While, her daughter — Tsurumi Rumi noticed that, aside from Akira Fujimiya, everyone living in Sakurasou was a girl.
She found it a little strange but decided not to ask.
Kawasaki Keika sat beside her, smiling warmly and chatting casually. The two got along surprisingly well, and Rumi immediately took a liking to her — Keika was kind, gentle, and cute girl—someone easy to befriend and get along.
After dinner, Rumi Tsurumi and Kawasaki Keika played with building blocks in the living room.
Meanwhile, Saori Tsurumi and Saki Kawasaki washed the dishes together in the kitchen.
When they finished cleaning up, Saki and Saori chatted for a while.
Only then did Saori Tsurumi learn that Saki Kawasaki was working at Future Comics Publishing House—and that she was actually one of the official assistants there.
When it was time for them to leave, Akira Fujimiya spoke to Saori Tsurumi before they got into the car.
He told her that he had transferred another one million yen into her account, allowing her to use two months' worth of salary to buy furniture for her new place.
Saori Tsurumi was moved.
Gratitude filled her heart, though she noticed the puzzled look in Rumi's eyes.
'Why is this big brother so nice to us?' the young girl wondered quietly, glancing at her mother.
Ten minutes later, their car pulled away from Sakurasou.
Rumi finally spoke up.
"Mom, why is that big brother so nice to us?"
"Huh?" Saori looked surprised at her daughter's sudden question.
"We don't have anything. He doesn't get anything from helping us. So… maybe he likes you?" Rumi asked innocently, her curious eyes watching her mother.
"Rumi, you're overthinking it," Saori replied with a faint laugh. "There are so many girls around Akira-sama. How could that possibly be?"
"But if he really does think that way about you… would you quit your job?" Rumi pressed, her tone oddly serious for her age.
"Rumi, that's not something a child should worry about." Saori reached over and gently patted her daughter's head.
Seeing her mother's expression, Rumi sighed and stopped asking.
However, when Saori withdrew her hand, her smile faded slightly as she looked forward at the road.
She was thinking about the same thing.
If Akira Fujimiya really did harbor such intentions… should she resign—or stay?
.....
At Akira Fujimiya's room.
Yumiko Miura once again showed off her idol-level singing skills.
Yuigahama Yui sat nearby, clapping along with admiration, her eyes sparkling with envy.
Ebina Hina watched silently, not saying anything, her gaze unreadable.
"If you want to become an idol, I can help you," Akira said suddenly, glancing at Ebina.
"No need, I know I don't have the talent for that." Ebina smiled faintly and shook her head.
"Well, if it's a virtual idol (V-tuber), anyone can do it," Akira replied with a knowing look.
"Virtual idol?" Ebina blinked, confused.
Akira patiently explained the concept of virtual idols (V-tuber)—how technology could turn anyone into an anime character.
After listening, Ebina nodded slowly. "That… does sound interesting. I suppose that really could work for anyone."
"Akira-kun!, can I try it too?" Yui asked excitedly, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Sorry, Yui. I forgot about you," Akira said with mock seriousness. "Anyone can do it—except you."
"Eh? Why not?" Yui puffed her cheeks in protest.
"Because if you became a virtual idol, I'd definitely tease you during the live broadcast," Akira said with a teasing grin. "It'd probably cause a live stream scandal."
"Akira-kun, you're such a terrible person!" Yui exclaimed, her cheeks turning pink.
"Little fool should act like a little fool. Don't think about doing extra work," Akira said, smiling faintly as he gently kissed the back of her hand.
Yui's face flushed bright red as she clenched her fists and puffed her cheeks again, clearly embarrassed but secretly pleased.
Ebina looked away from the two and shifted her attention to Miura Yumiko, who had stopped humming.
Noticing this, Yui leaned closer to Akira and whispered something in his ear.
"What? Yui, you actually want me to take the initiative and win over Ebina?" Akira asked with exaggerated surprise.
"!!!!"
"!!?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Miura Yumiko froze and turned toward him sharply.
Ebina's eyes widened slightly, a strange expression crossing her face.
"...Yui," Miura murmured.
What Yui had actually meant was that since Akira had confirmed his relationship with them, Ebina seemed to have grown distant—lonely even.
"Ebina-san, what do you think?" Akira asked with an earnest expression.
Ebina thought for a moment before answering with a playful smile.
"I think it's fine. Akira-kun is handsome, capable, and kind. I'm actually quite attracted to him. If he were to pursue me seriously and take responsibility… I'd probably agree under his gentle approach."
"Hina, are you serious?" Yui asked, eyes lighting up.
"Hina, if you are ok...Yui and I can accept that. As for Yukinoshita-san, I'll try to convince her," Miura Yumiko said with determination.
{T/N: As if you can}
"Yui, Yumiko… thank you, but you've got it wrong," Ebina said softly, shaking her head. "We were just joking."
"Eh?" Yui and Yumiko both looked at Akira.
"You two—do you really want me to have another girlfriend?" Akira teased.
The two girls turned red, looking away shyly.
...
Later that evening,
Akira escorted the girls to the station.
When they passed by a convenience store, Yumiko suddenly let go of his hand.
"I'll go buy something," she said, before heading inside.
"This scene feels so familiar…" Akira remarked, glancing at Ebina beside him.
"This is probably what Yumiko and Yui were whispering about earlier," Ebina said with a sigh, thinking about how Yui and Yumiko were whispering to each other just before leaving.
"Do you want to learn from Yumiko?" Akira teased lightly.
"I don't want to copy her," Ebina said, smiling faintly. "But I do have a good impression of you. If, by the time I'm twenty, If I still don't have a boyfriend… I promise I'll either be your girlfriend or—"
Her eyes drifted toward the convenience store window.
"...Ebina-san, that's not much different from agreeing right now," Akira said softly.
"In the next three years, I want to pour everything into my dream—to become a skilled screenwriter. Ideally, the ace screenwriter of Flash Animation. When that happens, I want you to look at me with genuine admiration. I want to be someone irreplaceable, not just another girl around you." She said with the most beautiful smile, as she look at him with her beautiful eyes through her glasses.
Akira was in dazed before he understood instantly.
She liked him—but she didn't want to be just another name in his story.
Unlike Yumiko and Yui, who openly followed their hearts, Ebina wanted to stand proudly beside him, not behind him.
Akira smiled faintly and opened his arms.
"Then let's start as friends. When you feel tired, you can lean on me anytime."
Ebina blinked, surprised.
"Fujimiya-kun… you're getting worse and worse." She said, as her lips curl up, forming a small smile.
"Yeah," Akira admitted with a small laugh. "I probably am the worst."
Ebina chuckled softly, covering her mouth as she smiled.
Akira stepped closer and gently embraced her.
"Is it because of Yumiko?" Ebina asked quietly, resting against his chest, she didn't resist his embrace.
Akira didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Both of them already understood.
...
Akira Fujimiya was changing.
He was becoming worse, more shameless, more thick skin then his past self—not because of anyone else, but because of himself.
He had already started to like them back in that other world.
But back then, he couldn't reach them....
They existed in different universe—two sides of a screen, two worlds apart— One from reality and One from Anime or what he used to think as Anime.
But ——
Now, as he held Ebina Hina in his arms, he could feel her warmth, her heartbeat, and her soft fragrance.
It wasn't a dream anymore.
But Akira didn't answer her earlier question—because he knew very well that Yumiko wasn't the cause of his change.
The truth was simpler.
He couldn't stop himself from caring.
He softened when facing Yumiko.
He was touched when facing Saki Kawasaki.
He couldn't bear to leave Ebina.
He knew he was changing, but he didn't see it as a mistake or error.
He understood his own weakness—and accepted it.
If being "good" meant choosing one girl and rejecting the rest, then he would rather be worst.
Ebina didn't press him for an answer.
She simply stayed in his arms for a few minutes before stepping away.
Akira let her go without a word.
"Fujimiya-kun can't choose just Yukinoshita or Yui," Ebina said softly. "...Just like us—we know it's wrong, but we still can't help falling in love with him."
She reached up, placed her hand on Akira's cheek, and whispered something softly.
"...We're all making mistakes," she continued. "No one's right. But even if it's wrong, as long as it makes us happy… then maybe it's still right."
"Ebina-san… you understand me too well," Akira murmured, holding her hand gently.
"I've been watching—always watching you and the others," she said, smiling faintly. "As an observer, I understand all your emotions… theirs and yours alike."
"So, you chose not to accept me now because you were considering all of us?" Akira asked, stepping closer.
"Yes," Ebina replied firmly. "I want to be someone special to you—not as a lover, but as someone who can guide you when you're lost."
"Alright," Akira said after a pause. "I promise you."
"Thank you." Ebina smiled, withdrawing her hand gracefully.
Then she turned toward the convenience store and waved at Miura Yumiko inside.
When Yumiko saw that gesture, she immediately understood what Ebina meant.
She hurried out, her expression conflicted.
"Hina… thank you," she said quietly.
"Hina, you… you don't blame me?" Yumiko asked, surprised.
"In the past, whenever you wanted to introduce someone to me, I always refused," Ebina said gently. "I didn't want to meet anyone back then. But now, it's different. Fujimiya-kun is a strange person—someone who can change people. He changed you… and he's changed me too. That's why I'm grateful—to both you and Yui—for accepting me back then."
Yumiko Miura's expression softened as her eyes shimmered faintly under the streetlights.
"Hina…" she whispered.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,759