Waking up next to that face, dark hair falling softly over his eyes and his calm breathing, Sayuri felt at peace… and more in love than ever. It almost felt like she was living a dream.
"Good morning," Jun murmured.
"Oh… did I wake you?"
He stretched and pulled her closer with one arm.
"You know, love, I've been thinking about getting my own place."
"Your own place?"
"Yeah… a quiet little space just for us."
"But what about your grandma?"
Jun laughed softly.
"She'd actually be happy if I moved out. She keeps telling me, 'Kid, you need to grow up,' haha."
Sayuri couldn't help but laugh too, nodding in agreement.
They stayed like that, lying together, talking and laughing as if the world only belonged to them, until a knock on the door pulled them back to reality.
"Jun? Come on, man, wake up!"
Sayuri panicked and quickly covered Jun's mouth.
"Shhh!"
Knock knock knock.
"Seriously, Jun? I don't want to hit traffic."
Jun froze.
"Oh no… I forgot to pack."
Sayuri looked at him and teased.
"You're unbelievable."
Outside the room, Yume called out to Kenji.
"Kenji, have you seen Sayuri? Her room is empty and the bed is made."
Kenji's expression changed instantly.
"…What?"
"OMG!"
"Okay, okay, I'm out," Kenji said, heading downstairs.
Yume looked around helplessly, but there was no other choice. She had to wake them up before they got stuck in traffic.
"Lovebirds… time to get up?" she cleared her throat. "You've got thirty minutes."
Sayuri looked at Jun and they both burst out laughing.
"I think we got caught," Jun said.
"Jun! Stop! This is so embarrassing… what now?"
"Now we get dressed, unless you want to deal with two very angry people for two hours in a car."
"Then let's hurry."
"Seriously, Yume, did you wake them?" Kenji called from downstairs.
"Yes, Kenji… now help me here."
He stared at Yume's bags.
"Three suitcases now? How?"
"I bought things. Normal."
"Normal?" he laughed. "Nothing about you is normal, Yume."
"Good morning to you too," Jun said, appearing at the door.
Yume turned and saw Jun and Sayuri holding hands.
"What a morning…"
Kenji smirked and took Sayuri's suitcase to the car, then glanced at Jun as he loaded his own bag.
"Great Jun… finally growing up."
Jun's face turned completely red. He quickly got into the car and put on his sunglasses, trying to hide his embarrassment.
The drive back home was strangely silent. The atmosphere inside the car felt heavy.
Yume finally broke the silence.
"Okay, enough with the weird mood. Everyone already knows you two slept together, so move on."
"Oh my God, Yume!" Sayuri shouted, completely red.
Kenji couldn't hold it in and started laughing. Jun just smiled and looked out the window.
"Now that's better," Yume said proudly. "Kenji, put some music on. I want coffee."
After hours on the road, they finally arrived at Kenji's house. While unloading the bags, Yume said she would stay a little longer since her father would visit that night and she would leave with him.
"Alright," Sayuri said. "I'm heading home. I'm exhausted."
"I'll take Sayuri home, then I'll head out too," Jun said.
Kenji handed Jun the car keys.
"I'll pick you up later."
They said their goodbyes.
In the car, Sayuri seemed a little uneasy. Jun noticed immediately.
"Are you okay? You look nervous."
Sayuri took a deep breath and asked him to stop the car at the corner of her street.
"Why?"
"I haven't told my parents about us yet… I want to tell them after I graduate."
Jun stayed silent for a moment, staring ahead. He understood. Their relationship still had to stay hidden, and it felt like he wasn't officially part of her life yet.
Sayuri noticed his silence and gently held his hand.
"Jun… are you okay?"
"Yeah… I think that's best for now too."
"Thank you for understanding."
When they reached the corner, Jun helped her with her suitcase and said goodbye.
"Rest, okay? I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes… we still have a few weeks before classes start. I want to enjoy them with you."
"Me too, love."
They hugged tightly before she walked away, and Jun stayed there watching until she safely entered her house.
"I'm home, Mom," Sayuri said.
"How were your holidays?" her mother asked.
"They were peaceful. I rested a lot. The place was beautiful."
Her father, sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper, asked.
"And who exactly was there?"
"Just some college friends, Dad."
"College friends…" he repeated.
Her mother noticed a bruise on Sayuri's hand.
"You got hurt?"
Sayuri quickly made up an excuse.
"We went hiking and I fell."
She picked up her bag.
"I'm going upstairs. I'm tired."
"Alright, I'll call you for dinner," her mother said.
Her father turned the page of the newspaper.
"It's good to rest and catch up on lost time."
Sayuri sighed and closed her eyes, not arguing. She didn't want to ruin her happy moment.
"Yes, Dad…"
She went to her room, dropped her bag, and fell onto the bed.
Her phone vibrated.
"Miss you." — Jun
She smiled.
"This boy…"
She typed quickly.
"Miss you too…"
She closed her eyes.
Another vibration.
"Look out the window."
Her heart jumped.
Jun was standing outside.
"Jun??"
She quietly left the house and went out.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"You said you missed me."
She laughed.
"You're crazy…"
"Crazy about you."
She noticed he was only wearing a t-shirt and shorts.
"Jun, go home. You'll get sick."
"I won't."
"Yes, you will," she said, pushing him toward the gate.
"Okay…" he pouted.
She ran back inside laughing, but stopped immediately when she saw her father.
"What were you doing outside?"
"Oh… I… I was looking for an earring."
"An earring?"
"Yes… I think I dropped it on the way."
"Did you find it?"
"No… I didn't, Dad."
"I'll look for it tomorrow. Come eat," her mother called.
Sayuri knew she had to be careful. If she wasn't, her father might discover Jun… and she feared what would happen if he did.