It was impossible for a pianist in an ordinary bar like this to reach that level.
So… there was only one possibility—Yukinoshita Haruno.
Akira walked forward and soon saw Haruno seated before the piano, her fingers flowing effortlessly across the keys.
Her expression was calm and elegant, her faint smile captivating as the melody danced through the room. The guests around her sat quietly, absorbed by the performance.
For a brief moment, Akira had the illusion that he'd wandered into a concert hall.
"Fujimiya-sama, here's your drink."
Hanada Yui, the manager, noticed Akira's presence and approached respectfully, offering a glass of wine.
"Thanks," Akira replied, taking it and walking toward Haruno.
Yukinoshita Haruno's eyes caught him, and she smiled—a different smile than usual, one softer, yet tinged with something unreadable.
Akira stood silently beside her, sipping his drink as the piano piece reached its end.
A round of warm applause filled the bar. Haruno rose gracefully, bowed to the audience, and turned to Hanada Yui.
"Serve everyone a glass of wine, on the house."
"Yes, Miss Yukinoshita." Hanada Yui immediately moved to carry out the order.
Haruno's gaze shifted back to Akira.
"So, Akira-kun, did you come here to chat with me? Or did you finally come to regret turning me down before?"
"I'm here to practice the piano," Akira said evenly.
"Really now?" Haruno sighed dramatically. "You could at least say something flattering once in a while."
"I made this drink especially for you," Akira said, handing her the glass.
"Akira-kun is really…"
Before she could finish, he smiled faintly.
"It seems you're not as bold as I thought."
As he reached to take the glass back, Haruno suddenly caught his hand, leaning closer and bringing her lips to the rim of his drink.
She took a slow sip, her eyes fixed on his.
Akira didn't react, only watching her quietly.
"If you want this cup, I can let you take it home as a keepsake," she said teasingly, finishing the wine and releasing his hand.
"I'm not in the habit of collecting cups," Akira said, setting it down.
"Come with me," Haruno said softly, "Let's talk somewhere quieter."
She turned and walked toward a private room. Akira followed, passing the glass to Hanada Yui as he went.
Inside, the world outside faded instantly.
Haruno moved to a small shelf, retrieving a bottle of red wine. With practiced elegance, she poured two glasses and sat opposite Akira.
"You're not planning to get drunk again tonight, are you?" Akira asked, his tone casual.
"That depends on whether you'll get drunk with me," Haruno replied, smiling mischievously.
"No. I need to get back later—I still have manga to draw," Akira said, shaking his head.
"Such a rare chance, and you're turning it down?" she teased. "That's not like you."
"Your father's position at the Metropolitan Police Department isn't exactly low," Akira reminded her. "If someone found out, it wouldn't look good for either of us."
Haruno leaned back slightly, her smile turning wistful.
"As long as no one knows, it's as if nothing happened. Only here can I feel free—like the real Yukinoshita Haruno."
She stood, walked around the table, and sat beside him.
The soft scent of her perfume brushed against him as she linked her arm through his.
Akira sighed quietly, then raised his glass and clinked it with hers.
Haruno's lips curved in delight. This time, she didn't gulp down the drink, only took a light sip and watched him.
"Akira-kun, can you do me a favor?"
"That depends on what it is."
"I want to take control of the Yukinoshita family."
"Isn't that just a matter of time?" Akira asked calmly.
"Not that kind of control." Her eyes darkened slightly. "The condition for me to inherit the Yukinoshita family may be to marry some young heir I've never met. Do you understand what that means?"
"What do you expect me to do to help you?" he asked.
Haruno didn't answer immediately. She swirled the wine in her glass, smiling faintly.
Then, she looked up and said, "Someone who has the power to change the Yukinoshita family has taken an interest in your work, Akira-kun."
.....
When Akira left the bar, the sky was already dark.
Haruno's driver was waiting to take him home. As the car rolled through the quiet streets, Akira stared out the window, lost in thought.
He still didn't know who Haruno had been referring to.
She hadn't said which of his works had caught the mysterious person's attention—only that he should focus on doing what he was doing, and she would arrange a meeting when the time came.
Akira couldn't guess who could possibly influence a family as powerful as the Yukinoshitas.
Still, he accepted her offer. In return for her support, he would continue drawing and producing his animation projects.
Everything else, Haruno would handle.
Thinking about it logically, the mysterious figure probably liked manga or anime—meaning they were most likely a young woman from a high-ranking family.
A young lady who could change the Yukinoshita family's fate…
It was hard to imagine.
.....
When Akira returned to Sakurasou, the yard looked cleaner than usual. Even the empty beer cans had vanished.
He glanced toward the house next door and immediately understood—it was Kawasaki Saki's doing.
A small smile formed on his face.
Just as he was about to go upstairs, a quiet voice came from behind him.
"I prepared your dinner."
Akira turned around. "Thanks, I was just getting hungry."
"Please come in," Saki said softly, stepping aside.
"Have you eaten already?" he asked as he walked in.
"Yes. Keika and I had dinner with Hiratsuka-sensei. You just need to heat yours up. I'm… not great at cooking, but I tried to make some simple home dishes. If you want something fancier, I can take the time to learn—"
"No need," Akira interrupted gently. "I like your cooking. It feels warm—like you actually care."
Saki blinked, caught off guard, then frowned slightly.
"Even if you say that, I'm not going to like you. I know exactly how terrible you are."
"I was just complimenting you, not trying to win you over," Akira replied, amused.
She didn't answer, only handed him a pair of slippers. Akira changed into them and followed her into the living room.
There, Kawasaki Keika sat quietly reading a picture book. When she noticed Akira, she smiled brightly.
"Good evening, Akira onii-chan"
"Evening, Keika."
A few minutes later, Saki came out from the kitchen. "It's almost bedtime, Keika."
"Okay. Good night, sis. Good night, Akira onii-chan."
The little girl waved and disappeared into her room.
Saki waited until the door closed before sitting across from Akira.
"How's your mother? Feeling better?" he asked.
"She's much better, thank you."
"That's good. If you ever need money, just tell me. You're working for me, so you'll pay off your debt eventually."
"...And if I can't finish paying it back?" she asked quietly.
"Then take your time."
Saki looked up, her eyes searching his.
Then, suddenly, she asked, "You… haven't done that kind of thing with Yukinoshita-san or Yuigahama-san, right?"
Akira blinked. "What?"
She took out her phone, scrolled through something, and handed it to him.
On the screen was a questionable post from some shady site listing prices for "private companionship." It looked like it could be taken down any moment.
"I saw this when I was working at a bar," she explained quietly.
"A customer once showed it to me and asked if I wanted to make more money. I told my manager, and I never saw him again. If… if you need me to repay you, we can calculate it according to this price. I just want to return the money quickly. I've… I've never been in a relationship before."
Akira looked at her in disbelief.
"Saki… what are you thinking? If your mother or Keika found out, what would they say about this kind of repayment?"
"..I just don't want to be a burden anymore," she said softly. "I don't want you to keep taking care of me."
"Being taken care of isn't a bad thing," Akira said firmly. "But if you're thinking of repaying me this way, then our relationship—"
"Don't worry. I won't cling to you." Saki cut him off quickly. "I won't date anyone before I graduate college, so you don't have to worry about me misunderstanding."
"...."
Akira was silent for a long moment, then met her eyes.
"Saki, I may have two girlfriends, but I'm serious about them. I can't accept what you said—unless you truly like me… or I truly like you."
To be honest, Saki was beautiful. Most men wouldn't refuse her if she made such an offer.
But Akira wasn't like most men.
He already had Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui in his life. And their is also Yumiko.
That alone was complicated enough.
If Saki joined the picture, what would happen?
He could already imagine it—
Hiratsuka-sensei would beat him senseless.
Yui might try to accept it, but she'd be very hurt.
And Yukino… she would never, ever forgive him.
...
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