The two of them just wandered around casually afterward, basically not buying anything.
When it was time for dinner, Akira prepared to go back to Sajuna's house with her.
He always felt that his own house had no other use besides sleeping.
Akira silently complained in his heart, wondering if Sajuna's parents would allow it; it would be great if he could move in if they agreed.
However, such a request seemed too absurd.
It would be more reasonable to ask Sajuna and him to move in together at his house sooner.
But, since they were both adults, such a request didn't seem so outrageous, did it?
Walking home together, Akira held Sajuna's hand, feeling the warmth and dampness of her palm.
"Sajuna."
"Mm."
Sajuna looked up at Akira.
"How is Sajuna's club activity going?"
"Eh? Why are you suddenly asking about that?"
Sajuna was surprised; he hadn't seemed to inquire further when she had mentioned joining a club before.
Why was Aki-Kun suddenly asking about her club activity progress now?
"Because there might be a time when I need Sajuna's help soon."
Akira explained, "Didn't I already publish the first volume of 'Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai '?"
"My editor actually asked me about light novel illustrations, and my suggestion to her at the time was that the first volume should feature a bunny girl without a face."
"Eh! Is that really the kind of illustration? Is it because it's for the part where Sakuta forgets Mai?"
Sajuna asked curiously.
Akira sighed, "No."
"It's because I already have an image of the characters in my mind. So I don't plan to leave the responsibility for the illustration design to the editorial department."
"Then, why doesn't Aki-Kun choose to discuss it with an illustrator?"
"Because this book hasn't become a huge hit yet, so there clearly won't be any really good illustrators."
Akira rubbed his forehead, "It would be great if Sajuna could help."
Seeing Aki-Kun's troubled expression, Sajuna also frowned, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Aki-Kun."
"Mm."
"Actually, I..."
Sajuna paused.
"I seem to have a bit of a talent for drawing."
Sajuna looked up at Akira across from her: "Our club teacher also said that if I'm given some time, I will definitely become famous."
"Then, congratulations to Sajuna!"
Akira was a bit happy; he actually didn't plan to spend time learning manga.
Especially since his drawing talent was about the same as his dancing talent.
It would be unknown how long it would take for him to level up to a certain degree.
But light novel illustrations were needed in the near future.
So he couldn't be self-sufficient.
"When the second volume comes out, let Sajuna help me with the illustrations."
Akira decided, "Will Sajuna have any difficulties then?"
Sajuna was a little embarrassed, feeling that her skill at that time probably wouldn't be good enough to draw the illustrations well.
After all, Aki-Kun's light novel would definitely be a bestseller.
If it were affected by her illustrations, Aki-Kun would surely be unhappy.
So Sajuna hesitated for a moment and replied, "I don't think I can finish it alone."
Akira, however, didn't offer any unnecessary encouragement but nodded.
"It's also my fault to make Sajuna take on this kind of work so quickly."
'Anyway, I can find other illustrators to work on it together then.'
Akira felt there was no need to rush now.
After all, he had just started writing the content for the second volume.
-------------------------------------
The next day, Monday.
Akira arrived at school in the morning from Sajuna's house.
Sitting in the back row of the classroom, Akira listened to the English teacher's intonations from the podium, a little lost in thought.
If he remembered correctly, the summer vacation would be coming soon, right?
Since he had transmigrated, he had never been to the beach in Saitama.
There seemed to be so many days, but he always felt that he should find a special day to do such a thing.
The rustling leaves outside the window reached Akira's ears, and he couldn't help but glance out the window.
Could he vaguely see the light blue horizon in the distance?
It wouldn't be the color reflected by the seawater at the distant beach, would it?
Akira's mind began to make random associations.
"Akira-kun, stand up and translate this sentence."
The English teacher on the stage put down the textbook he was holding and called on Akira.
Akira stood up; he had been listening attentively just now, but now he didn't know where the teacher was in the lesson.
After all, the teacher's question was to translate a sentence.
Not a paragraph, otherwise he would have started translating the next one.
"I'm sorry, Teacher, I got distracted for a moment. Which sentence is it?"
Akira frankly apologized to the English teacher.
There was no need to be reserved; it was his mistake during class.
The English teacher was not angry and told Akira the question.
After Akira answered the question, the English teacher arranged for him to sit down, not forgetting to comfort Akira with a sentence.
"Pay attention to rest."
Akira nodded, without any other emotions.
Wakana's head turned when Akira was reading, and the boy's figure, illuminated by the sunlight, seemed to emit a hazy glow.
He even felt for a moment that the girls in the class were all talking about Akira-kun.
The atmosphere in the class then returned to normal.
When class ended, Akira saw Teacher Nakamura at the classroom door, who had come to demand an explanation.
"Akira-kun, come out for a moment."
Akira slowly walked over from his seat, preparing to accept criticism.
"When did you move the electric sewing machine into your club room?"
"Ah, the day we got the activity room."
"Then why didn't you apply to me?"
"Eh, at the time, I felt that anything needed could be moved directly. Applying to Teacher Nakamura would only trouble him."
Akira spoke nonsense with wide eyes.
"Do, do you think I believe that?"
Nakamura Yu felt that Akira in front of him was a bit thick-skinned; why hadn't he noticed it before?
"So, how is your club doing now? Any progress?"
Teacher Nakamura adopted a relaxed posture: "Do you need my help with publicity?"
Akira nodded: "We still need Teacher Nakamura's help with publicity."
"But our club is currently working on a commission."
Nakamura Yu became interested: "A commission so soon? Where did it come from?"
"A club member."
Akira looked up at Nakamura Yu.
"Helping a club member with a relationship problem."
"The school shouldn't object to this, right?"
Nakamura Yu scoffed, "The school's requirements aren't that strict yet."
"Besides, in Japan, is a relationship problem a big deal?"
"Ah, this budding youth."
Nakamura Yu had an urge to pull out a cigarette from his pocket and light it.