"Auntie, you..."
Akira organized his thoughts, but still didn't know how to say it.
It's clearly an important matter, right? How could she agree so easily?
"Aside from meeting Akira-kun's grandfather, this could just be considered Akira-kun going camping with friends."
"Huh?"
Could it really be understood that way?
Although going camping with friends during student years is a very common thing, so saying it basically carries no burden.
But this matter for Akira, it's clearly a bit more serious, right?
"I remember Sajuna said that Akira-kun's parents passed away in an accident."
"Mm."
"So Akira-kun's grandfather is very important to Akira-kun, right?"
Akira fell silent.
"That's precisely why I should agree to Akira-kun's request. After all, in my eyes, Akira-kun has always been a reliable boy."
"Thank you, Auntie."
Akira thanked her, feeling his eyes grow inexplicably warm.
"By the way, after Sajuna meets Akira-kun's grandfather, Sajuna will have met the boy's family too."
Sajuna's Mom suddenly said, then clenched her fist to encourage Akira.
"Akira-kun, do your best! I'm actually looking forward to when Akira-kun will change how he addresses me."
"I..."
Akira was speechless again. He suddenly found himself looking forward to that too.
Mom... that form of address... he hadn't used it since his parents passed away in the car accident.
"Alright, the dishes are pretty much washed up. Hurry and go tell Sajuna about it."
Sajuna's Mom urged Akira. Since he asked her first, Sajuna probably didn't know about going to meet Akira's grandfather yet.
He wondered what Sajuna's reaction would be. He had a feeling it would be very cute.
Akira came out of the kitchen and saw Sajuna sitting on the sofa waiting for him. He walked over, sat down beside Sajuna, and took her hand in his.
Sajuna wasn't wearing shoes. Her legs were pressed together. Seeing Akira sit down, she immediately leaned over, resting her head on his arm, her gaze fixed on the unlit TV.
"Shouldn't we turn the TV on?"
"No need, this is fine."
Sajuna replied, still leaning on Akira's arm, engaging in those little gestures unique to girls, seemingly never tiring of it.
Akira reached his arm around to hug Sajuna. His hand touched her legs, which were folded together. The sensation of the stockings she was wearing instantly transmitted to his mind.
The stockings felt smooth and delicate, exuding the uniquely adorable aura of a young girl. The flesh where the stockings hugged her thighs emphasized its cuteness, making Akira want to reach out and flick it a few times.
Even through the white stockings, he could observe Sajuna's restless little feet, pressed together and wriggling. Her toes inside made inexplicable movements along with her actions, making Akira just want to reach out and grab the lively little cuties.
"Aki-Kun."
"Mm."
Akira responded, then stroked Sajuna's hair. "I have something to tell you."
"Huh? What is it? It sounds important."
Sajuna lifted her face to ask.
"I want to take you to meet my grandfather."
Akira answered directly.
"Huh? Meet Aki-Kun's grandfather?"
Sajuna nodded, then reacted: "Meet Aki-Kun's grandfather? I remember Aki-Kun's grandfather is in..."
"That's right. Can you come with me to the countryside, Sajuna?"
After the initial surprise, Sajuna suddenly felt she wasn't very afraid of such things anymore, considering she'd been dating Aki-Kun for so long.
Touching her own face, Sajuna pressed closer to Akira's cheek.
"I'm a little afraid Aki-Kun's grandfather won't like me."
"How could that be? Grandfather will definitely be very happy to see you."
Akira stroked Sajuna's hair. Sajuna, in turn, held onto Akira's hand.
"If Aki-Kun's grandfather doesn't like me, Aki-Kun must stand by my side..."
Sajuna said, as if seeking reassurance, "After all, my figure isn't very good..."
"That's not true. I really like your figure, Sajuna," Akira comforted her. "And this trip to the countryside is just to let Grandfather see that I'm living a life where he doesn't need to worry about me."
"After my parents passed away, I was depressed for a while and caused Grandfather a lot of worry."
Sajuna touched Akira's face, her heart aching a little for him.
"However, I'm planning to invite others to come along too, like Wakana and them."
"Huh? It's not just the two of us?"
"Because I also want Grandfather to see the new friends I've made, so I wanted to invite a few more people."
Akira said apologetically, "Aren't you worried at all, Sajuna, that I might secretly 'eat' you?"
"'Eat' or whatever, Sajuna isn't worried about that."
Sajuna hummed twice, then pouted and whispered, "After all, Aki-Kun doesn't seem to have much courage anyway..."
"What?"
"It's nothing!"
Sajuna hurriedly changed the subject. "Since that's the case, has Aki-Kun decided who to invite?"
"Considering we're a couple, I think inviting four more people at most would be good."
Akira counted: "Wakana, Kitagawa-san, we can invite Murakami too. It would be even better if Sugaya-san could come along."
"So Aki-Kun should call them quickly! What if the others already have plans?"
Sajuna urged him. Only then did Akira take out his phone and call the people he had in mind.
"Wakana, I'm going to the countryside in a few days to see my grandfather. It could just count as a camping trip. Can you come?"
"Huh? Camping in the countryside? I haven't been before. But I'd need to tell Grandfather."
"I plan to call a few friends. I also want Grandfather to get to know my friends. So, Wakana, could you invite Kitagawa-san?"
"Since Akira-kun says so, I'll go ask Kitagawa-san..."
Wakana tentatively inquired.
"Murakami, how's life been lately?"
"Lately, I've been dating Sugaya-san. I'm a bit worried about where to go on dates because Nowa wants to go to so many places..."
After listening to Kouki talk about his girlfriend for a while, Akira finally stated his request.
"I'm going to the countryside in a few days. Murakami, do you want to come along for some countryside camping? Wakana and Kitagawa-san should be coming too."
"Sugaya-san can come along as well."
"Huh? Camping in the countryside? That's a pretty good idea."
"But since the reason I'm going to the countryside is to visit my grandfather, I'll probably arrange for everyone to stay at my grandfather's house."
"That's fine! I'll go tell Nowa right now."
Kouki answered decisively.
"I'm really glad you can agree."
Akira's tone was noticeably happier. "Having friends like you guys is really great."
"It's just an ordinary thing, right? No need to get so sentimental."
Kouki was a bit confused. Why the sudden emotion?
"Because I want to introduce everyone to Grandfather. I was a little worried no one would have time."
"Huh? In that case, did Akira invite Kashiwagi? Kashiwagi should have time too."
Akira hesitated, then replied, "I just feel like with the group being all couples, it might be a bit unfriendly to Kashiwagi, who's single..."
"That seems true..."