After school, Akira did not stay at school to review for the final exams, but instead packed his bag early, preparing to head to Sajuna's house.
He took out his phone, sent a message to Sajuna, then, as usual, got on the train and got off after two stops.
The agreed meeting point with Sajuna was a 7-Eleven convenience store. The two planned to meet at the 7-Eleven and then go back to Sajuna's house together to meet Sajuna's father.
After all, Akira felt a bit nervous about Sajuna's father.
He always felt like he was a serious and earnest type, and he always felt like he would be a lot of trouble…
After waiting for a while, Akira saw Sajuna, who was accompanied by Fujiwara Kako.
"Aki-Kun!"
Seeing Akira waiting for her at the entrance, Sajuna quickly let go of Fujiwara Kako's hand and ran towards Akira.
"Sajuna, good afternoon."
Akira opened his arms and embraced Sajuna as she pounced on him.
Due to the light clothing in summer, Akira could even feel Sajuna's soft body beneath her clothes.
"Fujiwara-san, good evening."
Akira also greeted Fujiwara Kako, who had followed along.
Fujiwara Kako already looked helpless and didn't say anything to blame Akira.
After all, it was a young couple's business, and constantly finding fault with them was indeed quite annoying…
"Good evening."
"Well, Sajuna and I are going home together. Would Fujiwara-san like to come along?"
Akira looked at Fujiwara Kako, who showed no intention of leaving, and spoke words of dismissal.
"Aki-Kun."
Sajuna gently thumped Akira's chest, as if scolding Aki-Kun for being so blunt, and quickly struggled out of Akira's embrace.
"Kyoko-chan, today, today Aki-Kun is coming home with me to meet my father."
Sajuna's face was full of hesitation: "So, I can't be with Kyoko-chan for now…"
Fujiwara Kako probably understood her role as a third wheel, said a few words to Sajuna, and then left, leaving the two, Akira and Sajuna, nestled together.
Watching Fujiwara Kako's receding back, Akira seemed to recall something and asked Sajuna.
"Sajuna."
"Hmm?"
"Last time I went to your house, I didn't bring your mom any gifts."
A look of surprise appeared on Sajuna's face.
"Aki-Kun, do you still need to buy something? Aki-Kun coming over is already the best gift…"
Akira reached out and stroked Sajuna's hair, then took her hand and walked into the convenience store.
"Does your uncle drink alcohol?"
"Not much."
"Does he smoke?"
"Dad doesn't have any bad habits!"
Sajuna began to correct Akira's perception; her father rarely drank even at work gatherings!
"Then that's troublesome."
Akira thought for a moment, then seemed to make a decision.
"Then let's just buy some groceries."
"Okay."
Sajuna also nodded, feeling that there was no need to buy any special gifts.
After all, her father was not very supportive of her and Aki-Kun's relationship right now…
She couldn't help but feel a little mischievous.
Under the gradually darkening sky, the two walked hand in hand and soon arrived at Sajuna's doorstep.
At the door, Sajuna quickly walked a few steps forward, took out her keys, and opened the door.
The door clicked open, and immediately a rich aroma of food wafted out, making Akira instantly feel the warmth of home.
A long time ago, he seemed to have been in such an atmosphere, too?
Akira suddenly began to search his past memories.
Perhaps sensing Akira's thoughts, Sajuna tightened her grip on Akira's hand, then led him into the house.
"I'm home."
Sajuna called out to the living room; her voice was not small but carried the unique gentleness of a girl.
Not long after she spoke, Akira heard Sayouye's mom's footsteps approaching, and her gentle words.
"Welcome home, Sajuna-chan!"
Sayouye's mom walked over, saw Akira waiting at the door, and spoke as if scolding him.
"Akira-kun, are you waiting for my permission to come in? Come in quickly."
Akira nodded, stepped into the entryway, then changed into his indoor shoes and walked into the living room.
"Akira-kun, you can sit in the living room for a while. I still have some dishes to finish in the kitchen."
"Auntie, do you need my help?"
Akira mustered his courage and offered his help.
Although he also had the idea of secretly learning some cooking skills, his own cooking level would not hold Sayouye's mom back.
"No need, Akira-kun, you have a special task today."
As they spoke, the two had already arrived in the living room. Akira immediately saw Sajuna's father sitting on the sofa in the living room.
As if confirming Akira's thoughts, Sayouye's mom winked at Akira.
"Akira-kun, he said he'd be back this afternoon."
"You have to complete the challenge you set for yourself."
As if to reconfirm this, Sayouye's mom again instructed Sajuna.
"Sajuna, come to the kitchen and help Mom, please?"
Looking at Akira, who was about to interact with her father, Sajuna showed a worried expression.
Akira shook his head, indicating that he was fine, and only then did Sajuna relax slightly and follow her mother into the kitchen.
"Aki-Kun."
Sajuna turned her head to look at Akira one last time before entering the kitchen.
In the living room, the TV across from the sofa was still playing a TV program, but it was no longer the variety show Akira was used to having as background noise; it was the evening news of Japan. Sajuna's father was watching the screen with a serious expression.
As if realizing that Sajuna had entered the kitchen with her mother, Sajuna's father gently patted the sofa with his right hand.
The sound was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in Akira's focused ears.
"Sit down."
Akira, following Sajuna's father's words, sat down next to him. As Akira sat down, the sofa distinctly creaked, as if to break the stiff atmosphere.
"…"
The stiff atmosphere lasted for a few minutes. Not knowing if he had achieved his desired result, Sajuna's father opened his mouth and asked Akira.
"Because I promised Sayouye's mom, I will call you Akira-kun from now on."
"But that doesn't mean I approve of you."
"I understand, Uncle."
Akira nodded, and then the two fell into the familiar silent atmosphere again.
"I read that light novel you wrote, it's called Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"I heard from an editor in the same field that the first volume sold very well."
Sajuna's father's tone carried praise, then he changed the subject with a scolding tone.
"But don't get arrogant. Many light novel authors I've seen who had a huge first volume later faded into obscurity."
"Don't think that just because your first volume was a hit, you'll make a name for yourself in this field."
"I understand, Uncle."