Then he stood up.
"Judging from the time you work and your performance in school, you could collapse at any time. And since I can help you, why shouldn't I help you?"
Kawasaki Saki was stunned.
She looked at Akira Fujimiya's departing back.
"Is there really such a kind person…" she muttered under her breath.
While Saki Kawasaki was still processing what had just happened, she saw a young woman (Yukinoshita Haruno) walking out of the restroom and casually linking arms with Akira, pulling him along toward the private room.
Suddenly, Saki's eyes turned cold.
She knew very well that Akira's girlfriend was Yuigahama Yui.
Yet now, he was acting intimately with another woman—
So this was what he meant when he said he'd "give her work"?
Her heart chilled.
"What a scumbag," Kawasaki Saki whispered, her eyes filled with disdain.
...
In the private room,
Akira looked at Yukinoshita Haruno with mild exasperation.
He didn't even need to glance back to know how Kawasaki Saki must be looking at him right now.
Cold. Judging. Perhaps even disgusted.
Fortunately, he also knew that Kawasaki Saki wasn't the type to run her mouth. She wouldn't tell Yuigahama Yui.
At worst, she'd treat him with icy indifference from now on.
He could live with that.
Still, the reason he had offered Saki Kawasaki work wasn't out of nowhere.
First, it was because she was one of the side heroines from the anime he used to like. He couldn't just stand by when he saw her struggling.
Second, Sakurasou genuinely needed someone to handle cleaning and cooking. It wasn't a convenient excuse—he really needed the help.
And third… when the system refreshed the heroine list, Kawasaki Saki had a high chance of appearing.
He had been trying to predict who would be refreshed.
And now, judging from the look she had given him earlier, if Kawasaki Saki's name really did appear next month, her favorability rating for him would probably sink.
If nothing unexpected happened, Akira figured he'd be lucky to get even a consolation prize out of her.
Of course, there was also the risk of getting negative favorability—maybe even nothing at all.
Akira sighed inwardly.
If he had known it would turn out like this, maybe he shouldn't have spoken to Kawasaki Saki at all.
"Mr. Fujimiya, what's wrong?" Yukinoshita Haruno asked knowingly, pouring wine for him as if she had been observing his mood the whole time.
"Because of your behavior just now, I was labeled as a scumbag by a girl," Akira replied lightly.
"Really? Hehe~, Sorry, I didn't mean it," Haruno said with a teasing smile.
"You obviously did it on purpose."
"Okay, fine, Here, I'll drink this glass first as an apology." Haruno raised her wine glass, still smiling.
"... You just want to drink," Akira muttered, picking up another glass.
The two began drinking at the same time.
Haruno tilted her head back, clearly intending to down hers in one gulp.
Akira only took a sip and then slowly drank, his eyes never leaving her.
A few minutes later,
Haruno slammed her empty glass onto the table, her cheeks flushed pink from the alcohol.
Akira frowned slightly when she immediately reached for another bottle, but he didn't stop her.
Clearly, this woman intended to do something.
Before long, she had drained an entire bottle by herself. She swayed unsteadily, then slumped against Akira's shoulder with a little sigh.
"Akira-kun~ who's prettier, me or Yukino?" she asked suddenly, her words slurring.
"Yukino-chan," Akira answered without hesitation.
"If you say what I want to hear, I could make an exception and grant one of your requests. Any request at all. This is my private room, after all. No one would know what happens here. You could rest easy." Her breath was warm, her words laced with hidden implication, her drunk smile not leaving her face.
"Oh, I still think Yukino-chan is prettier," Akira said flatly.
"Akira-kun, you idiot. I won't pay attention to you anymore."
Haruno pouted, stood up, and staggered toward the sofa across from them. Her steps were clumsy, her balance almost gone.
Thump!
She collapsed onto the sofa, apparently out of strength.
....
In the quiet private room, Akira swirled the wine glass in his hand and gazed out the large window at the glittering city night.
Behind him, Yukinoshita Haruno lay sprawled across the sofa, seemingly asleep.
Akira glanced at his phone, checked the time, then dialed a number.
A few seconds later, a familiar voice answered.
"Where are you?" Yukinoshita Yukino's voice rang from the other end.
"In a bar. Your sister got drunk. She's right next to me," Akira replied, glancing back at Haruno.
After a brief moment of silence—
"....I'll pick you up. Send me the location," Yukino said after some hesitation.
"I want to experience what it's like to live in a high-end apartment. Is that okay?" Akira teased in a low voice.
"You… don't go too far," Yukino's voice turned flustered.
"Forget it then. Your sister mentioned the hotel downstairs—"
"If you dare to do anything weird to me, I will never forgive you!" Yukino snapped, lowering her voice even more.
"Remember to bring my commuter bag. I'll send you the address later," Akira said calmly before hanging up.
He sent her the location pin.
Then, finishing the last of his wine, he set the glass down and stood up.
Without a shred of reluctance, he left the private room.
Outside, he caught sight of Kawasaki Saki again.
She shot him another cold glare.
Just as Akira was about to leave, she called out, "Guest, you haven't paid yet."
He stopped, pulled out his wallet, and paid for the drink without complaint.
Only after that did she let him go, silently watching as he disappeared into the elevator.
...
Moments later, the private room door opened again.
Yukinoshita Haruno's female driver entered, bowing slightly.
"Miss, he's gone."
"I understand. Bring me the recorded video and dismantle the camera," Haruno murmured without opening her eyes.
.....
Akira came downstairs,
It was already past nine at night.
He spotted a café across the street, went in, and chose a seat by the window.
About thirty minutes later, a car pulled up outside.
After paying his bill, Akira stepped out and walked over.
The Yukinoshita family driver got out and opened the back door for him.
Inside, Yukinoshita Yukino sat quietly, her cheeks tinged faintly pink.
Akira slid in beside her with a faint smile.
Immediately, Yukino turned her head sharply away, refusing to look at him.
Akira casually took her hand.
"You don't need to take me home tonight. Let's go straight to Yukino's apartment."
The driver blinked, startled.
Yukino's face went crimson, but she didn't protest.
The driver instantly understood her young mistress's silence.
...
By the time they reached Yukino's apartment, it was past ten.
The two got out of the car and entered the building together.
Inside the elevator, Akira kept looking at Yukino.
She clearly felt his gaze but pretended not to notice.
When the elevator doors slid open, Yukino stepped out and unlocked the apartment door.
"I swear, I can't beat you," Akira said, stepping back slightly.
Yukino shot him a glare, slipped off her shoes, and brought him a pair of slippers.
Akira changed into them, watching as she disappeared into the kitchen.
He sat on the sofa, waiting patiently.
A short while later, Yukino returned with a tray of black tea. She poured him a cup, then fetched her laptop.
Akira leaned back on the sofa as she sat on the side couch.
"Are you planning to have tea with me until morning?" Akira asked.
"Tell me the detailed script of Madoka Magica. Every detail. I know you've memorized it," Yukino said, opening her laptop.
"And after that? Will I get a lap pillow?" Akira asked, glancing at her legs.
"As long as you finish what you're saying....I'll give you a lap pillow—but only for an hour," Yukino answered reluctantly.
Akira smirked, picked up his cup, and took a sip of black tea.
Then he began narrating the story of Madoka Magica in full detail.
And Yukino Yukinoshita typed diligently, recording every word.
She typed with remarkable speed, her fingers moving fluidly across the keyboard as she kept pace with Akira Fujimiya's narration.
Akira's voice was steady at first, recounting the details of Puella Magi Madoka Magica with the precision of someone who had replayed the story countless times in his head.
At some point, perhaps out of fatigue, he reclined on the sofa, one arm draped lazily along the armrest.
Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at him from the corner of her eye but said nothing, continuing to record every word.
Her focus was absolute, yet she remained aware of his presence—his calm voice, his sharp yet weary gaze, and the occasional sigh that slipped between his explanations.
...
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