"This… isn't...this a good thing?" Yuigahama Yui asked, her voice soft, a little stunned.
Akira shook his head gently and held Yui's warm hand in his own.
"I want to work hard and be recognized," he said quietly.
"I think this is an opportunity you can't miss, Akira-kun...I don't fully understand it, but I know that Yukinon's family is very powerful," Yui said in her gentle, reassuring tone.
"Yui, this… this would mean...," Akira said, his voice steady but didn't complete the sentence.
Yui lifted her head and smiled, a mixture of determination and trust shining in her eyes. "I may feel a little lost...but I know that Akira-kun will never leave my side."
"...you're not stupid at all," Akira said as a smile appear on his face.
"I'd rather be a little fool and pretend I know nothing. Akira-kun is too honest to hide anything from me," Yui pouted lightly, a playful glint in her eyes.
Hearing this, Akira pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I don't want to hide anything from you, sorry. I'd feel bad if I lied. Yui, I promise I'll find a solution so that both of you can be happy."
"Akira-kun, you are saying some terrible things...but I would believe in you," Yui said softly, hugging Akira and burying her little head into his chest.
After a few minutes of silence, she suddenly had an idea. Ever since…
Yui raised her head and whispered something into Akira's ear. His eyes widened slightly.
After thinking for a moment, Akira realized that the solution she suggested could actually work—it seemed feasible, in a certain sense.
Later, Akira walked Yui home. Upon returning to Sakurasou, he found Hiratsuka-sensei sleeping in the yard. Several empty beer cans were scattered around, evidence of a long night of drinking.
"Hiratsuka-sensei?" Akira called as he approached her.
She didn't react at all, sleeping soundly despite his voice.
Akira sighed softly. With no other choice, he carefully carried her back to her room. As before, he simply covered her with a quilt.
After closing Hiratsuka-sensei's door, he cleaned up the empty cans and went upstairs.
Once in his room, he soaked in the bathtub for half an hour, letting the warm water ease his tension.
Afterward, he didn't immediately go to bed but continued drawing at his desk. He worked until sleepiness finally overcame him, at which point he walked to his bed and fell asleep.
The next morning, Akira wake-up feeling unusually refreshed.
He took the opportunity to test his memory enhancement ability—nothing had changed.
After washing up, he prepared breakfast, ate, and changed into his school uniform. Commuter bag in hand, he went downstairs.
Hiratsuka-sensei was still resting in her room, evidently too hungover to wake.
Akira opened the front door to Sakurasou and immediately noticed a luxury car parked nearby.
The person inside stepped out of the car as soon as they saw him.
A middle-aged man approached, bowing politely. "Good morning. I am the butler of the Hiratsuka family."
Akira looked at him calmly. "Is something wrong?"
"Miss Hiratsuka has reached the age of marriage, yet she hasn't found a suitable partner. Despite the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family trying to introduce someone to her, the master remains very worried about Miss Hiratsuka's marri—" the man explained.
"You want me to convince Hiratsuka-sensei to marry?" Akira interrupted him calmly.
The butler nodded politely. "Yes, we hoped you might persuade her."
Akira shook his head slowly.
"Sorry, you may have mistaken me. I have no ability to convince her, nor do I intend to. Marriage is her choice, not something others can decide. I trust Hiratsuka-sensei's judgment, and I hope she can find someone she truly loves."
The butler was taken aback, standing there silently as Akira turned and started walking toward Sobu High School.
As Akira walked away, the man sighed and began to leave.
"Uncle Tamura, good morning," a voice called.
The middle-aged man looked back to see Hiratsuka Shizuka opening her door, wearing a casual windbreaker.
"Miss Hiratsuka…" the butler began.
"Don't bother with him. Go back and tell my father that I've made up my mind. I will leave Sobu High School when Yukino graduates. I will travel, find someone I like, and bring him with me," she said firmly.
"I… I understand," Uncle Tamura replied, clearly surprised.
He realized that yesterday's confrontation with her father had prompted this decision.
"I may never return home, Uncle. Please take care of him," Hiratsuka-sensei said, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and sadness.
"Miss Hiratsuka, your father only wants what's best for you…"
"I know. You don't need to explain anything," she said, shaking her head.
Seeing this, the butler bowed silently and walked back to his car.
Hiratsuka Shizuka watched the car leave before turning her gaze toward Sobu High School.
Yesterday, she had returned home with red wine given by Yukinoshita Haruno, only to face her father's rigid rules.
He had refused to be kind and told her not to return if she didn't marry. She had argued with him again, only relenting after invoking her mother's last wish.
It was this incident that had led her to spend the entire afternoon drinking in the yard.
.....
Flash Animation Production Company,
The latest issue of Future Weekly Comics had just gone on sale. Kanae Takahashi had eagerly purchased dozens of copies that morning and brought them into the studio.
Most of the animators had grown up reading Future's manga, and it had become a small ritual to check each new issue together.
Kanae entered the third studio, distributing copies to the team. As they flipped open the magazines, their eyes were immediately caught by an extra comic series—Non Non Biyori.
Even the cover art alone drew attention.
Once they started reading, their surprise deepened—
The art style was exquisite, delicate to a degree rarely seen in weekly serialization. It carried a leisurely rhythm, refined and almost too beautiful for the fast-paced, high-energy tone that defined most weekly comics.
The characters were instantly charming:
Renge's innocence and cuteness captured hearts, while the dynamic between Hotaru and Komari gave the feeling that their sisterly roles had been reversed. The taciturn older brother, the dozing teacher, the endlessly curious transfer student—all added depth to the small rural setting.
The story was simple, yet captivating. Scenes of cherry blossoms drifting through quiet villages stirred nostalgia in some, wanderlust in others, and admiration in many.
Even seasoned animators found themselves smiling as they read.
Kanae herself felt a growing excitement for Akira's potential. Her mind was already leaping toward future projects, possibilities, and the kind of stories they could bring to life.
Her cheeks flushed at the thought, and she quickly shook her head.
It was a good thing Akira wasn't there—he might have teased her if he saw.
.....
Sobu High School,
Class had started, but Akira's eyes lingered on the cherry blossoms outside the window.
He appeared to be inattentive, yet he absorbed every word the teacher spoke—a benefit of his memory enhancement ability.
He had already been informed by Future Comics about the release of Non Non Biyori. Nanako Tamura even planned to deliver a copy personally to Sobu High School, though Akira politely declined. But she insisted, claiming it was part of her duty as editor and wanting to ensure the artist's well-being.
After class, Akira received the message from Nanako that she had reached outside the school gates. The timing worked perfectly.
He stood, changed shoes in front of the shoe cabinet, and walked to the school gate.
"Akira-sensei!" Nanako called, waving excitedly.
The security guard eyed his uniform suspiciously.
"She came to deliver something to me," Akira explained briefly.
The guard nodded, stepping aside without further question.
"Here are five copies of Future Weekly Comics," Nanako said, retrieving brand-new magazines from her commuter bag.
"Thank you for your effort, Editor Tamura. Here's the payment for the five magazines," Akira said, handing over the money.
"Akira-sensei is too polite! Call me Nanako. By the way, can I visit Sobu High School sometime? Lunch break or after school is fine," she added with a cheerful smile.
...
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