After spending the entire afternoon together, Sajuna had dinner with Akira, and Akira, estimating the time, figured it was about time to send Sajuna home.
After helping Sajuna clean up the dishes in the kitchen, he took Sajuna's hand and sat on the living room sofa, embracing her.
"Sajuna's painting skills are improving very quickly."
Akira gently sniffed Sajuna's hair, then stroked it.
"Mm, because Aki-Kun is always by my side."
Sajuna also touched her own hair, bringing a strand to her nose to smell it. Thankfully, there was no scent of food, and the faint lavender shampoo fragrance from the morning still lingered in her hair.
"It doesn't have much to do with me," Akira said helplessly. "Don't drag me into everything. I've mostly just been causing trouble next to Sajuna."
Sajuna couldn't possibly mean: if he hadn't been there, her painting skills would have become even better.
Sajuna's thoughts definitely wouldn't be that dark...
The two of them stayed on the sofa. Because it had happened many times before, Sajuna still felt a bit shy, but she wasn't nervous or uneasy; she was simply enjoying Aki-Kun's company.
After a while, Akira checked the time and said to Sajuna, "It's getting late. Sajuna should head home."
He stood up from the sofa, but just as he did, Sajuna, who had been leaning on Akira, suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Sajuna?"
Akira sat back down, looking at the quiet Sajuna.
"Just a little longer with Aki-Kun..." Sajuna replied.
"Alright," Akira smiled helplessly. "I feel like Sajuna's Dad is going to think I've done something bad."
"Aki-Kun isn't a bad kid, and Aki-Kun hasn't done anything bad..."
"I just want to stay with Aki-Kun a little longer..."
"But, when I'm with Sajuna, I always want to do bad things."
Akira looked at Sajuna, his arms embracing her, slowly moving up her back.
"Aki-Kun doesn't always want to do bad things..." Sajuna hadn't finished speaking when she felt Akira's movements and immediately fell silent.
Akira observed Sajuna's reaction, gently stroking her back, but ultimately chose not to push further. After all, the atmosphere wasn't quite right, and it would be bad if Sajuna disliked it.
Sajuna felt Akira's movements stop and her heart warmed. Aki-Kun was always so gentle...
Thinking this, Sajuna suddenly remembered the questions her Mom had been asking her recently, and her heart couldn't help but feel annoyed again.
Their relationship was already so good, why was her Mom rushing her again?
"Aki-Kun, you're a bad guy!" Sajuna suddenly blurted out. Although she pretended to be angry, her tone was still soft, almost a little playful.
"How did I become a bad guy?!" Akira was suddenly torn between laughter and tears. He had just stopped his rogue actions, so why was he suddenly being scolded?
"Idiot, dummy." Sajuna didn't answer, then snuggled closer, no longer talking about what had just happened.
"Aki-Kun, Sajuna wants to sleep here..."
"Eh?" Akira looked at Sajuna in his arms, who indeed looked sleepy. She had been incredibly clingy today.
"Alright," he said. "I'll prepare bedding for Sajuna."
There was no romantic atmosphere, so Akira had no ill intentions and genuinely agreed to Sajuna's request.
As he tried to stand up again, Akira felt Sajuna's arms around him tighten once more.
"Right here."
"Will Aki-Kun stay with me?"
Akira sighed. Could it be that his own thoughts today had caused Sajuna's mood to fluctuate as well?
The evening sky was warm. Outside the living room, the sky gradually took on a thick, orange-yellow hue, deepening in color as time passed.
Sajuna nestled in Akira's arms, curled up, eyes closed, her breathing slowly evening out.
Akira looked at Sajuna in his embrace, finding her small body incredibly light, feeling no burden as she lay on him, like a toy.
Sajuna's sleep came quickly and was very deep. Akira looked at her peaceful sleeping face, gently stroking her cheek from time to time, always able to read happiness from her relaxed expression.
Meeting Sajuna was truly the happiest thing for him.
Akira thought of the manuscript fee he was about to receive. Although it wasn't a large sum, it was just enough for what he wanted to do.
And it was the first money he had earned himself, which held special significance for both him and Sajuna.
Sajuna slept for about two hours. When she woke up, Akira was gently combing her hair. His fingers delicately ran through Sajuna's strands, from root to tip, and the expression on his face clearly showed his contentment.
"Aki-Kun." Sajuna opened her mouth, only to find her lips dry and her voice hoarse.
"Thirsty, aren't you? I'll get you a glass of water." Akira smiled, propped Sajuna against the sofa, and then stood up, momentarily forgetting his right leg, which Sajuna had been leaning on. His foot landed, and he stumbled.
"Aki-Kun!" Sajuna anxiously scrambled up, wanting to help Akira.
"I'm fine, my leg's just a little numb." Akira waved his hand, lightly stomped his foot, and then pretended to be normal as he poured Sajuna a glass of water.
"It's all because I wasn't paying attention."
"It's alright, it's no big deal," Akira comforted Sajuna. "You've had a nap; how do you feel now?"
"Mm, much better..." Sajuna nodded, then asked, "Can Aki-Kun walk me home?"
"Of course."
After tidying up the things Sajuna had brought, Akira held Sajuna's hand and walked her to her doorstep.
"I'll go in with Sajuna."
"Otherwise, Sajuna will definitely get scolded. If I'm there, I'll definitely help take some of the heat."
Sajuna quickly pushed Akira a distance away, her cheeks flushed with shyness and sweetness as she said, "What are you talking about, Aki-Kun? Mom won't blame me."
Seeing Sajuna like this, Akira guessed that Sajuna's Mom was indeed the gentle type, so he put aside his worries and prepared to leave.
"Then, I'll go?"
"Mm." Sajuna nodded. As Akira turned to leave, she suddenly grabbed his hand.
"Aki-Kun."
Akira turned around. The girl in front of him had her neck slightly tucked in from the cold night wind, her cheeks faintly pink, and her two outstretched hands tightly held his right hand, giving a feeling of wanting to declare it to the whole world. Her chest rose and fell once.
"Sajuna will definitely sleep at Aki-Kun's place!"
"I won't let Aki-Kun be lonely alone!"
"Absolutely!"
After Sajuna finished speaking, her cheeks turned crimson. She quickly turned around, opened the door, and darted inside, leaning against the iron gate, panting heavily.
She really, really said it...
Akira watched the fleeing Sajuna, stunned for a long time, a strong emotion surging in his heart.
He suddenly wanted to shout to the whole world:
So, Sajuna.
Marry me!
No need for any other thoughts!
Marry me quickly!