Announcement at last
.....
After akira walked away,—
"Happy birthday… Sister." Yukino said softly.
"...Thank you." Haruno smiled.
When—
"Miss Yukinoshita, I'm sorry—Miss Erina can't return for the time being."
A voice called from behind the sisters, they turn around to the person.
"...Where is Miss Erina?" Yukinoshita Haruno asked as she looked at the woman dressed entirely in black standing before her.
"She is in Tokyo. The medicinal cuisine that the young lady requires has been successfully developed." The woman in black said respectfully as she stepped forward and handed the elegant gift box she carried to Yukinoshita Haruno.
"Really?" Haruno accepted the box, momentarily surprised, her gaze shifting instinctively toward their mother who was talking with other guest.
"...Miss Erina also said she will personally visit Miss Yukinoshita when she returns," the woman in black added politely.
"Please tell Miss Erina that I will visit her myself when I have the time. Also, Tōtsuki Resort's construction will finish in about half a year. When that happens, I look forward to tasting Miss Erina's cooking, as promised." Haruno smiled warmly, as she replied to the woman.
"Understood." The woman in black bowed slightly.
The two exchanged a few more polite words before she quietly took her leave.
Haruno watched her retreating figure.
"Medicinal cuisine… is it referring to that legendary medicinal cuisine that was in development?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked softly beside her, she was silently watching the conversation.
"It should be. Erina went abroad not long ago to learn from several distinguished medicinal cuisine masters and practitioners of traditional eastern medicine. She should have obtained a genuine recipe though them....Even if the food cannot extend life, it will certainly regulate the body and improve the young lady's health." Haruno nodded lightly.
"I hope she gets better…" Yukino murmured, a faint melancholic note in her voice.
"If she gets better, perhaps she'll eventually find a fiance who's perfect in every way. Akira is her favorite manga author, after all, so he might be her first choice~."
"...Even so, I hope she gets better. I think she is a very good person… completely different from my sister."
"Yukino, are you saying that I am not good? Is this because of my and Akira—"
"I want to go back!" Yukino said abruptly.
"Yukino, there is something I want to apologize to you for," Haruno suddenly said, her voice low.
"What is it?" Yukino looked at her, confused.
"Akira's investments are managed by me....I helped him invest in Tōtsuki Resort...Because of this, Akira and Erina may end up… meeting." Haruno spoke with layered meaning.
Yukino silently stare at her, as both the sister fall silent—
"Even without that investment, I believe they would become involved eventually."
After a moment of silence, Yukino responded, then turned and left without another word.
Haruno watched her sister's retreating figure, her lips curling up as a subtle, deep smile forming.
Investing in Tōtsuki Resort was guaranteed profit.
With Tōtsuki Academy backing it, the resort would attract guests worldwide the moment it opened.
And—
Akira Fujimiya's shares in Tōtsuki Resort now exceeded fifty percent.
Though this did not grant him complete control over Tōtsuki Academy itself, the sheer weight of the shares alone was enough to appoint him as the vice chairman of Tōtsuki.
Even if he did not know how to cook, it didn't matter.
...
Inside the study—
The head of the Yukinoshita family poured a cup of tea for both himself and Akira.
Akira sat quietly and waited until the tea was poured.
He picked up the small porcelain cup, inhaled gently, and then took a sip.
"Good tea." He couldn't help commenting, at the favour tea.
"This tea is from overseas. It was given to me by an old friend. If you like it, I can send some to your home." The head of the family said, smiled faintly.
"I don't understand the tea ceremony well. It would be wasted on me. You should keep it to entertain important guests." Akira shook his head politely refusing.
"I heard that you learn things extremely quickly." Mr. Yukinoshita said, as he looked at Akira at front curiously.
"..I just have a good memory," Akira replied modestly.
"Are you interested in working with me? With the power of the Yukinoshita family, I could elevate you to where I stand. If you wish to go even further, then you must marry—"
"I'm not interested in that path. Everything I own exists because of my personal interests." Akira interrupted gently.
"If you change your surname, you will become the next head of the Yukinoshita family." The head stated plainly, as if announcing something trivial.
"Forgive me but I must refuse." Akira's response was immediate, without hesitation.
"You truly don't care about this position?" The head of Yukinoshita family, eyes narrowed slightly as he said, his voice deep and low.
"...."
Akira did not say anything in response for sometimes. As he lowered his gaze toward the teacup in his hands, gazing at his refection in the tea, before—
"...You should already know my background (that is forged by tbe system)— When I first joined the Service Club, I was confused… I didn't know what do I want to do. But then I met them...Yukino seems aloof, cold but she's actually very endearing, while Haruno hides herself behind a mask showing her strong personality, but...she's very fragile inside. I don't want to stand too high...I don't need excessive wealth or power. I just want… them (all). That is enough."
"...Akira Fujimiya, are you not afraid of saying such things directly in front of me, their father?" the head asked with interest, as he look at Akira, eyes scanning.
"I believe you are different from Mrs. Yukinoshita. And I believe you can accept my decision." Akira said as he stood up and bowed respectfully.
"If you cannot inherit the Yukinoshita family, then let your son inherit it...In that case, I will reluctantly accept your choice. Do you understand?" The head spoke with quiet seriousness, his eyes serious.
"Yes." Akira agreed without hesitation, still bowing.
At least, he would not be the one inheriting the Yukinoshita household.
That is good enough for now....
As for whose children would inherit it—that depended on the future.
"Mr. Hiratsuka seems very fond of you. If you accept Shizuka, he will be extremely pleased. The Hiratsuka family is different from ours. Shizuka is already past the usual age of marriage," the head added suddenly.
"...I think of Hiratsuka-sensei as an...elder sister. I don't want to ruin that...relationship." Akira hesitated before responding.
{T/N: .....}
"I think you already know this but Mr. Hiratsuka and I share a similar concern. As long as a child of our bloodline inherits the family, we will be at peace." The head smiled lightly, his meaning clear as day.
"…"
"Think about this carefully, If you meet Mr. Hiratsuka's expectations...you will gain even stronger support." The head stood, patted Akira's shoulder, and walked out.
Akira stopped bowing as he watched Mr. Yukinoshita leave.
Just as he prepared to follow,
Mrs. Yukinoshita entered the room, her expression cold.
"Mrs. Yukinoshita." Akira greet, bowed respectfully.
"Hanada Yui is mine. I want her to accompany me to Tokyo and assist me there," she said sharply, directly.
".... Of course. As long as you help me find a woman capable of managing Hoshiyuu Agency, someone whose appearance is not too different from hers." Akira replied after thinking briefly.
"You have begun involving yourself in the Yukinoshita family's assets. That is different from the agreement you made." Her voice was icy cold, her gaze colder than Yukino's.
"....Haruno was the one who insisted on it...If I refuse, she will feel more insecure. She believes that if Mrs. Yukinoshita meet with that young lady, she might arrange for me to meet her as well....and then I might be taken away." Akira spoke with a deliberately troubled expression, his voice lowered.
"!!"
"I will not allow you to meet her!"
Mrs. Yukinoshita froze for a moment, her eyes complicated before she exclaimed, her voice cold but visibly shaken.
"I can understand..but...she need a sense of security. If Haruno believes that I belong to the Yukinoshita family, she can stay at ease. If you think I should reject Haruno, then I can attempt th—"
"Since it's Haruno's wish, then let it be done." Mrs. Yukinoshita interrupted before he could finished.
"Thank you for your understanding."
"I have different ideas from him, but he is right in his own way."
"The head of the family has always been correct."
"I am very dissatisfied with you. Therefore, when your son is born, I will personally educate him."
Akira bowed deeply.
In any case… she wouldn't be educating him.
Sorry, my future son!
...
When Akira finally left the study, the ballroom outside had already begun its festivities.
Yukinoshita Haruno stood gracefully among a group of women, chatting and smiling as effortlessly as always.
Akira glanced at the group before walking straight up to her and extended his hand.
Several women nearby blinked in confusion.
Wasn't this the fiance of the second daughter, Yukinoshita Yukino?
Why was he first inviting the elder daughter, Yukinoshita Haruno, to dance? Instead of his financee.
"Oh~! Thank you, Fujimiya-kun~," Haruno said with a soft, her elegant smile brightening, as she placed her hand in his.
"You're welcome, Haruno Nee-san." Akira gently led her onto the dance floor.
Only after the two had moved away did the surrounding women react.
"Could it be that Miss Haruno is avoiding being invited by other men!?"
"That must be it! Since Akira Fujimiya is Miss Yukino's fiance, dancing with him gives her a polite excuse to refuse others from asking her."
"But...doesn't Yukinoshita Haruno look more happy when Akira Fujimiya approach her"
.....
On the dance floor.
Akira and Haruno moved slowly, gracefully.
"Akira-kun, thank you," Haruno said softly, her tone filled with warmth for her partner.
"You're welcome." Akira reply, understood exactly what she meant.
"I'm very happy…you know, that I'm the first one~" Her whisper barely audible, her eyes filled with mischief.
"You mean the first one I invited?" Akira asked innocently, as if he doesn't understand what she meant.
"Guess. By the way, where is my birthday present for today? Everyone else has already given theirs, but Akira-kun hasn't given me one yet."
"The gift I prepared for you is a miracle. What kind of miracle do you want?" Akira whisper softly, his eyes serious.
Haruno looked up at him in confusion before it turn into surprised.
"Is that true?"
"Yes..Completely true"
She stared at him for a long moment, as she asked playfully and wistfully.
"I…want to see a meteor shower." She asked in a playful manner, but it was true that she wish to see a meteor shower.
"Come with me."
Akira said seriously, as he stopped dancing, took her hand, and led her out.
Haruno opened her mouth slightly but no word come out.
She was confused at his serious tone and also at herself—because she already had a feeling—if she followed him outside, she would see it....
Her wish!
So, she followed silently, walking behind him.
Their sudden departure drew countless curious eyes as they walked outside.
Many whispered, wondering what kind of relationship the two truly shared.
.....
They arrived in the courtyard.
Only a few guests lingered here.
Akira brought her to a quiet place, firmly helding her hand.
"The meteor shower you wanted is here." Akira said as he pointed his finger upward.
Haruno curious and confused looked up.
Then—
Her eyes widened in shocked at the sight infront of her.
Countless meteors streaked across the night sky in bright arcs—shining in the dark night.
She slowly raised a trembling hand to her lips, stunned. Her eyes shaking as she couldn't pulled her eyes away from the beautiful sight.
After, the meteors disappear—
"How is this as a birthday present?" Akira asked with a smile.
"Is this… is this magic?" Haruno whispered, her voice trembling.
"This is a miracle, not magic. A miracle that can only be used once." Akira answered calmly.
{T/N: ..... I will wait for it}
Haruno took a deep breath, calming herself,
"If so… then could you also grant things like what you mentioned earlier—such as making Yukinoshita Construction prosper?" Haruno asked with sharp curiosity.
"This miracle only grants your heartfelt wishes, not practical demands." Akira smiled gently.
"I feel like I wasted such a special opportunity…" Haruno sighed softly, gazing at the sky again.
"My gift has been delivered. What you think afterward is out of my hands." Akira said while holding her hand, gently.
"...Thank you. In return, I'll give you a surprise someday." Haruno's lips curved, thinking of Tōtsuki Resort.
"No surprise can surpass yours."
Akira slowly leaned closer.
"Not now. If someone sees us, I'll become the villain… and I don't want Yukino to hate me." Haruno said slowly, as she placed a hand on his chest to stop him, weakly.
Akira glanced around, then quietly kissed her forehead.
Haruno smiled and gently slipped her hand out of his.
"Go find them. I like Akira-kun's birthday present very much... I'll give you a reward another day."
....
For 1 week, (since the reviews is a little less, I will upload each chapter for each new reviews (also if you have any criticism please tell me—While, I might not be able to fixed them — since then I will have to fixed all the Patreon chapters — I promise to fixed it after it)
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If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my:
Patr**on.com/Zero0000683
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 2,245