Kitchen—
There was a fruit cake, on the table — prepared by Yukinoshita Yukino and Kawasaki Saki together.
Next to it was a dish made by Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko.
While, Kawasaki Keika and Tsurumi Rumi helped arrange the dishes, neatly placing everything they had brought back on the table.
Hiratsuka Shizuka and Tsurumi Saori also wanted to help, but there wasn't much left to do for them.
While everyone was preparing—
The Birthday girl — Yuigahama Yui sat at the dining table, gazing at everyone around her — A gentle warmth filled her heart.
Last year, she had spent her birthday quietly at home with her mother. Her Father was not able to make it home because of his work.
This year, she was here — surrounded by her friends, the one she loved, and everyone from Sakurasou.
Ever since meeting Akira Fujimiya, her life had changed completely.
"Th-thank you… everyone." Yui smiled, her eyes glistening, as tears threatened to come out.
"Don't cry yet," Akira said softly, noticing her watery eyes. "There's still another guest."
Then—
"Yui."
That familiar voice made Yui freeze.
"Mom…" she whispered, her eyes widening in surprise as Yuigahama Asuna stepped out from the Kawasaki family's doorway.
"I wasn't planning to come," Asuna said with a gentle smile, "but Yukino sent a driver to pick me up, so here I am. I hope I'm not intruding?"
"Of course not!" Yui quickly stood up and ran into her mother's arms.
Asuna hugged her daughter tightly, patting her back before turning to Akira with a look full of quiet admiration.
From the wedding rehearsal to buying all those clothes, to helping Yui fulfill her childhood wish — it was all so romantic.
Asuna had read her daughter's diary.
She knew how lonely Yui had been growing up. That is why they move out to a lively neighborhood, so that Yui can make some friends.
But having more friends didn't solve everything — Yui had always been the type to accommodate others, slowly burying her own feelings again and again.
If not for Akira Fujimiya, her daughter might have ended up living a quiet and unfulfill life....
That's why Asuna was so grateful.
Akira had not only given Yui love — he had brought change, real change, from the inside.
"Your father also prepared a birthday gift," Asuna said softly. "He left it at home. He wanted to call you tonight, but I told him not to disturb your date. You can talk to him tomorrow."
"Yes..." Yui smiled, wiping her tears.
Everyone soon sat down.
Akira and Asuna took seats beside Yui.
Kawasaki Keika clapped her hands cheerfully and began singing the birthday song. Everyone joined in, filling Sakurasou with laughter and warmth.
Yui closed her eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candles in one deep breath.
When she began cutting the cake, she handed the first slice to her mother.
But the second piece didn't go to Akira — it went to Yukinoshita Yukino.
Yukino accepted it quietly.
Their eyes met for a brief moment, saying everything that didn't need to be spoken aloud.
Her Mother was surprised and confused by it but she didn't think too much of it, because Yui always was either talking about Akira or Yukino.
The third slice finally went to Akira — though Yui mischievously ate the fruit from his piece first. Akira noticed it but didn't say anything as he quietly ate the piece.
Then came Hiratsuka-sensei, followed by Miura Yumiko and Ebina Hina, then Saki Kawasaki, Keika Kawasaki, Saori Tsurumi, and Rumi Tsurumi.
After the cake was distributed, everyone began eating.
The food and fruit were delicious, laughter filled the room, and the warmth of companionship lingered late into the evening.
.....
Later That Night—
After dinner, Asuna followed her daughter upstairs to the small bedroom.
The clothes Akira had bought for Yui had been delivered earlier that afternoon.
Since Asuna arrived late, she had only heard Yukino describe them — she hadn't seen them herself.
Now, standing before the wardrobe full of new outfits and accessories, Asuna finally understood just how much Akira had done for her daughter.
The dresses, the necklace, the expenses for the wedding rehearsal, the fruits, the food…
It all easily added up to millions of yen.
Asuna smiled softly but couldn't help feeling a flicker of concern.
It wasn't always good for a man to spend so lavishly on a woman he loved.
If Yui married him someday and chose to become a housewife, what would happen if Akira met someone else?
Would Yui just quietly endure it, unable to say a word?
Asuna herself had always been a full-time homewife, but she'd had her parents' financial support. Her husband's income alone hadn't been enough in the beginning — it was that money that helped them survive.
If she had been completely dependent, there would have been no happiness.
Love without balance could easily break.
As she worried silently, Akira's voice came from the doorway.
"Aunt Asuna, please don't worry. Yui isn't just a pretty face at home. We're developing a game together — it's almost finished. Once it launches, Yui will receive part of the revenue, as well as a share from the anime adaptation."
"Game? Yui can do that?" Asuna blinked in surprise.
"Yui can draw," Akira replied with a gentle chuckle. "Don't underestimate her. I tease her sometimes and call her a fool, but she's actually very smart — she's already helping me with my work."
"I see…" Asuna smiled faintly, her eyes softening. "I was worrying too much."
Akira just smiled in response, saying nothing more.
Seeing his calm expression, Asuna finally relaxed.
As she release a sigh of relief.
{T/N: when will you tell her about others? }
...
Half an hour later, Asuna left Sakurasou with Yukinoshita Yukino.
As their car rolled down the quiet street, Asuna suddenly asked about Yukino's fiancé.
Yukino wasn't surprised. She already knew this topic would come up — Yui had mentioned it that morning.
"My fiancé is very capable," Yukino replied calmly. "He works in our family's construction company. Both my sister and my family are quite satisfied with him."
"I really envy you, Yukino," Asuna said with a wistful smile. "Yui doesn't know much about life. I've always worried about her. When she was little, she always played alone. We even moved to a livelier neighborhood so she could make friends, but…"
Asuna began recounting stories from Yui's childhood — her loneliness, her shyness, her attempts to please others.
Yukino listened quietly.
She wanted to understand Yui better — the kind, gentle girl who had unknowingly changed both her and Akira's lives.
When Asuna finished, she looked at Yukino thoughtfully.
"Yukino… to be honest, I used to worry that you'd take Akira away from Yui."
Yukino gave a small smile. "...You don't have to worry about that."
"I'm not worried anymore," Asuna admitted, sighing softly. "I just hope you'll always stay friends with her. That girl—she's clever sometimes, but she pretends to be stupid. Even if Akira ever had someone else, she'd probably pretend not to know and cry alone."
Yukino's eyes softened.
"I know. Yui is very gentle — just like my sister. The difference is, my sister hides her true self… while Yui deceives herself."
Asuna nodded quietly. She understood her daughter all too well.
Yukino glanced at her but didn't bring up marriage again.
Now was not the time.
.....
At Sakurasou, Akira worked quietly in his room.
He could now finish an entire manga chapter within three days — likely thanks to his improved stamina and focus.
Next door, the three girls were probably trying on the clothes he had bought, especially the wedding dresses.
Yui didn't mind letting them try them on — after all, they weren't real wedding dresses.
If they had been genuine ones, none of the girls would have dared to touch them.
A real wedding dress carried meaning.
Ring-Ring-Ring-
As Akira thought about it, his phone suddenly rang.
He picked it up after a glance.
"Just now, I talked a lot with Aunt Asuna…" came Yukino's voice.
She told him about their conversation in the car. Akira listened silently until she finished.
"We can't rush things," he said gently. "I won't take risks unless I'm absolutely sure."
"Actually," Yukino paused, "I think after graduation would be a good time."
"You mean, letting Yui start her life as a housewife after graduation?" Akira asked.
"If possible… I'd like that too," Yukino admitted, her voice soft and quiet.
"If you don't want to go to college, that's fine too," Akira replied with a faint smile.
"No," Yukino said. "If I want to improve myself, I need to keep learning. Not just for me — but for our future children."
"Thank you," Akira murmured.
"It's not hard," she replied warmly. "It's worth it."
"Miss Yukinoshita," Akira teased lightly, "from now on, our family's future depends entirely on your hard work."
"Got it, Akira-kun with the bad stomach~."
"…Yukino-chan, did your sister tell you that?"
"She told me everything, you jerk."
The two laughed softly and continued chatting for a long time.
When the call finally ended, Akira put his phone down — only for a pair of small hands to suddenly cover his eyes.
"Guess who I am~" came a playful, deliberately lowered voice.
Akira reached out his hands — but then paused.
Something felt off.
"Akira-kun… it's me…" came Ebina Hina's embarrassed voice, her face flushed red.
"Ah, sorry," Akira said, withdrawing his hand calmly. "I thought you were Yui."
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,615