When leaving the park,
Shizuka Hiratsuka had recovered from both her exhausted state and bad mood. A little atleast.
The two returned to Sakurasou.
In the yard, Saki Kawasaki, dressed in a professional suit, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that both of them seemed fine.
"Saki Kawasaki, I want to have a good chat with you when I come back in the evening," Shizuka Hiratsuka said.
"I understand, Teacher Hiratsuka," Saki Kawasaki replied calmly.
She glanced at Akira Fujimiya and walked out the door.
Akira watched her leave, then went to Kawasaki Keika's side and began teaching her how to draw.
Kawasaki Keika studied very seriously, paying careful attention to each stroke.
Akira spent an hour teaching her before heading upstairs to work.
After he left, Kawasaki Keika continued drawing animals based on what he had shown her.
Shizuka Hiratsuka wanted to relax with a glass of wine, but seeing the well-behaved Kyoka, she decided to return to her room, grab a bottle of Coke, bring a new manga, and sit opposite the little girl.
.....
In the blink of an eye, it was night.
Akira was preparing the dinner, making a portion for Saki Kawasaki as well.
At the Kawasaki house, the three of them sat at the dining table: Shizuka Hiratsuka, Kawasaki Keika, and Akira.
The little girl sat between the two adults, quietly observing them without speaking.
After dinner, Akira cleaned up the dishes, not lingering too long.
While, Shizuka Hiratsuka stayed at the Kawasaki house, watching TV with Keika.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, did you hit Akira nii-san?" Kawasaki Keika suddenly asked.
"...No," Shizuka Hiratsuka said, thinking about the afternoon's events and shaking her head.
"Hiratsuka-sensei obviously cares about Akira nii-san, so why is she always unfriendly to him?" Keika asked, tilting her head.
"Who told you that I care about him?" Shizuka Hiratsuka was taken aback.
"My nee-san said that Hiratsuka-sensei is like the guardian of Sakurasou and cares a lot about Akira nii-san. Akira nii-san also respects Hiratsuka-sensei very much and treats you like a older sister," Keika replied.
"You're still young; you'll understand this things later," Hiratsuka Shizuka said gently, patting Keika's head.
Keika hesitated for a moment, then ran to her schoolbag and retrieved her sketchbook.
Shizuka Hiratsuka looked at her curiously, wondering what she intended to show.
"This is what I imagined," Keika said, opening the sketchbook.
"Let me see," Shizuka Hiratsuka said, leaning forward.
Keika turned to the page depicting her sister, Saki, holding Akira's hand.
Shizuka Hiratsuka paused, stunned, but remained silent.
"Although Akira niisan has a girlfriend, I still hope my sister and Akira nii-san can be together," Keika said softly.
"Why?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked, puzzled.
"My sister has become happy. She used to be tired and unhappy every day. Now, her work is easier, she sleeps well, and she smiles more," Keika explained.
"He has a girlfriend; your sister can't be with him…"
"I asked her, and she didn't deny it," Keika said.
"That…" Shizuka Hiratsuka didn't know how to respond.
Just then, the door opened.
They both looked up at the same time.
Saki Kawasaki had returned.
Shizuka Hiratsuka stood and approached her.
"After dinner, come to my room," she instructed.
"Sensei, thank you for your help," Saki Kawasaki said, bowing politely.
Shizuka Hiratsuka nodded silently, changed her shoes, and left the Kawasaki house.
"Sister, Akira nee-san prepared dinner for you," Keika said cheerfully.
"I understand. I'll go change my clothes," Saki Kawasaki replied, smiling gently.
.....
After changing, Saki Kawasaki had the dinner slowly (she feels that todays dinner was good as she felt warmth) and then went to Shizuka Hiratsuka's room.
"Please sit down," Hiratsuka Shizuka said, her expression complicated.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, I know what you want to say. The answer I gave you then was wrong," Saki Kawasaki said, standing instead of sitting.
"He said I didn't understand feelings. Were you the same as me back then?" Shizuka Hiratsuka sighed.
"I am grateful that Hiratsuka-sensei cares about us. But I owe him too much and can't repay him, so I want to be his assistant and stay by his side," Saki Kawasaki said, lowering her head.
She knew it was a strict choice, but she had no regrets.
It was Akira who had saved her and her family. If she can repay his kindness by staying with him even forever, she would do it without hesitation.
No matter how he treated her, she would not refuse him.
Whether as an assistant, a secretary, or… she was willing to accept it.
"Maybe I was wrong," Shizuka Hiratsuka said after a brief silence.
"You weren't wrong, Sensei," Saki Kawasaki quickly said.
"No, I was wrong. I've never experienced love, but I tried to dissuade you from pursuing it. Even though I thought about you, I lacked the experience to fully consider your feelings," Hiratsuka Shizuka admitted, gazing at the cup of hot tea before her.
"Sensei, you are a good teacher," Kawasaki Saki said seriously.
Hiratsuka Shizuka looked up and recalled what Akira had said.
"He seemed to give me two choices, but he already knew the outcome," she thought aloud.
"What choice?" Saki Kawasaki asked, confused.
"It's nothing. Saki, I can't say your choice is completely correct, but I can't deny it either. If you ever regret it, you can always come to me," Hiratsuka Shizuka said gently, avoiding the mention of Akira's choices.
"I won't regret it," Saki Kawasaki replied firmly.
Seeing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka knew it was useless to persuade her further.
.....
Next Morning,
When Akira went downstairs to prepare for his morning run, where he saw Shizuka Hiratsuka waiting for him.
Neither spoke as they left Sakurasou.
After running to the park, Akira, though not tired, did not return immediately.
"...Did you predicted Saki Kawasaki's answer yesterday afternoon?" Shizuka Hiratsuka asked.
"Yes," Akira nodded.
"Fujimiya, does love really makes peopl—"
"This isn't a question I can answer," Akira interrupted.
"Now, I'm not your teacher; you can answer me," Hiratsuka Shizuka glared at him.
"... You are too far from understanding the word 'love'," Akira said after a pause.
Hiratsuka Shizuka clenched her fists but did not deny it.
What he said was partially correct.
She resisted so-called love, which explained why she had remained single until now.
She didn't understand—couldn't comprehend—love, because she didn't want to.
"Please don't tell me, that I'll have to teach you, I might get caught tomorrow," Akira teased.
"I have no such idea! I'm not interested in a lousy guy like you," Shizuka Hiratsuka said, turning her head.
"If I had been born ten years earlier, maybe I would have had the courage," Akira said suddenly, his word gentle but it carried his hidden desire.
"Hmph. Even ten years ago, I wouldn't have had feelings for a lousy guy like you," Shizuka Hiratsuka snorted.
Akira glanced at her back calmly.
Akira can't see it but there was a faint blush on her cheek.
.....
On the way to Sobu High School,
Saki Kawasaki walked beside Akira.
Unlike before, Saki Kawasaki was in a delicate mood, a mix of shyness and joy.
Since Yukino and Yui were absent, she could walk closer to Akira.
Just as she was thinking this, her hand was suddenly held by him, disturbing her thought from going further.
Saki Kawasaki looked up at Akira.
"Yukino let me stay with you because you are useful and trustworthy," he said.
"I can choose to treat you as an assistant without feelings, or give you a reason to stay with me."
"I chose the latter. I want you to stay by my side forever. Work for me… with me…" Akira didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Saki Kawasaki's face turned red, understanding what he meant.
"Are you doing this to repay a favor or because you like me? Think it through and give me the answer," Akira said, kissing her hand lightly before letting go.
Further ahead, students from Sobu High School appeared.
Saki Kawasaki did not answer immediately. She had not yet decided—was it gratitude or love?
She felt confused.
If she fell in love with Akira out of gratitude, would that count as true love?
(T/N: Yes)
...
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