Unique highschool life

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Chapter 78.

Words counted-- 1500

Enjoy~

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Aki sat down at his privious table, the one near the corner that offered a comfortable view of the bustling cafe. As he settled in, he called out his order. "Cold cappuccino with chocolate and extra sugar," he said, his voice calm and smooth, reflecting his relaxed mood, ignoring like nothing happened a moment ago.

After a few minutes, Misaki approached his table, holding the drink. She placed it down gently in front of him, a faint blush on her face. "Here you go, oni~tan," she said, slipping into her role.

Aki looked up, a genuine smile replacing his usual teasing smirk. "Thanks, Misa," he said softly, surprising her with his sincerity.

Misaki hesitated for a moment, glancing at him with curiosity before breaking the silence. "Umm… how long are you planning to stay today onii- tan?"

Aki looked thoughtful for a moment, then asked, "How much longer until your shift ends?"

Misaki blinked, slightly taken aback by the question. She looked at the clock behind the counter. "About an hour, why?"

"Nothing much," Aki replied in a low voice, almost a whisper. "I was just thinking… maybe we could walk home together tonight."

Her face turned a shade pinker as she coughed lightly to mask her embarrassment. "Ahem… then do as you please. If you can wait until my shift is over, that is," she said, trying to sound indifferent, but the awkwardness in her voice betrayed her.

"Sure, I'll wait," Aki confirmed, sipping his cappuccino. The sweetness lingered on his tongue, matching the sweetness of the moment.

An hour later, the two of them were walking side by side, heading toward the train station. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the city lights cast a warm glow over the streets.

"Aki, let's just take the train," Misaki suggested, her tone a mix of practicality and mild impatience. "It's faster, and I still have projects to work on for the festival."

Aki shook his head. "No, let's walk for a while. When you get tired, we can catch a cab, or I'll call a car."

Misaki sighed, glancing at him with mild exasperation. "But it'll take so much longer… Why are you suddenly in the mood for walking?"

Aki chuckled. "I don't know. I just feel like it. It's a nice evening, don't you think?" His voice carried a lightheartedness that made it hard for her to refuse.

She sighed again, more dramatically this time, and gave in. "Fine, fine. Let's walk. But don't act like a little kid. Keep up, or I'll leave you behind!" She grabbed his arm and dragged him back onto the road, her steps brisk and purposeful.

"Hey, slow down! Don't pull me so hard. Let's walk at a normal pace, okay?" Aki protested, laughing.

"Whatever," Misaki grumbled. "You're so pathetic. Can't even walk like a man. Why are you slower than a little girl?" She smirked, clearly enjoying her revenge for his earlier teasing.

"Ah!" Aki exclaimed, pretending to be hurt by her words. "What the… hahaha!"

"What's so funny all of a sudden?" Misaki asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're acting weird."

Aki's laughter softened into a warm smile. "It's nothing. I just realized… I didn't make a mistake."

"Huh? What mistake?" Misaki asked, confused.

"I didn't make a mistake in liking you," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "You're so manly that you make my heart flutter..... I'm sorry if I upset you with my earlier behaviour inside the cafee."

Misaki froze mid-step, her face turning crimson. "Wha-what?! What are you even saying, you idiot?! You big, stupid, handsome idiot!"

"Wait, was that a compliment or an insult?" Aki teased, grinning from ear to ear. "Either way, you're really cute when you're flustered."

"Stop it!" Misaki yelled, covering her face with her hands. "I know I'm cute, but you don't have to say it like that! And what do you mean by 'manly'? I'm a girl! A girl!"

Aki couldn't help but laugh at her outburst, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. "You're right, Misa. I should've said you're strong and reliable. But, you know, I like that about you too."

Misaki's mind was spinning. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "And… and anyway! You can't just confess to me like that! There are steps, you know! Like- liking eachother, holding hands, spending time together… You can't just skip to saying you like me!"

Aki listened quietly, his expression soft. When she finished her rant, he nodded. "You're right, Misa. There are steps, and we should take them one by one.... now that we have held hands should we move to the next level"

Misaki blinked, caught off guard by his sudden agreement. "Huh? Wait, When did? Ah..." Relizing she was holding his hand tidely she released it abruptly after relizing what going on.

"Well," Aki said, his voice gentle. "You're worth the wait, so I can wait for thousands more hours."

Her cheeks flushed again, and she looked away, muttering something under her breath.

As they continued walking, Aki called out her name softly. "Misa."

"Hmm?" she responded, still avoiding his gaze.

"Are you listening?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Nothing, really," Aki said with a teasing smile. "I was just wondering how your brain works. I mean, I only said I like you. I didn't ask you to go out with me. You're the one running your imagination wild."

Misaki stopped in her tracks, her brain short-circuiting. "Wha… That… You…!"

Her face turned bright red as she struggled to form a coherent response. Aki couldn't help but laugh softly at her reaction.

"You're adorable, Misa," he said, his voice low and warm.

Misaki glared at him, though her blush betrayed her embarrassment. "Shut up, you idiot! Don't say weird things like that again!"

Aki leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I can't help it. You make it too easy."

Misaki covered her face again, groaning in frustration. "I hate you so much right now…"

Aki chuckled, taking a step back. "No, you don't." Aki exclaims, with a proud face he continues "You love me... right?." but his voice dies down after receiving a cold gaze from Misa.

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After dropping off Misaki at her home, Aki sat at his desk, the dim light from his lamp casting shadows across the room. He adjusted his blue light glasses, fingers flying across the keyboard as he continued to write his novel. The quiet hum of his laptop was the only sound, blending with the soft clinks of Selly preparing dinner downstairs.

Suddenly, a faint shout broke the silence.

"STOP!"

Aki paused, his fingers hovering over the keys. "Huh? Did I just hear something?" he muttered, glancing at his window. After a moment of listening, he shook his head and returned to his work.

"STOP IT! LEAVE HER ALONE!"

This time, the voice was clearer, unmistakable. Aki froze. His room was deathly quiet, making the distant cries audible. He got up from his chair and moved to the window, peering at the neighboring house.

The house belonged to a family he didn't know well—parents, a grandmother, and three kids: two daughters and a son. Recently, there had been frequent noises from the house, arguments and thuds that Aki had tried to ignore. He even went to talk to them once, but only the younger daughter, Arina, had answered the door, so he let it go.

Now, as Aki focused his attention on the house, he heard muffled shouting again.

"Stop it! It hurts!"

The voice sent a chill down his spine. His gaze sharpened, and his thoughts raced. "That voice… is it Arina? Are her parents… beating her? Should I even get involved?"

Then came another voice, this one loud and vile, followed by the unmistakable sound of something crashing.

Aki's pupils dilated in rage. "Fucking pervert," he hissed under his breath.

Without a second thought, he opened a drawer and pulled out a small pistol, tucking it into his waistband. Still in his nightgown and slippers, he stormed down the stairs.

"Eh? Young master, where are you going? Dinner will be ready soon!" Selly called out, startled by his sudden movement.

"If you're hungry, eat without me," Aki said curtly as he reached the front door. "Or wait. I'll be back soon. Oh, and if there isn't enough food, add two plates and order more. Use my card."

"Wait, what's going on?!" Selly demanded, stepping forward.

But Aki was already out the door, his expression cold and determined. "Nothing you need to worry about," he said, shutting the door behind him with a finality that made her stop in her tracks.

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Zzzzzz...

Zzzzz...

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