Saki Kawasaki listened quietly, knowing that Akira had given her so much, and no matter how she calculated it, she could earn the equivalent of 200,000 yen per month.
"...Thank you for your kindness, but—"
"I know you have a strong sense of self-esteem and don't want to accept my help, but you really need the money. Please face reality and accept my help for now," Akira interrupted before she could continue.
Saki Kawasaki opened her mouth, knowing Akira was right, but in her heart…
"I will treat you as my employer. Occasionally, I may do something that offends you. You can think that I have that kind of thought about you. This way, you should feel more comfortable." Akira continued.
"... If you really feel that way, I won't refuse. I need your help—that's a fact. Compared to owing you a favor, I'd rather we didn't owe each other anything. Even if I have to pay some price, as long as it helps my mother and sister live a better life, I don't mind," Saki Kawasaki said, taking a deep breath.
"....If I said that I'd use money to maintain our arrangement, would you agree?" Akira said, after being silent for a moment, looking at her.
"I'm willing," Saki Kawasaki said, clenching her small hands slightly.
"And if others asked the same thing, would you agree?" Akira asked again.
"I would rather die than become that kind of woman. The reason I agreed with you is because you are at least responsible. Yuigahama Yui has been around you for a while, but you've never touched her, right?" Saki Kawasaki asked, her gaze steady.
Akira didn't answer.
It wasn't surprising—Saki Kawasaki probably knew about Yui's situation. Maybe she overheard it by chance in the school restroom. When girls chat together, they sometimes talk about bold topics.
And Yui, honest as ever, would tell Ebina Hina or Miura Yumiko everything without hesitation.
"....Akira-kun, you are a good person....I misunderstood you before. I'm sorry. From now on, I will work hard to repay your help," Saki Kawasaki said.
Seeing that Akira didn't respond, she realized she had guessed correctly.
"I understand. Keep unpacking your things. You can take tomorrow off to adapt to life here. I'll let you work on Saturday and Sunday," Akira said, turning to leave.
Saki Kawasaki watched Akira's back and then looked at the envelope in her hand.
Her original worries had faded. After all, she owed Akira so much that if he treated her harshly, she would simply have to endure it.
After everything that had happened, she finally understood what kind of person Akira truly was.
.....
On the way back to school,
"What do you think about the Kawasaki family?" Shizuka Hiratsuka asked.
"I'll help if I can. Sakurasou really needs someone who can cook and clean," Akira said, looking out the car window.
"...do you like Saki Kawasaki…"
"I did have some bad thoughts, but I knew I had to take responsibility for my actions."
"...As long as you know."
"I'm still young; I might make mistakes."
"Akira-kun, when I want to beat you up, I won't show mercy."
"Just don't hit me in the face."
....
When Akira returned to school, it was already time to go home.
After sending a message to Yuigahama Yui, he went to the Service Club to wait for them.
Not long after, three girls arrived. Yuigahama Yui carried Akira's commuter bag.
"I took leave to help Kawasaki-san. Her mother was sick and hospitalized, her father is missing, and they sold their house. She is now responsible for cooking and cleaning," Akira explained directly to Yuigahama Yui.
"Kawasaki-san's father is really…," Yuigahama Yui was stunned for a few seconds, wanting to curse but unable.
"Did Hiratsuka-sensei and Akira-kun go together?" Ebina Hina asked.
"Yes. Hiratsuka-sensei not only went there, but also helped with the move and investigated the situation," Akira replied without hiding anything.
"Akira-kun, you did the right thing. If I were you, I'd also help the Kawasaki family," Yuigahama Yui said with a smile.
"Although you don't need to know this, I'm telling you so you have fewer suspicions. Just treat Kawasaki normally. Any extra sympathy will only make her feel uncomfortable," Akira said.
Yuigahama Yui nodded.
She knew that since Akira had told her, it would be impossible to hide his relationship with Saki Kawasaki from her.
If he was open, she could only watch. But Yukino would definitely be angry, right?
Yuigahama Yui was slightly confused, unsure whether to help Akira hide it from Yukinoshita Yukino or tell her the truth.
"Stop daydreaming and sit down. Homework tutoring time begins," Akira said, seeing her expression.
Once Yuigahama Yui saw Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko seated, she quickly sat down as well.
...
Two hours later, at the tennis court,
Akira was playing against Hikigaya Hachiman. Hachiman's strength was clearly less than Totsuka Saika, and his physique weaker than Akira's. As a result, after the match, he only lost to Akira in skill.
Akira still had some energy, so he continued challenging Totsuka Saika.
Hikigaya Hachiman walked to the vending machine, bought three bottles of drinks, sat down, and opened one. By the time he finished drinking, Akira had also lost to Totsuka.
"Akira-kun, let's rest together?" Totsuka said softly.
Akira looked at her and nodded.
The two walked to the chairs nearby. Hachiman handed Akira a drink.
Which he accept without hesitation and sat.
Totsuka smiled and took another bottle.
The three of them drank quietly, listening to the football field sounds. Compared to the deserted tennis court, it was lively over there.
"Akira-kun, your tennis skills are improving. Any tips?" Totsuka Ayaka asked.
"Maybe it's talent. I watch a lot, so I naturally learn," Akira replied.
Hachiman said nothing.
"Have you considered going professional?" Totsuka asked, believing him.
"Not really. I don't have the time," Akira shook his head.
"I want to join a high school tennis tournament, but I don't think I'm strong enough," Saika admitted.
"Then train more. When you participate, Hikigaya should go with you and cheer," Akira suggested.
"I'll definitely go with Hachiman. Even if he doesn't play, I'll feel reassured with him watching," Saika smiled.
"Hikigaya-san, did you hear that?" Akira said meaningfully.
Hachiman blushed but said nothing.
(....😅)
"What about your future, Akira-kun?" Saika asked.
"I want to make animations, draw manga, learn what interests me, and live freely. That's enough," Akira replied thoughtfully.
"Live freely?" Saika looked at him enviously.
"Hachiman, your ideal isn't to work and be a househusband, right?" Akira said with a small smile.
Hachiman almost choked on his drink. "I… I haven't thought about it yet," he stammered.
"It's almost time. I should go. I'll ask Komachi out when I can, and you two should come too. If Hachiman doesn't, I can't guarantee whether Komachi will like me. Though I haven't met her yet, she should be cute," Akira said, standing and leaving.
"...This guy…" Hachiman watched him leave, frowning.
"Hachiman, I think Akira wants to be friends with us," Saika said.
"I'll never be friends with him. He's an enemy," Hachiman muttered.
Hachiman realized Akira acted naturally because he understood him well, and he can't object. While, Saika Totsuka seemed able to make friends with anyone, but Akira only focus on some specific people.
"Hachiman, next time we hang out, let's invite Akira along," Saika suggested.
"I… I have no objections," Hachiman replied reluctantly.
"Great, I'll make the arrangements," Saika smiled, as he started thinking about it.
While—
"Friends?" Hachiman wondered if they were really friends now.
.....
Back at Sakurasou,
Yuigahama Yui played with Kawasaki Kyoka in the yard.
"Brother Akira," Kyoka smiled.
"Are you having fun?" Akira sat beside her.
"Yes… Sister Yui is like my teacher. She's very gentle, and…" Kyoka stopped.
"What else?" Yui asked curiously.
Kyoka blushed and lowered her head.
Akira understood immediately.
.....
Tonight, dinner was prepared by Saki Kawasaki. Akira was unsurprised by her skills.
But—
"Delicious!" Yui said, her eyes lighting up.
Then she looked at Saki Kawasaki.
"Kawasaki-san, can you teach me how to cook?"
...
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