"Eh!? Make bentos together!?"
Sajuna said, looking shocked. What did he mean, make bentos together?
The two of them didn't live together, and they weren't even at the same university.
How were they supposed to make bentos together?!
"That's right. From now on, I'll come to Sajuna's house every morning," Akira declared decisively.
"To make bentos with Sajuna."
"Eh!? Won't that take up too much of Aki-Kun's time?" Sajuna said, still shocked. After all, he still had to go to school.
Aki-Kun would wake up early, come to her house, and make bentos with her?!
"Sajuna, why are you being so silly? I have to make my own bento at home anyway!" Akira gently tapped Sajuna's forehead, a light touch that didn't even leave a red mark, but it made Sajuna turn completely red.
"Besides, coming to Sajuna's house is just like meeting a classmate or a childhood friend in the morning to go to school together!"
"It's practically the same thing."
"Eh?! Is it?!"
Sajuna gently cupped her face with both hands and turned to glance at Shinju, who was holding chopsticks.
"Yes, Big Sister."
So, so embarrassing!
Even Shinju could understand it, so why had she suddenly become so clumsy?!
"It's decided then!" Akira announced.
Seeing Sajuna still blushing, Akira felt he couldn't talk to her anymore, or she wouldn't recover from her state.
So, he turned to Shinju and asked, "By the way, Shinju."
"What is it, Akira-ge?"
Shinju tilted her head, observing Akira, who was asking her a question.
"When are Uncle and Auntie coming back?"
"Eh, is Akira-ge trying to see Mom and Dad?" Shinju asked in surprise, feeling that Akira-ge wasn't afraid of meeting the parents at all.
Sajuna also perked up her ears. What did Aki-Kun want to do by asking about her parents?
He wouldn't be thinking of… doing something to her while Mom and Dad weren't around…
That would be too—truly…
What was with this inexplicable feeling of joy and happiness in her heart?!
Although she was already an adult, there was nothing wrong with it…
Could she really be a bad woman?!!
Sajuna once again fell into a state of shy self-doubt.
"Sajuna, are you alright?!"
Akira pondered his words. Why did it feel like Sajuna was burying her face even deeper, and the steam rising from her head was almost like an upward waterfall?
Uh, in a two-dimensional world, something like this shouldn't be a problem, right?
Akira grumbled to himself, then still asked Shinju, "I feel like I'll be coming to Sajuna's house often in the future, so it's better to inform Uncle and Auntie."
"Besides, I'm Sajuna's boyfriend. It would be great if I could get Uncle and Auntie's approval."
"Please, Shinju, help me say a few good words." Akira straightened his posture and bowed. "I beg you."
"Eh, Aki-Kun, I'll tell Mom and Dad."
Sajuna looked up. "Why are you worried about that?!"
"Because we haven't known each other for long. Uncle and Auntie might easily think their precious daughter has been tricked."
Akira sighed. "Although I wanted to spend more time with Sajuna before confessing, still…"
"Still, Sajuna is just too cute; I couldn't control myself."
"Urusai!" Sajuna murmured softly.
She liked him a lot too, even though they hadn't spent much time together.
It felt like they had fallen in love at first sight, even though she hadn't felt anything for Aki-Kun the first time they met.
"So, I need to let Uncle and Auntie know that I genuinely like Sajuna, and I'm not some swindler."
Akira looked at Sajuna with tenderness.
Sajuna truly felt Akira's respect and care for her.
The awkward expression on her face slowly transformed into a gentle smile.
"Sukidayou, I love you the most, Aki-Kun."
"Big Sister, I'm still here!"
Before Akira could respond, Shinju, who was eating nearby, puffed out her cheeks and said angrily, "Akira-ge and Big Sister are really going too far; I'm still right here." Shinju looked at the two smiling people, feeling a bit upset.
"Consider the feelings of a university student like me!"
"Sorry, Shinju."
"Please forgive me, Shinju."
Despite saying this, the expressions on their faces remained gentle and happy.
Honestly, she should be angry, Shinju thought sulkily.
But Big Sister looked genuinely happy.
After the three finished their meal and tidied up the table, Shinju returned to her room to contact her friends.
Akira sat on the sofa, continuing to read the book he hadn't finished that afternoon, with Sajuna sitting beside him, watching TV.
"Eh?"
Akira felt a warm body press against his arm.
He looked up and saw Sajuna leaning gently towards him, her head down, her gaze seemingly unfocused.
"Sajuna, aren't you watching TV?"
"I am."
Akira's eyes were full of amusement. "Then why are you leaning against me? Sajuna's body is so hot."
Since it was already May, both of them were dressed in summer short sleeves. Sajuna's jade-lotus-colored arm was now faintly pink, pressed close against him.
"Contact practice."
Akira was momentarily stunned.
Why did he feel like this term was getting increasingly suggestive?
Did Sajuna invent this term just to flirt with him in different ways?!
He hadn't even made a move yet!
Damn it, don't underestimate him, Sajuna!
He wasn't some emotionally dense guy like Wakana.
Akira thought to himself, with a full-blown chuunibyou fantasy, gently put down his book, and sighed.
Before Sajuna could wonder if she had upset Akira, she felt one end of her stiff arm being lifted.
"Eh?!"
Akira extended his hands and gently cupped Sajuna's hand, his two palms softly enclosing her hand.
"Aki-Kun, what are you doing?!"
"Contact practice with Sajuna! Isn't that what Sajuna is doing?" Akira asked, feigning confusion.
"No, no, it shouldn't be like this!" Sajuna said with a slight whimper, feeling a tingling sensation in her hand, which was starting to warm up.
Akira looked down at the hand he was holding. The five fingers were as pure as green onions, straight and firm, without any signs of deformity from excessive writing. The only slight flaw was a tiny cut on the tip of the index finger.
"What's this wound?" Akira asked, looking up.
"I, I don't know."
Sajuna truly didn't know when she had gotten hurt. The cut was so small that she hadn't felt any pain.
But Akira still felt uneasy. Although it looked like the kind of wound that would heal before you even got to a hospital, he had a strange feeling in his heart.
What was with this psychological state?!
Akira was internally criticizing himself. "You're too perverted."
Thinking this, a strange idea suddenly popped into his mind.