Miku went back to her lounge, and her heart started pounding wildly.
She placed the stuffed toy she grabbed from Natsuhiko on the bedside table.
Miku rested her chin on her hand and stared at it blankly. Soon, both the hedgehog and the one-eyed cat seemed to turn into Natsuhiko's shape in her mind. She smiled, blinked her eyes, and made a cute face.
What happened today felt like a dream.
She had originally planned to keep her secret crush deep in her heart.
She never expected it to be noticed right at the start.
But.
She didn't regret handing herself over like that.
Still, her heart was full of worry and unease.
The issue wasn't just between her and Natsuhiko.
It was with her other sisters.
They had been together since birth.
They went to school together, failed classes together, and transferred schools together.
They shared everything.
She could actually sense it. Among the five sisters, some had feelings for Natsuhiko too. Nino and Itsuki clearly felt differently about him.
She felt a bit sneaky herself.
Miku bit her lip.
The sisters should compete fairly.
Miku made up her mind quietly.
...
Natsuhiko looked at the LINE message on his phone.
Miku: "Hiko, can you not tell anyone about our relationship yet? Please."
Sigh, what deep thoughts is this girl having now? He couldn't help but chuckle.
"As long as you come play games with me, I'll agree."
He quickly sent the message.
As for what game they would play—whether it was the warrior game or something else—that was up to interpretation.
After a few minutes.
A single "OK" appeared slowly on LINE.
...
Miku didn't start doing anything bold with Natsuhiko at school just because their relationship had made a big step forward. She didn't even eat lunch with him. She went with her sisters to enjoy the school cafeteria.
She kept their bond to things like giving him a bottle of soda water if his table had no drinks.
If he couldn't see the sparkle in Miku's eyes, Natsuhiko would have thought yesterday's events were just a passing cloud.
She perfectly acted like the Miku from before yesterday.
Natsuhiko couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
Even at the end.
When school was over and she left, Miku gave him a sorry look, then went off with her sisters.
If they hadn't talked it over yesterday.
Natsuhiko would have suspected Miku was the type to pull up her pants and deny everything!
...
Still struggling with love troubles?
Still stressing over schoolwork?
Still worrying about...
Anyway.
If you have any of those problems, write "(aeej)K-On club" which is read as "Tea Club." It's the perfect safe haven for hurt hearts.
Club president Tainaka Ritsu used a thick marker to write "Illustrator" in big letters on the paper, then circled it heavily.
She drew little stars next to "MV."
Ritsu let out a sly laugh.
"What is this for?"
The perfect airhead Yui played her role and asked the question.
"This is——"
"Tea is ready."
Kotobuki Tsumugi came over with a tray holding the teapot and placed cups in front of everyone.
Natsuhiko judged from the aroma drifting into his nose that it was Darjeeling tea.
"Things have gotten really close between everyone lately."
Tsumugi narrowed her eyes and said with a smile.
Ritsu took a gentle sip of the tea and continued.
"I've already talked to the illustrator's guardian. Our illustrator will be in place soon!"
Natsuhiko knew about this.
It was during the time they visited the illustrator while making a solo MV for Miyazono Kaori.
But Natsuhiko keenly noticed something.
He tapped the table lightly.
"So, the illustrator can't jump right into creating the character designs yet?"
Akiyama Mio patted her knee. She looked very calm and smoothly took over the topic.
"We found a really famous artist. She just happens to be flying back soon, and once she's here, she can get right to work perfectly."
That makes sense. Illustrations aren't a huge part, so a little delay is fine.
But a famous illustrator.
Good thing Tainaka Ritsu could find one.
He felt a bit surprised and asked.
"Who is it?"
"Teacher, it's...."
Before Yui could finish, Tainaka Ritsu swiftly covered her mouth.
She said in a stern but weak voice: "Yui, didn't we agree to keep it secret?"
"Hee hee hee."
Hirasawa Yui burst out laughing.
"I forgot we had to keep it secret from Teacher."
Hmm!
Now even his disciple was rebelling. Natsuhiko decided to teach his gullible disciple a lesson later.
"As for the MV!"
Ritsu slammed the table hard.
"Big bro Hiko, my dear bro, I gotta ask right now—when is our MV coming out?"
"I watched the MV yesterday and couldn't sleep for a long time."
Akiyama Mio: "+1"
Kotobuki Tsumugi: "+1"
Hirasawa Yui: "+1"
Miyazono Kaori: "+1"
Until the three of them stared at him, making him uneasy.
Then Miyazono Kaori shouted unhappily: "I feel the same way! You're leaving me out!"
Natsuhiko waved his hand.
"It's all luck. For your MVs, we'll plan them once the lyrics and music are ready. As for quality, as a non-pro director, I can't promise perfection."
"Hee hee hee hee, our Lord Hiko is being modest again. We trust you."
Hearing that Natsuhiko had everything under control, they instantly raised his status to "adult"!
Natsuhiko gently put the tea lid back on.
He turned his gaze to Hirasawa Yui, who was happily munching snacks.
"Disciple, let your master see your real skills. You just teamed up with outsiders to rebel against me. If you haven't practiced well, heh heh heh!"
He hadn't forgotten Yui's recent act of rebellion.
Now was the time to swing the axe!
"Huh."
"Me, me?"
Hirasawa Yui nearly bit her finger from excitement.
Natsuhiko gave off a "who else but you" vibe.
Hirasawa Yui looked all wronged.
"The president bribed me with snacks and tea!"
But.
She still picked up her guitar.
Natsuhiko took it and tuned it for her. This kid still couldn't tune it herself .
"Play!"
Once it came to guitar, Yui seemed to find her confidence. No more airhead look—she was fully focused, her pretty eyebrows slightly furrowed in thought.
Then Hirasawa Yui began her genius performance.
Guitar version of "GOD KNOWS."
Aside from special techniques, it was almost flawless.
Akiyama Mio was stunned.
She had helped teach Yui chords before.
She never thought in just a few days, Hirasawa Yui's level was almost catching up to theirs.
The others had overlooked it too, then remembered Natsuhiko's evaluation when he joined the club that day. Their hearts stirred.
Natsuhiko's eye for talent was spot on too.
Feeling the admiring looks around him.
While secretly thrilled, Natsuhiko said calmly: "Even with 'perfect pitch,' you still need solid practice. You did great, Yui."
Hearing Natsuhiko's words, Hirasawa Yui perked up.
"I'm still way behind Teacher, but I really hugged my guitar to sleep every night!"
Yeah.
This disciple was easy to handle.
Hey hey, Yui, you're missing the point.
Your master said you have "perfect pitch"!
The others felt exasperated, watching the master-disciple duo show off. They suddenly felt a bit helpless.
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