In a fast-food restaurant.
Akira Fujimiya, Hikigaya Hachiman, Totsuka Saika, and Hayama Hayato sat around a small square table, eating burgers and sipping cold drinks together.
For Totsuka, this was a short rest after training, with others.
For Hikigaya Hachiman, this was simply dinner.
For Hayama Hayato, this was an easy gathering with friends.
For Akira…
This was nostalgic—
Training and sweating on the tennis court…
Then, as the sun set, gathering in a fast-food restaurant to eat together, he never thought he would had ever miss this....
"Fujimiya-kun?" Totsuka stretched out his hand and waved gently in front of Akira's eyes, as he found himself lost in thought.
"Ah—sorry. Is something wrong?" Akira quickly snapped back to reality.
"What kind of girls does Fujimiya-kun like?" Totsuka repeated the question he had been asking, while Akira was not paying attention.
".....And what about you three?" Akira asked back casually.
"I think… a gentle girl is the best. I'm a little afraid of arguing with girls, you see," Totsuka said shyly, his cheeks faintly pink.
Akira glanced at Hachiman.
"A gentle and kind girl," Hikigaya Hachiman said flatly, clearly not interested in elaborating.
"I thought you were going to mention Totsuka Saika. I'm disappointed~." Akira said, shaking his head, mock disappointment.
{T/N: ..... }
Hachiman flinched as he averted his eyes, while secretly staring at Saika.
"Fujimiya-kun!" Totsuka Ayaka's face reddened further.
Akira amused then shifted his gaze to Hayama Hayato.
"I met a girl at a birthday party recently. We've been chatting a lot," Hayama said, changing the topic as he didn't wish to say his type.
"Congratulations," Akira replied with a small smile. He wasn't surprised that he didn't wish to talk about it and also about the girl, Hayama is very popular among girls.
"So? What type does Fujimiya-kun like?" Totsuka asked again, since Akira is the only one who didn't answer, Hayama too but he ignored it.
Akira paused, thinking seriously for a moment.
The other three watched him closely—wondering whether he would mention Yukinoshita Yukino or Yuigahama Yui or Yukinoshita Haruno.
Finally, Akira answered.
"I like… pretty, cute girls."
"…"
The answer made them stared at with deadpan eyes—clearly not impressed by his answer.
.....
Leaving the fast-food restaurant behind as he said his goodbye to others, Akira returned to Sakurasou.
But instead of going upstairs directly, he first walked toward Hiratsuka Shizuka's apartment door.
He raised his hand, preparing to knock, before opening the door—but the doorknob didn't budge.
It was locked.
He glanced toward the small parking area to find that Hiratsuka Shizuka's car was missing.
"So she's not home…" Akira understood immediately, before turning back.
He walked upstairs to his own room and pulled out his phone, sending a message to Nishimiya Shouko asking about something.
A few minutes later, Shouko sent a picture in the chat.
The picture was… Hiratsuka-sensei's clenched fist.
Akira typed instantly,
"Hiratsuka-sensei, please return the phone to Shouko." —Akira
"Shouko is in the bath." —Hiratsuka Shizuka reply immediately.
"Really?" Akira replied back, before sending another reply, "I won't believe you unless you let me video-call Shouko."
There was a short pause.
"I'm planning to stay here from now on with her." —Hiratsuka Shizuka reply back.
"…Hiratsuka-sensei, I was wrong." Akira admitted instantly.
"Tomorrow I'm taking her to the hospital." —Hiratsuka Shizuka reply again.
Akira stopped moving, his expression tightening for a second.
He hesitated, then tapped the call button.
After a few rings—
"Tell me. What's the matter?" Hiratsuka Shizuka's voice came through, steady as always.
"Which hospital? I want to go too," Akira asked directly, without hesitation.
"...."
There was silence for a moment, before—
"....Come over for breakfast tomorrow morning," Hiratsuka Shizuka answered quietly, her voice soften.
"I'm looking forward to Hiratsuka-sensei's miso soup," Akira replied with a soft smile.
"You're thinking too much! I'm not making the dish!"
"That's a shame."
They chatted a bit more before Akira finally hung up.
He walked towards his bathroom, washed up, before walking straight to the kitchen—began preparing materials to cook for dinner—
Ring! Ring!
But before he could start, his phone rang again.
He looked at the caller ID, then answered.
"Senpai, guess where I am," Isshiki Iroha's voice came through, full of mischief.
"I can't guess," Akira said, walking toward the door, phone in hand.
"I'm… in front of Senpai's house." Her voice suddenly softened into a whisper.
Creak—!
Right as she said that, Akira opened his door.
Isshiki Iroha stood there, holding a lunch box, smiling brightly as she looked at him.
"Good evening, Senpai~"
"How did you know I was home?" Akira stepped aside to let her in.
"I saw Senpai and Totsuka-senpai leaving school together, so I asked Totsuka-senpai about it. He said Senpai usually returns to Sakurasou around this time, so I brought the dinner that I specially~ made myself for you." Iroha said playfully while slipping out of her shoes, as she wink at him.
"...The Cooking Club is working hard as always," Akira commented, finally understanding where her homemade food came from.
"Yes and because I wanted to have dinner with Senpai, I've been waiting for the right time since I finished cooking." Iroha changed into slippers and walked straight into the living room.
Akira blinked.
"You were at Tsurumi Saori's house?" he asked.
"Yes~," Iroha nodded sweetly.
As she placed the lunch box in the kitchen, arranging the seat and began plating the food,
Akira watched as she poured the dishes onto plates, scooped the rice, and arranged everything neatly on the dining table.
The steam rose gently into the air.
"Senpai." Iroha held the chopsticks with both hands, smiling at him.
Akira sat down, as he reached out his hand towards her.
She offered him the chopsticks with an expectant gaze.
Akira picked up a piece of freshly cooked tofu, gently blew to cool it, and instead of eating it himself—
He brought it to Iroha's lips.
Iroha took the bite with a shy smile, her eyes slightly gleaming as she hinted at something silently.
Akira simply picked up another dish and began eating normally.
After dinner, Iroha began clearing the table.
While, Akira went to bedroom, open the closet—the first think he saw was Yuigahama Yui's pajama set, then Yukino's before he found his— grabbed his own pajamas and one set of Yui's pajamas, before he slowly returned to the living room, sat on the sofa, waiting quietly.
While washing the dishes, Iroha noticed the pajamas.
Her cheeks flushed pink.
After she finished the dishes, she walked to the sofa and sat down beside Akira.
Akira put his arm around her, gently pulling her into his embrace, as he feel her getting comfortable in his arms.
"Senpai… I kind of… want to live here," Iroha murmured quietly.
"I think your house is nice," Akira replied. "There's no need to move to my place. Besides, Yui looks after you a lot and here you planning to push Yui out?"
"I mean living downstairs!" Iroha protested softly. "I know Yukinoshita-senpai and Yui-senpai have important places in your heart. I just want to be… a little closer too."
Akira paused.
"Sorry but No...You're too dangerous as a junior. If you move here, you'll definitely come attack me every day or you'll ask me to go to you at night."
"Am I that kind of girl to Senpai?...No! I'm not that clingy…" Iroha blushed furiously, as she immediately think of the thing she did for him before shaking her head, no that is totally two different things.
"In short, it's impossible for you to move here," Akira said. "As compensation, I'll visit you at least once a week. And during summer vacation, I'll take you along on the trip."
Iroha pouted, clearly disappointed.
But then she remembered something and leaned toward him, whispering into his ear.
Akira's expression changed slightly.
He shook his head.
"Bad Senpai!" Iroha puffed her cheeks, stood up, and walked toward the bathroom.
Halfway there, she glanced back at him.
Akira chuckled faintly, then stood and followed her.
....
An hour later…
In Akira's room, Isshiki Iroha lay curled up under the quilt, cheeks still faint pink, looking at Akira.
While, Akira sat at his desk, pen in hand, focused on drawing the continuation of "Non Non Biyori"
"Senpai."
"What is it?"
"A hardworking Senpai is… very handsome."
"Thank you for the compliment, my cute junior."
Iroha hesitated, then spoke softly.
"Senpai… if you have the chance… will you go with me to meet my family?"
Akira paused.
"Your family?"
"My brother," Iroha said. "Let's forget about my parents. Once they learn who you are, they'll definitely tell me to marry you immediately, and that'll trouble you."
"Your brother knows about us?" Akira raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure he won't try to kill me?"
"My brother is… a strange person," Iroha answered seriously. "I think he'll be very happy to meet Senpai."
She looked up at him, her expression soft and trusting.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,532