("Not going? Do you think you can decide? If you don't, I'll carry you from home to the car in front of everyone, if I have to,") Akira signed back, closing their distance before hugging and picking up the shy Shouko.
Nishimiya Shouko looked at Akira Fujimiya and couldn't bring herself to resist or refuse him.
Akira lowered his head, as he gently kissed her on....the forehead, then released her from his arms.
....
After breakfast—
On the way to Sobu High School—
Akira was holding hands with both the girls', one on each side.
Hiratsuka Shizuka walked ahead, pretending not to notice what was going on behind her back.
While, In the back — Kawasaki Saki and Nishimiya Shouko both blushed furiously.
When they were almost at school, Akira finally let go of their hands.
....
Arriving at the school gate—
They spotted Isshiki Iroha who was already waiting near the gate, and the moment she saw Akira, her face brighten up as she ran over quickly.
"Senpai, good morning!"
"Good morning, Iroha," Akira replied, naturally extending his hand to pat her head.
Isshiki Iroha lit up with a bright smile.
That small gesture alone was enough to make passersby think their relationship was unusually close, as they quietly walk away.
Akira didn't mind being seen by others in this state. In fact, he noticed that seeing showing affection openly was what made Iroha happiest.
.....
After the morning classes,
Akira closed the light novel he had been reading and took out the lunchbox Isshiki Iroha prepared yesterday.
Nishimiya Shouko looked at him, carrying her own lunchbox.
("I have somewhere to be, you can go have lunch with Yui and the others,") Akira sign casually and stood up.
Nishimiya Shouko opened her mouth, staring blankly as he left with the bento in hand.
Yuigahama Yui walked over right then, smiling warmly at her.
Nishimiya Shouko did feel a little sad but she didn't show it as she quickly got up, holding her lunchbox and the notebook Akira had given her.
Akira could understand sign language and even if others did too, it was usually very basic, they can't understand all of them—Writing in a notebook was still much easier for communication.
.....
On the way to the Service Club room—
Nishimiya Shouko watched the three girls chatting freely and silently recalled her conversation with Akira last night…
If I could truly hear the sounds of this world… could I be like them? Could I laugh like that? Could I speak like them?
Ebina Hina at the front noticed her expression, smiled knowingly, and took out a tiny notebook from her pocket, flipping to one page before showing it to her.
When Nishimiya Shouko read the words on that page, her heart quietly warmed.
It said: "If you want to join the conversation, I'll sit next to you after lunch and tell you what everyone is talking about. You won't feel left out anymore."
Nishimiya Shouko nodded, gathering all the courage inside her.
"Th… thazk yow…" she spoke, softly.
The moment those trembling words came out—
Ebina froze.
Yuigahama Yui and Miura Yumiko both stopped walking as well.
Nishimiya Shouko… actually spoke voluntarily?
Even though the words that came out of her mouth was difficult, but they were able to understand a little what she want to say.
Shouko didn't know if she said it right.
Realizing the three were staring at her, she nervously began signing thank you again.
("Thank you")
Ebina Hina snapped out of it first, as she took out the pen and wrote something very quickly in her small notebook before showing it to her, with a smile.
It said: "Did Fujimiya-kun give you courage?"
Reading that—Nishimiya Shouko's face immediately turned red.
From her reaction alone, Ebina Hina knew that her guessed was correct.
Yui and Yumiko also looked at the notebook and saw the words.
"Akira-kun must have encouraged Shouko-chan, we should help too. At least help her say some simple words when she's with us," Yuigahama said gently, as she turned towards Shouko before turning towards Yumiko and Hina.
"Yui's right. Hina, is there a way to help Shouko?" Miura Yumiko asked, turning to the smartest among them.
Ebina pushed up her glasses and smiled.
"It's very simple. As long as we remember the words Shouko can say and react to them, she'll gain confidence."
Both Yui and Yumiko nodded firmly.
Nishimiya Shouko suddenly grew nervous again as the three girls stared at her.
....
Student Council Office.
Isshiki Iroha was feeding the lunch to Akira with a bright smile, Akira returned the favor by feeding her as well.
Iroha looked delighted, smiling the entire time, as she eat the dish.
While, Akira occasionally glanced outside, checking the scenery around the school.
After they finished eating—
Iroha happily munched on a dessert bought by Tsurumi Saori. While eating, she winked repeatedly at Akira with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Akira pretended not to notice the hint, instead continued teaching guitar to Shiromeguri Meguri.
Meguri's guitar skills had improved significantly—already good enough for a livestream performance.
But she lacked confidence.
Akira didn't rush her. Instead, he taught her several anime songs that he had heard in his previous world.
Specifically—songs from Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
The animation production for Madoka Magica was already in the latter half. Adding new background music might increase their workload, but a good song could make the series more legendary.
He believed neither Yukinoshita Yukino nor Hayama Riko (the Hoshiyuu Agency representative) would refuse an opportunity to improve such a project.
Once Meguri mastered the songs, she could participate in the production as a musician.
With her current skill level, she was more than capable.
If she participated in the animation production, she would receive the compensation for the work.
For Meguri, this can be counted as a real job.
Akira could have just given her money… but that would only....
A hardworking girl like Meguri would be far more grateful if the money came from her own efforts.
Meguri was practicing seriously, finding every song that Akira taught her, to be wonderful—beautiful like the best song she had heard.
She didn't question further about his intention and simply poured herself into learning the song from him.
Beside them,
Once she finished her dessert, Isshiki Iroha glanced at them again, then quietly slipped out of the Student Council Office.
Only after she left did Akira walk over to Meguri's side.
Her face flushed softly, as she felt him getting near.
"F-Fujimiya-kun… w-what is it?" she stammered.
Akira leaned closer, lifting her chin gently with his finger.
"..I want to teach you something else too," he whispered, gentle.
Meguri's heart skipped.
He slowly moved closer, lowering his head toward her lips.
Meguri closed her eyes, making no effort to resist.
Just moments ago, seeing Iroha being all affectionate with Akira… made her feel a hint of disappointment.
That disappointment completely disappeared now.
As she feel his lips against her's.
.....
After lunch break—
When Akira returned to the classroom, he found Nishimiya Shouko smiling brightly.
("Something good happen?") he asked in signed language as he sat down.
Shouko conveyed everything that happen with sign language—how she spoke infront of Yui & others and how everyone supported her during lunch.
Akira watched quietly as she conveyed everything her face brightening with each sign, then— glanced toward Ebina Hina.
Shouko followed his gaze, surprised.
How did he immediately know Ebina was the one who helped her?
("Hina is very smart. She knows you like me, so she's helping you, you can trust her. The advice she gives is from a bystander's perspective—it's very valuable,") Akira replied in signs, easily reading Shouko's thoughts through her expression.
Shouko hesitated, then signed a question about Akira's relationship with Ebina.
("Ebina and I are close friends. But… our relationship could turn into something more anytime,") he answered casually, before sending glances towards Hina.
Ebina Hina was focusing on her books as if she didn't feels anyone's glances at her.
Shouko froze.
She did not understand such an ambiguous relationship.
("It's too troublesome to explain. Matters of the heart can be simple or complicated. You only just began to understand this feeling now, so don't overthink,") Akira continue.
He took her hand gently.
Shouko nodded… then quickly shook her head, signing that he shouldn't pursue other girls anymore.
Akira chuckled.
("Suppose there's a girl who likes me a lot and wants to be with me no matter what. Should I accept her or reject her?") he asked the question.
Shouko hesitated—
She didn't know what she was supposed to say.
Akira smiled.
("Idiot. I would reject her. Do you want to know why?") he asked.
{T/N: I don't believe you}
Shouko blinked, confused.
{"If I don't like her back, then of course I should reject her. But if I like her… then I will pursue her myself,"} he added softly. {"Just like you. When I met you, I decided to try my best to make you my girlfriend—and from the look of it, I succeeded."} He smile at her.
Shouko's cheeks flushed deep red, looking down in embarrassment.
"So," he continued, voice calm yet firm, before signing, ("when you see me with another girl, think of it this way: she's someone I might like. So you shouldn't disturb me. Right?")
Shouko nodded blankly…though something still felt wrong about his last statement.
She just didn't know what.
Akira watched her and had to admit—
This girl was so innocent. Too trusting. Too easy to fool.
Fortunately, she met him.
Even if he was a bad guy… at least he believed he was a good guy.
{T/N: Yea no}
.....
After school—
Yuigahama Yui and the others was headed towards the tutoring sessions.
Nishimiya Shouko didn't need tutoring—her grades were not the best but Shizuka-sensei have already taken the responsibility of teaching her at home.
So, Akira took her to the school's small animal enclosure at the back— where, Rabbits were mainly raised here.
The quiet atmosphere there seemed to suit her well.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,716