Another few days later, everything is normal as usual. Masayuki got his first paycheck at his second part-time job and another paycheck at his first part-time job. The total money he had earned for the month was 61,500 yen. Despite the modest amount, he was happy because with that, he could afford his monthly expenses, including school tuition and down payments for his washing machine and fridge back at his and Emiko's apartment place. Handa was doing fine as well, and so was Emiko.
But then, one Sunday afternoon, at the Sohma estate, Masayuki was having an afternoon walk with Handa when suddenly, Akito showed up with one of the zodiac members, Kureno Sohma, in front of them. "Hello there…" she greeted the two boys. Upon hearing that, Masayuki and Handa looked at them, only to be taken aback with alert by their presence.
"No…"
"Akito-sama…"
Then, Akito went closer to Masayuki and started to caress his left cheek.
This makes the Filipino-Japanese boy to be nervous of her. "Um…"
Kureno and Handa were shocked to see what she was doing to Masayuki.
"What are you doing?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Your name was so nice to hear," Akito said to him with an almost flirting tone of her voice.
On that day, Masayuki wore his necktie and typical buttoned up shirt with short sleeves, but in the colors black and white.
The weather was good and sunny.
But then, Handa couldn't stand seeing this anymore, so he shouted, "Stop it, Akito-sama!" Akito then looked at him upon hearing his shout, and her almost flirtatious scene with Masayuki was interrupted. Masayuki and Kureno also looked at him as well.
"What is it, Handa-kun?" Akito said to Handa with a slight smirk on her face.
"You better cut that crap," Handa responded strongly back as he pointed his finger at her for a couple of seconds. "You can't do that to my friend!"
"This guy is your friend?" Kureno raised his eyebrow for a few seconds.
"Yes, I am," Masayuki replied back to him positively.
"Kureno-kun, this is Masayuki Honda," Akito explained to Kureno. "He was Handa-kun's childhood friend."
Then to Masayuki. "Masayuki-kun, this is Kureno Sohma. He is my…friend."
With that Kureno glanced at Handa. "You have a childhood friend actually?"
"Yes, that's true," Handa replied with bravery.
And then, Kureno and Masayuki shook hands with one another for a few seconds.
At this point, Akito decided to abort her act on Masayuki for now, so she left off while telling Kureno to go with her. Kureno couldn't object her order, and he caught up with her. After that, Masayuki doesn't understand what was going on. "What's up with her?"
"I had no idea," Handa replied back as he was watching Kureno and Akito walking away deep into the estate compound.
He then looked at his childhood friend. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am, Handa Sohma," Masayuki replied back.
"That's good to hear that."
Both of them then resumed their stroll in the estate.
At this point, Handa was overprotective of Masayuki.