As the weekend passed, the placement test became closer, and everyone studied even harder, especially Yume, who wanted to take the throne of the 1st rank from him.
Yet, Mizuto went to visit Akatsuki and drew the illustrations for his light novel.
Or rather, he put most of his drawing equipment in Akatsuki's room.
He knew this was unreasonable, but she was happy to keep all of them for him, so it didn't matter. Still, he had to say that he was glad that he had chosen the "Student" job for his 2nd job as it made it easier for him to learn anything he wished to. This was a good job, he thought.
However, all the feats that he could learn were limited to everything that was capable of being done by a human being, and it wasn't possible for him to learn supernatural abilities such as cultivation, immortality, magic, and many other similar things, so in case, he wanted to have a teleportation ability, he needed to choose a job that could give him a supernatural ability.
Still, even if he didn't use a supernatural ability, he could also choose a technology-related job and develop a teleportation machine.
Yet, at the same time, he also realized that there was no need for him to exaggerate everything.
His relationship with Sonoko was nothing but a long-distance relationship. It was something that had been experienced by many people.
Still, whether Mizuto or Sonoko, they weren't in a relationship, so there was nothing to be worried about. Frankly, he felt like his relationship with Sonoko might be a good thing since he could use this experience to learn. All of his women were in Kyoto, and they were so close to him, but he knew that there might be a chance for them to part. While they might not go abroad, they would probably go to Tokyo in case of future education.
Nevertheless, we didn't know what was happening in life, right?
So, using this experience, he felt like he could grow as an individual.
Yet, frankly, being with him definitely wasn't good for Sonoko, as she was in her early 30s. While Mizuto still wanted to play around, she must have been thinking about having a child and marriage.
Well, let's not think too much.
Mizuto knew that overthinking wasn't a good thing. Their relationship was nothing but a writer and his editor. They might have sex, but he felt like it was too selfish of him to think of her as his woman.
Yet, this was how a feeling was, right?
If it was before, he might have given her up, but now?
Mizuto felt it was a shame to lose this woman, even if their meeting was only two days. After all, there were billions of women in this world, yet they met each other. While he might not be able to feel what love was, there was no doubt that he wanted her. Moreover, their bodies were compatible enough, so why not, right?
As he drew the illustration while listening to music, he saw a cup of warm tea placed on the side of the table. He turned and saw Akatsuki was there. Taking off one of his earphones, he said, "Thanks, Akatsuki." He took the cup of tea and sipped it slowly.
"Is it delicious?"
Frankly, his taste was quite old-fashioned, which made her speechless sometimes. While it was good to think about his health, wasn't it better to drink soda? Yet, she also loved this part of him.
"There is no taste."
There was nothing special about this tea as it was only made with hot water and a tea leaf. If there was something special, then only the aroma was pleasant.
"Then, why do you like it?"
"It's healthy. Moreover, I need to take good care of my health, right?"
"You are right."
With how many women were around him, Akatsuki felt like Mizuto needed to take care of his health well.
Looking at Akatsuki, who nodded seriously, Mizuto felt like she might have misunderstood him, but it didn't matter. Still, at her house, there were many of his things, such as coffee, condoms, teas, and many others. Naturally, only small things, which didn't take up much of the space in her house.
Nevertheless, in Akatsuki's case, she didn't mind him moving to her house, or rather, she wished for it.
As for her parents?
It didn't matter as she could hide him inside her room or the wardrobe as many similar things happened around this country.
Fortunately, Mizuto didn't know what Akatsuki was thinking, but if he knew...
"Should I buy a house?"
"What?"
"Nothing."
"...."
Still, Akatsuki sighed helplessly, thinking that her man was as amazing as ever. Nevertheless, when she saw him, he listened to the song, which made her curious. "What did you listen to?" While the sound was quite hard to hear as he was wearing earphones, she could hear the song, which sounded nice.
"Oh, it's Chakra Khan - Setelah Kau Tiada."
"...what?"
Watching her stunned expression as he talked in an unfamiliar language, Mizuto smiled and said, "It's an Indonesian song. By the way, are you sure to sit by my side like this? Aren't you going to study?" As he was by her side, he could use the effect of the "Study Group," which made her able to learn faster.
"It's rare for us to be together anyway. I want to enjoy our time together."
Akatsuki leaned on his shoulder with a smile, but her hand was placed on his thigh as if she didn't plan to do anything, yet it was clear that she wanted him to do something. Still, he ignored her and continued to draw, which made her pout. However, with this, she didn't bother him anymore; watching him draw for a while, she decided to ask a question that had been bothering him, "But Indonesian song? Are you learning the Indonesian language now?"
"Selamat malam."
"...what about the French language?"
"Je l'ai appris."
"...what?"
"I learned it."
"....." Akatsuki.
"Well, it's not like I'm learning Indonesian, but I just happened to hear the song, and I liked it, so I wanted to know what the song was about."
"Was it this song?" Akatsuki put one of his earphones on her ear.
"Yeah."
"What is this song about?"
"A love song."
"That's it?"
Mizuto, who wanted to draw, stopped and then looked at Akatsuki, who was staring at him, waiting for his answer. He could tell that she was genuinely curious, and when he thought about the lyrics of the song that he listened to, it made him think that Akatsuki's existence was quite special to him.
Akatsuki might be a little crazy, but it wasn't meant in a bad way.
Before, he might have thought too much of her, but he was still a human. While he was incapable of feeling in love, having her by his side wasn't bad, especially when he thought about how she lost her virginity to him. It was like how the drops of rain made a hole in the stone. He was the stone, and she was the rain. While he felt nothing at first, he felt like he had a responsibility to take care of her.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Watching her by his side, Mizuto thought about the lyrics of the song which he listened to. It was the story of a woman who was in love with a man, but the man was indifferent and busy with his job all the time until suddenly the woman fell and died, and the man realized how important the existence of the woman was.
A human was a social animal.
While it was possible for them to live alone, as long as they learned the sweetness of having someone by their side, it was impossible for them to become a hermit.
Still, for he, who was focused on his ambition, couldn't give his everything or even cheat on his woman. Yet, for Akatsuki, who understood everything yet still stuck with him, he was going to treasure her.
"....."
Akatsuki widened her eyes when Mizuto kissed her forehead affectionately.
"Thank you."
"...wh-why did you thank me so suddenly?"
"For many things, I am glad to have you."
Mizuto had to say that he was a bit embarrassed by saying those words, and he was more into a silent type that showed his affection through action instead of words, but—
"Mizuto-kun, if I get pregnant, it's okay, right?"
"...stupid."
"What should I do...? Your words are dangerous... you make me fall so deep that I might poke a hole in your condom later..."
"....."
Mizuto thought that sometimes showing his affection through his words definitely wasn't good to do, especially when he faced Akatsuki.
"Akatsuki-san?"
"It's okay. Just focus on your work. I will comfort you~!"
Taking out his pants, Akatsuki held his penis and then kissed the tip affectionately as she stared at him with a lewd expression.
"Wait, wait... Oh!"
At that time, Mizuto gave up and decided to enjoy it.
---
By the way, I have made an auxiliary chapter to list all the characters in this story. You can check it if you want.