After afternoon classes, Akira brought Wakana to the club room.
Kouki and Shiki also arrived shortly after Akira and Wakana.
"Alright, let's get an update on the club activities' progress."
Akira looked at Kouki, whose cheeks were visibly reddening.
"Murakami, how have things been with Sugaya-san recently?"
Kouki rubbed the back of his head, speaking a bit haltingly.
"It feels like usual, I guess. I don't think Sugaya-san has any thoughts about romance."
Kouki became a little disheartened as he spoke.
Although he could no longer suppress his feelings for Sugaya-san, if his affection were to disrupt Sugaya-san's life, then perhaps it was better not to express his feelings.
After all, he still hoped that Sugaya-san could live happily and joyfully.
He didn't want the person who liked her to become her source of trouble.
He would never let that happen.
"Murakami, when you were with Sugaya-san, did she do anything unusual?"
Akira asked, as he spent most of his time with Sajuna.
Kouki's romantic strategy was only to guide the general direction.
Shiki, on the other hand, pushed up his glasses and raised his arm.
"Kashiwagi, please speak."
"I've noticed that Sugaya-san has been calling Murakami's name more and more frequently recently."
"Eh? Really?"
Kouki turned his head, surprised.
The two of them had only started spending time together recently, and not knowing Nowa's way of interacting, he didn't know how Sugaya-san usually addressed boys.
Moreover, his name, "Tetsuya," had been used by girls since high school. Sugaya-san calling him that probably didn't have any special meaning.
Kouki thought this, but still couldn't help but hope that Sugaya-san had different thoughts about the name Tetsuya.
Just as he had always hoped to call Sugaya-san "Nowa."
"So, Akira-kun, have you decided when to confess?"
Kouki looked into Akira's eyes, hoping for an answer.
Akira-kun, as a master of romance, would surely be able to give him an answer.
Even if the confession failed, he couldn't remain so conflicted.
"Murakami."
Akira looked at the hopeful Kouki.
"Actually, there's no deadline for a confession."
"A confession isn't a bugle call to charge into battle; it's a song of triumph after victory."
"Don't take a confession too seriously. Does Murakami really think his charm isn't enough to captivate Sugaya-san?"
"But..."
Kouki's face showed a conflicted expression. Although everyone around him told him he was handsome and gentle.
Still, he just felt like he couldn't attract Sugaya-san.
He didn't want the praise of others, nor did he crave their admiration.
He just wanted to get the attention of the person he liked.
"Sugaya-san is the person I like."
Kouki seemed to have said nothing, yet also everything.
Akira looked at the downcast Kouki. He, who often stroked Sajuna's hair, suddenly felt an urge to reach out, but he quickly stopped himself.
"If that's the case, then let Murakami confess directly."
"Eh? So soon?"
Shiki exclaimed in surprise.
There should have been at least another week of time together to build up their feelings.
"So, what do you need me to do?"
Wakana weakly raised his arm.
He felt like he couldn't be of much help in this matter.
But if Kitagawa-san's help was needed, Akira-kun would surely send him again.
Wakana glanced at Akira, feeling guilty.
"Wakana."
Akira didn't look at Wakana, but rather at the plane trees in the schoolyard outside the window.
"This weekend, ask Kitagawa-san out again."
Wakana's face showed no surprise or difficulty; instead, he proactively asked Akira.
"Do I need to tell Kitagawa-san about Murakami's situation?"
"After all, I haven't mentioned it before."
Wakana said apologetically. Although Akira-kun had said he could tell Kitagawa-san some things about Murakami-san, when asking Kitagawa-san for help, that kind of assistance wasn't needed at all.
Kitagawa-san always readily agreed to his requests.
This should only be because he was helping Kitagawa-san make clothes.
That's why Kitagawa-san was so attentive to his requests and invitations.
However, Wakana suddenly remembered Marin's shy look in front of him, and Kitagawa-san's different attitude towards him compared to others. This self-comforting thought weakened a little.
She should be a little fond of him.
"Hmm, try to tell Kitagawa-san everything."
"After all, the confession is happening soon, there's no need to hide anything anymore."
Akira said indifferently.
Before, he had only had Marin help Kouki to create opportunities for them to be alone.
He hadn't intended to rely on Marin to sway Nowa's feelings.
The four of them reconfirmed the final tasks, then disbanded right there in the club room.
Leaving the club room, Akira walked through the campus. Layers of clouds stacked in the clear blue sky, and the sun was occasionally obscured by the clouds, not knowing when it would reappear.
A few birds perched on the branches of the plane trees next to the teaching building, their calls sounding particularly monotonous. Some unnamed insects also chirped incessantly.
Akira suddenly felt a sense of irritation in such weather, not knowing what he wanted to do.
He suddenly remembered that Haruno Kyoko was still hounding him for his manuscript, which wasn't finished, so he quickly got on the train home, preparing to sit in front of his computer and rush the manuscript for the second volume.
After all, being constantly hounded by his editor was also a torment.
The train on the way home had very few passengers, perhaps because most office workers hadn't finished their day. The air in the entire carriage also carried a silent atmosphere.
Akira realized at this moment that his skill at 'reading the air' seemed to have gotten stronger.
If he rushes the manuscript this week, he should be able to hand it over to the editor.
Then came the signing event and release of the first volume, and he would need to actively promote it at the anime festival.
However, Akira wasn't bothered by such things for now, as he still needed the identity of a bestselling author.
And he hoped this identity would allow him to maintain his dignity in front of Sajuna's parents.
Akira remembered that Sajuna's parents would be returning soon and couldn't help but start to worry.