Yunoshita Yukino knew very well that once Yuigahama Yui fell asleep, she would not wake up easily.
She glanced at the girl beside her, who was breathing softly, her expression peaceful.
After confirming that Yui was truly asleep, Yukinoshita settled into the spot next to her.
Akira Fujimiya walked over and stopped beside them.
"Yukino, you took my seat," Akira said lightly.
Hearing this, Yukinoshita Yukino slowly turned her head and looked at him with an expressionless face.
Akira met her gaze for two seconds, then smiled awkwardly.
"I'll leave, I'll leave," he said, raising both hands slightly before retreating tactfully.
He stepped into the swimming pool but did not go to the seats near them. Instead, he moved toward a quieter corner.
Almost imperceptibly, several of the girls let out a sigh of relief.
If Akira had come over and casually opened his arms again, it would have made them unbearably shy.
Nagano Setsuna watched Akira quietly from the side — Compared to the wealthy young masters she had imagined before, Akira felt completely different.
At first, she had thought this summer trip would be filled with extravagance, indulgence, and unnecessary tension.
But now, it seemed that this summer vacation was truly just a simple journey for a group of boys and girls.
The reason they liked Akira was probably not because of wealth or status, but because of his personality.
{T/N: I called BS}
"Setsuna," Akira's voice sounded from the pool.
Nagano Setsuna snapped back to her senses and quickly looked over.
"Akira-sama, would you like some cola?" she asked reflexively.
"I suddenly feel like playing chess," Akira said. "Go ask the maids on the ship if they have chess or shogi. Bring a few board games as well."
"Yes, I'll go right away," Setsuna replied and quickly left the swimming pool area.
Akira leaned back slightly and looked up at the sky.
Then he let his body sink completely into the swimming pool.
Underwater, the world became quiet.
All the noise above the surface disappeared, leaving only a muffled stillness.
Two minutes later, Akira rose from the water and stood up.
Even though his physical condition was far better than that of an ordinary person, he still couldn't hold his breath like a trained athlete.
At most, he could endure a little longer than average.
When he climbed out of the pool, Erina Nakiri walked over.
Akira looked at her—and at Hisako Arato, who was following closely behind her as usual.
The secretary never strayed far from her young lady.
"Is something the matter?" Akira asked calmly.
"I want to play chess with you," Erina said directly.
"Okay," Akira replied without hesitation. "If I win, you'll have to prepare lunch for me and Yukino. If I lose, I'll go somewhere else with you. Is that right?"
"Alright," Erina nodded firmly.
Akira glanced at Hisako and smiled.
"Miss secretary, if your young lady wins, you're not allowed to follow us."
"I wouldn't" Hisako said, her face faintly red but her voice steady.
A few minutes later, Nagano Setsuna returned.
She was holding a chess set, a shogi board, and several unopened boxes of other board games.
Many of the girls immediately showed interest in the board games.
Akira sat down across from Erina Nakiri.
It was obvious that the young lady was not unfamiliar with chess.
However, Akira was even more familiar with it.
There was no suspense.
Less than ten minutes later, Erina Nakiri lost.
Next came shogi.
While arranging the pieces, Akira spoke again.
"I've changed my mind. If you lose to me again in shogi, your secretary will accompany me for a walk. You'll go to the kitchen and prepare lunch for me and Yukino."
"You!" Erina stared at him coldly, but before she could say anything—
"I agree," Hisako said suddenly.
"Hisako…" Erina turned to look at her, her expression strange.
"I believe in Miss Erina's ability," Hisako said with a gentle smile.
"…Alright," Erina said seriously.
Akira glanced at Hisako and felt that she was lying.
The evidence was clear: after Erina withdrew her gaze, Hisako's expression subtly changed.
It was obvious that she actually wanted to go for a walk with Akira—or perhaps say something to him.
Erina Nakiri did not disappoint her.
Less than ten minutes later, she stared at the shogi board, gripping a piece tightly as she searched desperately for a turning point.
"Stop looking," Akira said calmly. "You've already lost."
"One more… just one more round," Erina said, lifting her head to look at him.
"It's almost lunchtime," Akira replied as he stood up. "Miss Secretary, come with me for a walk."
"Miss Erina, I…I'll be leaving first," Hisako said politely before following Akira.
Erina Nakiri watched the two of them walk away, before staring at the shogi board with clear unwillingness in her eyes.
.....
Akira and Hisako went downstairs and headed toward the indoor entertainment room.
Inside were several arcade machines, along with other game consoles.
"Do you know how to play?" Akira asked.
"Yes," Hisako replied.
They stood on opposite sides of an arcade machine and selected their characters.
As soon as the match began, Hisako demonstrated impressive skill.
A long chain of combos quickly reduced Akira's character to half health.
Akira's counterattack was decisive.
He directly cornered Hisako's character and controlled it to defeat.
Hisako stared at the screen in surprise.
"You played well," Akira said, stepping closer, "but you didn't think about follow-up skills. Life is the same, I always think about what comes next."
He looked into her eyes.
"For example, I didn't kissed you last time, like you expected. This time, I think you should take the initiative."
"I…" Hisako hesitated.
She remembered what Ebina Hina had said.
When facing Akira, be more proactive.
If possible, establish a relationship with him.
Seeing the hesitation on her face, Akira did not urge her.
After a long moment, Hisako slowly leaned closer and stood on tiptoe.
Akira closed his eyes, giving her time.
She kissed him, clumsily but earnestly, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Akira gently returned the kiss and hugged her.
At the same time, his hand moved instinctively.
Hisako felt it and subconsciously pushed him away, her face flushed red!
Akira stepped back but did not look angry.
Instead, he smiled.
"Let's go play a racing game, now."
"…Okay," Hisako replied softly, lowering her head.
She actually regretted pushing him away, but seeing that Akira wasn't upset made her feel relieved.
They moved to a racing game console and began a speed race.
Before lunchtime arrived, Akira escorted Hisako back to her room.
At the door—
"Thank you, Akira-sama," Hisako bowed deeply.
"For what?" Akira asked, pretending not to understand.
"I've always been busy with Miss Erina's affairs," Hisako said quietly. "I rarely get the chance to shop or play games. But today… I had a lot of fun."
"If you like it," Akira said gently, "I'll accompany you to play games again when we reach the island."
"…Is that really okay?" Hisako looked up at him.
"Of course," Akira replied. "After all, our relationship isn't that simple anymore."
He stepped forward and kissed her again, this time he was the one who did it.
Hisako closed her eyes as she felt his lips over her's. Not knowing that someone was watching them!
.....
At the other end of the corridor, Erina Nakiri witnessed the scene in disbelief.
She quickly hid herself before they could noticed her.
Akira ended the kiss and walked in Erina's direction.
Hisako closed the door behind her, her emotions mixed.
She wanted to help Erina establish a relationship with Akira, but at the same time, she felt guilty—like she was taking advantage of him.
At the corner, Akira stopped in front of Erina.
Erina opened her mouth, wanting to ask something, but couldn't.
She was afraid of hearing an answer she didn't want.
"I don't have feelings for her," Akira said quietly. "I think you can guess why she listens to me."
"…Because of me?" Erina reacted instantly.
"Yes," Akira replied. "Because of you."
He continued calmly.
"When she sent me off earlier, she made me an offer in the karaoke room near the station. She said that as long as I agreed to marry you, she would agree to anything."
Erina's body trembled.
"You… did you treat Hisako…"
"I refused," Akira said.
"Why?" Erina asked almost instinctively.
"Because of you," Akira replied. "If I want your heart, I can't do anything to her. She's your friend—your only friend. She feels the same and all she wants is for you to be happy."
"....."
Erina Nakiri fell silent.
After a long time, she raised her head and looked directly into Akira's eyes.
He didn't avoid her gaze.
"If that's true… thank you," Erina said softly. "I don't want Hisako to get hurt because of me. I'll take responsibility for my own affairs."
"As expected of Miss Erina," Akira praised sincerely.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,532