Akira looked at Saki Kawasaki's expression and didn't say anything.
In his heart, it didn't matter what the reason was—liking someone was liking someone, simple as that.
.....
Arriving at the gate of Sobu High School, Akira noticed the Yukinoshita family's car from a distance.
Saki Kawasaki beside him also saw it, took a few quick steps, and distanced herself from Akira.
Akira watched her leave and then walked toward the car.
At the same time, Yukinoshita Yukino stepped out of the car.
"Good morning, Yukino," Akira greeted with a smile.
"Hiratsuka-sensei told me everything," Yukino said lightly.
"Good morning, Second Miss Yukinoshita," Akira bowed slightly upon hearing this.
"I didn't tell Yuigahama-san," Yukino continued.
"Any conditions?" Akira asked, raising his head to meet her gaze.
"I won't use this as a reason to make you do anything for me," Yukino said, shaking her head.
Akira was momentarily stunned.
Then he understood.
Yukino had deliberately avoided asking for anything.
A clever move—if he felt guilty, he would act to compensate, whether for her or for Yuigahama Yui.
"Yukino, who taught you this?" Akira asked.
This didn't feel like her own idea.
"Hiratsuka-sensei," Yukino replied calmly.
"A counterattack against me?" Akira reacted immediately.
"What counterattack?" Yukino asked, genuinely confused.
"It's nothing. I underestimated Sensei too much," Akira said, shaking his head.
He had thought Hiratsuka-sensei didn't understand feeling. But now she had trained Yukino to employ such a trick—a perfect counterattack.
Not asking for anything and letting him feel guilty—this would have a far greater effect than a direct request.
Next time a similar situation arose, Akira would once again recall Yukino's words, and the weight of guilt would grow even heavier.
He drew in a deep breath of cold air.
Hiratsuka-sensei, I seriously underestimated you.
As a faint smile appear in his face.
.....
Akira changed his shoes in front of the shoe cabinet and headed to the classroom.
Yumiko Miura saw him and smiled.
Akira nodded in greeting and took his seat.
As soon as he sat down, Yuigahama Yui approached him, carrying a lunch box.
This is what he had asked her last night, a bento from her family.
"Good morning, Akira-kun," she said with a smile, placing the lunch box on the table.
"Good morning, Yui," Akira said, glancing at the lunch box and about to set it aside.
"I made today's lunch myself!" Yui said, placing her hands behind her back and giggling.
"Yui, is this a punishment?" Akira's hand froze as it reached for the lunch box.
"Akira, that's so mean! Even my mom said this lunch is good," Yui pouted.
"Really? Sigh..that is a relieved," Akira said, smiling faintly.
Seeing this, Yui looked a bit resentful.
She knew her cooking skills weren't perfect, but seeing Akira's reaction, she felt almost as if she had caused some psychological harm.
"I read cook-books and even asked Yukino for advice, but Akira still thinks my cooking is bad. It's too much," Yui murmured with a sullen look.
"Sorry, it's my fault. How about this—you make dinner tonight. I'll eat whatever you make," Akira said, holding her hand after seeing that his teasing has made her sad.
"Really?" Yui's eyes lit up.
"Let me see your effort," Akira said gently.
"Leave it to me! When the time comes, you'll be surprised. I'm no longer the little fool who can't cook," Yui said confidently.
"I know, Yui is now a big fool," Akira teased, glancing at her.
Yui's cheeks turned red.
Feeling Akira's gaze, she felt both happy and shy.
Suddenly, she remembered something and whispered a question in his ear.
Akira looked at her with a slightly puzzled expression. How could his little fool ask something like that?
Yui lowered her head in embarrassment, realizing how awkward her question sounded.
"I like them all. They each have their own merits," Akira answered thoughtfully.
(T/N: Yes, it is what you are thinking)
Yui didn't ask anything further.
Instead, she change the subject and talked about last week's exam and the upcoming announcement of the monthly rankings at noon.
Akira felt a little twinge of regret.
He could have gotten Yukino to agree to one of his conditions, but because of what happened with Saki, he didn't dare mention the bet between them.
.....
Morning classes passed quickly.
During lunch break, Akira walked toward the bulletin board in the corridor.
Before he reached it, he overheard students discussing the rankings.
"The first place isn't Yukinoshita-san anymore."
"Who is this Akira Fujimiya?"
"I heard he's a transfer student, but his grades are amazing."
Akira glanced at the board. He was first, with Yukinoshita Yukino in second place.
This result didn't surprise him. With his enhanced memory, it would be unusual if he didn't surpass Yukino.
He turned and left, taking his lunch box with him.
Not far along, his cell phone vibrated.
...
Akira arrived at the Service Club.
Yui and the others were already there.
"I didn't expect you could really surpass me. Tell me, what are the conditions?" Yukino asked.
"If I make a mistake in the future, can you forgive me once?" Akira asked after a moment's thought.
"That depends on what you did," Yukino said, glancing at Saki Kawasaki as if to hint something.
"I thought… any conditions were acceptable," Akira said awkwardly, sitting between Yukino and Yui.
The seat seemed reserved for him.
"Fine. As long as you agree to marry me, I will forgive you once," Yukino said lightly.
The Service Club fell silent instantly.
Yui blinked in surprise.
She hadn't expected Yukino to say that.
Yumiko Miura lowered her head, unwilling to argue.
Saki Kawasaki's expression remained calm.
In her heart, Yukino and Akira seemed like a good match.
Ebina Hina pushed up her glasses and smiled knowingly.
This statement was totally uncharacteristic of Yukino, yet extremely effective.
"No problem, I agree," Akira said immediately, surprised at both her and his own boldness.
Yukino blinked, confused at how quickly he had agreed. She expected hesitation, perhaps even an attempt to escape.
She opened her mouth to criticize him but found she couldn't.
"Yukino, from now on, if I'm wrong, you have to forgive me once," Akira said, holding her hand and smiling.
Yukino felt the gaze of Yui and the others, blushing and lowering her head.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, come in," Akira said suddenly.
Yukino froze.
How did Akira know Teacher Hiratsuka was just outside?
Everyone looked toward the door.
Shizuka Hiratsuka, who was outside listening to the conversation, was startled and about to leave.
When—
Ring-Ring-Ring!
The phone rang.
She saw the caller ID and knew she couldn't escape.
Shizuka Hiratsuka hung up, opened the door, and stepped into the Service Club.
Yukino glanced at her with guilty in her eyes and looked away.
"Ahem, I came to see Yukino for something," Hiratsuka said, coughing to hide her embarrassment.
"Sensei, if you have a problem, you can tell me. I'm not just the vice president of the Service Club—I'm also her boyfriend," Akira said, looking at her.
"That…" Hiratsuka couldn't come up with an excuse.
"It's about a previous task, something you asked me to do," Yukino explained.
"Really?" Akira asked with a smile, as he stare.
"Yes," Yukino replied, avoiding his gaze.
Akira let go of her hand and, in front of everyone, gently kissed Yukino on the cheek.
...
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