Upon hearing Akira Fujimiya's words, Hiratsuka Shizuka lowered her gaze to the bowl of hangover soup placed in front of her—The steam rose slowly, carrying a faint herbal fragrance, yet she hesitated, her fingers resting on the edge of the table without moving.
"Do you need me to feed you?" Akira asked casually, his tone light, as if he were merely doing a normal thing.
Hiratsuka Shizuka stiffened slightly.
A faint flush crept up her cheeks, contrasting sharply with her usual carefree demeanor. She shot him a glare, then immediately looked away, refusing to answer.
After a brief silence, she reached for the spoon herself.
Without another word, she began to drink the hangover soup slowly, not giving him a single glanced.
Akira chuckled softly.
He picked up the beer in front of him and took a relaxed sip, leaning back as if enjoying the sea breeze and the unhurried atmosphere.
At that moment, Setsuna approached with a bright smile, carefully placing freshly grilled barbecue skewers onto the table. The aroma of roasted meat spread through the air, blending with the salty scent of the ocean.
Time passed quietly, marked only by casual conversation and the gentle sound of waves.
By the time the sun began to sink toward the horizon, the warmth of the afternoon slowly faded. As dusk settled in, a faint chill crept through the air, causing several of the girls to subconsciously pull their arms closer to themselves, feeling cold.
The maids as if knowing this had already prepared, brought out neatly folded warm clothes and started distributing them while simultaneously setting up a small stage not far from the villa's open area. Soft lights were arranged, and simple sound equipment was tested with practiced ease.
Among the maids, Sakurajima Mai caught sight of a familiar figure.
"Aria Shichijō?" she said quietly, surprise flickering across her eyes.
Aria Shichijō, dressed in a maid uniform, smiled faintly in response. Without saying a word, she gestured toward the stage and then gave her a knowing look.
Mai understood instantly.
She did not hesitate. After adjusting her sleeves, she walked straight toward the stage, her steps calm and unhurried, as though this were something she had done countless times before.
Nearby, Miura Yumiko noticed Mai's movement. Her eyes lit up with anticipation, and she straightened slightly, her attention completely drawn toward the stage.
The surrounding chatter gradually faded.
One by one, the others fell silent, their gazes turning in the same direction.
On a wooden bench not far away, Akira Fujimiya, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Yuigahama Yui sat together, watching Sakurajima Mai as she stepped onto the stage.
Mai spoke briefly with one of the maids, confirming the song she intended to sing. Afterward, she took the microphone and closed her eyes for a moment, breathing evenly as she searched for the right feeling.
{T/N: Fukashigi no carte, let say she sung this song}
Not long after, she opened her eyes and gave a subtle nod toward the maid managing the sound equipment.
The accompaniment began.
It was a song many of them recognized—a popular piece that had been performed countless times before.
Miura Yumiko herself had sung it once, and the result had been quite impressive.
However, as soon as Mai began to sing, the difference became immediately clear.
Her voice was steady and controlled, yet carried a natural emotional pull. It felt as though she were no longer standing on a modest seaside stage, but instead on a grand concert platform, dressed in dazzling idol attire, illuminated by countless lights.
The song flowed effortlessly from her lips, each note precise, each transition seamless.
"So amazing!," Yuigahama Yui murmured, her eyes widening in genuine amazement.
Earlier in the afternoon, they had spoken with Mai at length, learning more about her experiences and personality. Even so, witnessing her perform like this was something else entirely.
"She really is very talented," Yukinoshita Yukino commented softly, her tone carrying rare admiration.
"That's not just talent," Akira replied calmly. "That's professionalism."
He did not sound surprised in the slightest.
Mai Sakurajima's acting ability was already widely acknowledged, and her singing skills were equally exceptional. On top of that, she could dance with ease. In every sense, she was an all-rounder through and through!
When the final note faded, silence hung in the air for a brief moment—then applause erupted.
Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap
Everyone present clapped sincerely, their appreciation unrestrained.
Mai bowed lightly in response. As she straightened, her gaze naturally fell upon Miura Yumiko, who had been watching her intently the entire time.
Yumiko's hands clenched at her sides — She felt nervous, her heart pounding, but she did not retreat.
After a short pause, she stood up.
Step by step, she walked toward the stage.
Seeing this, Mai smiled.
If Yumiko lacked the courage to sing on a stage this small, she would never be able to stand on a larger one in the future. For an idol, courage was the most essential quality at the very beginning—till the very last.
"Yumiko, you've got this," Akira's voice called out.
Hearing him, Yumiko felt her nervousness melt away. A sense of reassurance filled her chest, and she lifted her head, her gaze steady as she stepped onto the stage.
Mai handed her the microphone without hesitation.
Yumiko chose the song she was most familiar with. After nodding toward the maid, she waited.
The accompaniment began.
Mai quietly stepped off the stage, standing to the side as she watched Yumiko with the attentive gaze of a senpai guiding a kouhai.
By the time the clock reached nine in the evening, the small seaside concert came to an end.
Mai Sakurajima formally accepted the responsibility of teaching Miura Yumiko.
She believed Yumiko had remarkable potential. With proper training, becoming a popular idol was far from impossible.
Although the other girls' singing skills have their own characteristics, they are far from being as amazing as Yumiko Miura's
As for Akira? He didn't join in the fun. It was more interesting to watch them perform from the audience.
The girls gradually made their way back toward the villa, chatting quietly among themselves. Behind them, the maids began packing up the equipment, working efficiently under the dim lights.
Akira held the hands of Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui as they walked toward the large ship anchored nearby.
The three of them moved along the beach together.
Yukinoshita Yukino tilted her head upward, her eyes fixed on the stars scattered across the night sky. Yuigahama Yui's cheeks carried a faint blush, her expression soft yet shy.
Akira face was full of smile the entire time.
.....
On the deck, Nagano Setsuna had already prepared a soft mat for them.
Akira lay down first, looking up at the night sky, then turned his gaze toward the two girls.
Yukinoshita Yukino's pretty face turned slightly red, and she felt that this scene was even more embarrassing than she had imagined.
Yuigahama Yui turned her head away, not daring to look at Yukino.
"You two don't want to look at the stars?" Akira asked lightly.
Yukino brushed her hair aside and slowly lay down, deliberately putting some distance between herself and Akira.
Seeing this, Yui hesitated briefly before following suit.
Akira reached out and held both of their hands.
"A few months ago," he began calmly, "on the day I joined the Service Club, the first time I saw Yukino, I already knew what our child's name would be."
Yukino stiffened slightly.
"At that time," Akira continued, "you were clearly confused. You only glanced at me occasionally same can be said for Yui too.."
Yui smiled faintly, remembering the first time she saw him, "Back then, my impression of Akira-kun was that he was a very handsome transfer student… but I didn't dare to get close to him."
"Speaking of which," Akira added, "I should thank Yumiko."
Akira glanced at her. "The reason we got closer is partly thanks to Yumiko… but also because you're too easy to deceive."
"I—I thought about it carefully," Yui protested weakly.
"You mean when you cried in the hallway?" Akira asked.
"Don't talk about that!" Yui exclaimed, embarrassed.
Akira laughed and turned to Yukino.
"I started with a story," he said. "Then a handshake. Then a hug. And finally—"
"If I could go back," Yukino interrupted coldly, "I would never let you shake my hand."
"Really?" Akira smiled. "I think you'd confess instead."
"Humph!, I won't confess to you."
"I like your tsundereness too, Yukino-chan."
"I not tsundere," she muttered.
Her voice was so quiet that it nearly disappeared into the night.
Yui smiled softly from the side as she look at her.
Yukino turned her head away, face burning.
Akira smiled as well. Yui too had already understood Yukino's nature.
"Come to think of it, when I first saw Yukinon before, I felt like she was from a completely different world from me. But at that time, I was wondering what it would be like if we became friends?" Yuigahama Yui said thoughtfully, in a light tone.
"At first, she'd act cold," Akira replied before Yukino could say anything. "But eventually, she'd accept you as her friend. At that time, if someone asks about your relationship, Yukino will definitely be conflicted. But, when you tell them that you are friends, she will be very happy in her heart"
When Yukinoshita Yukino heard this answer, she couldn't help but look at Akira.
"W-why do you think I would think that?"
"Because you are a tsundere, and I am someone who likes to observe tsunderes." Akira said naturally.
'Except for a specific loli pink hair magical girl'
"Don't think you can understand me. I don't think the same as you do." As Yukinoshita Yukino spoke, her eyes began to dodge.
"Yukino, you are like a cat. You used to be a proud cat, but after meeting me, you are no longer so proud." Akira gently kissed the back of Yukinoshita Yukino's hand.
"Yukino-chan really does like the look of cats."
"If you were a cat, Yukino would definitely hold you every day and never let go."
"Really? Meow~."
"Unfortunately, Yui, you don't look like a cat. You look like another animal."
"What animal?"
"Guessed"
...
Early morning.
Yuigahama Yui opened her eyes.
She yawned and sat up.
The unfamiliar room made her freeze.
Only then did the memories of last night return.
They had talked for a long time.
And at some point, she had fallen asleep in Akira's arms.
"I'm such an idiot," Yuigahama Yui felt very regretful.
She knew she had missed an opportunity.
Sunlight streamed in through the window.
Outside, seagulls flew over the blue sea beneath a clear sky.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,820