"This seems to be your goal as well?" Akira remembered Yukinoshita Yukino's identity.
"It would be a good thing if we could truly live freely." Yukinoshita Yukino murmured, as she did not directly answer Akira's question. Instead, she kept her eyes on the book in her hands.
"Even a lady from a prestigious family have her own worries?" Akira withdrew his gaze, sensing the weight behind her words.
The Service Club fell silent once again. The only sound was the faint turning of a page.
…
Lunch break came to an end.
Akira returned to his classroom—Class 2F of the second year, the same class where the protagonist Hachiman Hikigaya sat.
His seat was in the last row by the window. From here, he had a perfect view of the cherry blossom trees outside. Occasionally, when the window was open, cherry blossoms would drift into the classroom.
Akira let his eyes wander across the scenery before shifting them to Miura Yumiko, who was seated in the same row.
From the side, Yumiko Miura was undeniably beautiful.
Although she wasn't as breathtaking as Yukinoshita Yukino, she was still the most attractive girl in this class. If one were to rate them, Yumiko would easily score around eight points, while Yukino would be a solid nine.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Yumiko turned her head slightly, and their eyes met for the briefest of moments.
Akira quickly looked away.
At first, Yumiko was a little confused. Then, a playful smile curved her lips.
Could it be that this transfer student has fallen for me?
Although he wasn't as dazzling as Hayato Hayama, Akira's features had a certain quiet charm. Looked at carefully, he was quite handsome.
'It's a pity I already have Hayama. But… maybe I could introduce him to Yui or even Hina', Yumiko thought to herself.
Her gaze drifted toward her friends.
Ebina Hina clearly wasn't interested in romance, and Yuigahama Yui had little to no experience in love.
After thinking it over, Yumiko picked up her phone and sent a quick message to Yui.
Yui, who had been absentmindedly checking the time, blinked when she received it.
Yumiko: "Yui, I just noticed that transfer student. He's really handsome. Too bad I already have Hayama. But if you like him, I can help you get his contact info and maybe even set something up."
Yui's cheeks flushed pink as she instinctively glanced at Akira. At that moment, he was gazing out the window, his gentle expression make him look more charming.
Yumiko noticed Yui's blush and smiled knowingly before typing again.
Yumiko: "Yui, you're so cute when you're shy. After school, I am thinking of getting his contacts info and invite him to karaoke with us. That way, you'll have a chance to be alone with him."
Yui wanted to refuse—but the teacher entered the classroom just then, forcing her to hurriedly put her phone away.
When Yumiko didn't receive a response, she assumed Yui's silence meant tacit approval. Her anticipation for after school only grew stronger.
.....
The class period passed quickly.
Akira could clearly feel the effects of his enhanced memory.
He memories almost everything the teacher said, word for word, and could even recall passages from the light novel he'd been reading during lunch.
If I can remember everything, won't my brain eventually run out of storage…?
Akira wondered, though he soon decided to use this ability to focus on more useful books in the future.
"Fujimiya-kun."
A girl's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Miura-san, is something wrong?" Akira looked up at the smiling face of Miura Yumiko.
"Could you give me your contact information?" she asked casually, though her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"…Sure." Akira hesitated briefly before taking out his phone.
The two quickly exchanged numbers. Yumiko noticed right away that she was the only one saved in his contacts list.
"Fujimiya-kun, did you just change phones?" she asked curiously.
"Why do you think that?" Akira tilted his head.
"Because I'm the only one in your contacts. Not even your parents' numbers are there."
"…My parents were in a plane crash not long ago. They passed away." Akira said softly.
Yumiko froze. Her confident smile faltered. "I-I'm sorry…"
"It's okay." Akira gave a faint smile, his tone gentle.
Gathering herself, Yumiko asked again, more carefully this time, "Fujimiya-kun, are you free after school?"
"Yes."
"…Do you want to go to karaoke together?"
"No problem." Akira nodded lightly.
...
Yumiko Miura's invitation had been unexpected.
Akira didn't fully understand her reasoning, but if it helped raise her favorability, then he had no choice but to accept.
With Yumiko's personality, their is a high chance that her rating would easily surpass 30%.
That meant an A-level reward.
For now, though, he chose to focus on class and his reading. The enhanced memory ability truly was incredible.
...
The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.
Yumiko Miura approached his desk, already having discussed things with Ebina Hina.
Yuigahama Yui also walked over, her expression complicated. She had wanted to refuse the plan, but after hearing Yumiko mention Akira's parents' accident, she felt too guilty to back out.
"Fujimiya-kun, these are my two good friends, Hina and Yui," Yumiko introduced.
"I know their names," Akira replied calmly. He had roughly guessed why Yumiko had invited him.
"Fujimiya-kun, what school were you in before? Was it nearby?" Ebina Hina asked with curiosity.
"I used to attend an ordinary school in Tokyo. I've lived here for a while now," Akira said.
"I noticed you reading something, during lunch break and after class. Did you join a club?" Ebina continued, clearly intrigued.
"Yes. The Service Club—it's a quiet place where I can read without disturbance." Akira packed his bag neatly.
"Yukinoshita-san's club?" Ebina raised her brows.
Akira nodded.
"Are you and Yukinoshita-san close?" she asked with a teasing tone.
"Not really, we rarely talk and mostly just read quietly," Akira shook his head.
"Then… do you like Yukinoshita-san?" Ebina teased, glancing at Yuigahama Yui, who instinctively perked up.
"...I like all beautiful things. If that counts as liking her, then yes—I like her." Akira answered truthfully after thinking about it a little.
"Fujimiya-kun, your answer is really interesting." Ebina chuckled, pushing up her glasses before giving Yui a meaningful look—You still have a chance.
Yuigahama Yui lowered her head shyly, her heart racing.
The four of them walked together to the shoe lockers.
Just as Akira changed into his outdoor shoes, his phone buzzed.
The screen showed an unfamiliar number. At first, he thought of ignoring it, but then he remembered the rental advertisement he had put up for his apartment.
Out of six rooms in the three-story building, only his was occupied. Renting out the others could bring in at least 800,000 yen annually.
He answered.
"Hello, are you the landlord of Sakurasou? I'd like to rent a room. Can we meet?" A familiar voice came through the line.
Akira froze.
"…Teacher Shizuka Hiratsuka?"
"Hm?"
"I'm the transfer student, Akira Fujimiya. Sakurasou was left to me by my parents. I'm the current landlord."
"…!" Hiratsuka Shizuka was stunned into silence. After a moment, recalling his circumstances, she nodded to herself.
"Fujimiya-kun, since it's your place and close to school, I'll take the room. Can you meet me there?"
"Please wait ten minutes." Akira glanced at the three girls behind him.
"No problem. I'll wait." Her tone softened.
Akira hung up and turned to them.
"Miura-san, do you mind if we stop by my apartment first? Someone wants to rent a room—Ms. Shizuka Hiratsuka. It's only about 500 meters from here."
"Your apartment?" The three girls blinked in surprise.
"My parents left it to me. That's actually why I transferred to Sobu High—it's close to home," Akira explained.
"Can we see it?" Yumiko asked, intrigued.
"Of course. I was planning to invite you anyway, as long as you don't mind," Akira said with a faint smile.
"Fujimiya-kun, this is my first time visiting a boy's home. Can I see your room when we get there?" Ebina asked with a mischievous grin.
"You can—just don't rummage under my bed."
"Is Akira-kun hiding something under his bed?"
"Some of my memories," Akira replied quietly, his tone softened.
Ebina Hina's playful smile slowly faded. No matter what kind of memories they were, she understood—they weren't things to touch lightly.