The Student Council members had been very busy.
Reports and budget expenditures from each club had to be compiled, analyzed statistically, and submitted to the principal—the preparations for it were already in place, now all that remained was for everyone to gather.
Isshiki Iroha had observed from the side, learning a lot from the process.
When they went to submit their reports, the principal reviewed the cooking department's activity funds and took out half of the budget.
"Please pass this on to Akira Fujimiya for me, and tell him the school will cover half of the cost of this activity," the principal said.
"....okay..," Meguri Shiromeguri replied after a moment of hesitation.
She left the principal's office and handed the funds to Akira.
Akira understood the principal's intention and did not refuse.
The activity had been applied for by the cooking department, and he had initially covered all the funds himself.
The principal had been skeptical about the department at first. The school only became involved after the event's success and the news department's interview with Yukinoshita Yukino.
Now that the school was contributing half of the funds, it became a school-funded activity.
Naturally, the support would be included in the news coverage. Such activities were beneficial to the school's publicity.
By the next semester, the cooking club's budget would likely increase significantly, and the school would probably take on more responsibility for future activities.
.....
In the afternoon, the girls from the cooking club went to the cafeteria to help wash dishes and clean.
Members of the gardening department continued tending to the vegetables they had planted, even willing to come to school during summer vacation.
.....
On the tennis courts,
Akira sparred against three opponents alone—and defeated them all.
Beyond his tennis skill, his physical fitness was at an athlete's level.
Hachiman, Hayama, Saika and Akira all together sat on chairs to rest.
When—Cheers erupted from the football field.
Hayato Hayama glanced toward the source of the cheers.
"Hachiman, does Komachi have any plans for summer vacation? I'm planning to take the Service Club and the Student Council on a trip," Akira asked.
"Komachi seems to plan on live-streaming at home. She bought her own broadcasting equipment, and my parents agreed to let her do it," Hikigaya Hachiman replied.
"With her talent, she'll probably become a popular voice actor in the Hoshiyuu Agency by high school," Akira said with a sigh.
"...Without your guidance, Komachi wouldn't have come this far," Hachiman said, looking at Akira, with complicated feeling.
"She's a rough diamond. I just gave her an opportunity. Whether she surpasses others depends on her own ability," Akira said, shaking his head.
"....She really is strong," Hachiman admitted after a pause.
Akira patted Hachiman on the shoulder. "Having such a talented sister must put a lot of pressure on you, right?"
"My parents said that if I achieve even half of what Komachi has, they'll be relieved," Hachiman replied dryly.
"Hachiman, I believe in you." Saika said from the side.
"Totsuka, believing alone isn't enough. You have to support him all the time, It's best to help each other whenever needed"
"Fujimiya…"
"Totsuka, during the hotel stay, you two will have share a room. Just be careful with Hachiman, if he tried to do anything kick him!"
"I wouldn't do anything like that!"
"Hachiman, imagine waking up in the morning, seeing Totsuka next to you, his cute sleeping face, calling your name…" Akira said playfully, his lips curling up into a mischievous smile.
Hachiman blushed deeply just thinking about it.
Ring-ling-ling!
Hayato Hayama's phone rang, he glanced at the caller ID, smiled slightly, and stood up.
"I have something else to do. I'll leave first."
"Judging by his smile, it must be about a girl," Akira observed.
"We've already met Hayama-kun's girlfriend. She's a student at a nearby high school and very cute," Saika Totsuka said smiling, happy for him.
"Really?"
Akira raised an eyebrow as he thought about the girls at the birthday party (Haruno's birthday party)
They were quite cute, even though compared to Yumiko Miura and others, they feel slightly less striking.
...
At sunset,
Akira returned to Sakurasou.
Tanokoro Megumi was carrying a box upstairs.
"Let me help you," Akira said, stepping forward.
Before Megumi could reply, the box was in his arms.
"Thank you," she said softly.
The two went upstairs together and arrived at her door. Megumi handed Akira a pair of slippers.
He placed the box down, changed into the slippers, and went to the living room.
"Is this from your hometown?" Akira asked.
"..Ah..I have something to do during summer vacation, so I'll stay here temporarily...," Megumi replied quietly.
Akira watched as she opened the box.
Inside were dried vegetables and shellfish, with a letter on top. When Megumi saw the contents, tears immediately filled her eyes.
Akira could guess the letter's contents without reading it.
Wiping her tears, she felt a pang of guilt for leaving her family behind.
"...If you feel sorry for your family, work hard to become an excellent chef, then return to your hometown to see them," Akira said gently.
"Fujimiya-kun…" Megumi looked up, tears cod still be seen in her eyes.
"I'll help you improve. Totsuki Academy isn't the only place to become an excellent chef. Your journey has just begun," Akira said, smiling warmly.
"Th-thank you," Megumi said, bowing deeply.
"You're welcome. Go wash your face, I like your smile. Tonight, let's try some cuisine from your hometown—how about it?" Akira asked.
"Okay," Megumi replied, smiling again.
...
Dinner time arrived.
Everyone was surprised by Megumi's cooking.
Akira had roughly assessed her skill.
Megumi Tadokoro, though below the level of Subaru Mimasaka, Soma Yukihira, was clearly above ordinary students. With Erina Nakiri's God tongue helping to correct flaws, Megumi could reach the level of a reserve member of the Totsuki Ten Greatest Cooks.
After dinner, Nishimiya Shouko and Tsurumi Saori helped wash dishes. Saori asked Megumi for advice on cooking techniques, and Megumi patiently wrote down the processes.
Akira and Yuigahama Yui went upstairs. When, Yui had proposed learning cooking from Megumi.
"Yui, learning from Megumi is like an elementary student asking a college student for advice. You won't understand everything she teaches," Akira said.
"...I'll just learn some simple dishes," Yui said, slightly reluctant.
"Then you might as well learn from Aunt Asuna," Akira reminded her.
"But Megumi's cooking is more delicious…"
"What Aunt Asuna taught you is the tastes that feel like home. It's a kind of dish, you'll never tire of," Akira said, hugging her softly.
"...What does home smell like?" Yui asked, puzzled.
"…." Akira stared at her, silently before giving up as he simply picked Yui up.
Her face flushed instantly as Akira lowered his head.
.....
The next two days,
After the cafeteria had officially opened — The food was very affordable. Even Hikigaya Hachiman abandoned meaningless bread to eat in the cafeteria.
To thank Akira for his help, the cooking department prepared dishes for the Student Council using vegetables from the gardening department.
The News Department reported the event, including photos and interviews with Yukinoshita Yukino again, along with the principal's affirmation and thanks to the event's sponsors.
Advertisements for Future Comics Publishing House and Flash Animation decorated the cafeteria.
.....
On the last day before summer vacation,
Yukinoshita Haruno and Hayama Riko had returned from their trip. The plane arrived in the morning.
Akira had took leave from the school and went to the airport to pick them.
Haruno and Riko walked out together.
Haruno saw Akira and smiled slightly, as she quickly walked towards him — He opened his arms.
Haruno did not refuse and hugged him.
"I missed you," she said softly.
"Me too," Akira whispered.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,325