Even with the support of several girls, Hayato Hayama was still no match for Akira.
Akira suppressed him effortlessly, finally letting the tennis ball hit Hayato's arm.
"Ouch!"
Hayato covered his arm in pain.
"Hayama-kun!"
Several girls ran over, concern on their faces.
"I'm fine," Hayato forced a smile.
"You really went too far. Hayama just joined the tennis club. How could you treat him like this?" A girl with light makeup glared at Akira.
"This is the tennis club's business," Akira said lightly.
"You…"
"Don't blame Fujimiya, it's my fault," Hayato interrupted the girl.
Then he walked forward and bowed to Akira.
"Fujimiya, I'm sorry. I'm too weak."
"Hayama, I allowed you to join the tennis club because you were willing to follow me. If these girls come here every day and disturb practice, I'll have to take action," Akira said, tapping Hayato's head with his tennis racket.
"I understand," Hayato replied, his expression serious, as if he dared not refuse.
"Either go ahead and chase them away, or leave," Akira added, walking toward the chair next to him.
Only then did Hayato straighten up. He approached the group of girls.
"Can you please leave?"
"Hayama-kun…" Several girls looked incredulous.
"....I already have someone I like....You don't stand a chance," Hayato said after a brief pause.
"Let's go!"
The girls' expressions darkened immediately.
As they left, they glanced at Akira, especially the girl with light makeup, who clenched her fists, as if she wanted to hit him.
Akira didn't care at all.
His eyes were fixed on the flaxen-haired girl who remained behind.
She, too, was looking at him.
Their eyes met, and she walked toward him.
Hikigaya Hachiman, noticing Isshiki Iroha approaching, stood to leave.
"Senpai, long time no see," Isshiki Iroha blocked Hachiman's way.
"Sorry, I don't know you," Hachiman said, walking past her without hesitation.
Iroha blinked, surprised by Hachiman's attitude.
Totsuka Saika gave her an apologetic smile and went onto the court.
Akira withdrew his gaze.
Hayato walked over, glanced at Iroha beside him, and bent down toward Akira.
"I'm sorry, Akira. I took advantage of you."
"I don't care what they think of me. You don't need to worry."
Akira watched as the two began practicing on the court.
"Thank you," Hayato said.
While, he knew Akira didn't care, but he still felt gratitude.
"Hayama Senpai, who's this Senpai?" Iroha couldn't help asking.
"This is Akira Fujimiya. He transferred to Sobu High recently," Hayato said simply.
"Hello, Akira Senpai~," Iroha said with a sweet smile.
"You remind me of an animal," Akira suddenly remarked, glancing at Iroha again.
"...What animal?" she asked, sitting next to him.
"A fox."
"Why a fox?" Iroha asked curiously.
"To be precise, a little fox," Akira added.
"Senpai, do you mean I'm cunning? You say things like this to a girl you just met to get her attention?" Iroha smiled.
"I have a girlfriend," Akira shook his head.
"Is your girlfriend very beautiful?" Iroha asked.
"Which one are you talking about?" Akira replied.
"Eh! Senpai, how many girlfriends do you have?" Iroha asked, surprised.
Akira didn't answer and continued to watch the practice.
Iroha stared closely, without blinking—
Stare———
If an ordinary boy were in his place, he would likely blush. But Akira remained calm.
His calmness only increased her curiosity.
Suddenly, Akira turned his head.
At such close proximity, the distance between them was less than a hand's length.
Iroha's face instantly turned red. She lowered her head, cheeks flushed.
Being stared at so closely was embarrassing even for her.
"Senpai, you have a girlfriend, and you still look at me like this…"
"I thought you wouldn't be shy. Seems you're just a little fox after all," Akira said calmly.
"Senpai, have you ever encountered...someone like me" she started. She was curious because the way he said it, it feel like he was thinking about someone else.
"I have. If it were her just now, she wouldn't be shy. She'd approach me directly because she'd know I wouldn't kiss her," Akira replied.
"...Isn't she beautiful?" Iroha asked doubtfully.
"Very beautiful," Akira said, looking ahead.
"Then why are you unwilling, Senpai?" Iroha asked, confused.
"Think for yourself. You'll understand next time you see me," Akira said, standing up and walking off the tennis court.
Only then did Iroha notice a very beautiful woman standing outside, seemingly waiting for Akira.
As he approached, she immediately put her arm around him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Is this… the person Akira Senpai was talking about?" Iroha realized instantly.
On the bench,
Hayato has seen everything, his expression darkened.
That woman was Yukinoshita Haruno.
{T/N: Poor guy, suffer}
...
In front of Sobu High's gate,
Yukinoshita Haruno released Akira's arm and opened the car door for him.
The female driver looked shocked.
Akira, however, remained calm as he sat down.
"Let's go to Sakurasou," Haruno instructed the driver.
"...Yes," the driver replied, it took sometime to composed herself, and drove toward Sakurasou.
Meanwhile, Haruno leaned close to Akira and whispered,
"I'm sorry, Akira, I kissed you without permission just now."
"It's fine. Next time, you can do it openly in front of Yukino," Akira whispered back.
Haruno smiled, reassured that Akira was not angry.
Her intention had been simple: let Hayato see and give up completely.
Akira had naturally guessed this, and in turn, he used Haruno's plan to his advantage.
Haruno didn't even notice Iroha's presence.
....
In front of Sakurasou,
"I'm not going back tonight. You can go. I want to stay at Hiratsuka-sensei's place," Haruno said to the driver.
"Yes," the female driver said, glancing at Akira before starting the car.
Haruno watched the car leave and looked at Akira beside her.
"My mother knows about the investment, but she doesn't know where the 50 billion yen came from. She asked the driver to pay extra attention to me."
"Your mother trusts you, not me," Akira said calmly, while he was thinking about Madam Yukinoshita's Intention.
"Akira, what is my reward?" Haruno asked, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation.
"....The reward is a secret about Madam Yukinoshita," Akira replied after a pause.
"Oh?" Haruno's curiosity was piqued.
"Let's find a quiet place and talk slowly," Akira said, walking into Sakurasou.
Haruno followed, choosing not to ask further questions.
They walked into the yard together.
"Sensei, I'm here again," Haruno greeted Hiratsuka Shizuka, as soon as she spotted Shizuka.
"What are you doing here?" Shizuka looked at them, in confusion and warily.
"Akira invited me to dinner, so I came to see you and have a drink tonight~" Haruno said with a smile.
"I've quit drinking," Shizuka said lightly.
"Quit drinking? Sensei, could it be that you…" Haruno's face showed surprise.
"It's not what you think," Shizuka frowned, clenching her fist.
"That's good," Haruno said, glancing at Akira.
Then she turned to the four girls present, smiling.
"I'm Yukino's sister. You're all Akira's friends, right?"
"...Y-yes!," Miura Yumiko said nervously upon realizing Haruno's identity.
...
If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my:
Patr**on.com/Zero0000683
Discord:- NmKxzWGEPf
.....
Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 50 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 100 powerstone