"You guys just read your books and ignore her. And Haruno-san please stop bullying them," Akira said.
"Akira-kun, I wasn't bullying them. I was just talking to them," Yukinoshita Haruno said, her tone carried a hint of grievance, as she sensing that Akira didn't want her to speak further.
Akira ignored her and walked straight toward the motorcycle parked in the yard.
Seeing this, Haruno could only put away her grievances and follow him.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, who had been observing them, was slightly surprised by the change in Haruno's expression. At the same time, a thread of worry ran through her thoughts.
Could Haruno…
In the Yard,
Akira pushed the motorcycle out, and Haruno toom her seat behind him.
Soon, the sound of the motorcycle driving away faded into the distance.
.....
Half an hour later,
At a modest hotel restaurant,
Akira and Haruno sat across from each other in silence, eating dinner.
The hotel wasn't luxurious and It had no connection to the Yukinoshita family.
If they had dined at a Yukinoshita family establishment, Haruno would have certainly received a call from Mrs. Yukinoshita by now.
After finishing their meals, Akira looked out the window, watching the sun set. As the waiter brought over the drinks they had ordered.
"Akira, can you tell me now?" Haruno asked softly, her eyes scanning the empty restaurant.
"There's another reason for Hanada Yui's resignation," Akira said in response to her question.
"What does this have to do with my mother?" Haruno asked, slightly confused.
"How many times does Madam Yukinoshita changed her assistants or secretaries?" Akira asked.
"Probably more than six a year," Haruno recalled.
"Where did the replaced assistants go? What kind of lives are they leading now? Do you know?" Akira's voice dropped lower, almost a whisper.
"I… I don't know," Haruno admitted, taken aback by this.
Without deliberate investigation, such matters remained hidden. Her mother's former assistants and secretaries were usually assigned to branches or elevated positions.
"When you return, investigate carefully. With your intelligence, I'm confident you'll discover the truth," Akira said deliberately, word by word, without explaining much.
"Why don't you just tell me directly~?" Haruno asked, puzzled, as she playfully asked.
"This secret requires evidence, and you are the only one who can collect it. Take my words as a hypothesis. In the end, whatever conclusion you reach has nothing to do with me," Akira said, shaking his head.
"I understand. I'll investigate first and discuss it with you after I uncover the truth," Haruno decided, still skeptical but trusting Akira's guidance.
"By then, you probably won't speak to me unless I hold a very important position in your heart," Akira said, lifting his drink.
"You are indeed very important in my heart," Haruno replied with a gentle smile.
Hearing this,
Akira reached out and held Haruno's soft hand.
She made no effort to pull away.
Haruno glanced toward the elevator. "Should we stay at the hotel tonight or return home?"
"If we stay at a hotel, Hiratsuka-sensei might send me to the hospital tomorrow," Akira replied, though he had no intention of letting go of her hand.
"Is this enough? You can propose anything, you know~" Haruno said meaningfully, with her usual smile.
"..That's enough. I don't want to upset anyone or trouble you," Akira said, releasing her hand.
"I'm not trouble at all. Akira, you are the first person I've ever truly loved," Haruno said, grabbing his hand again, tightly.
"Are you sure?" Akira asked, meeting her gaze.
Haruno looked straight into his eyes with sincerity, no trace of deception.
Akira studied her expression, as if attempting to read her thoughts.
Her eyes are beautiful....
Time seemed to stretch without them noticing—
Finally, he averted his eyes, as he looked out the window.
"It's still not too late to go to the beach."
"Then let's go. I want to watch the stars and the sea with you," Haruno said, finally letting go of his hand.
The two walked out together,
Akira paid the bill and left the restaurant.
As they exited, he slowly reach out and held her hand, feeling his touched a smile appeared on Haruno's face.
Is this real or fake, Akira thought as he secretly glance at her.
.....
By the seaside,
Akira and Haruno sat on a rock, silently watching the sunset,
"It's time to go back," Akira reminded her after sometime.
"The eldest daughter of my mother's family is the only heir," Haruno suddenly said, without looking at his way.
"...Do you want to introduce her to me?" Akira asked, calmly.
"She has a...good impression of you," Haruno replied slowly.
Akira fell silent, gazing at the waves.
Haruno watched him quietly, neither speaking.
After a long pause, a gentle sea breeze blew over them.
"I hope that ten years from now, we can still watch the stars and the scenery on this beach, just like we do now," Akira said, calmly.
"I don't want to stand too high, because that would make me lonely. And I don't want to deceive a girl's feelings for wealth, whether it's the Yukinoshita family or the young lady you mentioned," he added firmly.
Haruno heard his words and leaned on Akira's shoulder, as she said slowly, "If that is what you really want then, I hope next time....three of us can come together."
"You, me, and Yukino?" Akira asked, as he wrapped his hand around her, gently.
Haruno nodded slightly, as she leaned against him.
"You know what I mean," she said, shaking her head.
"...I can't quite imagine it," Akira replied, glancing at her in his arms.
"You dare to hug me like this but can't even imagine it? Do you think I'd believe that?" Haruno teased playfully, stretching out her arms to hug him tighter.
"I am an honest person," Akira replied, embracing her.
Haruno looked up at him and smiling mischievous. "You are indeed an honest man."
"This is an unavoidable situation," Akira said, releasing her gently, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"What will Yukino and your girlfriend do when faced with this situation?" Haruno whispered softly.
"...Yukino hasn't fully accept me as hers (even if she did that) yet, so I don't want to hurt her...As for Yui, I first hope to earn her family's approval," Akira said after a pause.
"... Your weird sense of responsibility again?"
"I simply believe that the journey is more important than the final result," Akira explained, calmly.
"Well~ I think the result matters more~ the journey can come later. " Haruno countered.
"Which is why, there is no results between us."
"... It will happen..sooner or later. I will make sure Akira stay with me~," she said with determination, smiling brightly as she point at him playfully.
"That's impossible. I like Yukino more," Akira replied.
.....
On the way back,
Akira rode the motorcycle while Haruno hugged him tightly.
When they arrived at the gate of Sakurasou, Haruno finally released him.
Akira parked the motorcycle and noticed that Hiratsuka Shizuka was waiting nearby.
"Shizuka~, are you waiting for me~?" Haruno asked with a smile.
"I thought you wouldn't come back tonight," Shizuka said, ignoring Haruno and looking at Akira instead.
"Sensei, Please don't misunderstand, If I have not come home today— I would have been in Yukino's apartment" Akira said clamly, as he parked the motorcycle.
"Oh? Really now?" Shizuka asked, glancing between them.
"Actually, I wanted to stay at the hotel, but he refused, so we came back," Haruno explained, smiling.
"Good evening, Akira," a voice suddenly called out.
Akira looked to see Yukinoshita Yukino approaching, with Yui following behind. Haruno was slightly surprised by her appearance, as she glanced at Akira.
"Have they gone back?" Akira asked, seemingly expecting her.
"I asked the driver to take them to the station," Yukino replied, her face calm but he could see that she is a little annoyed, as she place a hand near her nose.
"...Do I smell like her perfume?" Akira asked, understanding why she seem annoyed.
"...It's faint, but I can detect it," Yukino said, removing her hand from her nose and slowly leaning into Akira's arms.
"Then why are you still leaning on me?" Akira asked.
"I want to cover the scent of her perfume," Yukino said, hugging him tightly.
Haruno's expression shifted slightly.
If it were the old Yukino, she might have slapped Akira. What did he do to make her so tolerant?
Yuigahama Yui blinked, glancing at Yukino. Though she didn't fully understand, she sensed there had to be a reason for this unusual behavior.
Unnoticed by both Haruno and Yui, Yukino's foot aere stepping on Akira's as she hugged him.
...
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