The two of them arrived at the restaurant, the sunlight streaming through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden tables.
Akira Fujimiya glanced around and noticed Hiratsuka Shizuka and Nishimiya Shouko quietly enjoying their seafood.
Their expressions were calm, yet there was a subtle brightness in their eyes, a reflection of their contentment. They like it so much that they didn't even noticed them.
There is also Aria Shichijō nearby, still wearing a maid outfit—playing the role of a maid.
Aria Shichijō, feeling a gaze on her turn, noticing Akira and offered a bright, welcoming smile.
The sight brought a faint smile to Akira's lips.
A maid approached Aria Shichijō, carrying a steaming bowl of instant noodles.
Aria's eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly picked up her chopsticks. The maid stood silently beside her, expressionless, observing quietly as Aria dug in.
"The maids here are so pitiful," Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't help but say, shaking her head in disbelief.
Akira glanced at Hiratsuka Shizuka hearing what she said but did not respond.
The truth was, Aria Shichijō, accustomed to gourmet food, simply wanted to experience something ordinary for a change. For her, eating instant noodles wasn't just sustenance—it was freshness, a glimpse into a world outside her usual luxurious experiences.
Akira and Kawasaki Saki took their seat beside Hiratsuka Shizuka's table.
A maid approach them, brought the menu, and they began to select their lunch.
Akira ordered fried dumplings and buckwheat noodles, while Keika chose sushi and a slice of fresh watermelon.
The quiet clatter of utensils and soft murmur of voices filled the restaurant as they waited for their meals to arrive.
Akira glanced at Nishimiya Shouko sitting beside him. She offered a gentle smile in return, her hands resting neatly on the table. Using sign language, Akira asked.
Shouko's face flushed a little, but she did not refuse him.
Carefully, she peeled the shrimp for Akira, feeding him piece by piece. Akira accepted each piece without hesitation, savoring the gentle attentiveness behind her actions.
Hiratsuka Shizuka noticed the quiet intimacy between them and chose to look away, giving them privacy.
Kawasaki Saki, however, understood their relationship perfectly and smiled knowingly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
Once lunch concluded,
Hiratsuka Shizuka excused herself, intending to returned to her room. Nishimiya Shouko was about to leave as well, intending to read quietly in her room, but Akira gently took her hand, stopping her.
"Akira-kun, I'm leaving first," Kawasaki Saki said as she rose from her seat.
"Saki, I'll accompany you tomorrow," Akira replied, reaching out and holding her hand.
Saki's face lit up with joy, her eyes shining as she nodded in agreement.
Akira leaned slightly, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand before releasing it, Saki smile happily and left the restaurant.
Aria Shichijō quietly approached and took a seat opposite Akira.
"Akira Funimiya, can we talk?" she asked softly, her voice almost blending with the hum of the restaurant.
The restaurant was calm, the sounds of distant conversation fading into the background.
Akira held Nishimiya Shouko's hand gently while Aria Shichijō had a glass of cold drink in front of her.
Shouko offered Aria a warm, reassuring smile, which the girl returned in kind using sign language.
"How's the instant noodles?" Akira asked, his tone casual.
"They're good," Aria said with a small smile. "My doctor said I should only eat them once every six months at most, but I brought three servings with me to the island this time."
"Listen to your doctor more often," Akira replied, his gaze gentle.
"Not entirely. The doctor isn't completely right," she said, her eyes shifting toward his hand.
"Do you want to hold hands?" Akira offered, extending his other hand.
Aria Shichijō froze briefly, her eyes wide with surprise, then smiled and placed her hand in his.
Akira lifted her hand and lightly kissed the back, feeling a warmth spread through both of them.
"I feel like Akira Fujimiya is my prince," she whispered softly.
"Did you see the future in your dream?" Akira asked, meeting her gaze.
"My ability isn't that convenient… maybe something was missing," she admitted, shaking her head.
"Was my help missing?" he asked softly, his eyes searching hers.
"How do you plan to help me?" she asked curiously, her brows furrowed slightly.
"I'll help you before you leave this island. Then you'll understand," he said, keeping his expression calm yet reassuring.
"A surprise?" she asked, eyes twinkling with anticipation.
"Yes."
"I like surprises. When the time comes, I'll agree to whatever you say," she said, smiling faintly.
"Why do you trust me so much?" he asked, intrigued.
"To trust someone is like liking someone—you don't need a reason," she said quietly, her tone sincere.
"I see..." Akira said, raising an eyebrow slightly.
Aria Shichijō smiled softly, bring her face near.
Akira didn't speak as he lifted her chin gently and leaned in slightly. Aria Shichijō closed her eyes, her breaths mingling faintly with his.
Nishimiya Shouko, sitting beside them, blushed and looked away—not from jealousy, but pure shyness as she tightened her hold over his hand.
The maid, standing nearby, remained expressionless, but her sharp eyes followed every movement, silently observing.
If he kisses her, their attitude towards him will change too.
The tension between Akira and Aria Shichijō was palpable,
But—
Even at such a close distance, Akira did not move further.
He did not kiss her.
Aria Shichijō opened her eyes and met his gaze.
"For you I might be quite troublesome…right?...You won't like me that easily," she whispered, her voice tinged with self-awareness.
"If I had kissed you, I'd have to take responsibility," he said gently, loosening his hand slightly and creating a small distance between them.
"If you had kissed me just now, I would have given you this entire island," she teased, tossing her hair back.
"Really? Do I still have a chance?" Akira asked, his eyes lingering on her lips.
"You'll have a chance before leaving the island. You can come to me anytime, whether it is day time or night—it doesn't matter," she replied, smiling softly.
"I understand. If I have the chance, I'll bother you at night," he said, nodding, a faint grin on his lips.
Aria Shichijō smiled back, standing gracefully.
"Talking to you like this makes me feel much happier. I won't disturb your date with her." she said before leaving the restaurant.
"Walk slowly and rest well,"
Akira watched her go, then turned to Nishimiya Shouko.
("You want to read a book, right?") he asked in sign language with his other free hand.
Shouko nodded, her ears — slightly red.
("Let's go to the study, pick out some books, and then read slowly in my room,") he suggested.
Shouko's blush deepened at his words, but she nodded obediently, following him.
.....
Half an hour later, in Akira's room, Nishimiya Shouko sat quietly in front of him, a book open in her hands.
She had expected Akira to play a trick on her, perhaps forcing her to read 'bad' books.
But—unexpectedly, he had genuinely help her selected a few books from the study.
They were titles she had never encountered before, all of which captured her full attention.
Akira quietly observed her from the side.
Shouko loved reading, and when engrossed, she keep her whole focus on reading not minding her surrounding. When looking at her so engrossed in reading, most people don't have the heart to disturb her.
Yet, Akira found it impossible to resist the urge to be closer.
Wanting her focus to be one him!
He leaned forward and hugged her gently, one hand wandering slightly.
She came to her senses instantly and her face flushed, crimson as she felt his hand over her...
"I have a date with Yui this afternoon," he murmured in her ear, his voice low, clear and teasing. "But we've been reading for so long that I might be late. Shouldn't you do something, Shouko?"
Shouko turned her head slightly, biting her lip.
Slowly, she hugged him in return,ignoring his hand that doesn't know restraint.
Then, with an air of quiet determination, she leaned forward and kissed him.
Akira responded immediately, his hands didn't stop its exploration, giving into the moment fully.
Suddenly,
CREEEAK!
The sound of a door opening interrupted them.
Akira open his eyes, glanced toward the doorway to find—
Hiratsuka-sensei standing there, frozen, her face flushed after seeing the scene.
After a few seconds, she quietly closed the door, leaving them in peace.
Shouko hadn't noticed her at all, her lips pressing against his.
Akira knew Hiratsuka-sensei had come to check on Shouko, worried about her well-being, so — he let her to continue worrying.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,500