"Yui…" There was guilt and apology in Miura Yumiko's eyes.
"Akira-kun, I'll go home and wait for you," Yuigahama Yui said, pretending not to notice Yumiko's expression. She turned to Akira and went upstairs.
"Change into your maid outfit and wait for me to come back," Akira called after her, watching her retreating back.
Her step froze—
Yuigahama Yui blushed, turned around, glared at him, and quickly ran upstairs.
Just as Akira was about to leave Sakurasou, a hand rested lightly on his shoulder.
"...Sensei, is something wrong?" Akira didn't turn, but he recognized Shizuka Hiratsuka's touch immediately.
"Nothing. I just wanted...to beat you up," Hiratsuka said with a slight pause before withdrawing her hand.
"When I come back, I'll ask why you thought that way," Akira remarked lightly.
"No reason," Shizuka Hiratsuka snorted coldly.
Akira smiled and walked out the door.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, see you tomorrow," Ebina Hina said with a soft smile and a wave.
"...Hiratsuka-sensei, see you tomorrow," Yumiko Miura said quietly, not daring to meet Shizuka Hiratsuka's eyes.
While, Kawasaki Kyoka watched Hiratsuka, confused by the subtle atmosphere in the room. She simply felt that something was unfolding.
"This guy...really…" Shizuka Hiratsuka muttered, her thoughts complicated.
Is Yuigahama Yui smart? Judging by her grades, probably not the smartest student…
Yet, as a girl, her heart was more delicate than Yukinoshita Yukino's.
From her words earlier, it was clear that she understood Miura Yumiko's feelings for Akira but—
She did not blame him, nor did she resent Yumiko.
She knew everything and still pretended not to know.
In the afternoon, Shizuka had observed the interaction between the three, and Yui had shown no inappropriate emotions: Jealousy, Sadness, Loneliness, Nothing, she was behaving... Normally... Her usual cheerful self, laughing, talking, helping....
What does that mean?
It meant that deep in her heart, she truly accepted the situation and did not alienate her friends over something like this.
Her kindness was in knowing the truth but choosing not to expose it.
Shizuka Hiratsuka felt anger welling up.
She truly wanted to scold Akira.
Why hurt such a gentle girl!
(T/N: That is why I don't like kind girls)
.....
On the way to the station,
The three walked in silence: Akira Fujimiya, Hina Ebina, Yumiko Miura.
When they passed a convenience store:
"Yumiko, wait here for a moment. I'm going to buy some snacks," Ebina Hina suddenly said, and without waiting for a reply from Miura Yumiko, she walked into the store.
Yumiko Miura opened her mouth, but didn't get the chance to say anything, as she glanced at Akira, and felt flustered.
Ever since that incident, she had never been alone with him again.
Yet strangely, her feelings for him had only grown stronger.
"Yumiko," Akira called gently.
"Y-yes," Miura Yumiko raised her head, her heartbeat quickening unconsciously hearing her name from his mouth.
"...I have already confirmed my relationship with Yui and Yukino," Akira said slowly.
"They… they accepted each other?" Yumiko asked, incredulous.
Akira nodded without hiding the truth.
Yumiko Miura expression turn complicated— She wanted to say she could accept it too, but she couldn't.
The thoughts of Yui's words filled her heart with guilt.
Seeing her expression, Akira understood her thoughts.
"You are truly beautiful. You look natural even without makeup, and I admire that," he said in a soft voice as he continue,
"The way you treat your friends shows you are a good friend."
"But You're also very fragile inside, maybe even more than Yui," he added.
Tears welled up instantly in Yumiko Miura's eyes. As she turned her back to him, trembling slightly, unwilling to show her heartbroken expression, her crying face.
Unwilling to hear anymore—
Akira sighed softly.
If this continued, Yumiko would only fall more into despair again.
He glanced at Ebina Hina inside the convenience store, her image visible through the window.
She looked at him knowingly, as she made a small gestured for a hug.
"Ak… Akira-kun, I'm sorry. Could you… go back first? I don't want you to see me crying. I want you to remember me at my best, okay…"
Before Yumiko could finish, Akira stepped forward and hugged her.
She froze for a few seconds, unsure how to react.
Hina Ebina smiled faintly, lowering her gaze to a magazine in her hands.
Akira remained silent, holding the sad Yumiko in his arms.
Thoughts raced in his mind, until one question emerged:
'Is it really okay to let a girl who likes me despair?'
The answer appeared immediately:
"Yumiko, I'll give you a chance," Akira said gently.
"...A Chance?" Yumiko turned in surprise, her eyes started to regain it light.
"Do you want to be an idol?" he asked softly.
"An idol?" Yumiko was confused.
She didn't understand the connection between the opportunity and becoming an idol. Perhaps Akira's topics jumped too much, and she couldn't keep up.
"The first time I heard you sing, I thought you could become an idol," Akira explained.
"You mean… you want me to become an idol?" Yumiko's eyes widened.
She had expected something else entirely.
"I don't want to treat you like a prop. Yukino is producing my animation, Kawasaki Saki is my future assistant, Ebina may become a screenwriter, and Yui is learning to cook. If you want, I can make you an idol, giving you a special place in my heart," Akira said deliberately, word by word.
"Hina and Kawasaki-san too?" Yumiko suddenly turned head to looked toward the convenience store.
"They're not the same. I just gave them jobs, not opportunities," Akira clarified.
"So… if I become an idol, what position will I hold in your heart?" Yumiko asked, hope flickering in her eyes.
"I'm going to marry Yukino in the future, so..."
"You don't need to worry about me. If you hold a secret wedding with me, I'll be satisfied. I can give you all my earnings as an idol, and I can help you earn more," Yumiko said desperately.
Akira looked at her, struck by her willingness of self-sacrifice.
A girl willing to go so far…
"Yumiko, you don't have to go that far. Just become an idol, I'll support you, stay with you as long as you want. And If...you ever start to dislike me or fell this love is not worth it, I'll quietly leav—" he said.
But — Before he could finish his sentence, Yumiko suddenly kissed him.
Inside the convenience store, Hina Ebina in the was slightly surprised, her expression suddenly turn complex. As she look at them kissing—
After a few seconds, she lowered her head, though this time she was not looking at the magazine in her hand.
Outside, Yumiko continued kissing him for a few minutes with Akira neither returning the kiss nor rejecting it.
After which she finally pulled back, she looked flustered yet serious.
"This is my first kiss," she admitted, her face serious but adorable at the same time because of her flustered face.
"I can tell," Akira commented lightly, casually.
"I… I'll work hard. If you give me a chance, I'll become proficient at it." Yumiko said, face flushed.
"You don't need to be...As an idol, your priority is your work, not romance," Akira replied.
"Then…"
"I'll buy an idol agency. If you want to debut, it'll take time, but…"
"I'll become a top idol," Yumiko promised.
"Then dating will be difficult," Akira warned.
"... I'll keep a low profile...When you have time, we can go on dates," she said softly, quietly.
"No need to hide. Shine as brightly as you want, and I'll see you at your best," he said encouragingly gently.
....
Akira and Yumiko chatted about it for over half an hour.
As She resolved herself to become an idol so she could show him the best version of herself.
Akira knew her talent and her character could easily make her a popular idol.
While, now wasn't the time to acquire an agency—it was just a direction.
Yet, the opportunity existed.
Flash Animation needed singers for opening and ending themes. This could be the first opportunity for Yumiko.
"Akira-kun, I'll prove myself with my skills. And I don't want to trouble you with it," Yumiko said confidently.
"I understand. I'll ask Yukino to help arrange it. You can go to Flash Animation with Ebina on the weekend," Akira said.
When—
Ahem!
A sudden cough came from behind.
It was Ebina Hina—
Akira looked at her calmly while Yumiko's face turned red as she immediately let go of Akira's hand.
"Yumiko, I bought snacks. Let's go to your house tonight and chat," Ebina said with a smile, carrying a bag.
"Yeah," Yumiko nodded gratefully, Because—
She knew this opportunity was thanks to Ebina Hina.
.....
In front of the station,
Akira watched the two girls enter and took out his phone and called—
...
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