After lunch.
Hiratsuka Shizuka arrived.
Her arrival also meant one thing—
The medical team arranged by Aria Shichijō had already arrived on the island.
The atmosphere in the villa changed subtly.
Nishimiya Shouko sensed it too.
She gently tugged on Akira's sleeve and used sign language to ask him if he wanted to change clothes before going out.
Akira shook his head.
He reached out and took her hand naturally, as if this was the most ordinary thing in the world (this was), and led her out of the room.
Hiratsuka Shizuka followed quietly behind them.
When they arrived at the living room, Akira immediately saw Aria Shichijō standing there, accompanied by several doctors.
Aria Shichijō smiled faintly when she saw him. Then, turning to Nishimiya Shouko, she made a simple sign language gesture.
It meant:
("There's no problem.")
Nishimiya Shouko's eyes brightened.
She bowed deeply to Aria Shichijō, expressing her gratitude with complete sincerity.
Aria Shichijō waved her hand lightly, her expression gentle.
Several female doctors stepped forward. After learning about Nishimiya Shouko's condition, they conducted a series of careful examinations before allowing Nishimiya Shouko to go to the prepared operating room
...
In front of the operating room door.
Akira lean slightly so that he was at eye level with her.
He raised his hands and used sign language slowly and clearly.
The meaning was simple.
("Believe me.")
Nishimiya Shouko smiled.
She nodded firmly and responded in sign language.
("I believe you.")
The female doctors gently guided her inside.
The door to the operating room closed with a soft sound.
For a moment—
The corridor became extremely quiet.
Akira sat down on a chair outside the operating room.
Hiratsuka Shizuka glanced at him and then sat down beside him.
Neither of them spoke.
Akira's gaze remained fixed on the closed door.
He believed.
He believed that miracles existed. As he quietly willed his ability to be materialised,
[Miracle— Activated successfully]
The screen in front of him showed him that his ability is activated—this was quite unusual since in the first time when he willed his ability to be activate, it simply did—the system didn't announced it that time.
He shook his head, now was not the time, his face calm—as he stare at the closed door, even after knowing that his ability is used, he can't calm down his beating heart.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, however, was more worried than him!
She clasped her hands together unconsciously.
The operation would take one hour.
Under normal circumstances, an hour would pass very quickly.
But when you were waiting for something this important, every second felt stretched and unbearably long.
"Shizuka," Akira suddenly spoke.
"Hm?" Hiratsuka Shizuka turned her head, slightly confused, as she heard him used her first name.
She was not flustered as usual—since she was too worried for Shouko to care about this kind of stuff now!
"After Shouko recovers, please take her home," Akira said calmly.
"Let her see her family and decide what she wants."
"And if she chooses to return to her original life and never comes back to Chiba?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked quietly.
"Then I'll go pick her up," Akira replied without hesitation, rolling his eyes at her, "I'll let her make her own choice doesn't mean I will let her stay away from me...."
"You're really awful," Hiratsuka Shizuka said, glaring at him.
"I made an agreement with her," Akira continued casually.
"I can only bully her after she gets better."
"You just want to bully her," Hiratsuka Shizuka snorted.
"I actually want to bully you too—"
"You— what did you say?" Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes widened,
"Nothing," Akira replied immediately.
"I'm just looking forward to our future life as a big family."
"There is no future for you and me!" Hiratsuka Shizuka retorted.
But even as she said that, a faint blush crept onto her face.
Akira smiled.
He reached out and gently held her hand—'at least she calm down a little.'
Hiratsuka Shizuka turned her face away, pretending not to notice him, but she didn't pull her hand back.
She was shy.
Akira looked at her profile, the familiar stubbornness mixed with softness.
Then—
Click.
The operating room door opened.
....
"The world seems to be quiet, as if silent in anticipation, like the moment a conductor raises their baton before the music begins."
....
Inside the operating room—
Nishimiya Shouko had known silence since birth.
Her world had always been quiet.
There were not many sounds.
"Shouko…"
She sensed a voice.
This was a young man's voice!
"Shouko, can you hear me?"
Another voice followed.
This was woman's voice!
Shouko tried desperately to follow those voices.
She felt them drawing closer.
She struggled to open her eyes.
At that moment—
A large hand held her small one.
It was a warm hand
Her heart calmed instantly, as she felt the familiar touch.
"Rest well," his voice was clear, steady, and close.
"When you wake up, we'll go see the sea together."
She didn't know how long it took.
When Nishimiya Shouko opened her eyes again, the world was different.
She felt warmth.
Akira's hand was still holding hers.
He was lying beside the bed, his head resting on the edge, as if he had fallen asleep there.
A breeze passed through the room.
Nishimiya Shouko heard it clearly.
She heard it!
The sound of the wind!
Her eyes trembled, she could feel that she was not wearing her hearing device and even with it she couldn't hear the sound of the wind!
She opened her mouth and finally said the words she had always wanted to say.
"...Yes… I... love...you..."
Akira sat up immediately, as if he was awake—he reached out as he wiped her tears.
He looked at her, smiling.
"I heard you," he said softly. "I love you too."
"...I... heard...the...wind," Shouko said, her voice trembling but clear. "And..your..voice... I..want..to..go..see the sea with you."
Her voice getting clear, the more she speak.
"I'll help you change clothes," Akira said as he stood up.
"I—I can change by myself…" Shouko said shyly, flustered. Her voice softened.
"We made an agreement," Akira replied calmly, his smile gentle and teasing.
"Once you can hear the world, I'm allowed to bully you as much as I want."
"I—I'm scared," Shouko whispered, suddenly.
"What if I suddenly can't hear again…" Her voice started to break as her eyes became moist with tears.
Akira didn't speak as he handed her the examination report.
She read it carefully.
She was familiar with these terms. The doctors had explained them before and she too understand them.
"You've fully recovered," Akira said seriously.
"You won't lose your hearing again. This is a miracle—Congratulations." Before adding gently.
Shouko looked at him.
"…Thank you."
Akira smiled.
He helped her up and carefully changed her clothes.
At first, she was shy.
But when she saw the tenderness in his eyes, her heart gradually calmed.
And Akira too didn't do anything.
They left the operating room together.
....
Outside,
Shouko bowed deeply to the doctors.
They smiled kindly and reminded her of daily precautions, regular checkups, and that she should undergo a check-up every day.
They will return to the hospital a week later if nothing unexpected happens.
In truth, they already knew—
There was no need for observation!
The surgery had been a complete success.
A Miracle had happened!
.....
The seaside.
Shouko stood quietly, listening.
The waves crashed clearly against the shore.
"Is there anything you want to say?" Akira asked gently, holding her.
"The world suddenly has sound," Shouko said softly.
"It's very beautiful. It used to be so quiet for me."
"After a week," Akira said, "Hiratsuka-sensei wants to take you home. Your family should hear this news."
"…Is that okay?" Shouko asked.
"Of course," Akira replied. "They'll want you to stay."
"…I want to be with you," Shouko said quietly, turning to him.
Akira hugged her tightly. Nishimiya Shouko thought of the girls around Akira, lowered her head, and leaned her head in his arms.
'Maybe, it'll be good If I—'
"You must come back," he said firmly.
She was stunned, then smiled sweetly. Her doubt clear.
"I will."
"I originally wanted to let you choose, but after thinking about it, you might really choose to stay at home. So, I have taken the initiative to say this, you must come back, and next year, we will watch the cherry blossoms together in the yard." Akira let go of Nishimiya Naoko and looked at her seriously.
"You, me, and Hiratsuka-sensei?" Shouko asked curiously.
"Ahem…well, since she's your—" Akira coughed awkwardly.
"I know," Shouko interrupted him gently.
He smiled helplessly.
"Shouko!"
Voices called out.
Yukinoshita Yukino, Yuigahama Yui, and the others approached from a distance.
Hiratsuka Shizuka walked over with a smile.
Shouko shyly stepped away from Akira and walked toward everyone.
The sound of the world surrounded her.
And she want to hear it more!
....
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,531