Akira Fujimiya watched the two of them leave. Although he really wanted to go and see the fun, he still had to help with their homework.
Yuigahama Yui walked up to him.
"Akira-kun, what did you want to talk to Saika about? Why did he leave with Hikigaya-san?"
Earlier that morning, it had been Yui who gave Akira Totsuka Saika's contact information. After Akira contacted Saika through a message, he arranged for Hikigaya Hachiman to meet at the tennis club.
Totsuka Saika actually had an impression of Hikigaya Hachiman, but it was difficult for him to approach Hachiman directly. It just so happened that Akira provided this opportunity, and Saika was also in need for member in the tennis club.
"This is a commission from the Service Club. I can't tell you the specific details," Akira shook his head.
Seeing this, Yuigahama Yui didn't ask further.
Just then, Ebina Hina walked over —
She looked at Akira, her eyes shining, as if she had just found a kindred spirit.
"Akira-kun, are you…"
"Calm down, Ebina-san. Don't get too excited."
When Akira saw Ebina's expression, he immediately remembered her hobby.
Ebina Hina pushed her glasses up, the joy on her face not diminishing at all.
"Fujimiya-kun, what are you two talking about?" Yuigahama Yui tilted her head in confusion.
"It's nothing. Yui doesn't need to know. It's too early for you," Akira said, gently holding her small hand.
"Hina…" Miura Yumiko, who knew Ebina well, immediately realized what was going on when she saw her expression.
"Let's go, Fujimiya-kun. I want to check something out after tutoring is over," Ebina said as she walked towards the door.
.....
Two hours later, Service Club —
Akira looked over Miura Yumiko's homework and nodded in satisfaction.
Yumiko's face lit up with joy. After she returned home yesterday, she had spent hours reading just to earn Akira's approval.
"You're making rapid progress. As long as you keep this up, you won't have any problems," Akira praised.
"Thank you, Fujimiya-kun," Yumiko said softly.
"This is the reward for your hard work. I only pointed you in the right direction," Akira replied.
Yumiko opened her mouth, wanting to confess that she worked so hard because of him, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
After all, Yui was sitting right beside her.
Ebina glanced at Yumiko but said nothing.
Yuigahama Yui, oblivious to the subtle atmosphere, only thought Yumiko was expressing gratitude.
"Alright, that's all for today. Keep reading when you get home, and if you have any questions, send me a message," Akira said as he began to pack up.
The three girls did the same.
After they had packed up, the four of them left the Service Club together.
Ebina pulled Miura Yumiko along, likely wanting to see firsthand the story unfolding between Hikigaya Hachiman and Totsuka Saika at the tennis club.
Yuigahama Yui was also curious, but since Akira was holding her hand, she stayed by his side.
"It's still early. Do you want to visit the animation company and see Yukinoshita-san?" Akira asked as they walked out of Sobu High.
"Is it really okay?" Yui's eyes lit up.
"If we take the train, we can get there in about half an hour," Akira checked the time.
"I want to go!" Yui immediately took his arm.
"Once we're there, stay close to me but don't do anything too intimate, understood?" Akira reminded her.
"Why?" Yui blinked in confusion.
"That company has subordinates working under Yukinoshita Haruno. They think I have a close relationship with Yukinoshita Yukino. I took advantage of that, letting them believe I'm Yukinoshita's boyfriend. Do you get it?" Akira explained.
"I understand… but I also don't understand," Yui said with a small pout.
"Forget it. Just let them think I'm a bad guy who's two-timing," Akira said helplessly.
"So that's how it is. I get it now," Yui suddenly realized, smiling awkwardly.
Seeing her reaction, Akira reached out and gently patted her head.
"Silly goose."
Yui pouted, then leaned against his shoulder.
The two of them walked to the station together.
When they boarded the train, there weren't many people inside.
They sat together, listening as Akira explained more about the animation company.
Ten minutes later, they got off the tram and headed towards Flash Animation Productions.
On the way, they passed a convenience store, and Yui bought some snacks for Yukinoshita Yukino.
The station was only about a ten-minute walk away from the company.
When they arrived at the building, Yui looked up at it nervously.
...
In the elevator,
Akira held Yui's hand as they waited for the elevator to rise.
From the moment she walked in, Yui had been feeling uneasy. No one had stopped them, but she still felt like she was disturbing someone's important work.
Ding!
The elevator reached the floor of the third animation studio.
Akira let go of her hand and walked out. Yui quickly followed behind.
As they entered the production floor, several workers glanced at them curiously.
Yukinoshita Yukino, with her back turned, was fully focused on drawing a new background and didn't notice them approaching.
Akira stopped a few steps behind Yukino and whispered something to Yui.
Yui smiled and nodded.
Akira then stepped forward and covered Yukino's eyes.
"Guess who I am," Yui voice came from the side.
"…Yuigahama-san?" Yukino asked in surprise.
"Wrong, It's me," Akira said softly in her ear, as he release his hands.
Yukino turned around to face the two of them.
"Yukinon, this is for you." Yui smiled brightly, handing her the snacks she had bought.
"Thank you," Yukino accepted them with a rare gentle tone.
"It looks like Yukinon's work is really complicated. It must be tough, right?" Yui glanced at the detailed background on her computer screen.
"It's not tough. I find it very interesting. This job is a valuable experience for me," Yukino shook her head.
"Is there something I can do to help?" Yui asked hopefully.
Yukino was stunned and looked at Akira.
Yui also turned to him, her eyes full of expectation.
"If Yui wants to help, maybe you could serve coffee or something," Akira thought aloud.
"Is that all?" Yui puffed her cheeks.
"If I get tired, you could lend me your lap as a pillow," Akira teased with a chuckle.
"I can draw too…" Yui muttered, sounding aggrieved.
"Really? Then come with me." Akira motioned for her to follow.
He approached a young woman nearby and asked to see her earlier artwork.
The woman, excited by the attention, quickly showed him her drawings.
"Fujimiya-kun, they're not that good. Please don't laugh."
Akira looked at them, then handed one to Yui.
"…" Yui froze.
The characters in the picture were beautifully drawn, far beyond her own level. She realized no matter how hard she tried, she wouldn't be able to reach that standard.
"Thank you for your hard work. Keep it up," Akira said warmly as he returned the artwork.
The woman smiled and continued working.
Akira brought Yui back to Yukino's desk.
Yui lowered her head, feeling the gap between herself and professionals.
"Yuigahama-san, don't be discouraged. Even I can't surpass them in drawing," Yukino comforted her.
"I just feel so useless. I can't help Akira-kun, and I'll probably only cause him trouble," Yui whispered sadly.
Hearing that, Yukino glanced at Akira.
Akira sigh as he reached out his hand and gently placed a hand on Yui's head.
"You silly goose, you're overthinking things. Just because you can't help me doesn't mean I don't like you. Look at Yukinoshita-san — she works so hard, but she still can't win me over. You should be happy."
The moment Yukino heard that, she firmly stepped on Akira's foot.
Yui burst into laughter at the sight.
"Alright, sit next to Yukinoshita-san. I'll go check on the progress with Kanae Takahashi," Akira said.
"Mm!" Yui smiled and sat down beside Yukino.
Akira walked off towards Kanae Takahashi's office.
...
Ten minutes later,
Akira returned from Kanae Takahashi's office.
When he reached Yukino's seat, he found Yui drawing backgrounds.
"Akira-kun, I can do this kind of work too!" Yui said proudly when she saw him.
Yukino, sitting beside her, smiled faintly.
"This is the sort of task is for beginners. Yukinoshita-san real responsibility is to track animation progress, report to me, and assign tasks based on my directions," Akira explained, exasperated.
"Eh?" Yui blinked in confusion.
"Alright, Yui has seen it and tried the work. It's time to head home." Akira stretched out his hand to her.
...
If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my Patreon: patreon.com/Zero0000683