Saki Kawasaki glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino and immediately understood what she was thinking.
Meanwhile, Yumiko Miura's eyes reflected complete trust in Akira Fujimiya.
While, Akira quietly ate his meal, showing no intention of sharing the copies with Hachiman or Totsuka.
Their grades were decent; they could definitely pass without his notes.
There was no need for them to read the papers he had compiled.
.....
That afternoon, classes ended early in preparation for tomorrow's exams.
Club activities were shortened as well—the tennis club wrapped up after barely an hour.
Akira returned to Sakurasou ahead of schedule.
When he opened the door, he found Shizuka Hiratsuka lounging on the sofa, lazily flipping through a manga.
Across from her, three girls sat together, studying the sheets of paper Akira had copied.
He decided not to comment on Hiratsuka-sensei's lazy behavior and quietly went upstairs.
In his room, he relaxed, picked up his pen, and began sketching.
There was plenty of time this week.
The fifth chapter of his manga was nearly complete.
At this pace, the first release of Non Non Biyori wasn't far away.
.....
Just before dinner,
Yumiko Miura knocked on his door.
Akira looked up and—this time—checked the system interface.
[Favorability: 69%]
Just one percent away from the next threshold.
Even an idiot could guess what might push it to seventy.
But Akira didn't move.
He could easily take that final step—but if he did so for a system reward, he would no longer deserve the affection of Yuigahama Yui or Yukinoshita Yukino.
A person should have a bottom line.
No reward, no matter how tempting, should cross that.
Besides, Yumiko's relationship with him wasn't yet at that level.
If it were Yui or Yukino… well, maybe then.
But now was not the time—
.....
After dinner, Akira accompanied the girls to the station as usual.
Ebina Hina walked ahead tactfully, giving them some personal space.
While, Akira and Yumiko walked side by side, their fingers intertwined.
They didn't speak much, yet Yumiko's heart swelled with quiet happiness.
When they neared the station, Akira glanced sideways at her.
"I'm going to Yukino's apartment on Friday. How about we all go to the movies together tomorrow afternoon?"
Yumiko nodded with a soft smile.
"Mhm."
"On Saturday, I've got plans with my friends. We should head to Flash Animation over the weekend. I hope to see your performance then."
"I'll do my best not to disappoint you, Akira-kun."
He smiled at her words, then, noticing Hina ahead of them, leaned down and quickly kissed Yumiko on the cheek.
Her face flushed, but she didn't say anything. As they reached the station, she looked reluctant to part, though she didn't cling to him.
When the train doors closed behind them, Akira checked the time.
Tomorrow during lunch break… that's when the system refresh should occur.
.....
Thursday Morning,
After his usual morning run, Akira returned to Sakurasou and found Yuigahama Yui already awake.
Because of the exam, she had gone to bed early last night.
Whether she remembered everything she'd studied was another matter entirely.
After breakfast, Akira, Yui, and Saki Kawasaki walked together toward the school.
"How are you two feeling?" he asked.
"I memorized a lot last night!" Yui said confidently. "If those questions really appear, I'll totally nail them!"
Saki said casually. "It shouldn't be a problem. My grades are always average anyway."
Akira chuckled and didn't press further.
At the school gates,
Yumiko Miura and Ebina Hina were already waiting. The group met up and went upstairs together.
.....
When the exam began, Yui's nerves kicked in—until she looked at the paper.
"These questions…" she whispered, eyes widening.
They were almost identical to the practice sheets Akira had given her.
She smiled faintly, relief flooding through her chest, and started writing.
Her pen moved smoothly—every answer was already burned into her memory.
When she finished, she glanced guiltily toward the Teacher.
This doesn't count as cheating, right?
Nearby, Saki, Yumiko, and Hina share the same thought.
Akira, meanwhile, worked calmly and efficiently. Every question was one he'd already memorized.
Within half an hour, he placed his completed test on the teacher's desk.
The teacher blinked in surprise, then flipped through the paper. His brows lifted.
Completed. He had completed every question. Every answer flawless.
When he looked up again, Akira has already left the class.
Students weren't allowed to leave until time was up, but the teacher didn't bother to interfere.
With that kind of paper, Akira's score was as good as guaranteed.
Akira's speed stunned the rest of the class.
Most students hesitated to submit early; only someone with either total confidence or total recklessness would do so.
And everyone who knew Akira Fujimiya understood—it was the former.
Especially Hikigaya Hachiman and Totsuk Saika.
They both knew Akira wouldn't act unless he'd already calculated the outcome.
The morning exam ended, and lunchtime finally arrived.
.....
In the Service Club room,
Yui leaned toward him, eyes shining with curiosity.
"Akira-kun! How did you do that? Don't tell me you peeked at the test paper beforehand?"
Hina Ebina laughed. "Yui, those were his prediction. There were even parts he prepared that didn't appear this time. Fujimiya-kun just thought ahead."
Yukinoshita Yukino nodded approvingly.
"The questions that didn't appear will probably show up in the finals."
"R-really? That's amazing, Akira-kun!" Yui exclaimed.
Akira smiled slightly. "Just a hunch."
Yumiko Miura and Saki Kawasaki exchanged looks of quiet admiration.
Then Yukino leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Still, Akira-kun, even if you guessed right this time, your final score might not surpass mine. I'm looking forward to your expression when you lose."
Akira chuckled. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Yukino-san."
"....If you lose," she said sweetly, "I want to see you wearing Yui's maid outfit."
With the most innocent smile on her face.
Akira suddenly feel a chill as he said.
"Fine. But if I win… I want to see you wearing it. And maybe…"
He leaned closer and whispered something into her ear.
Yukino's eyes widened before she turned crimson, glaring at him in embarrassment and anger.
Akira just smiled, obviously pleased with himself.
Her expression scared him a little.
Yui watched them, curious, but decided not to ask.
After all, that was a private exchange between lovers—and she respected that, even though she was very curious and it felt awkward since since they were using her dress.
While, silently hoping for Yukino's win.
Seeing him wear her maid outfit is just too interesting to miss.
.....
Lunch ended soon after.
Akira checked the time.
There were only about ten minutes left before the system refresh.
He left the clubroom and made his way up to the rooftop.
There, beneath the midday sky, he opened the familiar virtual interface and pressed the glowing Claim button.
Two crisp notifications echoed in his mind.
[Congratulations to the host for Super Physical Enhancement!]
[Congratulations to the host! Memory Enhancement upgraded to Super Memory Enhancement!]
Akira blinked, momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected that one of his existing abilities could actually evolve.
But what did super memory truly mean?
There was only one extra word added—"super."
Was the system being lazy again, or was it hiding something deeper?
"Oh!?"
While, he was checking the system window he noticed that now he can view his abilities description.
Pleasantly surprised by this new features, he quickly click on the detailed description open.
[Super Memory Enhancement: Now includes photographic memory.]
[Physical Fitness: Greatly improved physical ability, reaching the peak of human capability. Please continue self-training to maintain progress.]
Akira exhaled softly.
"The peak of humanity, huh…"
The concept was vague, but it was clear this wasn't a step into fantasy—at least, not yet.
Still, he couldn't help but imagine: if he lived in another world, this upgrade might already mark the beginning of his journey.
He closed the interface, the faint blue light fading from his vision.
The rooftop wind brushed past, cool and refreshing.
And Akira Fujimiya—ever calm, ever calculating—smiled faintly.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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6 Bonus Chapter at 100 powerstone