All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends

Chapter 169: No Longer Alone

Stepping out of the tea room.

Sora Ginko had been waiting outside for a long time.

Regarding Hinatsuru Ai's family matters, she naturally couldn't eavesdrop.

Initially, Hinatsuru Akina had arranged another tea room for Sora Ginko.

But out of concern for Yukima Azuma, she truly couldn't sit still.

She had stepped out of the tea room, waiting in the hallway.

Seeing everyone walk out, chatting and laughing together—

Sora Ginko let out a sigh of relief.

She quickly approached Yukima Azuma and softly asked:

"They didn't do anything to you, did they?"

Yukima Azuma held Sora Ginko's hand.

He gently stroked the back of her hand, soothing her emotions.

"Of course not, they're Ai's parents, we only discussed the apprenticeship."

Hearing that, Sora Ginko finally felt at ease.

After all, no matter how you looked at it, Hinatsuru Akina didn't seem like an ordinary woman.

Aside from her status in the shogi world, Sora Ginko was just an ordinary girl.

Her family background couldn't exactly be called prestigious.

Faced with a situation straight out of a manga, confronting power and influence, it was natural for her to be nervous.

But when Yukima Azuma held her hand and gently reassured her—

Sora Ginko immediately felt at peace.

She knew that if Yukima Azuma said there was nothing to worry about, then there truly was nothing to worry about.

Hinatsuru Akina glanced at the tightly clasped hands of Yukima Azuma and Sora Ginko.

Then, she turned her gaze toward her daughter.

The matter of age, huh...

But it wasn't too concerning. They were still young, after all.

By the time Hinatsuru Ai grew up, Yukima Azuma would only be twenty-five.

What happens then is still uncertain.

"And this is?" Hinatsuru Akina asked politely, as if trying to learn more about Yukima Azuma's acquaintances.

"This is Sora Ginko, my Shogi Senpai. After Ai becomes my disciple, she'll be our fellow apprentice as well."

Yukima Azuma introduced her.

"Ginko-senpai, this is Lady Hinatsuru Akina, Ai's mother."

Hinatsuru Akina hadn't expected this.

She was momentarily stunned, but then she slightly bowed in greeting.

Sora Ginko maintained a serious expression and returned the gesture.

"So, a fellow apprentice of Yukima-sensei... That means we'll be like family from now on."

"I came too hastily this time and didn't prepare a meeting gift. After the apprenticeship ceremony, I'll be sure to make up for it."

"My daughter, I'll be counting on you two to take care of her."

Sora Ginko gently nodded.

Though she usually carried a cold and aloof aura, she was actually quite shy.

When facing strangers, she was easily flustered.

Seeing Sora Ginko looking a bit awkward, Yukima Azuma smiled slightly.

He pulled his adorable Senpai behind him—

Casually cutting off the formal pleasantries.

"It's getting late. We'll take our leave now. Thank you both for your hospitality."

...

After bidding farewell to the Hinatsuru couple—

The three of them boarded a train back to Yukima's home.

"Why is this little brat tagging along too?"

Now that they were among familiar people, Sora Ginko had returned to her usual self. She glanced at Hinatsuru Ai and asked in confusion.

"Oba-san, Ai will be living with shishou from now on!"

Hinatsuru Ai hid behind Yukima Azuma and boasted.

Hearing that, Sora Ginko's gaze instantly turned cold.

She stared at Hinatsuru Ai, as if trying to freeze the smug little girl in place.

The temperature around them seemed to drop by a few degrees.

Hinatsuru Ai shivered slightly, then immediately scooted closer to Yukima Azuma, clinging to his other arm.

Seeing this, Sora Ginko pouted.

The atmosphere gradually became filled with gunpowder.

"Ginko-senpai, next spring, you'll be entering high school, right?"

Yukima Azuma suddenly asked.

Sora Ginko was slightly puzzled but still nodded.

"At that time, apply for a school in Tokyo. Toyogasaki offers direct admission for shogi players."

"That way, next spring, we can experience school life together."

As he spoke, Yukima Azuma pulled out his phone and scrolled to the admission regulations page of Toyogasaki Private Academy.

Sora Ginko's academic performance might be a bit weak.

But with a special shogi admission slot, the entry requirements would be lowered—it shouldn't be a problem.

Sora Ginko took the phone from Yukima Azuma's hand and carefully read through the details.

After confirming the information—

The corners of her lips immediately curled up.

"Umu, since Azuma is inviting me like this... it's not like I can't consider it."

She murmured softly.

In her mind, the image of sharing school life with Yukima Azuma had already begun to take shape.

At school, the labels of "older sister senior" and "younger brother junior" would naturally fade away.

At that point, letting him call her "kouhai" would be fine too.

That way, she could escape from the forbidden position.

The more she thought about it, the happier Sora Ginko felt.

That stupid little brat—

She still hasn't realized how much of a disadvantage the master-disciple relationship is, huh?

Sure, it creates a natural sense of closeness, but at the same time, it also imposes natural restrictions.

If it weren't for being a "sister, senpai," she—Sora Ginko—would have made her move long ago!

...

The train passed by the statue of the loyal dog, Hachiko, and gradually slowed to a stop.

The three of them disembarked and exited Shibuya Station from the North Gate.

After turning onto a side street and walking a short distance, they arrived at Yukima's home.

Yukima Azuma took the key from his pocket.

He inserted it into the lock, and with a click, the front door opened.

"Okaeri!" ×5

Before he could even take a clear look inside the apartment—

A synchronized greeting rang out.

Just as Yukima Azuma mentally prepared himself—

Boom!

Boom!

Two bursts of confetti poppers exploded.

Golden streamers shot up to the ceiling before gently fluttering down.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri each held a small party popper, standing on either side of the door.

Kato Megumi and Yukinoshita Yukino stood in the hallway.

Kirisu Mafuyu, who hadn't been home for a while, was also present in the living room.

It was clear they had planned this in advance.

They had even thought things through carefully.

If the confetti had been fired the moment he stepped in, Yukima Azuma would definitely have been startled.

But by calling out first before setting off the poppers, it turned into a pleasant surprise instead.

Truly considerate.

"What's all this?"

Although Yukima Azuma asked with some curiosity, the smile on his face was impossible to hide.

"It's a celebration for your promotion to the Ryuou league. Actually, it's also for your previous official match."

Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke while stepping forward, brushing the golden streamers off Yukima Azuma's hair and shoulders.

"Azuma, seriously... something this worth celebrating, why didn't you say anything?!"

Eriri leaned in, poking Yukima Azuma's cheek.

Her voice carried a hint of sulkiness.

Clearly, she still hadn't forgotten about the last time—

When she had barged in, oblivious, demanding to play shogi with Yukima Azuma—

Only to be utterly defeated.

"Ah... I'm just used to it."

Yukima Azuma replied helplessly.

Before the spring break, there had been no one truly close to him.

No matter what achievements he attained, there was no one to share them with.

He was not the type to boast about his accomplishments just to receive praise.

Over time, it became a habit—to silently achieve great things.

"What do you mean 'used to it'? From now on, there will always be people celebrating with you, Lonely-kun."

Kasumigaoka Utaha picked off the last bit of confetti from Yukima Azuma's hair, then gently placed her hand on his cheek.

Used to it?

He was clearly far too accustomed to solitude.

So much effort had been spent gathering people around him, yet he didn't even know how to enjoy it.

She really couldn't understand what went on in Lonely-kun's head.

"Don't just stand at the door talking—come in already."

At this moment, Kato Megumi reminded them.

Only then did the two realize—Yukima Azuma and the others were still standing outside.

After the three changed into indoor slippers and stepped into the living room—

Before them was an enormous cake placed on the dining table.

"Well? Well? What do you think? We made it ourselves!"

Eriri stood proudly, hands on her hips, puffing out her small chest in triumph.

She looked as if she was eagerly awaiting praise.

"Kono baka-riri, you contributed more to the mess than to the actual baking."

"The majority of the work was done by Yukinoshita-senpai and Kato-san, yet you still dare to boast."

Kasumigaoka, standing beside her, mocked.

Hearing this, Eriri immediately puffed up her cheeks, took a deep breath, and let out a little huff—revealing her small fang-like teeth.

"Ara mama~, just taste it first."

Yukinoshita Yukino picked up a kitchen knife and carefully cut a small piece from the giant cake, then handed it to Yukima Azuma.

He took a spoon, scooped up a bite, and placed it in his mouth.

He tasted it seriously.

It was delicious.

Even without considering the effort behind it, just in terms of flavor, this cake was better than most store-bought ones.

Their skill was evident.

Both Yukino and Megumi were naturally adept at household tasks, and their cooking skills were outstanding.

It was just that, usually, their abilities were overshadowed by Yukima Azuma's own talents, so they rarely had the chance to shine.

"This is probably the best cake I've ever had. Thank you."

With Yukima Azuma's way with words—

He could have easily come up with something far more poetic.

But in this moment, he only wanted to say a simple "thank you."

Lifting his gaze, he looked at the girls standing before him.

His heartbeat quickened.

This scene—

Three years ago, he wouldn't have even dared to dream of it.

The reason he had worked so hard all this time… perhaps it was for this very moment.

As long as he was no longer alone, he was willing to do anything.

(note: I... feel so bitter inside)