"In addition to helping you earn money, I have another purpose— to have a relationship with you. You don't need to work anymore; I can support you," Akira added, silently taking Shizuka's hand.
"You… you should let them…" Shizuka Hiratsuka's face flushed red, her heartbeat quickened, and she turned her head away, not daring to look at Akira Fujimiya.
"If you don't want to, then I can only ask Uncle Hiratsuka to invest. If he asks, I'll tell him what I just said to you," Akira Fujimiya said gently, looking at Shizuka Hiratsuka with a playful yet teasing smile.
"You…" Shizuka Hiratsuka's face turned even redder.
Akira didn't say anything else, just smiled at her silently, his gaze unwavering.
"How much money do you need?" Shizuka Hiratsuka asked, realizing he wouldn't give up easily.
"Ten million yen," Akira replied casually.
"I'll transfer it to you when I get back to the villa," Shizuka said without hesitation, her voice slightly flustered.
"It's okay, just owe it for now. I'll have someone prepare the contract and send it to your house," Akira said, glancing at Shizuka with a reassuring look.
"Are you on good terms with the eldest daughter of the Nakiri family and the eldest daughter of the Nanajo family?" Shizuka asked, changing the subject.
"Don't worry, they won't let me give up Yukino. If the eldest daughter of the Hiratsuka family is involved, then I can think about it carefully," Akira joked, his tone light but confident.
Shizuka Hiratsuka blushed, quickly shaking off Akira's hand before leaving.
As soon as she left, Akira called Hiratsuka Nohara to inform him about the restaurant investment.
Hiratsuka Nohara was a little surprised to hear that a special chef had been involved. Then he heard that Akira wanted to give shares to Shizuka for only ten million yen and immediately understood the implication.
"So… Akira Fujimiya, I can take retire now peaceful and help Shizuka take care of the children in the future," Hiratsuka Nohara said with a smile.
"You're too impatient. It'll take at least two years," Akira replied calmly, glancing at Erina Nakiri—before turning back to Hiratsuka Nohara.
"I've been waiting since my thirties. It's been too long," Hiratsuka Nohara sighed.
"Wait two more years at most," Akira said firmly, giving him a clear timeline.
"Alright, I'll wait another two years. I hope you bring me good news," Hiratsuka Nohara said happily.
"I'll visit you again once I return," Akira promised.
Just then, Hisako Arato walked over.
Ten minutes later, Akira had finished reviewing everything she had recorded.
The dishes chosen by Erina Nakiri were all traditional, classic dishes—the most iconic spicy tofu and home-style braised pork, among others.
She was very particular about taste, and her cooking style was clearly influenced by the methods she had learned from her childhood.
"Miss Erina said that in competitions like this, you shouldn't use dishes you're good at. You should challenge dishes the other person excels in to identify weaknesses," Hisako Arato said softly.
"Even if you lose, you will gain experience from it. Miss Nakiri is worthy of her reputation. She plans everything carefully," Akira said with a smile.
"Although she said that, if she loses—especially to someone her own age—she won't accept it easily," Hisako said, a hint of concern in her voice.
"Isn't that better?" Akira asked, looking toward Erina Nakiri in the kitchen.
"Huh?" Hisako Arato didn't understand.
"Then I'll have the chance to take care of the disappointed and lost Erina. It feels nice to think about it," Akira said, reaching out to hold Hisako's hand.
Hisako felt her face warm immediately, a light blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Miss Secretary, let's go to the indoor entertainment room," Akira said, lightly kissing the back of her hand before standing up.
"...But I also have to help Miss Erina record her cooking," Hisako hesitated.
"This isn't important and I already have a way to assist her," Akira said confidently, smiling at her.
"Really?" Hisako's eyes lit up, sensing his certainty.
"This method will take some time, probably starting next month. In short, I'll cure her divine tongue and help her become a top chef. Your task is to make me happy and relax a little," Akira whispered, putting his arm around her slender waist.
"I… I understand," Hisako said softly, feeling warmth bloom in her chest.
A few minutes later, when Erina looked up, she found both Akira and Hisako had disappeared.
She froze, then her face gradually turned red as she realized what had just happened.
Her expression became complex, a mixture of surprise and frustration.
.....
The sunset spread golden light across the kitchen floor as Erina Nakiri asked Hisako Arato to rest while she tried the previous dishes.
Outside, the view was breathtaking, but Erina had no time to appreciate it fully as she concentrated on her cooking.
"Do you want to watch the sunset with me?" Akira's voice suddenly rang out.
"You… when did you get here?" Erina was startled, looking up to see Akira beside her.
"I just arrived and saw how serious you were, so I thought I'd disturb you," he said, smiling gently.
"You… you go watch the sunset by yourself," Erina said angrily, turning her face away.
"What have you thought about it? Do you want me to help? The sunset makes the atmosphere a little more romantic," Akira said, stretching out his hand and naturally holding hers.
"…I need to think about it again," Erina said, looking at the sunset outside the window.
Only then did she realize just how beautiful it was.
Akira gently hugged her from behind.
Erina stiffened slightly, startled.
"Just now, when I hugged Hisako like this, she kissed me on her own. She said you'd make a decision but would be too shy to admit it. She asked me to take the initiative," Akira explained softly.
"Stop bullying Hisako all the time!" Erina exclaimed, clenching her fists.
"Then can I bully you?" Akira said, hugging her tighter.
"Let go… I still need to think about it…" Erina said, her face flushed bright red.
Seeing this, Akira picked her up and walked out onto the deck.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked, her face warming further.
"Didn't I say? To watch the sunset. I'll kiss you again under the sunset," he replied.
"You… you're so impatient…" Erina said, her voice both flustered and angry.
"Yes, I'm impatient. Miss Erina, you're beautiful, and if you want my help so desperately, I won't be able to hold myself back," Akira said, looking at her sincerely.
"I… I will hate you," Erina said, clenching her fists, though her heart betrayed her words.
"Even if you hate me, it's okay—if you like me, I'll be worried about leaving you entangled," Akira said with a small smile.
Erina snorted, embarrassed and irritated.
.....
Akira found a good spot on the deck and set her down.
Erina lowered her head, unsure of what to do. Akira lifted her chin and moved closer.
Erina instinctively stepped back.
Akira wrapped his arms around her slender waist and kissed her.
At that moment, Erina's mind went blank. She didn't know how to respond.
After a few minutes, Akira's hands became slightly restless—getting lowered.
Erina reacted immediately, trying to push him away, but Akira held her tightly.
Until—
Her tears began to fall.
Akira looked at her, meeting her tearful eyes.
She turned her head, refusing to meet him fully, but did not push him away. She knew it is useless anyway!
"Are you crying already, Miss Nakiri?" Akira asked, smiling gently as usual.
"...Before I met you, I still hoped the person who could save me would be gentle, kind… someone who would care only for me," Erina said, sobbing.
"Do I also need to take care of your tsundere side and occasionally be your servant?" Akira added softly.
"I didn't expect the person who could save me to be someone like you! Bad, womanizer, despicable, shameless!" Erina said, tears streaming down her face.
"You can choose to push me away. I don't mind. The one waiting to be saved is you, not me," Akira said lightly.
"You… remember this. I will never like someone like you. I just need your help that is it!," Erina said, clutching him and pressing her lips to his.
Biting him forcefully but not enough to make him bleed.
Akira did not resist, as he kiss her gentle.
Both of them moved together, hands intertwined.
Erina cried, angry yet intertwined now.
She realized she needed his help—she had been entangled in matters with Yukinoshita Yukino before, but now she understood.
To her, Akira Fujimiya was just a tool.
Yes—a tool!
How foolish she was to develop feelings for a tool!
She would kick the tool away when the time was right.
She thought of Hisako Arato.
She couldn't let Hisako continue being bullied by him!
...
The sunset reflected across the sea.
Akira held Erina's hand.
Neither spoke.
The view was breathtaking, like a painting.
"Is this enough time, Miss Nakiri?" Akira asked.
"It's not enough," Erina replied, holding his hand tightly.
"Miss Nakiri, do you like me so much? What I did just now was excessive, but you don't mind, right?" Akira said, smiled gentle but his eyes were focusing on her face.
"To me, you're just a tool. I have no feelings for you, so holding your hand like this doesn't bother me," Erina said coldly. More coldly than usual.
"So that's how it is. Then shall we continue kissing?" Akira asked playfully.
"That's enough for today," Erina said, turning her head and letting go of his hand.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,648