Now that Shizuka Hiratsuka had said it and offered favorable conditions, Akira Fujimiya naturally would not refuse.
Thinking this, he put away his phone and nodded toward Saki Kawasaki.
Saki Kawasaki understood his gesture and quickly packed her bag.
So, there was one more person accompanying them to the Ministry Department for homework tutoring.
While on the road, Akira showed Yuigahama Yui the message sent by Hiratsuka-sensei.
After reading it, Yui smiled shyly. At the end of the message, the condition given by Hiratsuka-sensei directly involved Yui: if she failed the final exam, she could be tutored at Sakurasou or elsewhere.
This condition essentially meant that even if Yui failed, she would not have to attend remedial classes every day during summer vacation.
This was an offer Akira could not refuse.
.....
In the quiet Ministry Department,
Saki Kawasaki was answering questions asked by Akira. She kept a little distance from Yuigahama Yui and the others. Akira said nothing about this.
Saki Kawasaki was different from Hikigaya Hachiman. Akira did not need to help her find friends; the people interested in her were already present.
As She simply sat opposite him.
Akira glanced at Hina Ebina in front of him. Ebina noticed his gaze and lifted her head.
Akira then looked briefly toward Saki Kawasaki and gave her a subtle signal.
'Ah!'
Ebina understood and pushed her glasses with a smile.
Neither Yumiko Miura nor Yuigahama Yui noticed the small exchange between the two.
Miura focused seriously on her tutoring, and Yui was anxious about passing her exams.
Soon, Saki Kawasaki finished the questions Akira had assigned. He examined her answers and understood where she had gone wrong. The mistakes were generally on key points that required memorization.
Previously, Saki had not had the time to review and retain all of this information.
Akira raised his head and explained briefly to Saki what she needed to remember.
She wrote everything down carefully.
If she retained these points, her grades should be on par with Yumiko Miura.
Two hours of homework tutoring passed.
When—
Ebina Hina stood and approached Saki Kawasaki.
"Saki, Saki, are you free this afternoon? Want to go shopping together?"
"I'm busy, I…"
"Help me pick out a maid outfit for Yui," Akira interrupted before she could refuse.
"I… I understand," Saki Kawasaki replied, interpreting Akira's words as a task.
"Akira-kun, I don't want a maid outfit," Yui said, blushing.
"Pick one for yourself too. You might need it during summer vacation," Akira added, ignoring Yui objection and saying it to Saki.
Saki Kawasaki was momentarily stunned but then nodded.
Yumiko Miura looked surprised—under what circumstances would a maid outfit be used?
Ebina Hina smiled knowingly; she understood that Akira had made this excuse to get Saki Kawasaki to go shopping with them.
The group packed up and left the service department.
Akira went to the tennis club to continue playing.
Along the way, Hina Ebina kept asking Saki Kawasaki questions, curious to know more about her.
With, Yumiko Miura remaining quiet, aware that Akira wanted them to interact more with Saki.
While, Yuigahama Yui wondered if Akira really wanted to see her in a maid outfit.
The four girls left Sobu High School—
Ebina Hime led them to a store they often visited, which sold a variety of drinks, desserts, and accessories. Each girl ordered something.
Halfway through their meal, Yui received a message.
Ping!
As She took out her phone, and read the nessage, a smiled appear on her face.
Then— She stood up and walk to the counter, purchasing a dessert and returning to her seat.
"Yui, is this for Fujimiya-kun?" Miura Yumiko asked curiously.
"Yes, Akira-kun asked me to buy it for him," Yui said, glancing at Saki Kawasaki, who quietly ate her dessert.
Miura quickly examined the dessert, memorizing Akira's preferences.
Ebina Hina noticed and smiled as she understood the thoughts passing between Miura and Yui.
....
After finishing dessert, the four girls left the café.
Ebina Hina knew where maid costumes were sold and took them to that store.
Originally, the Maid outfit were only for Yui and Saki.
But—
Upon arrival, she suddenly chose a maid outfit for herself too.
Seeing this, Yumiko Miura followed suit and considered choosing a Maid outfit for herself too but remain hesitant.
When Yui tried on a maid outfit, she felt it suited her but became shy.
Saki Kawasaki did not feel much; she had considered working part-time at a maid café before, but the working hours had been too short, so she didn't do it.
Ebina Hina simply wanted to see what Saki would look like in a maid outfit and was pleasantly surprised to see that the Maid outfit look good on her.
While, Miura, who had initially hesitated, decided to buy the outfit after Hina Ebina remarked,
"Akira-kun seems to like maid outfits very much."
And that was enough for the blushing Yumiko to choose one.
In the end, all four girls left the store with maid outfits.
As they walked out, evening was approaching.
Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko departed together, while Yuigahama Yui and Saki Kawasaki headed back to Sakurasou.
On the road,
Yui spoke softly. "I'm sorry, Kawasaki-san. Hina just wanted to get to know you better. She didn't mean any harm."
"I understand. There's no need to apologize," Saki Kawasaki replied.
"I feel a little guilty for making you come with us for so long," Yui added.
"My job includes this," Saki Kawasaki said calmly.
Yui hesitated for a second but still ask—
"...If Akira-kun makes excessive requests, will Kawasaki-san comply?"
"...Yes. I need the money," Saki Kawasaki replied after a pause.
Yui was momentarily at a loss for words.
"I will agreed because he helped me and saved my family," Saki added.
"...If I were in Kawasaki-san's position, I think I would have fallen in love with Akira-kun," Yui said, understanding her feelings instantly.
Saki Kawasaki paused at that, considering the words.
.....
When the two girls returned to Sakurasou,
Akira was reading a book, opposite to him were Hiratsuka-sensei and Kawasaki Kyoka.
"Akira-kun, this is the dessert you wanted," Yui said, smiling as she placed a box of dessert in front of him.
Akira nodded and pushed the box toward Saki Kawasaki.
Kawasaki Kyoka looked surprised.
"This is a reward for being a good children. And your sister has helped me a lot too, so this is for you," Akira said gently.
Saki Kawasaki glanced at Yui, thinking the gift was meant for Akira.
"Akira onii-chan, I… I can't accept this…" Kyoka murmured softly.
"Do you think you're causing me trouble?" Akira asked, Immediately reading her thoughts.
Kyoka looked at him with surprise.
Akira smiled and turned toward the cherry blossom tree.
"This year, I sat here alone under the cherry blossoms and realized there was no one around. Before leaving for school, I posted an add for an apartment for rent, which brought Hiratsuka-sensei here."
"Hiratsuka-sensei likes to drink. Next year, when we come to see the cherry blossoms, we'll bring some snacks to enjoy with the wine. I like the food here, and your sister can cook many dishes. I can also prepare dishes there myself."
"When the time comes, sit next to your sister and next to me will be Yui and her friends," Akira continued.
Kawasaki Kyoka listened, a little confused.
But the other three already understood.
The presence of Hiratsuka-sensei and the Kawasaki family would make the apartment lively next year—this was the gift they brought to Akira.
"You'll understand later, or you can ask your sister if you should accepts my gift," Akira said, smiling at Kyoka.
Kyoka glanced at Saki, who nodded slightly.
Akira opened the package and handed a fork to Kawasaki.
She accepted it, said "Thank you", and looked at the dessert.
After a few seconds, she turned to Hiratsuka-sensei, gently cutting a small piece and holding it out.
"Hiratsuka-sensei…"
"Although I don't usually like desserts, I won't refuse something given to me," Hiratsuka-sensei said, taking the piece.
Kyoka smiled softly, then looked at Yui again.
"I've already eaten," Yui said with a giggle.
...
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