However, when facing Akira Fujimiya, Nishimiya Shouko never felt uncomfortable.
Even when Akira's hands were a little mischievous…she didn't dislike it.
She was simply shy and felt like they were moving too fast so she usually pushed his hands away gentle.
Hiratsuka Shizuka stared at Shouko's expression and instantly knew that Akira must have been teasing her again.
"You really are a scoundrel."
"If I were really am that worst, I wouldn't bully only Shouko, you know," Akira replied casually, giving her a meaningful smile.
"What… what do you mean by that?" Hiratsuka Shizuka's cheeks warmed.
"It's nothing. I just think that even an unmarried older woman deserves proper care." Akira looked straight at her, eyes unflinching.
"I don't need your care!" Hiratsuka Shizuka stood up abruptly, glaring at him despite the flustered embarrassment as she prepared to leave.
"It's only a difference of a dozen years, not decades. That gap won't widen anymore. I'll be here every year, right beside you." Akira gently took her hand.
{T/N: A "dozen years" is a period of 12 years, while he used "decades", so I think 2 decades that is a period of 20 years}
Hiratsuka Shizuka froze.
Her heart beat violently — too fast than usual...His hand was so warm, as it gently caresses her hand. She looked at his face to see his smile.
The blush on her face spread almost instantly. She tugged her hand away after a few seconds.
"Don't try to confuse me!"
She turned as she whispered softly and ran.
Akira watched her go with a small, amused smile.
Beside him, Nishimiya Shouko stared blankly, confused by what she just witnessed.
The relationship between those two… was difficult for her to grasp.
Akira didn't explain anything — merely patted her head gently, as he took her hand and started walking.
....
On the other side,
Hiratsuka Shizuka reached the restroom and leaned toward the mirror, tapping her cheeks lightly.
"Don't be fooled… He's just a playboy. Don't get tricked… don't…"
But she remembered the feeling of his hand.
That warmth.
Her heart… speeding up on its own.
What was this?
{T/N: Aabra ka daabra}
.....
After she returned, Hiratsuka Shizuka witnessed Akira and Shouko's so-called match.
Calling it a match was far too generous…
It looked more like two elementary kids fooling around.
With a sigh, she replaced Shouko and engaged Akira again in a proper match.
They played, rotated the opponent, then played again.
Time slipped into noon.
Akira quickly brought them to a ramen shop, the usual one.
The ramen chef saw him and greeted with a cheerful grin.
"As always — the most delicious ramen?"
"Mhmm. The most delicious," Akira answered, but his gaze lingered thoughtfully on the chef this time.
A world with Totsuki Academy existed here now…
Could this humble ramen chef be a graduate?
"Thinking of learning ramen?" The uncle chuckled, reading Akira's gaze.
"Uncle, do you know Totsuki Academy?" Akira asked directly.
"Of course. Every chef knows Totsuki Academy… Wait — don't tell me you think I'm a graduate?" The uncle's expression twisted awkwardly.
"Well, your ramen is very good," Akira replied honestly.
"Thank you for saying that, but no. This store and its techniques were passed down from my father. Since I was young, I've been helping and learning from home." He smiled, humble and proud.
"Even without being to Totsuki, you're still a remarkable chef," Akira said sincerely.
The uncle laughed.
Meanwhile, Nishimiya Shouko and Hiratsuka Shizuka remained silent — hunger drowning out their social instincts, as they waited for their food.
When the ramen finally arrived…
Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes sparkled with childlike excitement.
Akira couldn't help smiling.
Her composed teacher image was completely shattered when food was involved.
....
After lunch, the three decided to headed to the movie theater.
Even though Shouko couldn't hear, she followed the story through subtitles and the actors expressions.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she watched people enter the darkened screening room.
Akira sat between the two.
As the Movie began.
Lights dimmed.
Shouko leaned forward slightly, absorbed by the glowing screen.
Akira gently took her hand.
Shouko turned to him, startled.
He leaned near her ear and whispered:
"If you like movies… come to my room tonight. We can watch another one together."
Her cheeks instantly heated, and she shook her head.
{T/N: just a note she didn't hear the whole sentence but was able to pick up some words (she is wearing her hearing device the whole day except when playing the match, not the practice), and was able to guessed the sentence based on it and Akita's personality}
She knew too well— watching a movie in his room wouldn't just be a movie.
"You're not allowed to refuse. Okay?" His voice lowered, teasing.
Shouko hesitated.
"If you come… today's compensation ends. I won't bully you anymore."
Akira kissed the back of her hand.
Shouko glanced at Hiratsuka Shizuka who was absorbed in the movie, then slowly nodded.
Akira smirked.
"It's a date then. Bring your pajamas."
Her face turned crimson. Pajamas? That implied way too much.
But she had already agreed.
And Akira's gentle smile made her heart skip again and again.
Hiratsuka Shizuka could clearly feel something being whispered between them.
She just pretended not to hear and care… but her eyes kept drifting sideways toward Akira.
Noticing, Akira casually reached out and held her hand as well.
Hiratsuka Shizuka flinched, face reddening again.
She tried to pull back, but—
"Hiratsuka-sensei, I'm just holding your hand. Nothing more. Isn't your reaction a little exaggerated?"
Akira whispered calmly. "Could it be… your heart is beating faster?"
"My—my heart isn't beating faster! I don't feel anything when you hold my hand!"
Despite her words, she eventually stopped resisting.
"That's good," he said while smiling confidently. "I was worried Hiratsuka-sensei might fall in love with me."
"Don't flatter yourself…"
She turned her head, but her cheeks betrayed her again.
....
The movie ended.
The three moved to a coffee shop nearby.
Hiratsuka Shizuka excused herself to the restroom again.
While she was gone, Shouko used sign language to tell Akira her thoughts about the movie.
He responded fluently — promising to take her to another one movie next time.
She nodded happily.
He then reminded her again of tonight's visit.
Her blush returned, as she lowered her head.
Akira took a sip of coffee and held her hand gently below the table.
Soon after, Hiratsuka Shizuka returned and sat down.
She looked at both of them suspiciously.
"I have something to do this afternoon," she said. "You two… go shopping or something."
"Haruno asked you out?" Akira asked.
"!!"
Hiratsuka's reaction gave away the answer before she said anything.
Her eyes widened slightly.
He chuckled softly.
"If Haruno invited you, I won't stop her. I know exactly what she intends to talk about." His tone softened. "Whatever choice you make, Sakurasou will always be your home."
"I… don't know what you're talking about." She turned away, sipping her coffee with unnecessary force.
Akira didn't expose her lie.
He simply stood and offered his hand to Shouko.
She held his hand immediately and waved politely to Hiratsuka Shizuka, saying bye.
They left the shop.
Hiratsuka stared out the window, her emotions swirling in silence.
....
Akira didn't take Shouko to a mall.
Instead, he headed toward a small neighborhood street.
They were looking for the Yukihira family's restaurant.
Although Yukihira Soma had lost his chef qualifications…his father had not.
The restaurant still existed.
It didn't take long for them to find the place.
The warm aroma of homemade cooking drifted outside from inside — warm and comforting.
Shouko squeezed Akira's hand, as she glance at the restaurant, curiously.
He smiled and pushed open the door…
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1323