.
Lips touching each other staying in a place without moving, in quiet peace, pressing against each other.
She hesitated for a moment but responded shyly — recalling the guidance Yui had once given her.
Feeling her gentle response, Akira smiled faintly and deepened the kiss, with his lips starting to eat her lower and upper lips from time to time, closed eyes with his hands tightening around her body.
Yukino was completely flustered now, her mind blank. She hadn't been prepared for this at all.
Her heart pounded rapidly in her body.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Akira could feel her heartbeat clearly, and for a brief second, he thought — she's really growing.
When they eventually stopped and pull out, Yukino's slowly open her eyes, her face was a bright shade of red as she looked up at him expectantly.
But Akira stopped.
"..I'll let you go this time," he said quietly. "If we keep going, I might not be able to stop myself."
"I-I…"
"Yui knows more than you," Akira added teasingly. "I'm going to see her — I'll be back later."
"I… I can learn too!" Yukino protested, grabbing the corner of his sleeve, tightly.
"You can't learn this," Akira said with an odd smile.
"Why not? I don't believe that!" she snapped, her whole face burning red but this time their was a mixed of frustration in it.
Akira leaned in and whispered something softly into her ear.
Yukino froze for a few seconds — and then her expression exploded into pure embarrassment.
"Y-you pervert!" she yelled, punching his chest with her small fist.
This wasn't a matter of not being able to learn it — it was something impossible for her to learn!
...
Early Morning, Weekend — In the Park,
Shizuka Hiratsuka's face was filled with surprise.
How long had Akira been learning martial arts? And yet, he could already hold his own against her?
He wasn't as strong as she was, but his movements — his dodges — were sharp, precise, and completely predictive.
Realizing this, Shizuka switched up her techniques. She wasn't just a fighter — she had experience, strategy, and adaptability.
A few exchanges later, Akira was flat on the ground, defeated once more.
"If you want to beat me, you'll need to train another ten years," Shizuka said, extending her hand to him.
"Shizuka-sensei, one day I will defeat you. Don't underestimate me," Akira said with a grin as he took her hand and stood up.
"Then we'll see when that day comes," she replied with a smile.
"It's almost time to go back. Yukino should've prepared breakfast by now," Akira said, glancing around at the passing joggers.
"Akira-kun, you… you didn't…" Shizuka's expression turned suspicious.
"Sensei, you can ask Yui."
Her face instantly turned red. "You… you little brat! What are you teaching Yui?!"
Akira feigned innocence.
"Sensei, what are you thinking about? I just meant breakfast. How could you imagine anything else? In my heart, you're perfect — pure and flawless."
"Stop spouting nonsense and get going before I beat you up!"
Akira grinned and jogged away toward Sakurasou.
Shizuka's face softened slightly.
Though she scolded him, part of her heart warmed at his words.
.....
When Akira returned home, Yukino had already prepared breakfast.
After they ate together, Akira went to wake Yui Yuigahama from her deep sleep before contacting Nanako Tamura.
When Nanako heard he wanted to reply to readers through a video, she was momentarily confused — but after thinking it over, she quickly agreed.
They arranged a meeting time.
Later, Akira took the Yukinoshita family car with Yukino and arrived at her apartment.
The bedroom that once belonged to Haruno Yukinoshita had changed dramatically — the desk now held drawing tools, a new computer setup, and even a fresh set of bedding.
New clothes hung neatly in the wardrobe.
From where, Akira picked out a formal suit and accepted a pair of glasses from Yukino. Putting them on, he looked noticeably older, more composed.
"Last time I saw you trying on clothes, I thought something was missing," Yukino said with a faint smile. "Now I realize it was maturity."
"Do you like me like this?" Akira asked, adjusting his glasses playfully.
"I like everything about you," Yukino replied sweetly.
Akira stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Can you ask the driver to wait for half an hour?"
"No," she teased, her tone soft but firm. "A few minutes at most."
"Then I'll come see you tonight," Akira said, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her gently.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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