Time flies, and the summer break that belonged to the blazing sun passed in the blink of an eye.
As the academic year entered its final stretch, even the carefree students who usually spent every afternoon discussing where to hang out seemed to have lost their spark.
A cloud of gloom loomed over them.
Of course, this only applied to the third-year students.
But even among this special group, there were still some who were… extra special.
Ordinary honor students would simply study harder as the college entrance exams approached not exactly out of the ordinary.
What was out of the ordinary were those who could breeze through even the most elite university exams with ease, and those born with a silver spoon who didn't have to worry about this major life hurdle at all.
Akifumi Mugiho was one of them.
As a top-ranking student with a deviation score of over 80, even Tokyo University's most competitive science programs were within his reach.
If he lowered the bar slightly and picked a field he was passionate about, every top-tier university would open its doors for him.
Even setting academics aside, with his current wealth and the sales from his published works, he could live the rest of his life comfortably—doing absolutely nothing.
"Hah…"
Slumped over his desk, Akifumi let out a long, bored sigh.
There was no way he could get excited on the first day back to school.
"You're really amazing, Akifumi."
Kato had quietly sat down beside him at some point, her voice filled with admiration.
"Oh?"
His tone sounded curious, but the smirk on his face clearly said, "Yes, praise me more."
And Kato, ever the loyal friend, obliged earnestly:
"You took first place in that insanely tough writing competition like it was nothing."
"Your grades are top of the class too."
"Sometimes I forget we're the same age. It's kind of intimidating, honestly."
Akifumi beamed. "Kato."
"Yeah?"
"If you're going to praise me, go ahead and keep it coming."
"Even though we haven't seen each other all summer, your personality hasn't changed a bit, huh?"
"Personality doesn't change overnight!"
"Speaking of which, didn't you start a bunch of new stories for that contest? You're not feeling overwhelmed, are you?"
His smile froze. Then, with a flat expression, he said, "Kato, if we avoid that topic, we can still be friends."
No pressure?
If you'd asked him during the early days of summer, he'd have laughed and said it was no problem at all.
But now?
He couldn't go a day without seeing fans begging for updates.
His private fan communities were even worse.
The pressure had piled up, and it was finally catching up to him.
One person just isn't enough.
The more stories he started, the clearer it became: humans have limits!
Even with his talent and a little "medical" help, he couldn't keep up with the ever-multiplying projects.
—
By noon, Akifumi did something rare—he left school early and headed home alone.
Back at his apartment building, he looked… nervous? Maybe even guilty?
"Why did they suddenly come home…"
"I hope I'm not too late."
During summer break, Eriri had stayed over multiple times.
Downstairs, Mashiro and Mahiru also occasionally crashed in the guest room after late-night work.
'Ahem.'
There were… certain things around the house not exactly parent-appropriate.
He then go up the stairs and unlock the door.
The moment he saw two pairs of neatly placed shoes in the entryway, his heart skipped a beat.
"They got here that fast?!"
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a figure tackled him in a hug.
"My, my~ Mugiho-chan, you've grown taller again since the last time we saw you."
Akifumi Nakui gently ruffled his hair with a warm smile.
Composing himself quickly, Akifumi Mugiho replied with a straight face, "It has been a while, after all."
"Eh? It's only been a year."
"So now 'only' is the word we use for an entire year, huh?"
"Well, no need to fuss over the details."
His mother laughed and led him into the living room.
There, Akifumi Ye sat cross-legged on the couch.
When they walked in, he lazily waved a hand.
"You finally here!"
Akifumi Mugiho rolled his eyes. "It's one thing to disappear for months, but can you not pull surprise ambushes like this when you finally show up?!"
"Sorry, sorry."
His father chuckled sheepishly, then added casually, "If you're worried about us finding out you've been living with girls over summer break—don't be. Your mom and I already knew."
"I'm not worried." He reflexively denied it, then paused. "Wait—you knew?"
Both parents smiled and nodded.
"I'm sorry, young master."
'Yor…?'
A woman stepped out of one of the rooms. She wore a calm expression tinged with guilt.
"??"
'Young master!?'
What in the actual…?
His brain raced through a million thoughts, but finally, he calmed himself.
"So this is it… are you finally going to tell me the reason why you two are always overseas?"
"That's my kid—sharp as ever."