Akira Fujimiya looked at her again and noticed Meguri Shiromeguri's expression.
He instantly knew that she was still embarrassed about what had just happened.
So, he didn't say anything further.
Meguri took a few deep breaths to calm herself down.
After about ten seconds, she suddenly remembered she hadn't unlocked the Student Council Office yet and hurried forward.
Akira watched as she fumbled with her keys, opened the door, and walked in.
Meguri was just about to sit down when she suddenly remembered something. Reaching into her blazer pocket, she took out a folded piece of paper and handed it to Akira.
Akira blinked, momentarily confused—then remembered their conversation that morning.
He took the paper from her hands.
Without hesitation, he unfolded it and began reading the "love letter" right there in front of her.
As his eyes moved down the page, his expression changed subtly.
At the beginning, he wore a strange look, one that Meguri couldn't quite interpret.
By the time he reached the middle, he glanced briefly at her, which made her heart pound.
When he reached the end, a gentle smile formed on his lips.
He folded the letter carefully and handed it back across the table to her.
"Shiromeguri-senpai, you wrote very well. I really like it," Akira said sincerely.
"... as long as you like it," Meguri whispered, exhaling softly, a relieved smile appearing on her face.
"I accept your confession," Akira said suddenly. "From today on, I am your boyfriend. If anyone tries to pursue you, just tell them you already have one."
"....."
{T/N: .... }
Meguri was stunned.
Her face turned red, and she didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Senpai, don't be so nervous," Akira said with a reassuring smile. "I won't do anything excessive. I just want the title of boyfriend. You don't have to tell anyone else—just use it as an excuse if someone starts chasing you. That's all."
"I... I understand," Meguri said softly, nodding.
"Then, let's have lunch together," Akira said casually, taking out his lunch box.
Meguri followed suit, opening hers as well.
Akira looked down at her bento with interest.
"Senpai, I want to trade this fried chicken nugget for one of the side dishes in my lunch," he said with a grin.
"O-Okay..." Meguri replied shyly, moving the fried chicken nuggets into Akira's lunch box.
"This counts as an act between lovers," Akira said playfully. "Although it's the most basic one. Did you make this yourself, Senpai?"
He took a bite of the fried chicken nugget and noticed that it tasted different from anything sold outside.
"Yes, I always cook my own food. If I bought bento every day, it would cost too much," Meguri said softly.
"The cafeteria should be ready in about half a month," Akira said. "When it's open, I'll treat you to a meal there."
As he spoke, he placed a portion of his own side dishes into Meguri's lunch box.
Meguri looked at the food and thought that it seemed to have been made by a girl.
But when she heard his words, she nodded slightly and didn't refuse his kindness.
The Student Council had long known that the cafeteria's meal prices would be very cheap—a welcome change for everyone.
...
After lunch,
Meguri brought out her old guitar.
While, Akira brewed some warm black tea, poured a cup for each of them, and sat across from her.
Outside the window, the rain continued to fall, its rhythmic patter serving as a natural accompaniment to their little concert.
After tuning her guitar, Meguri began to play a new song.
It sounded like a beginner's piece—light and cheerful, perfectly matching the sound of rain outside.
Akira closed his eyes, sipping his tea as he listened.
A few minutes later, the song came to an end.
"Senpai, you're getting better and better," Akira said, opening his eyes. "I want to learn guitar too. Can you teach me?"
"Of course," Meguri replied warmly. "But... it's a bit difficult."
"I like difficult things," Akira said as he stood up and walked over to her side.
"I'll teach you the basics first," Meguri said, shifting slightly and beginning to explain.
With Akira's photographic memory, he quickly picked up the fundamentals after watching and listening once.
Then came his turn.
He memorized every note, every transition, and every section of the song.
Then, in his mind, he visualized the melody, syncing it perfectly with his movements.
And so, he began to play.
It was a song that evoked—the kind of melody that lingered long after the final chord faded.
The notes weren't bright or lively. They carried a faint trace of sadness, a touch of loneliness.
As Meguri listened, she felt as though she were hearing a love story unfold.
A story of three people.
They met, became close, and both girls fell in love with the same boy.
But as their relationships deepened, so did the pain.
By the end, Meguri felt a dull ache in her chest—as if the story itself had left her heart aching.
....
That afternoon, school ended.
The rain was still falling outside.
Although it had become much lighter, it was still impossible to walk far without an umbrella.
Most students had brought umbrellas in the morning.
But a few, having rushed out earlier, now had no choice but to wait for the rain to stop before heading home.
Akira returned to the Student Council Office.
Isshiki Iroha had arrived earlier and was staring blankly out the window.
Meguri had already gone home.
She had nothing planned for the afternoon and wanted to continue practicing her guitar.
Just a moment ago, she had sent Akira a message before leaving.
Meanwhile, Yuigahama Yui and the others were attending their homework tutoring session.
Kawasaki Saki had gone to Future Comic Publishing.
Yukinoshita Yukino had gone to work on Flash animation.
Akira quietly walked up behind Isshiki and wrapped his arms around her.
"Senpai, do you hate rainy days?" Iroha asked softly.
"That depends on the season," Akira replied, gazing at the drizzle beyond the window.
"What about this season now?" she asked.
"I don't hate it," he said. "But I don't really like it either."
"Then what's your favorite season?"
"Summer," he answered without hesitation. "Hot summer."
{T/N: Winter}
"Summer rain is nice, though. When it rains, the temperature drops, and it feels so refreshing."
"Actually," Akira said teasingly, "I was just thinking—after you get wet..."
"Senpai!" Iroha turned around quickly, looking at him with a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "I'm trying to have a serious conversation, and you're thinking about something weird again."
"Junior, aren't you happy when I think like that?" Akira smiled slightly. "It means I acknowledge your charm."
"Senpai doesn't recognize my charm... he's just simply..." Iroha's voice trailed off, but her meaning was obvious.
"Alright, alright, I admit I'm a bad senior," Akira said, tightening his embrace.
"Bad Senpai... then what should we do next?" Iroha asked softly, still in his arms.
"Do you want to hear me play the guitar?" he said suddenly.
"Guitar? You can play?"
"I just learned this afternoon," Akira said as he let go of her and walked toward a nearby box.
Inside was a brand new guitar—the one Saori Tsurumi had sent him.
After learning from Meguri earlier, Akira had asked Saori to help him buy a mid-priced model.
He took out the guitar and started tuning it, just as Meguri had taught.
Once he found the right feeling, he began to play.
The melody that filled the room was soft and warm.
Isshiki Iroha looked at Akira in amazement, her eyes sparkling.
....
They stayed in the Student Council Office for about an hour, practicing guitar and chatting idly before leaving together.
Yuigahama Yui and the others were still in class.
Most of the students who attended the tutoring sessions lived near Sobu High School, so the distance wasn't an issue.
Tutoring always ended before six, giving everyone plenty of time to head home.
Besides, external cram schools cost both money and time—so most students preferred the free sessions offered at school.
On the way back to Sakurasou,
Akira and Iroha shared an umbrella.
Iroha clung to his arm, a gentle smile on her face, as if anticipating something.
"You're sharing a room with Yui," Akira reminded her. "If you want to move into my room, you'll have to convince her first."
"I already told Yui-senpai I'll be staying at Sakurasou tonight, and she agreed," Iroha said proudly.
"She probably didn't agree to you staying in my room, right?" Akira glanced sideways at her.
"Well... I believe Yui-senpai would understand," Iroha said with a mischievous blink.
"The opportunity's there," Akira said lightly. "Whether you can seize it or not depends on you."
"Senpai... can't you come find me?" she muttered softly.
Akira heard that and turned his gaze toward her.
Iroha felt his eyes on her and immediately realized what she had just implied.
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
"If you're okay with Yui watching," Akira said calmly, "I have no objection."
"Pervert!" Iroha turned her head away in embarrassment.
Soon, the two of them returned to Sakurasou.
Iroha decided to cook dinner for Akira and Yui—hoping to earn Yui's approval.
So, as soon as she entered, she went straight to the kitchen.
Akira didn't object.
He simply returned to his room, sat at his desk, and continued drawing his manga—while the sounds of cooking and rain softly blended together in the evening air.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,622