"Akira-kun, wait for me here."
After saying that, Yuigahama Yui hurried into the convenience store.
A few minutes later, she came out carrying a bag of snacks and a couple of drinks.
"There weren't many snacks left in the refrigerator. These should be the drinks Akira-kun often buys. I also bought a lunch box for tomorrow, so —"
"Do you see Sakurasou as your second home? I always feel like we're already married," Akira Fujimiya interrupted her, raising an eyebrow. "It's a pity you can't cook. Otherwise, we could stop by the supermarket again."
"I can learn!....This Saturday, I want to practice cooking with my mom at home," Yuigahama Yui said softly, her cheeks faintly red.
"Then study hard. At least get to a level where Yukino will recognize your cooking." Akira gave her a meaningful look.
.....
With Yuigahama Yui's current cooking skills, she could barely handle basic preparation.
Akira watched her clumsily cutting potatoes, his eyes narrowing with concern that she might cut her fingers at any moment.
Fortunately, she wasn't that careless.
But it still took her nearly ten minutes just to slice the potatoes.
(T/N: I am worst than her.... 🤦♂️)
If it had been Yukinoshita Yukino, it would have taken no more than three minutes.
When she finally finished, she looked at Akira, smiling with relief.
"Okay, go read your book. Leave the rest to me." Akira gently patted her head.
"Mm!" Yuigahama Yui beamed happily and left the kitchen.
Akira glanced at the uneven potato slices on the table. Fortunately, tonight's dish was curry—so it didn't matter much whether the cuts were neat or not.
He skillfully began preparing the rest of the meal.
Meanwhile, Yuigahama Yui sat reading a book in the living room, sneaking glances at him from time to time.
From Monday to Friday, she came to Akira's apartment for tutoring.
On weekends, She studied cooking at home, while he spend his time doing his manga or animation works.
So, in a sense, she still had most of her time with him.
"Although five days feels a little long, since most of it is at school, Yukinon shouldn't mind… right?"
Yui thought to herself, her fingers gripping the page of her book a little too tightly.
This had all been part of her plan.
Neither Akira nor Yukinoshita Yukino knew about it. Not even her closest friends.
And she certainly had no intention of telling her mother.
If her mom knew about this complicated relationship between her, Akira, and Yukino… she would be furious.
Yui had never seen her mother truly angry before, and she didn't dare imagine what that would look like.
"Yui, you're daydreaming again," Akira's voice floated from the kitchen.
Yui snapped out of her thoughts, smiling awkwardly before refocusing on her book.
...
After dinner,
Akira cleaned up the dishes while Yuigahama Yui went to shower.
By the time she came out, Akira had finished tidying up and was already reviewing his notes.
Her pajamas looked a bit too snug, almost as if the buttons might pop off at any second.
Akira stared at her suspiciously.
Yui blushed, quickly sitting down next to him. Fresh from the shower, her hair damp and her body giving off a sweet fragrance, she looked both adorable and unguarded.
Akira reached out—
And flicked her forehead.
"Ouch!" Yui pouted, holding her forehead.
"Tomorrow afternoon, we'll go to the mall and buy you proper clothes. Pajamas included," Akira said seriously.
"Other clothes too? I… I understand." Yui nodded shyly, her cheeks flushed.
"If you pass this exam, I'll let you sleep in my room at night." Akira paused for a moment, as if considering it, then added, "That'll be your reward."
"R-really?" Yui's eyes lit up with joy.
"Yeah. But only if you pass. If you fail, then only hugging is allowed for a week. No kissing." Akira said calmly.
"…I'll definitely do my best!" Yui clenched her fists tightly.
Akira nodded, not saying more. He began explaining that day's lessons instead.
Yui listened carefully, occasionally asking questions when she didn't understand.
Time passed quietly until it was already past 10 p.m.
"Akira-kun, I'll pack up my things. You should keep working on your drawings," Yui said softly.
"Mm. Go to bed early." Akira stood, preparing to head to his room.
But after a few steps, he stopped, turned back, and looked at her.
Yui was also watching him. When she saw him turn, she quickly lowered her head, embarrassed.
"Come here and receive your reward." Akira spread his arms.
Yui's face lit up instantly. She stood, walked over, and hugged him tightly.
A few minutes later, she reluctantly let go.
Akira saw her expression, leaned forward, and pressed a light kiss on her forehead before turning back toward his room.
Yui stood frozen for a few seconds. Then, slowly, a sweet smile bloomed on her lips.
.....
The next morning—6:00 a.m.
Akira got up early, changed his shoes, and went downstairs.
Just as he reached the first floor, the door to Shizuka Hiratsuka's room opened.
She was dressed in sportswear, clearly prepared for a morning run.
"Sensei, at your age, you don't really need to exercise. Just getting enough rest is fine," Akira teased.
"Hmph. I was in the sports club in college. Don't underestimate me," Shizuka Hiratsuka snorted, brushing past him as she stepped out of Sakurasou.
Akira followed her at a steady pace.
The first day of training was mainly for adaptation, so the distance didn't need to be too long.
What mattered most in exercise wasn't sudden bursts of enthusiasm, but consistency.
As they ran through the residential area, they came to a fork with three different roads.
Shizuka hesitated for a moment before choosing the middle path—the one leading to the park.
By Akira's calculation, the round trip would take about an hour.
It was a good route.
When they arrived at the park, Akira found Shizuka sitting on a bench, catching her breath.
She must have run a bit too fast at the start, probably trying to compete with him.
Unfortunately for her, Akira had no intention of competing.
Instead, he went to the vending machine, bought two bottles of sports drinks, and handed one to her.
"...Thanks." Shizuka took it, glancing at him with a complicated expression.
Akira sat beside her, sipping his drink as he gazed at the quiet park.
Suddenly—
"...When I was in high school, I was a bit like a boy," Shizuka began suddenly. "I practiced kendo, joined the kendo club. I was passionate back then. Even in college, I was still strong, so no guy dared to pursue me."
"Originally, I was going to join the Metropolitan Police Department and become an officer. But right before graduation, my mother became seriously ill. On her deathbed, her last wish was for me to become more gentle… to find someone I truly love."
"So I chose to become a teacher. I met Yukinoshita Haruno. I changed her, and she changed me."
She fell silent for a moment, then asked quietly:
"But honestly, I've never met anyone who makes my heart race. Akira-kun… do you think there's something wrong with me?"
Akira looked forward, thinking for a moment before replying:
"I think your mother forgot to add something."
"What?"
"Find someone you love. And that person must also love you back."
"Mutual love…" Shizuka repeated softly.
"Yeah. Only someone like that would be the right partner for you, Sensei."
Shizuka's expression turned complicated. "The one I love, and the one who loves me… that's not so easy to find."
Her words carried a quiet sense loneliness.
Akira didn't reply, because it is true.
.....
When Akira returned home,
He found out that Yuigahama Yui had not woken up yet.
It is difficult for her to get up early.
Akira didn't rush to wake her up, but started preparing breakfast first.
He waited until breakfast was ready before going to Yuigahama Yui's room again.
Inside, Yui's room,
Yuigahama Yui's sleeping face was so cute that Akira couldn't help but reach out and pinch her little face.
After a few seconds, of having fun —
Yuigahama Yui finally opened her eyes, Akira has already retreated his hand.
She looked at Su Yu sleepily and rubbed her eyes.
"Akira-kun, what time is it now?"
"If you don't get up now, you'll be late."
Akira said as he showed her the time on his phone.
...
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