The trip to the countryside ended, and Akira and his friends had packed their luggage, while Aizawa Masato stayed in the kitchen to cook a final meal for everyone who was leaving.
Akira adjusted to the increasingly intense summer sunlight of the countryside, imagining the scene of rain and cooling temperatures in the countryside, which he thought would be a beautiful sight.
The continuous drizzle slowly obscured the scenery, covering it with a layer of ethereal mist, making the familiar fields and trees feel as if they had been washed anew.
"What are you thinking about?"
Aizawa Masato came out of the kitchen, carrying the finished dishes, and placed them on the table in the middle of the courtyard, while the others habitually ran to the kitchen to help bring the food over.
"I feel a little regretful that I didn't experience any rain during this trip to the countryside."
Akira smiled apologetically at Aizawa Masato, feeling a bit overly sentimental.
"Since you didn't see it this time, then look forward to it when you come again in the future."
Aizawa Masato didn't react much, just nodded, "Actually, the rainy scenery in the countryside isn't that great, because many places in the countryside still have dirt roads, and they become muddy when it rains, so you have to wear rubber boots to walk on them."
"But if you want to play outside on a rainy day, it's best to hope there's no lightning when it rains, otherwise you might get struck. In recent years, several trees on the mountain have been struck dead by lightning."
"Grandpa, you're making me lose interest."
Akira couldn't help but say, feeling the dangers of playing in the rain, and immediately gave up his original idea.
"Aki-Kun."
"Hmm."
"Sajuna-chan likes you a lot, doesn't she?"
Aizawa Masato smiled and shook his head, "You can tell from the way she acts that Sajuna-chan probably cares a lot about your feelings in her life, so Aki-Kun, when you're together, remember to pay more attention to Sajuna-chan's thoughts."
"I know."
"Sajuna-chan's personality seems like she'll always revolve around you, becoming dependent on you and thinking of you in everything."
"Although, speaking irresponsibly as the male, there's no need to fear such a girl getting angry, but her usual gentle attitude can lead to habitually ignoring her feelings."
"I remember when I was with your grandmother, she was always so submissive, always smiling and agreeing to everything I did."
"I always thought that kind of scene was normal between couples, but after your grandmother passed away, I always thought about how I treated her before."
"Being late for dates, buying things without asking her opinion, and so on. These memories of our carefree and easygoing time together now increasingly challenge my heart, constantly bringing up my guilt towards her."
"So, Aki-Kun, you were able to be strong after your parents passed away and start a new life."
"I believe you are a good child, so I hope you can manage this relationship very well and stay together until the end."
"If you ignore the other person's feelings, one day you will lose this girl you like."
"I understand."
Akira nodded, but his face was not as serious as expected; instead, it was filled with joy.
Did that expression mean he had done it all?
After chatting, everyone sat down to eat. Sajuna was clearly eating more seriously, and Aizawa Masato's face was full of happiness and contentment.
"Sajuna wasn't eating this seriously when she first arrived, was she?"
Akira picked up some food for Sajuna and then smiled as he asked her.
"Because we're leaving soon," Sajuna's cheeks were flushed as she quietly explained, "Besides, if I eat a little more, Grandpa will be even happier."
After the meal, Aizawa Masato called Sajuna over. Seeing Akira's questioning look, Aizawa Masato helplessly waved at him, and Akira followed.
The cushions on the tatami in the living room were very soft. In front of the cushions was a small table for drinking tea. Sajuna sat opposite Aizawa Masato, and Akira sat next to Sajuna.
Aizawa Masato nodded, stood up, took a box from a cabinet nearby, placed it on the table, and handed it to Sajuna.
"This is?"
Akira looked at the item being handed over. Although he was curious, he didn't reach out rashly.
Sajuna looked at Grandpa, who seemed to be giving it to her, and was a bit conflicted. She turned to look at Akira, saw him nod at her, and then heard Aizawa Masato's words.
"Open it and take a look."
Sajuna reached out and opened the box. What met her eyes was a crystal-clear jade ring. A red string was tied through the center of the jade ring, and judging by its color, it had quite a few years on it.
Aizawa Masato looked at Sajuna, who seemed a bit puzzled, and explained with a nostalgic tone:
"This jade pendant was given to me by Aki-Kun's grandmother's parents when I married Aki-Kun's grandmother. It was our token of love."
"Now, this jade pendant is of no use to me except to make me feel sad about the past, so consider it a gift for Sajuna-chan."
"Since there's only one, I won't give it to Aki-Kun, because if he chose not to give it to Sajuna-chan, wouldn't that waste my good intentions?"
Sajuna took out the jade pendant and gently caressed it. The jade was warm and the red string was rough. These two textures intertwined in Sajuna's heart. Hearing Aizawa Masato's words, she quickly explained,
"Aki-Kun would definitely not do that."
"Not now, but who knows about the future."
Aizawa Masato shook his head, as if reminding Sajuna, "Although Aki-Kun is living very well now, I still have worries, so I want to ask Sajuna-chan to take care of him, okay?"
Sajuna nodded, then immediately shook her head.
"Aki-Kun has always taken good care of me."
"However, I will promise Grandpa to take good care of Aki-Kun."
"Then I'm relieved. I always feel that with a good child like Sajuna-chan, Aki-Kun's future is secured."
Aizawa Masato finished speaking, took out his rarely used phone, and asked Sajuna.
"I'd like to take a picture of Sajuna-chan and Aki-Kun leaning together, if that's okay?"
"Mm."
Sajuna nodded. Akira stood up and pulled his cushion closer to Sajuna. Sajuna then hugged Akira's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder.
With the shyness of showing intimacy in front of an elder, Sajuna raised her eyebrows and glanced at Akira, finding that his gaze was also on her. She inexplicably thought of the intimate things she had recently done with Aki-Kun, and felt her chest grow warm, so she quickly avoided Aki-Kun's gaze and gently pressed her hand to her chest.
"Look here."
Aizawa Masato looked at the affectionate couple opposite him with a satisfied expression, feeling that his later years were so beautiful, and that his grandson had successfully emerged from sadness and was moving towards a happy new life.
With a click, Akira and Sajuna, smiling and looking at the camera together, were captured in a photograph.
Sajuna was too embarrassed to look at the camera, especially when Aizawa Masato was flipping through the photos with a satisfied look. She felt as if all her little emotions towards Aki-Kun had been preserved, so she buried her face in Akira's embrace.
However, she couldn't help but think that her photo with Aki-Kun would definitely be printed by Grandpa and put into a frame.
If that happened, with Grandpa's blessing, she would definitely be able to stay with Aki-Kun forever.
It will definitely be like this, yes.