On the Way to Sakurasou (Sakura Dorm),
In fact, the name Sakurasou had been chosen by Akira himself. He borrowed it from an anime (The Pet Girl of Sakurasou).
Of course, that anime didn't exist in this world, but the name had a pleasant ring to it. Moreover, there was a cherry blossom tree right inside the complex, making the name even more fitting.
Akira's identity had been created by the system. His parents, Sakurasou, even his background—all were incidental parts of that fabricated life.
This identity was real enough to fool everyone around him, but Akira had no actual memories of his parents.
In other words, his original self had truly crossed over from another world and inherited a fully fleshed-out identity, one that allowed him to blend in perfectly here.
The four of them walked quietly down the road.
When they passed a convenience store, Akira suddenly stopped.
"Please wait a moment," he said to the three girls before heading inside.
The moment he was gone, Ebina Hina turned to Yuigahama Yui with a mischievous look.
"Yui, what do you think?"
"I… I don't know," Yui stammered, her cheeks already red.
She really didn't know. But she couldn't deny it—her curiosity toward Akira had grown stronger.
"I don't know why you're so shy," Ebina teased with a grin.
"I… I just…" Yui's voice trailed off as her face grew even redder. She couldn't put her feelings into words.
"Yui, seize the opportunity," Miura Yumiko said with a knowing smile.
"Akira-kun's situation is actually very good. He owns his own apartment, and the rental income is higher than what most office workers make. If you married him, you'd probably live as a gentle and virtuous housewife. Honestly, I envy you," Ebina chimed in with a teasing tone.
"H-Hina…" Yui's entire face turned crimson.
"It's a pity I already have Hayama-kun. Otherwise, I might be tempted too," Yumiko added playfully, covering her mouth with a small laugh.
"Yumiko…" Yui groaned, covering her face in embarrassment.
Still, after being teased by the two, she couldn't stop her mind from wandering.
Against her will, she began imagining what married life with Akira might look like, Like saying, "Gohan ni suru? Ofuro ni suru? Soretomo... wa... ta... shi?"
—No! That's not right!
She and Akira had barely spoken. Why was she already picturing such things?
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I bought some snacks and drinks. Hopefully, you won't be too bored," Akira's calm voice rang out as he stepped out of the convenience store.
The three girls quickly turned their attention back to him, though Yui couldn't shake the fluttering in her chest.
...
In front of the gate of Sakurasou,
Akira spotted Hiratsuka Shizuka waiting from a distance.
If she were wearing a kimono and standing beneath the cherry blossoms, she would have looked breathtakingly elegant.
Unfortunately, at the moment she was leaning against her sports car, dressed in a white trench coat, cigarette in hand.
Even so, the habit of smoking and drinking couldn't hide the fact that she was, at her core, a dedicated and respectable teacher.
Akira and the three girls approached together.
Noticing them, Shizuka stubbed out her cigarette and straightened.
"Hiratsuka-sensei" the three girls greeted politely in unison.
"Why are you with Akira-kun?" Shizuka asked, her brows rising in curiosity.
"This…" Miura Yumiko glanced at Yui, unsure how to explain.
Yuigahama Yui immediately blushed and lowered her head.
"We invited Akira-kun to karaoke, and Yui wanted to be friends with him," Ebina Hina explained directly.
"I see." Shizuka's gaze lingered on Yui for a moment, and she immediately understood.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, please," Akira said, opening the gate.
Shizuka stepped inside, followed by the three girls.
The Sakurasou complex was spacious. The front parking lot could hold six cars, and the single cherry blossom tree stood proudly, its petals enhancing the scenery rather than cluttering it.
"It's so pretty here," Yui said softly, her eyes widening in awe.
"Yui, do you want to live here too?" Hina teased with a grin.
"Hina…" Yui turned her head shyly, unable to meet anyone's gaze.
"Yui, I really envy you," Yumiko whispered beside her, making Yui's blush deepen even more.
Unconsciously, beautiful images began to form in Yui's mind again.
Akira, walking ahead, pretended not to notice their chatter. He focused on showing Shizuka-sensei around Sakurasou.
All six rooms had been recently renovated, each with similar layouts and sizes. Akira's own room was on the third floor.
"Going upstairs feels like exercise," he said jokingly.
Shizuka immediately chose a room on the first floor without hesitation.
Akira unlocked it for her.
The entrance hall greeted them with neatly arranged slippers, and the spotless wooden flooring gave the space a warm, tidy atmosphere.
Beyond that was a living room large enough for a sofa set and coffee table, with the kitchen opposite. Two bedrooms branched off—one larger master room and a smaller one.
"It's a nice place. I'll rent it," Shizuka said, nodding in approval.
"Here are the keys." Akira handed them to her.
"As for the price, my apartment usually rents for 900,000 yen a year. Shall we keep it at that?" she asked.
"800,000 yen. That's the rate I've seen. If you think it's too cheap, just treat me to barbecue after you move in," Akira said.
"Alright, I'll treat you then," Shizuka smiled, appreciating his straightforwardness.
"Do you want to see my room?" Akira turned to the three girls.
They nodded eagerly.
Ebina and Yumiko both exchanged mischievous glances, their eyes falling on Yui, whose face instantly turned scarlet.
"Then I'll leave you to it. I'll probably move in tomorrow," Shizuka said, not wanting to intrude further.
"See you tomorrow," Akira nodded politely.
Shizuka departed, while the three girls followed Akira upstairs.
The stairway felt unusually long—climbing to the third floor was almost like going up four.
Finally, Akira unlocked the door to his apartment.
"Please, come in."
The girls slipped on indoor slippers before stepping inside.
The living room was furnished with a sofa set and a coffee table, while pictures and paintings adorned the walls, giving the place a calm, cultured aesthetic.
Akira set the snacks on the table and retrieved some fruit from the fridge.
"Akira-kun, is that… a home karaoke system?" Ebina asked, noticing the setup beside the TV.
"Really? I thought it was just audio equipment," Akira reply, sounding a little surprised.
"I remember this set costs hundreds of thousands of yen. Akira-kun, are you planning to open a karaoke bar at home?" Ebina joked, fiddling with the controls.
"This must have been something my parents prepared," Akira said, shaking his head.
"Want me to show you how to use it?" Hina offered.
"Sure" Akira agreed, moving to stand beside her.
Meanwhile, Yumiko leaned closer to Yui, her tone low but playful.
"Yui, now you have a reason to visit Akira-kun's house in the future. Don't waste the chance."
"I… I haven't thought about it yet," Yui whispered, her voice flustered.
"Then at least get his contact info first," Yumiko teased, lips curling into a smile.
"…Mm." Yui nodded faintly, sneaking glances at Akira.
Ten minutes later, Hina had the system set up. She pulled out the microphone triumphantly.
Akira sat down on the sofa, and Yui hesitantly sat right beside him. She pretended to watch the TV but couldn't stop herself from stealing glances at him.
Finally, summoning her courage, she spoke.
"Akira-kun, um…" Yui held out her phone nervously.
"It seems we had the same thought," Akira interrupted gently, handing over his phone first.
Blushing furiously, Yui quickly exchanged contact information with him.
From across the room, Yumiko smiled knowingly.
"Yui is so sly. Akira-kun, come exchange contact information with me too," Ebina said suddenly, having noticed the quiet interaction between the two.