Chapter 354: Front Page

It's the third day of Akane's period and most likely this would be the last.

When I woke up this morning and saw Akane closely watching as I opened my eyes, I noticed the tinge of guilt in hers, perhaps because of how she behaved these past two days. Who knows how long she was waiting for me to wake up? However, with how close she was and with my arm hugging her tightly, she's most likely chosen to just wait for me to wake up.

When she noticed that I already woke up, Akane forced a smile as she greeted me 'good morning'.

That alone confirmed what I saw in her eyes.

Because I stayed at least two hours at Shio's place before going back last night, I found this girl sitting right before the front door covered with our blanket, snoozing softly.

She most likely woke up and when she didn't see me at her side, she hurriedly went down to look for me but because of her being tired, she dozed off again while waiting for me to arrive.

I did message her just in case she would wake up but I guess that's not enough when her quirk was on full throttle.

Due to that, I didn't wake her up and just scooped her in my arms, bringing her up to our room.

Obviously, I didn't blame her for acting like that and I was, in fact, more than happy to see her waiting for me.

Halfway through it, she woke up and clung to me tightly as if she hadn't seen me for a long time.

Well, since she's woken up, instead of urging her back to sleep, I accompanied her as we talked about a lot of things, both of our worries and our views for our future, before falling asleep inside each other's embrace.

That's why seeing this girl feeling guilty today, I only shook my head and planted a kiss on her apple-red lips, conveying once more that what happened these past two days wasn't a bother so she didn't need to feel guilty.

Well, knowing the silly girl, she would always feel bad. To counter that, no matter how many times it would happen, I would always reassure her in my own way.

Perhaps because it was about to end, her clinginess wasn't that severe today.

If I chose to, I could just send her to her platform and that would already be fine for the girl.

However, I continued to fulfill my promise to her.

Riding the same train and seeing the same set of people who kept on ogling at us, I accompanied her to her school.

While we're closely huddled up on the train, I told her the idea I came up with earlier.

Well, it's not really just an idea from a flash of inspiration, rather… This act of sending her to her school should've been done by me ever since the day I remembered that emotion.

For me to only think about this after her period was about to be over was somewhat unforgivable on my part.

Although it might not be an everyday occurrence, once or twice a week was something that I was sure would make this silly girl overjoyed, with or without her period.

Ah. Naturally, I had another reason why I wanted to continue sending her to school even if her quirk was already over.

It's to have a chance to spend time with my other girls from her school after dropping her off.

Well, as the stupidly honest guy, I also mentioned that purpose to Akane which she easily accepted. As always, she didn't want to unnecessarily show her jealousy.

These past two days, she's also aware that I met up with Ririka and Mizuki after dropping her off at their school gates so it's easy to deduce for her that I was also aiming for that.

Because we're still students, it's really hard to always meet up. With this… even a few minutes of being with them could reduce the longing we had for each other.

Well, it might not always end up with us going to a private place and doing it. Seeing them and spending time with them was enough reason for this.

As much as how they wanted to see me, I was the same. So that time before going to my school was precious enough to be spent with them.

"I completely understand, husband. You miss them and they miss you. Being jealous will not do us any good after all." Akane whispered her answer when I honestly confessed the other reason to her. She even held my hand tightly before giving me a reassuring smile.

"Un, thank you, Akane. Either way, I wasn't lying when I said how I also treasure this moment of sending you to your school like a good boyfriend."

"I believe you, silly husband. You're always serious when it comes to me. But don't forget, you're not just my boyfriend."

"Ah. You're right, wife."

Upon hearing me calling her 'wife' again, the girl lovingly giggled and kissed me.

And due to us being in a public place, we heard the clicking of tongues and envy-filled comments from the surrounding students who witnessed that.

Well, after two days and now the third, I was already used to the attention we were getting and as always both of us were ignoring them.

At this point, it was already established that the most popular 1st-year student at their school was totally in love with her boyfriend that they didn't mind showing their affection to each other even in a public place.

Perhaps, that might become a headline in the newspaper published by their newspaper club soon.

"Husband, I'm going. Thank you. See you later." Still flaunting a very bright smile on her lips, Akane happily waved at me before turning around to go inside.

That smile was naturally brought by the fact that I escorted her to her school again and that I would continue doing so even when her period ended.

When I turned around to start walking away from their school gate, the boys who saw that smile were all mesmerized and dumbstruck even if that wasn't directed to them.

Well, I couldn't fault them for that, my Akane really had that much charm that even some of the girls also stood dumbly from where they were.

I didn't wait for them to recover from that. Leaving them there, I continued on my way back.

As I wade through the opposite current of students, although I was already expecting it, the annoying newspaper club guy from yesterday blocked my way again.

"Onoda Ruki. Are you free for an interview now?"

What's this guy's name again? Honestly, I couldn't remember anymore. I only recognized him this time due to that note and pen he was holding. Ah. There's also the threat that he posed for us. I shouldn't interact too much with this guy.

"No. Still not interested." After saying that, I stared at him with the same cold glare as yesterday.

Although that made him take a step back again, the guy recovered quickly this time as he pulled out a neat piece of paper from his bag.

"I understand. It's a shame. Well then, you might like a copy of this."

After handing me the paper which turned out to be the issue of their newspaper for today, the guy then sidestepped and disappeared into the crowd going to their school.

Looking at the newspaper, my guess last night seemed to have been correct. The headline and the photo printed at the front was truly about the tennis match between Fuyu, Akane and Yae yesterday where according to the headline, it pulled almost half of the school's population.

That sounded exaggerated but since it concerned my Akane and Yae, my interest was completely piqued that I continued to read it. However, there's another news article that took my attention.

"The boyfriend of a certain popular girl is also mysteriously popular? But who is he?"

That Ka or whatever. Ah wait, there's his name, Katou.

This article was what he wanted me to see, huh? How did that deserve a space in a front page?

Besides, we only exchanged a few words, what did he write in it?

Haa… let's read it later, I still need to go somewhere.

Today, it wouldn't be just one girl like with Ririka and Mizuki.

I didn't know if they decided it by themselves or not but I was informed that it would be the duo of Elizabeth and Yukari.

That chuunibyou and her bestfriend who changed for the better.

Walking along the winding streets of this neighborhood near their school, I arrived at a certain… house.

Looking at it from afar, the memory of spying on Elizabeth's parents to know when they would not be around when they grounded her from going to school after that incident came back in my mind.

That's right, her house was near their school.

Perhaps only around 15 minutes of walking distance?

For those two to choose this place… What will her parents think upon seeing me again?

"My Dark Prince, you finally answered my summons."

As I knocked on their front door, Yukari opened it but the first thing that registered in my eyes was the crown-adorned golden hair of Elizabeth.

She had her arms crossed while one of her hands was resting on her cheeks.

Well, the most eye-catching thing was that she's still not dressed for school.

Wearing her polka dot printed pajamas, the crown and her outfit didn't fit.

"Uhm… Ruki. I'm sorry, we just woke up." Yukari bowed and apologized on behalf of her friend. Like Elizabeth, she's still in her nightwear.

I see, Yukari had a sleepover here that's why the two were together. But where are Elizabeth's parents?