"I'm going to call Yukino. Hisako, make me some black tea and bring it to my room in ten minutes," Erina said firmly.
"Yes, Miss Erina." Hisako Arato smiled faintly.
Finally, she could help Miss Erina.
Erina Nakiri returned to her room, found Yukinoshita Yukino's contact information, and dialed her number.
Not long after, Yukinoshita Yukino's calm voice answered.
"Nakiri, good evening."
"Good evening, Yukinoshita-san," Erina greeted, though she felt slightly at a loss for words.
"You're calling me about him, right? If that's the case, I can help you find a way to spend time alone with him," Yukino said, her tone measured but perceptive.
"I...I want to go on a summer trip with your group and get to know him better," Erina admitted bravely.
Yukino paused for a few seconds. "Did you try asking Akira Fujimiya directly and get rejected?"
"....yes," Erina whispered.
"...It seems you don't understand why you failed. The reason I won over you is that I fully accepted everyone around him. You're too proud, and you approach him as if you need him...If you think love can be won by cooking alone, you're mistaken — Love isn't that simple!" Yukino explained seriously.
"Then… what should I do?" Erina asked hurriedly, her voice tinged with urgency.
She genuinely wanted to use cooking as a way to win Akira's heart—this was her strongest weapon — As the saying goes to first win a person's heart, first win over their stomach!
"If you want someone to like you, you must first genuinely like the other person," Yukino advised.
"You mean...I should like him first?" Erina asked, stunned.
"Given your current state, I can't fully explain the complexities of love to you. Wait until the summer trip—when you actually join us and observe his behavior toward each girl—you will understand. I must warn you, however, it will be very easy for 'him' to win your heart during this trip. Once you participate, you may end up liking him sincerely, just as we do," Yukino said firmly.
"I….I have no choice," Erina murmured, gazing out the window.
"I understand. I'll let you know when we set off," Yukino added, leaving it at that.
"Thank you, Yukinoshita-san," Erina said sincerely, her tone filled with gratitude.
....
At Sakurasou,
After Akira had finished his call with Erina Nakiri, he continued watching the movie with Nishimiya Shouko.
The difference this time was that he didn't hug her; he simply sat beside her.
Instead, Shouko held Akira's arm and glanced at him from time to time.
Akira's phone, lying on the coffee table, rang again.
He picked it up, and upon seeing the caller — Yukinoshita Yukino.
Akira answered calmly.
"...I promised Erina that she could join the summer trip," Yukino said directly.
"Yukino, are you testing me by letting Erina Nakiri participate? You know very well I can't stand that kind of challenge," Akira said seriously.
"If I don't allow her to go, can you guarantee that you won't take any initiative toward her?" Yukino asked in return.
"I promise I won't take the initiative," Akira replied firmly.
"I don't care what you think. Completing Madoka Magica will take some time. I promised Kanae Takahashi that if it's good enough, I would let you go on a date with her," Yukino stated bluntly.
"Yukino… I am your fiancé, and you're actually agreeing to let me go on a date with another girl?" Akira's tone carried disbelief.
"Ms. Takahashi is important to you, Is she not," Yukino explained calmly.
"No matter how important she is, it still shouldn't be like this, right? Hanada Yui is also important. Am I supposed to date her too?" Akira asked, incredulous.
"You scrounger! My mother told me that you and Miss Hanada had a candlelight dinner and shared a hot spring in the same room," Yukino said, unflinching.
"Ahem. Yukino-chan, if there's something, just tell me," Akira muttered.
"Erina Nakiri is my friend. I hope you can help her. My mother also has high hopes for you, I expect you to respond," Yukino added.
"Yes, Second Miss Yukinoshita," Akira replied.
After a few more words, Akira hung up the phone.
He stared at the computer screen, though his attention wasn't on the movie anymore. He would wait until the movie ended.
Shouko Nishimiya used sign language to ask if she could rest there.
("Go to the bedroom and don't disturb me,") Akira replied in sign language.
Shouko nodded, feeling slightly disappointed.
("Remember, don't disturb me,") Akira repeated.
Shouko paused, looked at him, and finally signed, ("Okay.")
After replying, Akira stood up and left.
Shouko stared blankly. Only when the door closed did she come to her senses.
'Could it be that he wants me to take the initiative and go to his room?' She thought, blushing.
Indeed, Ebina Hina had suggested that when the two were together, Shouko should take the initiative.
But she doesn't have the courage to act on it.
....
Early the next morning, Akira got up, changed his clothes, and left his bedroom.
Shouko was preparing breakfast in the kitchen. Seeing him, she smiled gently.
Akira walked to the bathroom, washed up, and then came to the dining table. Soon, Shouko brought breakfast and began feeding him.
Akira didn't refuse her kindness.
In return, he placed his hand gently on her leg. Shouko's face turned red, but she said nothing.
Once Akira finished eating, Shouko started her own breakfast while he waited quietly.
After breakfast, Shouko washed the dishes, preparing to go out with him.
At the entrance, they changed their shoes. Akira finished first and waited for her.
Once Shouko was done, she looked up at him. Akira opened his arms. Shouko blushed but didn't resist and leaned into his embrace.
He hugged her gently, stroking her soft long hair. He glanced at the time, then looked down at Shouko.
She seemed to sense something and closed her eyes, accepting his kiss.
The kiss lasted several minutes. Akira's hands lingered a little longer than usual.
When he finally looked up, Shouko's face was flushed. She had accepted his unruly hands, yet still felt shy.
"Can you tell me something?" Akira asked softly.
Shouko lifted her head and looked at him. He whispered in her ear.
Her face turned red instantly, not making any movement.
Akira stare at her.
She hesitated, then lowered her head in embarrassment.
Without another word, he opened the door.
Seeing this, Shouko thought he was angry, so she reached out and grabbed the corner of his clothes.
Akira stopped and looked back. Shouko's small hand rested on the edge of her skirt.
"Okay, I believe you," Akira said, holding her hand.
Shouko raised her head, confused.
("I want to see you shy. Do you really think I just want to see that?") he teased, flicking her forehead.
Shouko covered her forehead with her small hands, then used one hand to sign thank you to him.
("I went this far and you actually thanked me? You're such an idiot,") Akira muttered and walked out.
Shouko quickly caught up, walking beside him, he reached out to hold her hand.
("You're so stupid and always so lost. Just hold my hand, understand?") Akira glanced at her.
"Mhm," Shouko nodded with a sweet smile.
.....
At school, two things were important that day.
First, the cafeteria had officially opened, and the cooking department would prepare meals there.
Second, the final exam rankings would be posted on the bulletin board during lunch.
The first was the most pressing.
Student council members were tasked with distributing meal coupons prepared by the cooking department. Every student could use one coupon to pick up a meal during lunch.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,320