Inside, the golden evening light spilled through the windows, reflecting off the glass display of cakes and parfaits.
Iroha glanced up at Akira, who was calmly reading the menu, and muttered quietly:
"…I really can't win against you, Senpai."
Akira smiled faintly. "You don't have to."
Iroha blinked, confused.
He looked out at the fading sunlight. "Just keep being yourself. That's already enough."
For a moment, Iroha didn't reply.
Her eyes softened, and the faint embarrassment on her face gave way to something more tender.
The two sat by the window and ordered dessert.
Not long after, two beautifully plated desserts were served.
Isshiki Iroha looked at the sweet treat in front of her, picked up her spoon, and began eating quietly.
Akira Fujimiya took a small bite of his own, then slid his plate across the table.
"Kohai, this one's for you too."
"Senpai, feed me," Iroha said, setting her spoon down and tilting her head slightly.
Akira didn't refuse. He picked up a spoonful and brought it to her lips.
Only then did Isshiki Iroha smile happily and continue eating.
After she finished, Akira leaned back slightly and asked,
"Was it good?"
"Delicious… Bad Senpai~!" Iroha blurted out, when her cheeks flushing red as she realized what she'd said.
Akira chuckled. "What strange things are you thinking about again?"
"It's your fault!"
"Alright, alright, blame me. It's all my fault."
"Bad Senpai," she muttered again, pouting as she turned her face away.
Half an hour later, they arrived at a clothing store in the shopping mall.
Isshiki Iroha stood in front of a display full of colorful over-the-knee stocking, comparing shades and fabrics. Every pair looked good on her.
After trying on a few, she turned to Akira. "Which one do you like?"
"I like them all," he said honestly.
"Bad Senpai, then please go pay for it."
Akira smiled and walked toward the cashier, carrying an armful of stocking. The salesgirl gave him a strange look but said nothing as she scanned the items.
After paying, Iroha happily took his arm again and continued walking around the mall.
She didn't seem particularly interested in clothes, but when they passed a game shop, her eyes lit up.
Akira noticed immediately. "So you like games, huh?"
"I do," she admitted. "I'm not that good, though."
"Then I'll pick some for you," Akira said.
He selected a few titles, including a mix of action and visual novel games, then walked her to the register.
By the time they left the store, the sky was dimming.
On the way home, they chatted casually about school, student council work, and Yukino's strict demeanor. Iroha laughed often, swinging the shopping bag in her hand.
When they reached her house, she looked at Akira and smiled shyly. "Senpai, come in and play games while I make dinner."
Akira didn't hesitate and stepped inside.
He set the bags down in the living room and started up one of the games he'd just bought.
Within minutes, he noticed something.
"All these games have too many levels," he muttered. "Some even repeat designs."
The action games felt similar, predictable — but the dating simulation titles, surprisingly, were more engaging.
They had choice dialogues, branching stories, even mini-games between scenes.
"Single-player games are interesting," Akira thought aloud, "but they don't have that social pull. If only there were an online game that everyone could enjoy together…"
As he played, his mind drifted toward the gaming industry in this world. There weren't many online games that could stay popular for ten years or more.
Although "it" was his current focus, he couldn't help but think about other potential projects.
"...Forget it," he sighed. "One step at a time. If I try to do so many things at the same time,the quality will only decrease."
Game development wasn't like animation. It took years of planning, testing, and constant maintenance.
For a company, three good games could keep an entire team busy.
But once a game company became profitable, it could expand — hire more people, create more projects.
"Maybe someday," Akira mused, "I'll make every game I've imagined."
.....
Dinner passed quickly.
Afterward, Isshiki Iroha stood at her doorway, watching Akira leave.
She didn't try to stop him, even though part of her wanted to.
She knew that in his heart, Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui were still more important.
"One day," she whispered to herself, "I'll be number one in Senpai's heart."
Then she smiled faintly and returned inside.
They didn't really do much except for playing games, and eating dinner together when him feeding her sometimes, it has become a precious memory for her.
....
Akira boarded the train and soon arrived near Sakurasou.
After walking for ten minutes, he entered the familiar yard and noticed a light on in Hiratsuka Shizuka's room.
He paused for a moment, then walked over.
Just as he was about to knocked, the door suddenly opened.
"Ah," Shizuka said, equally surprised. Then she smiled warmly.
Before she could say anything else, Akira stepped forward and hugged her.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, I've been missing you these past few days while you were away."
"Ehhh?" Her face turned crimson.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, you seem to have gained a little weight," Akira teased with a straight face.
"You! Let me go!" Shizuka clenched her fists, glaring at him.
Akira grinned and released her.
"I came back to pick up a few things," she explained, brushing her hair aside. "I plan to give a student extra lessons over summer break so...she can transfer to Sobu High next semester…"
She suddenly stopped mid-sentence and looked at Akira.
"What's wrong, Sensei?" he asked, pretending not to notice her expression.
"I'm just… worried about you being at Sobu High," she said seriously.
Akira looked offended. "Hiratsuka-sensei, are you questioning my character? My grades are top-notch, and every girl praises me. And yet, you're worried?"
"I'll make sure she's in Yukinoshita's class. You're not allowed to get close to her," Hiratsuka replied firmly, her tone serious.
"So that means she's really cute or beautiful, right?" Akira said thoughtfully.
At that, Shizuka stepped down hard on his foot.
Akira didn't flinch.
Instead, he smiled. "Actually, Yukino-chan steps on my shoes all the time too, but I don't mind if you do it too."
"You… you're hopeless," Shizuka muttered, face red, slipping out of her heels.
'Sensei...What are you thinking?' Akira commented inwardly bit didn't say it. As he said softly
"It's getting late, I'll head to my room. Good night, Sensei."
"Good night," she replied, voice gentle this time.
Akira walked a few steps before turning back. "If you ever need help, Hiratsuka-sensei, just call me."
"I don't need help right now," she said, smiling faintly. "But if I do, I'll make sure to give you a new commission."
Akira nodded and went upstairs.
Shizuka watched his back until he disappeared from view.
Then her phone rang.
"Hello?" she answered quickly.
"Ms. Hiratsuka, the test results are out," said a familiar voice — Uncle Tamura.
"How is it? Can it be treated?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"The success rate of the surgery is very low," Tamura said solemnly. "Unless a miracle happens, it will be difficult…"
"What happens if we fail?"
"You'll lose your hearing permanently," he said after a pause.
"…I understand."
They exchanged a few more words before hanging up.
Shizuka looked up at the starry night sky, her heart heavy.
.....
When Akira returned to the house, he noticed three pairs of shoes at the entrance.
He switched to his slippers and walked into the living room — where three girls were gathered around a board game.
"Fujimiya-kun, sorry to bother you," Ebina Hina said politely, adjusting her glasses.
"Excuse us for intruding, we —" Miura Yumiko added quickly.
"Yumiko, Hina — this will always be your second home," Akira said with a small grin, cutting her off.
"Akira-kun, you're...the worst!," Yuigahama Yui muttered, cheeks puffed.
"Yui, you're my little dummy," Akira replied playfully.
Yui rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself.
Akira headed toward the bathroom.
As he disappeared inside, Ebina adjusted her glasses again. "You two keep playing. I just remembered my script's missing a few lines."
She stood up and walked toward the small bedroom.
Yui and Yumiko looked at each other, then continued their game quietly.
Moments later—
"Yui, could you grab my pajamas?" Akira's voice called from the bathroom.
Yumiko froze, then slowly turned her gaze toward Yui.
Yui's face went bright red. "Yumiko, you…"
"You go," Yumiko said quickly. "It's fine. I'll go check on Hina's script."
Without another word, she left the room.
Yui looked at the closed door for a moment, took a deep breath, and then stood up, walking toward Akira's bedroom.
The night outside was quiet, only the faint sound of cicadas echoing beyond the window — as another complicated evening in Sakurasou quietly began.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,519