When Erina Nakiri and Hisako Arato changed into their swimsuits and came to the swimming pool, they noticed Akira Fujimiya at once.
He was sitting beside the poolside.
Yuigahama Yui was leaning against Akira's chest, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. Her breathing was steady and soft, as if she had already fallen asleep.
Akira noticed Erina Nakiri approaching. He gently shifted his posture, sat up straighter, and carefully draped his outer shirt over Yuigahama Yui's shoulders to shield her from the breeze.
Only after making sure she was comfortable did he rise and leave her side.
He walked directly toward Erina Nakiri.
His gaze naturally fell on the swimsuit she was wearing.
Most swimsuits followed similar patterns and could broadly be divided into conservative styles and bold ones.
The swimsuit Erina Nakiri wore clearly belonged to the bolder category. It accentuated her figure without reservation, outlining her curves with a confident elegance befitting the Nakiri family's proud young lady.
Standing slightly behind her was Hisako Arato.
"Miss Secretary," Akira said casually, his eyes shifting to Hisako, "your swimsuit is quite special."
"I… I like this kind of swimsuit," Hisako replied softly, her face immediately flushing.
She was wearing a classic one-piece swimsuit commonly seen in anime—modest, neat, and conservative. It suited her reserved personality perfectly.
"Miss secretary is really cute," Akira said with a faint smile.
After that, he turned away from the swimming pool area and walked downstairs without lingering.
Erina Nakiri watched his retreating back, a subtle sense of disappointment stirring in her chest.
He didn't comment on her swimsuit at all?
"Miss Erina?" Hisako Arato asked quietly, sensing something unusual.
"It's nothing," Erina replied, shaking her head slightly before stepping into the swimming pool.
.....
When Ebina Hina noticed Erina Nakiri, she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and walked over.
"Hello, Miss Erina," Ebina greeted her cheerfully.
"Hello," Erina replied, confused "Are you Yukinoshita's friend?"
Erina's gaze lingered briefly on Ebina Hina.
"Yes," Ebina nodded. "My name is Ebina Hina. Yumiko and I often go to Yukinoshita-san's club room for lunch."
"Shouldn't friends call each other by their given names?" Erina asked, puzzled.
Ebina was momentarily stunned.
"Yui calls Yukinoshita-san by her given name directly," Ebina explained patiently. "But we've always called her Yukinoshita-san. And Yukinoshita-san has always called Yui by Yuigahama-san."
"Why?" Erina frowned slightly.
She couldn't quite understand the distinction.
Instead of answering directly, Ebina glanced at Hisako Arato and asked, "Miss Erina, are you and your secretary friends?"
"Of course we are," Erina replied without hesitation.
"Then what does your secretary call you?" Ebina asked gently.
Erina opened her mouth—and instantly understood what Ebina Hina was implying.
"Yui calls Yukinoshita that way because their relationship goes beyond ordinary friendship," Ebina said softly. "Even if Yukinoshita-san gets married in the future, Yui will always stay by Akira-kun's side."
Ebina's gaze drifted toward the sleeping Yuigahama Yui.
"She… can they all really accept something like that?" Erina asked, disbelief creeping into her voice.
"If you can't accept it, then you can leave," Ebina replied calmly. "But here, no one wants to leave the person they love."
"Then… do you like Akira-kun too?" Erina asked, looking directly at her.
Ebina Hina nodded without hesitation.
Erina Nakiri fell silent.
"Miss Erina wants something from Akira-kun, doesn't she?" Ebina suddenly changed the subject.
"How do you know?" Erina's eyes widened slightly.
"In front of Akira-kun, you behave a little too obediently for someone like you," Ebina said thoughtfully. "Apart from liking him, there's only one other reason. Akira-kun can give you something—something that isn't money, but something very important to you."
Erina stared at her blankly.
Upon hearing this, Hisako Arato instinctively turned to look at Erina.
Ebina Hina, meanwhile, maintained her gentle calm smile.
After a long silence, Erina finally spoke.
"I… I like Akira-kun and want to be with him," she said, her eyes shifting away. "It's not because I want to gain anything."
Both Ebina Hina and Hisako Arato could tell she was lying.
But Ebina didn't expose her.
"It's actually very easy to make Akira-kun like you," Ebina said softly. "As long as you take the initiative, he won't refuse. Once you have a relationship with him, he'll help you even if you do nothing."
"You… you mean…" Erina wasn't foolish. She immediately understood the implication.
Ebina leaned closer and whispered something into Erina's ear before stepping away.
Erina's face instantly turned crimson.
Hisako Arato watched her young lady's expression carefully, her mind replaying Ebina's words.
What if it were herself instead?
If she had a relationship with Akira, would he help her too? Would he help Miss Erina?
If possible, she didn't want Miss Erina to be the one to make such a choice.
She would rather take Miss Erina's place and shoulder everything herself—so long as Miss Erina could be happy.
.....
After leaving the swimming pool area, Akira came out onto the deck.
The yacht had already departed shortly after everyone boarded.
Now, they were far away from Chiba.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood quietly at the railing, gazing out at the endless sea ahead.
Akira approached silently from behind and wrapped his arms around her.
"The Magica Madoka project isn't finished yet," Yukinoshita said softly, "but I, as the director, have already started my summer vacation. I feel a little guilty toward the production team who are still working so hard….and Kanae Takahashi as well."
"You're still a student," Akira replied calmly. "When it's time to rest, you should rest properly. In the future, you might have plenty of time to work—but not much time to travel with me."
"At that time," Yukinoshita turned around to face him, "wouldn't it be better if you traveled with them without my interference?"
"Traveling is meaningless without you," Akira said, smiling faintly. "Yukino will always be the most important person to me."
"That's easy for you to say," Yukinoshita muttered. "After we get married, you'll definitely take them out while I will be working anyway."
"The solution is simple," Akira interrupted. "After we get married and have more children, I won't have time to travel. What do you think?"
Yukinoshita's face turned bright red instantly. She turned her head away.
Akira lifted her chin and kissed her gently.
His lips gently nip her's, as he softly kiss her.
A few minutes later, he pulled back and scooped her up in his arms.
"It's still daytime…" Yukinoshita whispered in a low voice.
"I'm just taking you back to change into your swimsuit," Akira said with a grin. "What were you thinking?"
"You…" Yukinoshita clenched her fist and lightly punched his chest.
"Since you're looking forward to it so much, I'll meet your expectations," Akira said as he carried her toward the cabin.
....
Before they reached Yukinoshita Yukino's room, they noticed Hiratsuka Shizuka, who was returning to her own room with several cans of beer in her arms.
Akira didn't stop walking.
Hiratsuka Shizuka froze on the spot as she spotted them.
Yukinoshita also stiffened when she saw her.
Their eyes met.
Both of their faces turned red at the same time.
Akira, however, showed no embarrassment and continued walking forward.
Hiratsuka Shizuka silently stepped aside and turned her head away.
Yukinoshita buried her face in Akira's chest, too embarrassed to look up.
After passing by, Akira paused and looked back.
"Don't drink too much," he said casually. "The glass pool is upstairs. You should go there too. I'm just taking Yukino back to her room. That kind of thing usually happens at night."
"Y-You don't have to explain to me!," Hiratsuka Shizuka exclaimed, her heart pounding at the subtle change in his tone.
Yukinoshita clenched her fists. His last sentence made her even more flustered.
How was she supposed to face Hiratsuka-sensei after hearing something like that?
.....
Akira sent Yukinoshita back to her room but was promptly pushed out by her.
He wasn't surprised.
He returned to his own room, changed into his swimming trunks, and waited in the corridor.
Not long after, Yukinoshita Yukino emerged.
She was wearing a white swimsuit, elegant and pure.
"Yukino," Akira teased, "after some time, I'll have to call you Miss Succubus."
Yukinoshita glared at him but said nothing and walked ahead.
Akira followed behind her.
When they passed by Hiratsuka Shizuka's room, Yukinoshita slowed her pace.
When—
The door opened.
Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped out, now wearing her swimsuit.
It was conservative, but her figure was no less striking than Yuigahama Yui's.
"I… I was a little worried about Shouko," Hiratsuka explained softly.
"Not bad," Akira commented. "Very beautiful."
"Th-thank you," Hiratsuka replied, blushing.
Yukinoshita glanced at Akira, then turned to Hiratsuka.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, let's go."
"Ah… yes."
The three of them headed toward the swimming pool.
Nishimiya Shouko noticed Hiratsuka Shizuka and smiled brightly at her.
The first thing Yukinoshita Yukino saw was Yuigahama Yui, still sleeping peacefully.
After a moment of thought, she lay down beside her.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,532