Upon arriving at school, Akira had an uneventful first class.
Then, under the gazes of Wakana and Kashiwagi Shiki, he was called away by the counselor, Teacher Hanaoka.
The counselor was a middle-aged woman with short hair, who appeared gentle and kind, looking like someone very easy to get along with.
And in fact, Teacher Hanaoka had a very good relationship with the students in her class; 'Xiao Hua' was an affectionate nickname given to her by the students.
"Akira-kun, why didn't you come this morning?"
Xiao Hua's face showed a worried expression, looking as if she was about to scold Akira.
"You didn't come to school this morning, and I even called your home, but the phone was already out of service."
"If you hadn't come to school this afternoon, as your counselor, I would have truly had to go to the address listed on the roster to find you."
Xiao Hua supported her cheek with her right hand and said with a worried expression, "Akira-kun, your home address wouldn't also be out of contact, would it?"
Of course, that was impossible.
Akira breathed a sigh of relief; no wonder he hadn't received a call from the counselor that morning.
He suddenly remembered that the home phone had not been used since his parents passed away.
But after starting university, he had still habitually filled in that home phone number.
However, the address could certainly be used to contact him.
The feeling of guilt in his heart lessened slightly, and Akira apologized to the counselor.
"I'm sorry, I really troubled you."
"Something came up this morning; I needed to take care of a seriously ill friend."
Akira replied vaguely; to some extent, Sajuna was indeed ill.
And he was taking good care of her, wasn't he?
Xiao Hua, on the other hand, was not prepared to press Akira about his absence, because in this kind of not-top-tier university, students skipping classes for various reasons happened frequently.
This time, it was just an excellent student, so there was nothing particularly noteworthy about it.
A good talking-to would suffice.
Xiao Hua again briefly advised Akira, telling him to manage his schedule well and inquiring about his grades.
As she was about to finish, Xiao Hua seemed to remember something, lightly tapped her forehead with her fist, and informed Akira, "Oh, right, the sociology teacher said he needed to see you."
"He came to the classroom this morning looking for you and asked me to tell you to see him when you have time."
"But he didn't tell me the specifics, so you should just go see him yourself."
Xiao Hua saw Akira about to ask more questions and quickly explained.
After saying these things, Xiao Hua turned and left the classroom, leaving Akira at the classroom door.
Kashiwagi Shiki and Murakami Kouki, who had been trying to eavesdrop inside the classroom, also came out and looked at Akira standing at the door.
"Akira-kun, why didn't you come this morning?"
Kashiwagi Shiki patted Akira's shoulder.
Murakami Kouki nodded, "Akira-kun has always been the image of a good student."
"I really don't want to tell you guys," Akira said with a troubled expression.
"But since you all asked, I'll kindly tell you."
Akira spoke as if revealing a secret.
"The reason I didn't come this morning was...?"
The three of them had their attention drawn in.
"I was at home with my girlfriend."
"Ah?!"
The three of them looked shocked, "Don't tell me, Akira-kun, you're keeping a girlfriend at home?"
Morita said, looking as if his view of life had been challenged.
"How is that possible!" Akira lightly tapped Morita's head, causing Morita to immediately clutch his head.
"It's just that my girlfriend came to find me in the morning, and we just spent the whole morning together."
Akira replied, explaining himself for once.
"This kind of weather is perfect for spending time with a girlfriend."
The three of them looked up at the gloomy sky together, clenching their fists in unison.
"I say, Akira-kun."
Akira turned his head.
"I never thought that you, who used to be so aloof, could be so annoying."
Morita's joke arrived as expected once again.
In Akira's opinion, after his 'education,' Morita had changed, but not completely.
He could only change a little, right?
Accompanying Morita's teasing was a collective attack from the three of them.
"I summon my fist and launch an attack on Akira-kun!"
"Akira-kun, you're showing off too much!"
"You're showing off repeatedly in front of us single people, you normie."
Akira resisted with a smile on his face, feeling as if his university life had become much more colorful.
Especially after making more friends, he was even more willing to show off his girlfriend.
After playing around with the three of them for a while, they then attended the second class of the afternoon.
Akira diligently took notes and then checked his recent study progress.
He felt like he was almost ready to finish his first year of university studies.
By the end of this semester, he would probably be able to start on the second year's material.
He felt a slight sense of relief in his heart.
After the afternoon classes were over, it was club activity time; in the past, Akira would have been studying in the classroom.
Akira stood up from his seat, tidied his desk, and planned to go find Teacher Nakamura now.
Kashiwagi Shiki and Murakami Kouki, at the other end of the classroom, stood up and asked Akira.
"Huh, Akira-kun isn't studying in the classroom today?"
"Teacher Nakamura has something to see me about."
"Teacher Nakamura, isn't he our club's advisor?"
"Yes, I think it should be about club matters."
Akira lightly swung his arms, easing the fatigue from studying all afternoon.
"I feel like I need you guys to make time to wait for me."
"That's no problem, because Morita went to the soccer team himself, didn't he?" Kashiwagi Shiki waved his hand indifferently.
Akira nodded, looked at Wakana, who was still deep in thought at his desk, estimated that he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, so he didn't tell him anything and went directly to Teacher Nakamura's office.
Entering the room with the 'Faculty Office' sign, Akira saw Teacher Nakamura sitting leisurely.
"Good afternoon, Teacher Nakamura."
Nakamura Yu looked up, slightly turned his chair, and looked at Akira who had arrived.
"Why didn't you come to school this morning?"
His face was full of curiosity, as if he wouldn't give up until he got an answer.
"Because I was with my girlfriend."
Akira answered directly, after all, Nakamura Yu knew he had a girlfriend.
"What an enviable youth."
Nakamura Yu shook his head and commented, then picked up a handbook from the desk and threw it to Akira.
"This is your club's registration form; remember to keep it safe."
Then he stood up from his chair, stretched lazily to relax, and slowly said.
"The activity room has also been arranged for you; follow me to take a look."