"It seems to me that you're not interested in money?" Hiratsuka Shizuka looked at Akira Fujimiya, her gaze curious yet sharp.
"When money reaches a certain level, it's just a rising number," Akira replied slowly, raising his head slightly.
"Your mentality isn't that of a young person."
"My mental age should be around thirty or more."
"Maybe it has something to do with what you've been through…" she said quietly.
"Probably. Before, I was like a lost person standing at a crossroads, not knowing which way to go."
"Who gave you the direction?" Shizuka asked.
"It was them… and you."
.....
Half an hour later.
Akira was walking home, supporting a drunk Hiratsuka Shizuka along the way.
She was mumbling something under her breath, her face slightly flushed.
Before long, the two arrived at the gate of Sakurasou.
Akira stopped.
Standing in front of the gate was the butler of the Hiratsuka family.
The elderly man was equally stunned when he saw Hiratsuka Shizuka leaning against Akira for support.
Then, regaining his composure, he walked over and bowed respectfully.
"Fujimiya-sama."
"What's the matter?" Akira asked calmly.
The man's address made it clear that he already knew about Akira's relationship with the Yukinoshita family.
"Please tell Miss Shizuka that the master wishes her to return home—not because of the arranged marriage meeting, but for another matter. It's related to the previous generation of the Hiratsuka family… the master's sister," Uncle Tamura, the butler said respectfully.
"I understand," Akira replied, not asking further questions.
"The master has a very high opinion of you, Master Akira. If you were willing to accept Miss Shizuka—"
"Sensei will get angry" Akira interrupted him calmly, before he could continue.
{T/N: It was "Sensei is like a sister to me"}
Uncle Tamura let out a small sigh. "Then, I shall take my leave."
"Alright." Akira watched as Uncle Tamura got into the car and left.
Once the car disappeared down the street, Akira continued to support Hiratsuka Shizuka back into Sakurasou.
Inside her room, he helped her take off her shoes and led her gently to her bedroom.
After laying her down on the bed, Akira pulled the blanket over her shoulders, made sure she was comfortable, and quietly turned away.
.....
Saturday — Morning.
Akira heard the sound of a car engine outside.
He didn't need to look; he knew that Hiratsuka-sensei had gone home.
During breakfast, he glanced at the now-empty seat at the table. For some reason, it left him feeling a little uneasy.
After finishing his meal, Akira changed into casual clothes and left Sakurasou.
Elsewhere, Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui, and the others had made plans to go shopping together that day.
Because of that, Isshiki Iroha managed to find a chance to invite Akira out.
He agreed.
As they both decided to meet up in front of the station.
....
When Akira stepped out of the train station, he immediately spotted his cute junior (Kouhai) standing nearby, checking her phone.
"Young lady, would you like to go shopping with me?" Akira said with a playful smile, changing his voice a little, as he walked towards her.
"Sorry, I'm waiting for someo—Oh, Akira-senpai!" Isshiki Iroha's voice shifted mid-sentence.
The cold, dismissive tone she had at first instantly turned into excitement and joy.
"You change your expression awfully fast." Akira chuckled, reaching out to hold her hand.
"When strangers approach me, I have to reject them with a cold tone and avoid getting involved. It's a trick I learned," Iroha said with a proud smile.
"It's a useful trick. But you're too cute—if I were a stranger, I'd still keep talking to you even if you sounded cold." Akira teased.
"Bad senpai," Iroha puffed her cheeks slightly, pretending to be angry.
The two began walking together.
Iroha kept looking at her phone as she searched for a specific shop. "Senpai, I heard this dessert place is really popular. Their cakes are supposed to be super cute—and perfect for girls like me!"
"You treat me, and I'll eat," Akira said casually, as he glance at her screen.
"Senpai, you're on a date with a girl and you say something like that? If it were a normal girl, your impression score would instantly drop," Iroha said, giving him a sideways look.
"That just proves you're not a normal girl," Akira replied smoothly.
"Senpai, aren't you afraid that my favorability will go down?" Iroha said, moving closer to him.
"I honestly can't think of anything I could do that would make you like me less," Akira said after a moment of thought.
Hearing that, Iroha smiled sweetly.
Akira noticed her smile but turned his gaze forward again.
"If you want me to treat you, we can go somewhere else."
"Where?" Iroha's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"That hotel over there," Akira said casually, pointing to the side.
"I-I won't go to that kind of place!" Iroha's face immediately turned bright red.
"I'm just curious about what's inside," Akira said with a straight face.
"I don't believe you at all, Senpai," Iroha huffed, turning her head away—but she still held onto his arm tightly.
"Kouhai, you don't seem to hate it…"
"Sooner or later, I will!" she shot back, her face flushed.
.....
Half an hour later, they finally found the dessert shop.
Even before entering, they could see that the place was packed with girls.
It was clearly a very popular spot.
The two went inside and found a seat.
"Senpai, you order first," Iroha said, handing him the menu.
"I'm not big on desserts. Order whatever you like," Akira replied, waving his hand.
"Okay~" Iroha cheerfully called the waiter and placed the order.
Akira watched her quietly as she talked to the staff, her cheerful energy filling the space around her.
When the waiter left, Iroha turned back to Akira with a bright smile.
.....
Girls really love desserts.
Maybe it's because they subconsciously connect sweetness with love.
Isshiki Iroha was no exception.
Her way of eating dessert was adorable.
"Senpai, try this."
Iroha scooped a spoonful of dessert and held it up to Akira's mouth.
Without hesitation, Akira leaned forward and ate it.
Iroha froze, her face instantly turning red. She hadn't expected him to actually do it.
She clearly underestimated him.
"Indirect kisses are too boring. I prefer direct ones," Akira said calmly, his eyes locked on hers lips.
"I-I'm not mentally prepared for that yet," Iroha stammered, her face now completely red.
"It's fine. I can teach you," Akira said, taking her hand in his.
"Senpai… c-could you give me a little time?" Iroha asked softly, voice trembling.
Akira didn't answer; he just stared at her quietly.
Iroha lowered her head, hesitating, her heart pounding.
After a few seconds, she whispered, "I really can't do anything about you, Senpai… Just this once."
She scooted aside, making room for him.
"Kouhai, are you sure?" Akira asked.
"If I refuse you, you'll hate me, won't you?" Iroha said without meeting his gaze.
"....."
'Not really, I would just think you are normal' He said inwardly.
He could tell she was teasing him—retreating to advance.
Since she had said that, Akira naturally didn't hesitate.
He stood up and sat down beside her.
Iroha blinked, caught off guard. "Eh?"
"Do you think I'm the protagonist of some light novel? I'm a bad senpai," Akira said, gently lifting Iroha's chin.
"B-Bad senpai…" Iroha's voice trembled as her eyes darted away. Her face was bright red.
Akira slowly leaned in closer—
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
"Akira-kun?"
Akira froze.
He turned his head and saw Yuigahama Yui, Miura Yumiko, Ebina Hina… and Yukinoshita Yukino standing there.
{T/N: Hahahaha}
Yukino's eyes were cold—so cold that Akira felt like the temperature in the room had dropped several degrees.
He awkwardly stepped back from Iroha and scratched his cheek.
Ebina Hina was trying hard not to laugh. Yumiko looked a little jealous.
"Yukino-chan…" Yuigahama whispered, glancing between her friend and Akira.
Yukinoshita Yukino said nothing. Her frosty stare was more than enough.
Iroha quickly stood up, flustered. "Y-Yukinoshita-senpai, Yui-senpai, Miura-senpai, Ebina-senpai—please, take a seat!"
Akira sighed quietly.
Of all the times for them to appear—this was probably the worst.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,401