Everyone was genuinely happy when they finally heard Nishimiya Shouko's voice.
It was not loud, nor was it particularly clear yet, but it was unmistakably real.
The soft sound carried a trembling warmth, as if it had traveled a long distance before finally reaching everyone's ears.
For those present, that single moment felt more convincing than any medical report or professional explanation.
Nishimiya Shouko herself was still adjusting to the sensation.
She instinctively pressed her fingers together, her shoulders slightly tense, as if afraid the sound might disappear again if she moved too much.
Yui Yuigahama covered her mouth in excitement, her eyes already glistening, while Yukinoshita Yukino quietly turned her head aside, pretending not to be emotional.
Aria Shichijō looked at Nishimiya Shouko for a few seconds before slowly shifting her gaze toward Akira Fujimiya. She walked over and stopped beside him, her expression calm but her eyes carrying a complicated light.
She had her doubt about the miracle...
"The doctors said the operation went so smoothly that they couldn't believe it," Aria Shichijō said in a low voice.
Akira did not evade her gaze.
"I told you, believe in me, Miracle happen when you are with me," he said calm.
Aria Shichijō was silent for a moment.
Haa...
Then she exhaled slowly, as if letting go of something she had been holding onto for a long time.
"You really are someone who can save me..," she said.
"Unfortunately," she continued, "you like too many girls."
There was no bitterness in her tone, only resignation mixed with sincerity.
Akira glanced sideways at her. "...Do you really want to marry me?"
Aria Shichijō did not avoid the question. Instead, she smiled faintly.
"If it were possible," she replied, "I hope it would be you."
Akira shook his head gently.
"Sorry," he said. "That's not what I meant."
Aria Shichijō seemed to have expected this answer. She did not argue or press the matter.
"Then do me a favor," she said instead, looking at him meaningfully.
Akira already understood what she meant.
"…Alright," he replied.
Only then did Aria Shichijō lift her hand and casually brush her hair back. She turned around and walked away without hesitation, leaving behind a calm but lingering atmosphere.
Almost immediately after she left, Yukinoshita Yukino stepped closer and stood beside Akira.
"Don't ask," Akira said before she could speak. "If you want to know, then it's a secret."
Yukinoshita Yukino rolled her eyes at him. "I already know Miss Aria's wish. She talked to me about it earlier. In the end, it's still your decision."
"I was actually a little hesitant," Akira admitted. "But your mother said that if I didn't help, the Shichijō family would—"
"Are you sure my mother would say something like that?" Yukino interrupted calmly.
"Of course," Akira replied without missing a beat. "I never lie."
"Hmph," Yukino snorted softly. "Even if that's true, it still doesn't change how bad you are."
Akira smiled faintly.
"Don't worry," he said. "I already used my ability to look into the future. Where, our children's were asking for a little sister~."
Yukinoshita Yukino froze for a brief moment.
Then her face flushed red, and she glared at him fiercely.
Akira reached out, closing their distance and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
....
In the afternoon,
Nishimiya Shouko, Yuigahama Yui, and the others went to the cinema together.
{T/N: In the Island}
For Nishimiya Shouko, this was a moment she would remember for the rest of her life.
It was the first time she had truly watched a movie—not by guessing the plot, not by watching expressions alone, but by actually hearing the dialogue, the background music, and the subtle sounds woven into the film.
Before this, she could only rely on others to explain the story afterward.
Now, seated between Yuigahama Yui and another girl, she listened carefully, her eyes widening slightly whenever a new sound reached her ears.
Yuigahama Yui leaned close to her and occasionally whispered excited comments, making the experience even more vivid.
....
At the same time, Hiratsuka Shizuka made a phone call back home.
Hiratsuka Nohara was genuinely delighted when he learned that Nishimiya Shouko had recovered!
However, when Shizuka mentioned that she wanted to bring Nishimiya Shouko back with her, there was a noticeable silence on the other end of the line.
"Shizuka," he said slowly, "don't you worry…"
"She won't stay at home," Shizuka replied calmly.
"Because of Akira?" Hiratsuka Nohara asked.
"…Yes."
Shizuka did not deny it this time.
"And you and Akira…" he continued.
"We'll talk about our own matters later," Shizuka said.
She no longer denied their relationship.
Hiratsuka Nohara understood immediately and felt relieved.
After a moment of thought, he agreed to let Shizuka bring Nishimiya Shouko home.
.....
On board the ship, inside the kitchen,
Akira recreated the medicinal cuisine that Erina Nakiri had once prepared.
When Erina tasted it, her expression changed completely.
This was a medicinal dish she had developed after an extremely long period of research, experimentation, and refinement.
Yet, Akira had reproduced it almost perfectly!
More than that, the flavor seemed even more balanced and refined!
"Impossible…" Erina muttered in horror.
"Miss Secretary," Akira said, turning to Hisako Arato, "I want to seriously study medicinal cuisine."
"I have digital versions of medicinal cuisine books," Hisako replied quickly. "They include nearly all the medicinal food knowledge available at present."
"Come to my room after we return," Akira said calmly.
"....Yes," Hisako replied, her face turning slightly red.
Erina finally came back to her senses and tried to stop Hisako, but when she saw the expression on her face, she found herself unable to speak.
Akira smiled at Erina.
Erina stepped hard on his foot.
Akira did not react.
Instead, he held her hand firmly.
"Miss Secretary, you can go back first," Akira said lightly. "I need to discuss something with your young mistress."
"Yes," Hisako replied, already knowing what would follow.
After Hisako left, Akira pulled Erina into his arms.
"I think our relationship should move to the next stage," he whispered.
"I said it's just a kiss and that at most, but I—"
Before she could finish, Akira kissed her.
At the same time, he stretched out his hand unruly.
Erina Nakiri was a little panicked and scared, but did not stop him.
Seeing this, Akira picked her up and walked towards a room on the ship.
Erina Nakiri was silent, her little head resting in his arms.
Akira knew that this young lady had already made some mental preparations.
.....
Time passed quietly.
At sunset,
Akira put on his clothes and looked at Erina Nakiri, who was sitting with her back to him.
Just now, the young lady's favorability towards him increased to 50%!
"I won't hurt you until you fall in love with me," he said calmly.
"You..." Erina Nakiri turned around and glared at Su Yu.
Although Akira did not do it (not completely) with her, the things he taught her were things that only lovers would do!
"I know whether you have fallen in love with me or not. In fact, I can treat you gently, but you are even more arrogant than my little Yukino, so I want to bully you slowly and see if you will fall in love with me in the process." Akira grabbed her hand and looked directly at Erina Nakiri,
"I will never fall in love with you!" Erina Nakiri turned her little head away.
"Very good, then we will continue to maintain this relationship. The secretary has made it very clear that she will not get married and will always stay with you. So, I will restore my relationship with her. If you want to stop me, tell the secretary to stay away from me." Akira smiled.
"You...you bastard..."
"I felt sad when I saw her lost look. Don't you think you did something wrong?" Akira asked.
"I...I just want to protect her..."
"From the results, you did it wrong."
"Go away, I don't want to see you anymore."
Erina Nakiri withdrew her hand and turned her back to him again.
However, Akira didn't want to leave, instead he leaned over and kissed Erina Nakiri.
Erina Nakiri wanted to refuse, but as the time slowly increased, she had no choice but to give up.
As they parted there lips.
"I will never fall in love with you," Erina replied stubbornly.
"Good," Akira said. "Then we'll keep things like this."
.....
Dinner was lively that night.
Nishimiya Shouko excitedly talked about the movie with Yuigahama Yui and the others.
Yui enthusiastically recommended various variety shows and even invited Shouko to her room the next day.
Video websites have movies and TV series, and naturally there are also some popular variety shows.
Shizuka Hiratsuka sat together with Nishimiya Shoko but did not disturb the girls' conversation.
Yukinoshita Yukino and Akira sat together.
She had already learned about the Attack on Titan from Kanae Takahashi.
Kanae Takahashi will send her the Attack on Titan ending (that they thought of) and Akira's script later.
Yukinoshita Yukino is still looking forward to this!
Akira looked at Yukinoshita Yukino look of anticipation, and did not mention the plot of Attack on Titan..
Compared to Madoka Magica, Parasyte, and others.
This one started off stronger, but it's ended....
Akira felt that Miss Yukinoshita would definitely question him about the ending.
.....
After dinner,
Hisako Arato returned from the kitchen.
Miss Erina was still focusing on her dish!
So, she didn't distrub her and immediately went to her room to get her tablet.
There are many books on medicinal food stored in her room.
Most of them came from other countries, and were medicinal food books purchased by her family.
Among these, some medicinal food recipes are also known as lost recipes that no one can reproduce in present.
Hisako Arato has read these medicinal food books many times.
Unfortunately, she doesn't have the same memory as Akira.
Therefore, she carry a tablet with her to be able to check information at any time.
After retrieving her tablet,
She came to Akira's door and knocked.
Knock! Knock!
She knocked on Akira's door.
After a few seconds, the door opened.
Akira saw that Arata Hisako was alone, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Akira-sama… this is…" Hisako said softly, blushing.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,766