"Where should we eat lunch?"
Akira asked, gently squeezing Sajuna's palm.
Sajuna hesitated, looked at Akira, and then slowly said, "How about we go home to eat?"
"Huh, go home to eat in the middle of a date?"
Akira reached out and gently stroked Sajuna's hair. "But that's fine; after all, Shinju is home alone."
The two of them took the train back home.
When they arrived, Shinju was studying at the living room table.
"Shinju studies so hard," Akira praised her.
"Shinju's grades are always at the top of her class."
"Huh? Why are Big Sister and Akira -ge back?" Shinju asked in surprise. "Didn't Big Sister and Akira -ge go on a date?"
Why would they come home so early? Did something happen?
"Of course, we came back to cook for Shinju," Akira replied.
"Huh?" Shinju seemed a little annoyed. "When you're on a date, just enjoy the date. Why do you have to think about me?"
"You already said not to worry about me when you left this morning, so why come back specifically at noon?" Shinju lowered her head. "I already told Big Sister not to worry."
This would make Akira -ge unhappy, wouldn't it?
After all, boys don't want to be interrupted by other things during a date.
Akira, however, stepped in to explain, "It's nothing at all. I just didn't know where to eat with Sajuna, so we came back."
"Besides, Sajuna's younger sister is my younger sister too, so Shinju, don't overthink it. I won't dislike you."
Akira reassured Shinju.
He always felt that Shinju was a bit melancholic, no wonder Sajuna paid so much attention to her.
At noon, they made curry rice and a bowl of miso soup. The three of them sat around the table and ate the prepared meal.
Akira let out a soft burp, waiting for Sajuna and Shinju to finish cleaning up the kitchen.
Once a person gets lazy, it really feels like they can't help but slide into an abyss.
Thinking this, Sajuna, who had finished cleaning up, sat back next to Akira. Shinju returned to her bedroom, leaving the two of them to enjoy their romantic time.
Akira lowered one hand, fumbling to touch Sajuna's palm, and gently held the soft hand he had been waiting for.
"Sajuna."
Akira suddenly remembered something and called out Sajuna's name.
"Hmm?"
Sajuna looked at Akira with a puzzled expression; his gaze was still on the book in front of him.
"Let's go to the Anime Convention this afternoon."
"Anime Convention?" Sajuna was surprised. "So we really are going to a place like that?"
"Huh? Did Sajuna think I was just joking before?" Akira was puzzled for a moment, then smiled. "But Sajuna doesn't seem to have been to an Anime Convention either."
Akira put down the book in his hand, extended his other hand, and held Sajuna's right hand with both of his own.
"Didn't we go to Wakana's house yesterday? They're probably at the Anime Convention today," Akira explained. "I still want to see how they're getting along."
"Huh? Aki-Kun cares a lot about them!" Sajuna said curiously.
"And, Aki-Kun's eyes looked very strange when he was watching them yesterday."
"Really strange?" Akira paused, muttering to himself.
"It felt a bit like… a girl's gaze," Sajuna hesitated, but still said.
"What a strange analogy," Akira grumbled. "But I really do want them to be together."
"After all, look how well-matched they are."
Akira continued, as if to substantiate his statement.
"A lively, beautiful hot girl and a shy, insecure boy."
"A girl who loves all kinds of cosplay and a doll maker who can make clothes for her."
"Hmm…" Akira pondered for a moment but couldn't think of any other words.
"What about the two of us?"
"Well, that's the cutest Sajuna in the whole world and Akira, who wants to become all-capable."
Akira said unequivocally.
Sajuna hummed twice before reluctantly accepting Akira's explanation.
She had felt a little jealous when she heard Akira praise that blonde girl yesterday.
But, seeing as Aki-Kun had no other intentions, she'd let it go!
"Then, then let's go to the Anime Convention this afternoon."
Sajuna said, turning her head, a blush creeping up her face.
Because Akira, who had been holding Sajuna's palm honestly, had already brought her hand to his lips, gently kissing the back of it.
"Aki-Kun, your fetish is so perverted."
"Mm."
Akira lowered his head and didn't argue.
Sajuna looked down at Akira's calm profile, with his black hair and black eyes, his handsome, lean face, which at this moment was filled with gentleness.
Although he was kissing Sajuna's palm in various spots, his eyes were not open; instead, they conveyed a deeper sense of affection.
"Aki-Kun."
Sajuna's eyes, like peach blossoms, were full of tenderness.
"Mm."
"I like you so much."
Unable to resist, she lowered her head and kissed Akira's cheek, leaving a faint lipstick mark.
Akira opened his eyes and saw Sajuna's somewhat flustered gaze, with her other hand still covering her mouth.
She used to faint just from holding a boy's hand.
The girl's transformation was truly amazing.
"I like you, Sajuna."
"I know."
Sajuna nodded gently.
Every look, every movement, every word of yours makes me feel those four words: "I like you."
---
After passing through the ticket gate at Ikebukuro Station, Akira and Sajuna hadn't walked far before they saw the Anime Convention being held in the park.
The sign at the entrance read: "To all visitors to the park, today the park is hosting a cosplay event. This event is being held as part of the art and culture city concept."
"There are so many people!"
Akira and Sajuna exclaimed, standing at the entrance of the Anime Convention.
"Should I wear a mask?" Sajuna looked up at Akira and asked.
"Does Sajuna not want to be recognized by others?"
"I find being bothered by others annoying."
Indeed, Sajuna's cosplays were only for herself to see.
Although Sajuna was famous as a cosplayer, today they were only attending as visitors.
If she didn't want to be disturbed by others, it would be better to wear a mask.
Akira took out the pre-prepared mask from his backpack, thought for a moment, and then took out the camera he had borrowed from Shinju.
"Aki-Kun, did you borrow a camera?"
"Yes, I got it from Shinju."
After all, taking photos could increase his experience points, and attending the convention was a good place to level up.
Akira fiddled with the camera in his hand for a few moments, trying to take a few photos of Sajuna.
"Huh, why are you taking pictures of me, Aki-Kun?"
"Because Sajuna is so cute."
Akira explained, showing Sajuna the results of the photos.
Although she was wearing a mask, her eyes sparkled, and he could feel her emotions through the screen.
"Well, you got it right."