Fake and real genius

Arisu leaned back, her gaze lost in the intricate patterns on the ceiling as she broached a new topic. "Akira, have you ever heard of the theory of 'real genius' and 'fake genius'?"

"No, I haven't," Akira replied, curiosity piqued. "Do tell."

A faint smile curved Arisu's lips. "A real genius is someone with innate talent or an inherent knack for something. They barely need to strive to excel because they were, so to speak, born to do it."

"And a fake genius?" Akira inquired, leaning in, his interest clearly caught.

"A fake genius is one who achieves their skills not by talent but through hard work and effort. They were not granted any extraordinary abilities at birth, yet they work relentlessly to hone their skills. Interestingly, the theory suggests that although real geniuses may seem to have the upper hand"

Akira was silent for a moment, pondering. "Why bring this up, Arisu?"

Arisu's expression softened, "Just a passing thought. It made me wonder where we stand in this spectrum. We've both been pushing ourselves to our limits, haven't we? It's food for thought."

"True, Arisu," Akira began, his expression serious. "The advancements in technology do give us the ability to manipulate genetics. We could, in theory, create 'fake geniuses'. But, it's like comparing a diamond with a well-crafted piece of glass. Both can shine brightly under the right conditions, but a diamond has its own inherent value."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Personally, I've always found the notion of altering oneself to fit into the genius category rather... unsettling. It's like you're discarding your own identity, your own essence, in favor of something artificially created."

His gaze met Arisu's, a spark of determination flaring in his eyes. "Everyone has their own unique talents and skills, even if they aren't immediately apparent. It might take more time and effort to discover and hone them, but I believe it's a journey worth taking. After all, it's our struggles, our efforts, that shape us and define who we are."

Arisu listened quietly, her gaze thoughtful. It was a side of Akira she rarely saw - philosophical and introspective. And yet, she found herself agreeing with him

Arisu's eyes brightened, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I'm glad you agree with me, Akira."

He chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "I only stated what I believe, Arisu. And to be honest, I think you're taking this concept of 'fake genius' a bit lightly. It's not as simple as you make it out to be."

Arisu bristled at his comment, her expression turning into a pout. "I am not taking it lightly, Akira. I simply believe that being a genius, whether it's 'real' or 'fake', is about more than just intelligence or abilities. It's about character, about how you use your skills to make a positive impact."

Arisu let out a sigh, her gaze dropping to her hands. "About my...behavior," she began, her voice quieter than before. "I...I don't mind if you see me like that. As just a normal girl, not as Sakayanagi Arisu, the Class A leader."

She paused, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her shirt. "But I can't let others see me like that. I can't afford to show that side of me to anyone else."

Arisu's voice hardened, her eyes lifting to meet Akira's. "It was foolish of me to let my guard down, to let myself behave in such a way. I...I should've been more careful."

Akira chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Well, I could always bribe the whole campus to forget the whole thing," he offered, his tone casual.

Arisu blinked, staring at him in disbelief. "That's... that's the most absurd thing I've ever heard," she said, shaking her head. "Even a monkey would see through that. We can't just erase an incident like that from everyone's memory."

She paused, her gaze falling to her lap. "I guess... I'll just have to deal with the consequences," she added quietly. "It was my mistake, after all."

Laughing lightly, Akira flopped back onto the couch, placing his hands behind his head. "You know, after all this talk, I could really use a lap pillow," he said, shooting Arisu a teasing look.

Arisu raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "Is that so?" she replied, her tone playful. "And what do you think you've done to deserve such a reward?"

Akira simply shrugged, his eyes half-closed as he stared up at the ceiling. "Can't a guy just want to relax every once in a while?" he asked. "Besides, after everything that happened, I think I've earned it."

Arisu huffed a laugh, rolling her eyes. "Fine," she said, patting her lap. "But only because you've been through a lot today. Don't get used to it."

As Akira rested his head on her lap, Arisu began to question him about his feelings regarding the day's events, their conversation growing more intimate as the night went on.

Akira let out a comfortable sigh as he settled into Arisu's lap. "Your thighs are so soft," he commented, a lazy grin on his face. "I wouldn't mind being crushed by them."

Arisu rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but smile at his words. "You're such a pervert, Akira," she said, giving his head a light swat. "Is that all you think about?"

He just shrugged, not bothering to defend himself. "Can't blame a guy for being honest," he replied with a smirk, closing his eyes and settling more comfortably against her.

"I'm aware that you have a...unique personality, but I suppose I can bear with it," Arisu said, a hint of teasing playing in her voice, her lips curving in a playful smirk.

"Ah, so you think very lowly of me, don't you, Arisu?" Akira countered, looking up at her with an exaggerated pout. "I assure you, I am not as bad as you think."

Arisu merely chuckled, leaning down to look at him more closely. "Really, now?" She quipped back, her voice dropping to a whisper, her smile widening. "Then why don't you prove it, Akira? Show me there's more to you than your...eccentricities."

With a smirk, Akira replied, "Well, Arisu, I could spend all day listing my virtues and talents, but where's the fun in that? I think it's much more interesting for you to discover them yourself, don't you?"

Arisu rolled her eyes, yet the faintest hint of a smile played on her lips. "You're incorrigible, Akira."

"Ah, but that's why you love me, isn't it?" Akira replied, his tone teasing as he settled comfortably into her lap. He closed his eyes, his expression content. "I'd hate to be predictable."

Coyly leaning into Akira, Arisu offered her soft thigh as a pillow. Akira, the perpetual charmer, had no hesitations and readily rested his head onto her lap. Looking up at her, his gaze softened.

"Ne, Arisu," he began, his tone light and teasing, "Sometimes, you really do look like a little girl."

At his words, Arisu's expression hardened and, without warning, she clasped her thighs tighter around his head in a playful 'thigh squeeze' maneuver. Her lips curved into a wicked smile. "Hmm? What was that, Akira? I didn't quite hear you."

Her thighs held a firm, inescapable grip on his head, holding him captive.

As the pressure around his head tightened, Akira managed to gasp out, "But... you're my little girl."

The words, unexpected and tender, caught Arisu off guard. She immediately loosened her grip, her cheeks coloring with a blush. She looked down at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

The blush that spread across her face was noticeable even in the dim lighting, and she hastily retreated, her arms folded defensively across her chest.

"Did you...did you just trick me into...?" She stuttered, her cheeks burning. Akira gave her an innocent smile, rubbing his neck where her thighs had held him in a vice-like grip.

"That's right," Akira said, his voice calm and teasing. "And you fell for it, didn't you, Arisu? All I had to do was mention your soft thighs and next thing I know, I'm getting exactly what I wanted."

Arisu frowned at him, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment clear on her face. "You're...you're unbelievable, Akira," she stuttered out, unable to come up with a suitable retort. Despite herself, she couldn't help but feel a little flustered by his audacity. It was just like Akira to turn the situation around to his advantage, even in the most unexpected ways.

Arisu paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in his words. "You're... a masochist, aren't you?" she finally said, the hint of a frown creasing her brow. "But you're also a sadist in a sense... you always seem to find some kind of enjoyment in creating complicated or even painful situations for yourself... and for others."

Akira chuckled at that, casually running a hand through his hair. "Well, I wouldn't exactly put it like that," he said, his grin teasing. "But I suppose I do find a certain thrill in stirring the pot, so to speak."

Arisu snorted, crossing her arms over her chest. "That's an understatement," she said, her tone dry. "Remember when you intentionally provoked Ryūen, even though you knew it would lead to a confrontation? Or when you manipulated Horikita into taking the fall for that whole mess with the student council, even though it wasn't her fault?"

Shrugging nonchalantly, Akira just flashed her a wicked grin. "What can I say? Life's more interesting when it's a bit... chaotic."

A playful twinkle appeared in Akira's eyes as he asked, "So, Arisu, which side of me do you prefer? The sadist or the masochist?"

Caught off guard, Arisu blinked at him for a moment, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. After a moment of silence, she rolled her eyes, attempting to brush off the question. "Neither," she retorted, a hint of amusement dancing in her own eyes. "I'd much prefer it if you were just... normal."

"Normal, huh?" Akira mused, his grin never leaving his face. "I'm afraid I might disappoint you there."

Despite her initial resistance, Arisu couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. Regardless of his unconventional tendencies, she found herself increasingly drawn to the enigmatic boy lying on her lap.