"I'm the one who set the question," Akira said, looking out the window.
"If Yumiko gets hurt again, she might not look forward to love as much in the future," Ebina Hina said, her tone quietly meaningful.
Akira turned to look at her but didn't respond.
.....
Homework tutoring was over.
Akira and Yuigahama Yui watched as the other girls left the gate of Sobu High School.
After Ebina Hina walked away, she glanced back at Akira and gave him a small, teasing smile.
Akira caught that smile and recalled what she had just said. He understood the implication but had no such intentions...yet.
Still, considering her words, he realized what he needed to do it.
"Akira, did Hina say anything to you?" Yui asked, noticing Ebina Hina's mischievous expression.
"She told me to take you to Sakurasou. When she gets home, she'll send me some information to learn and use them to bully you," Akira said, glancing at Yui as they began walking toward Sakurasou.
Yui froze for a moment, then blushed. Seeing Akira walking ahead, she trotted after him and gently held his arm.
"I… I don't need to go..home today," she murmured, slowly.
"Who said I am going to take you home," Akira replied casually.
Yui's face felt hot at his words.
Could it be that… Akira-kun is—!
.....
An hour later.
Sakurasou, Akira's Room
"I'll cook. You read here. After dinner, I'll give you some questions. If you can't answer them, we'll do another hour of tutoring," Akira instructed Yui and went to the kitchen, without hearing her response.
Yui stayed quiet, beginning to understand what he meant, a little disappointed.
After dinner, Akira handed Yui five questions.
Her performance did not disappoint him—she got three out of five wrong.
"Give me your phone," Akira said, putting down his book.
Yui obediently handed it over. Akira quickly dialed Yuigahama Asuna. Soon, the call connected.
"Aunty Asuna, Yui isn't going home tonight. Her grades are too low, and I'm helping her with studies," Akira said, explaining the situation without waiting for a response.
"Extra lessons? No problem. Akira, Yui's grades are poor. You can tutor her as much as needed. I'm sure she'll be happy," Yuigahama Asuna said, smiling warmly.
Akira glanced at Yui, whose little face showed a mix of grievance and obedience, but she dared not argue.
"Good night, Aunt Asuna," he said.
"Good night, be safe."
He hung up, set the phone aside, picked up a book, and began explaining the problems. Yui listened intently, taking notes.
By the time Akira finished, it was nine o'clock.
"That's all for today. Pajamas are in the small bedroom," he said.
"Mhm," Yui nodded, standing and walking toward the small bedroom to fetch her pajamas, then heading to the bathroom.
As she closed the bathroom door, Akira made another phone call. A few seconds later, Yukinoshita Yukino's voice answered.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing, I just wanted to talk," Akira said softly.
"... Yuigahama-san is at your place?" Yukino asked, hearing faint noises in the background.
"Yui's grades are too poor. I plan to spend extra time tutoring her," Akira explained.
"Yuigahama-san has room for improvement," Yukino said without doubt.
"Her performance is like you, Yukino-chan—lots of room to grow," Akira whispered, teasing.
"Akira, what did you just say?" Yukino asked sharply.
"Nothing. I just said Yukino-chan is cute."
"Hmph. Don't think I didn't hear that. If you can't get Yuigahama-san to pass, you'll be stuck tutoring her during summer vacation."
"Yukino-chan, human abilities are limited," Akira said calmly.
"If you complete my task, I'll agree to a reasonable request of yours."
"I accept your mission," Akira said confidently.
Yukino chuckled softly.
...
An hour later, Yui emerged from the bathroom and found Akira had already tidied the coffee table.
As for Akira himself, he had returned to his bedroom.
Yui approached his room and opened the door.
Akira was focused on drawing Non Non Biyori. He looked up when he heard the door open.
"Good night, Akira-kun," Yui said softly.
"Come here," Akira said, putting down his painting tools.
Yui hesitated for a moment, then happily walked toward him.
Akira pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. Yui's face turned red as she lowered her head.
"This is a reward for your obedience. If you make progress, I'll give you more rewards," Akira whispered.
"Mhm," Yui murmured, her face burning.
After hugging for more than ten minutes, Akira let her go.
"Go get some rest."
"You too, Akira-kun," Yui said, smiling as she left his room.
She gently patted her hot cheeks, knowing Akira likely had strange thoughts but restrained himself. She understood it wasn't because he was a perfect gentleman, but because his work wasn't done—and Yukinon was involved too.
Blushing, she returned to her own room.
...
The next morning, Akira prepared breakfast and woke Yui up.
She yawned, got dressed, washed up, and came to the dining table. They ate together, packed up, and went downstairs.
On the first floor, Shizuka Hiratsuka appeared.
Akira looked at her, surprised. As his eyes widen a little.
"What are you staring at? Is it so strange that I got up early?" Hiratsuka-sensei asked, a little annoyed.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, what changed your heart to make this happen?" Akira asked seriously.
"It's nothing to do with you. But I have a question: I'm a teacher living downstairs, and you live with a girl in front of me?" Hiratsuka-sensei asked, her tone slightly unfriendly.
"I'm here to help her with homework, not live with her. If you don't believe me, you can tutor Yui yourself," Akira said without hesitation.
"Is that so? I'll believe you for now. If her grades improve, I'll pretend I don't know about this living arrangement. If they don't—and yours aren't great either—I'll teach you both a lesson during summer vacation," she said, smirking.
"I'll work hard for our summer trip," Akira said, though he was unsure about Yui's performance.
...
Physical education at Sobu High School was mostly determined by luck and the PE teacher's availability.
Like last week's rain, which canceled PE class, there were also times when other teachers substituted for the PE teacher.
Today, however…
Akira looked at Hiratsuka-sensei.
"The PE teacher is on leave today, so I will take his place. You will run two laps first, then I'll arrange your groups," she said calmly.
Everyone froze.
Usually, the PE teacher asked them to warm up first and then form free teams for tennis.
Run two laps first?
"Any problems? Don't want to participate? You can just stand until class ends. I allow you to skip if you wish," Hiratsuka-sensei said, looking at the students.
The students scattered immediately, realizing the intensity of two laps. Hiratsuka-sensei nodded in satisfaction, then smiled at Akira.
Akira felt a bad premonition.
Two laps wasn't far, but for most of the students, it would already be exhausting.
After, when the two laps were completed—
Hiratsuka-sensei began arranging the groups, and soon it was Akira's turn.
...
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