Chapter 33

"I was confused with two choice, if I want to continue the path of skating or to become a teacher. Until I met that teacher. He encourages me to pursue what I should dream and replaced the emptiness of my heart into a motivated one, from that moment I was able to decide what I should follow." Kirisu smiled.

"Your teacher is really a good person." Hiroto complimented.

Kirisu nodded, "After he said that to me I was thinking If I could become a teacher like him and that I should be able to do what he was able to do.."

"Then, I became a teacher. In the start I was brimming with passion and dedication to the teachers life." Kirisu smiled again.

"And around that time, a student somehow got close to me. She always asked me for advice about her music since she really wanted to enroll in a music university. I was happy that someone was relying on me back then." Kirisu smile but little by little she was becoming sadder.

Hiroto noticed the changes but didn't say anything and continued to listen.

"She applied to the school music university but, she failed. I felt sad and confused because I have made her feel livid and motivated but that point of time I realize..I had the wrong idea of what I was doing and wasn't able to understand what 'kindness' really means." Kirisu looked down.

"I thought that a teacher should always guide students and help them what they wanted to become but I was wrong. When I looked at her I saw myself when I was younger, a student that wanted to become a teacher but right now I had took a student to an emotion filled path that becomes her negativity and that made me realize that I cannot become a teacher like him."

"Because of that I didn't have the face to teach there anymore..from then on I focused on the talent of every student they had, if they are talented in a field they want to pursue. Then, I would try to make them realized that it was the best path they have to take.

"..."

"I'm sorry, Kirisu-sensei. I should not ask." Hiroto said

Kirisu shook her head, "It's okay" he was sad hearing Kirisu's hardship but he couldn't help but say.

"What about the untalented student, sensei. If they don't have any talent on them then what would you do?..."

"I understand that you wanted to help students to their best path, but in the end it comes to the person's ability to work hard, persistence and motivation to one path they wanted to take, should they not have one, it's easy to say that they can easily fail."

"Then, even if they have a minimal amount of talent on one field then I a teacher would focus on that." Kirisu said with a slightly higher voice.

"What if they weren't happy doing it, would you keep teaching them even if they became unhappy about it..."

"..."

"I'm not going to change my mindset, this is how I lived..but I'll take your word as consideration.."

Without knowing they were already at the apartment building and she went upstairs. Kirisu opened the door of her apartment while Hiroto opened his door before he was able to enter, she called him.

"Hiroto-kun… Thank you." Kirisu went inside quickly as she crouched and covered her face with her knees.

'That was really embarrassing….'

-

Hiroto was called by Ao who was the manager and editor of the novel he signed at a publishing company.

He traveled to Akihabara and reached their in just minutes and after getting to the company, he was suddenly surprised.

"Ahh! it's Hiroto-kun, what nice timing come here quick we'll show you.." Ao san energetically said as his bald head had a reflection that can blind one's eyesight

Hiroto was brought to the meeting room, everyone had a tired look on their face but they all had a smile..

The managerial, every department directors and the president was at the meeting room.

"Everyone, let's clap for our rising star, Tamaki-kun for bringing the company to its better glory!!" the president said.

"And let's clap to ourselves for being busy these past two weeks, we have been tired but it was worth it!, look at the graph of Tamaki-san republishing in just a week and seems like many stores wanted more restock." ome employee had changed the slide on the front to the two week of publishing. The rise was astounding. From the first three days which had 20,000 copies to 50,000 in three days.

"Yes, the books were being emptied after they were restocked. It turned infamous to its popularity due to the first chapters at the website as a "Daring Novel" that was suddenly serialized to a light novel and many had recommended it for others by then this hype already happened. We didn't have the chance to react and can only increase the production….."

"Yes, we need to contact other factories!!"

"Right, and also advertisements!!"

"We need to hype it more to!"

"Everyone had read the next volume right?! This is just the sales for the first one!"

'It's actually this sensational, then what about the few novels I had in my mind.' Hiroto smiled as he looked at the buzzling meeting room.

"Haruhi Suzumiya had already been sold for around 250,000 copies already!"

"That fast!?"

"It's still rising, contact other publishing factories and signed up for the contracts quick!!"

Hiroto had a talk with the publishing president. She had too thank him for choosing her company since he kickstarted the trend for many aspiring authors to sign up to the company.

"Hey, Hiroto-kun.."

"Do you want to sign up for a full time contract with the company?"

"Umm, I can't do that."

"So you don't want…" Ao was kind of disappointed. The opportunity just slip by just like that but he doesn't want to have a hostile relationship with Hiroto so he can only accept his decision

"If you change your mind then don't hesitate to join us and we will welcome you open arms." Ao said.

"...Thank you for the offer but I'm sorry, I don't have plans for now but I would still complete the Haruhi Light novel to its completion." Hiroto smiled while rubbing the back of his head

Hiroto was asked by Ao which surprised him. "Do you have time at saturday."

"What is it Ao-san?"

"It seems that your illustrator wanted to meet you to discuss something"

"Eh? that's okay, I think I can have time for that."

"Then, don't pressure yourself, you two would be the only to meet, he-he you should be happy.."

"Eh, why?" Hiroto asked in confusion

"Because its a girl.." Ao teasingly said

"Is that so.." Hiroto said

"Why not much reaction…"

"I already have a girlfriend, she will kill me if I had expectations." Hiroto raised his hands.

"... youth's act fast this days huh.." Ao only sighed

"Well, that's to be expected ha.ha" Hiroto dryly laugh.

"Let's have a drink sometime, I could give you advice on your relationship..."

"Eh, but I'm still underage.."

"You just need to drink juice, juice is still a drink, I didn't say about alcohol boya…." Ao pats his shoulder.

- - - -

A sound of party poppers pop in the living room of Hiroto's house. Honoka's house was small so afterwards he had been the one who recommended his house as the party place since he was the only one occupying and it would lessen their money spending rather than scheduling to a restaurant or something.

Upon seeing his home, Honoka and co. was surprised at the space it occupies. While Maki and Umi felt shy because it was their first time being in a males house and moreover him living alone. With the lead of Umi they had made the party dishes with his consent while he bought the ingredients that was not enough. Until an hour passed they had prepared everything.

A two table connected full of nice smelling food, drinks and confectionery for the girls taste.

"Hiroto-kun/chan, Maki-chan!" Umi and co. said his name at the same time then looked at each other smiling.

"Thank you for helping us." the three of them bowed deeply to Hiroto

"N-no, you don't have to thank us that much ! I just did what was right." Hiroto waved his hand frantically while Maki twirled her hair and did not say anything.

"No! Helping us in training and exercise, Helping Umi-chan to conquer her stage fright and you Maki-chan, Hiroto-kun created that wonderful music for us. Honoka said with a resolute energetic voice and she bent her body to 90 degrees as to thank them. Meanwhile, Umi and Kotori followed up.

Hiroto can only gladly smile, well they were really kind girls that he was happy to help.

"You're welcome.., everyone had already practiced enough to make this live a success right? I hope this live will reach the hearts of the students at our school" Umi and the co. raised their heads to look at Hiroto.

"Yes, we're ready perfect!" Honoka beamed as she enthusiastically said while Umi and Kotori nodded the same. (AN:Lol)

"Un." Kotori said.

"It's thanks to you guys that we didn't have to worry about other things. We just have to focus practicing our dance steps and thanks to the maid training, I was able to lower my fear, now I don't react that much.." Umi said with a composed expression and smiled gratefully.

"Come on, Maki-chan say something to them as well." Hiroto whispered to her ear.

"Why do I have to say something, isn't it your duty?" Maki said in a low voice as she rolled her eyes on him. In a moment of looking at Hiroto's face she surrendered and sighed. She looked at the three that had expectations on their face.

"... well, your welcome..." Maki looks sideways as she crossed her arms.

"..."

'That's just like her..' The trio laughed at her shying away.

"We will definitely show a successful live!" Honoka raised her fist up high, totally determined.

"Yes, will not make our hard work be wasted!" Kotori joined her bandwagon.

"We practiced so hard after all." Umi smiled.

Hiroto nodded, 'They had grown their personality in just a month' he thought and could not help but smile.

'I should record their live performance. It's for the sake of school in the end and they haven't noticed Takeshi's publishing yet?, they might just be that focus on their training.'

"Then everyone? KANPAI!!" Hiroto raised his glasses, everyone saw his gestures and did the same.

"KANPAI!" Umi and the co. followed up. Maki did the same but had a lower voice.

They started eating the food on the table.

"Karaage really tastes good!, try it Maki-chan!." Hiroto couldn't help but praise the karaage he was eating.

"Eh? Mmm!" Maki was only holding her cup of juice was a bit surprised when she felt a piece of food flew into her mouth that unconsciously opened since he asked so..

Hiroto put the karaage inside her mouth using his chopsticks. "It's really good right?"

"Mm!" Maki chewed down the food inside her mouth "indeed delicious, wait! Why did you do that so sudden" Maki followed up while getting flustered a bit.

"If I wait for your approval you will just reject it."

"Aren't that a couple thing." Maki said with a cute low voice.

"Aren't we..?" Hiroto whispered, while he holds her hands not seen by others.

"Idiot, don't say it out loud." Maki whispered while feeling embarrassed. She couldn't help but pinch his waist.

"Since when did you become this close? Hiroto-chan, Maki-chan?" Honoka said, while Hiroto and Maki realized that they had shown them something misleading but it wasn't and was the truth. Hiroto looked at Maki as if waiting for an approval. Maki didn't reply and had look sideways while pouting.

'How should I say this..' Hirot felt troubled. He whispered to Maki what he should say.

"I don't know...it's embarrassing"

"Eh?, well, actually Maki and I were going out.."

"EH?!?!?!"

"Since when?!"

"It's not!, were no--"

'Geee' Honoka and Kotori stared at the embarrassed Maki who was shouting already. Until she give up.

"Fine, we're g-going out that's the answer…."

Honoka and Kotori had understood that with their closeness during this week, they had already developed a special connection with each other, it was just a matter of time. They are both happy and not happy with the revelations.

"I see, congratulations Hiroto-kun, Maki-chan. " Umi smiled.

"Hehe, Thank you very much. Umi-senpai."

Honoka and Kotori look at Umi then look at each other. They only sighed and also congratulate them.

"Thank you everyone"

"Make sure to take care of Maki-chan, or you will regret." Honoka

"Un! Make Maki-chan happy " Kotori

"!"

"Maki, if hiroto did something that makes you unhappy don't hesitate to speak with me." Umi said smiling seems not a smile.

'That's a warning right, it's a warning right?' Hiroto thought

"Don't say it anymore it's embarrassing.." Maki said while cowering at his back.

'Wow'

[Ding] A blue translucent floating screen appeared in front of him.

[Hidden Quest Received.]

'So this is what the quest function the system was telling about.' Hiroto nodded, he now knows that the system cannot be seen by others.

[Quest: Hidden

Piano and Vocal :

Perform a duet with Maki and motivate the listeners.

Requirements :

The music duet must reach the hearts of the

audiences.

Audience needed to be moved : 150 people

Reward: Singing (Master) Skill, 10 XP, Memorization Capsules x 10.]

Hiroto looked at Maki as her shyness stopped when she saw Hiroto very happy that had a smile on her face.

"Your my angel Maki-chan!" Hiroto looked at her eyes and she grip his hand more tightly.

"What are you saying, so suddenly!" Maki felt shy and she looked at the side as Hiroto whispered to her ear.

"Let us show them the song that I taught you last two weeks ago, Maki. I will play the piano and you sing." he said.

'It was supposed to be an emergency thing, if the live isn't successful, it can't be helped if I can motivate them I guess,' he thought.

"Eh!, why?" Maki was kind of surprised by the sudden proposed by Hiroto.

"Let's just do it, there's no need to be shy.." Hiroto straightly said.

"Fine...just this once, okay!" Maki said while not being honest with her answer.

"Why did we practice if we wouldn't perform, well let just show them."

Hiroto prepared his piano while Maki drank some water to clear her throat. Meanwhile, the three was curiously looking at them while whispering at each other. Honoka wasn't able to stop her curious mind.

"What'chu playing Hiroto-chan?" Honoka said.

"To think that you would have something like this." Kotori said with anticipation.

"A duet?, you're training her right?, how did you have time for this."' Umi felt confused, she didn't consider this as training as well. Since she would be singing while he was playing. Hiroto rubbed his head to think of a reason.