While Akira was watching Yukino feed the cats, he phone notifications started going wild.
Ping! Ping! Ping!
"Yukinon is sooo cutteeee!"
"Next time, I want to go see those cats with Yukino-chan."
"Akira-kun, give me a few more photos of Yukino and the cats! I want to keep them in my Yukinon Collection."
After reading the messages, Akira Fujimiya's expression turn a little strange.
Yui… you're a little unusual, aren't you?
Two hours later, Yukino reluctantly left the pet store.
"If you like it, I'll bring you here again next time," Akira said, holding Yukino's hand gently.
"Alright," Yukino replied, chuckling softly.
"I sent the video of you holding the cats to Yui, and she said she wants to come to the pet store with you next time," Akira continued.
"You…you are the worst!" Yukino turned her head away, embarrassed.
She knew very well how out of control she had seemed just moments ago, completely unlike the composed Yukinoshita Yukino she usually was.
"Yui wants to be better friends with you. I support your relationship. Even though her feelings for you might go beyond friendship, I trust that you won't respond the same way, though" Akira said with a small smile.
"Yuigahama-san is normal. It's you who's weird," Yukino muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Okay, I'm weird. I shouldn't imagine these stories in my head," Akira said, glancing straight ahead.
"You… I asked Kanae Takahashi for her opinion on the story you told me last time. She said Director Tamura is very familiar with that kind of story and it could easily be handed to a second studio for animation," Yukino whispered, after some hesitation.
"Oh! Do you like stories like that?" Akira asked with a teasing smile.
"I just think the story itself is interesting," Yukino said, glancing at him, agitated.
Akira smiled but said nothing more.
.....
They arrived at a large game arcade.
The place was filled with retro games and claw machines.
Akira had brought Yukino here because these machines contained her favorite dolls/plushie. Whether it was a panda or a cute cat, every toy caught the attention of the second young lady, Yukino Yukinoshita.
Their driver, who had left at lunchtime to deliver groceries to the apartment, was waiting outside. Yukino exchanged a hundred game coins for a hundred number of tries.
The arcade staff were not surprised by her confidence and told her that if she didn't win, she could still choose three dolls to take home.
Akira noticed the guaranteed mechanism in the games and gave her tips that could increase her chances.
She experimented it.
During the first ten tries, she only managed to win one doll. The staff watched curiously but eventually left, confident she was just practicing.
Akira gave her a subtle look, signaling that it was time to take things seriously.
After receiving the signal, Yukino turn serious.
In ten more tries, she caught five dolls, gradually adapting the technique Akira had pointed out.
Next, it was time to clean up.
Within two hours, Yukino had collected nearly every machine's prize she cared for, even some she hadn't initially wanted.
Akira called the staff, explaining they could exchange extras for smaller prizes and return unwanted dolls to the machines.
The store manager, seeing the large pile of dolls, smiled politely, allowing her to choose whatever she liked.
Yukino selected thirty dolls, all related to cats.
The staff packed them into boxes and helped move them to the car.
Yukino had made an impressive haul, though the manager knew well that such scenes attracted more players, adding to the arcade's popularity.
.....
After leaving the game hall,
Yukino sat in the back seat with a radiant smile. These dolls would perfectly decorate her room.
In the past, she might have worried that her sister would laugh at her collection, but now, if she said it was a date gift, there would be no objections.
"Are you happy, Yukino?" Akira asked.
"Today's date was really nice," Yukino replied, glancing at him gently.
If it weren't for Akira's tips and guidance, she wouldn't have caught so many dolls. With his help, the day had been smooth, enjoyable, and much more fun than she had anticipated.
"Next, let's go to the cinema, then to the supermarket near my house to buy ingredients, and finally cook dinner together," Akira said softly, hugging her gently.
"Okay," Yukino said, blushing slightly as she nodded.
...
Being prepared for a date was essential. Akira had chosen the cinema carefully.
Today's movie was a delicate story of young love.
Nothing confusing or exaggerated; every scene highlighted the subtleties of affection.
The heroine's thoughts when embraced by the hero were shown in glimpses, without ever explicitly saying "I love you." Instead, the phrase "I like you" appeared, which, for high school students, carried the same emotional weight as a confession.
Even before the two kissed, both the heroine and hero were visibly nervous.
Couples around them, however, were direct and obvious, which made Akira glance at them briefly before turning to Yukino.
Feeling his gaze, Yukino's cheeks tinged with red. Her heart beat faster, and she didn't know where to place her hands.
Akira moved slowly closer. Yukino could feel his breathing, his hand gently holding hers as if to calm her.
"Princess, is this okay?" he asked softly, so close that her voice caught in her throat.
Yukino was flustered, her thoughts a whirlwind. Finally, she hummed softly in acknowledgment.
Akira kissed her cheek lightly. Yukino's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Seeing her expression, he stepped back and smiled knowingly.
"Yukino, I'm not someone who pushes for more. This is enough," he said.
Hearing this, Yukino's face turned bright red, and she looked away, still holding his hand. Yet there was one thing Akira hadn't said…
.....
The movie ended, and when Akira and Yukino left, it was already past four in the afternoon.
Before leaving, Yukino asked the driver to wait outside, bringing her newly acquired dolls with her. They walked to the station, took the train, and arrived at a nearby supermarket.
Yukino selected ingredients for dinner while Akira handled payment. Carrying the bags, they walked back together.
"Yukino, after we get married, I'm afraid we won't have much time to shop together," Akira said casually.
"I won't be working all the time… and I haven't decided to marry you yet!" Yukino's face flamed red halfway through her words.
"I think you will marry me sooner or later. I have confidence in that," Akira said, smiling gently.
"....And what about Yuigahama-san?" Yukino asked hesitantly, immediately regretting it.
"Yui has already found a solution," Akira said seriously.
"You… what did you say?" Yukino's expression shifted to disbelief.
"She proposed an idea, and I think it's feasible," he replied calmly.
"What… what method?" Yukino asked, eyes wide, still unable to guess.
Akira leaned close, whispering into her ear.
Yukino was stunned, feeling both surprised and conflicted.
It was feasible, yet for Yui, it required convincing her family and waiting a long time.
"Yukino, there's a way to compensate Yui, if you agree," Akira whispered.
"What method?" Yukino asked, her voice full of confusion.
"Yui's cooking skills have already been recognized by you. We could hire her as a maid or housekeeper. In this way…"
"Akira-kun! That's impossible! No matter how good my relationship with Yui is, that can't happen!" Yukino's cheeks flushed.
Akira's expression was strange. He hadn't expected that kind of reaction.
"Yukino… did you misunderstand something?" he asked.
"I… I didn't misunderstand!" she replied, turning her head slightly.
"Yukino, are you thinking that I meant for you to… be with Yui?"
...
If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my:
Patr**on.com/Zero0000683
Discord.gg/fF384utk
...
If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my:
Patr**on.com/Zero0000683
Discord.gg/fF384utk