The two walked down the stairs holding hands, and his grandmother was waiting for them on the sofa.
"Sit down."
Sayuri tightened her grip on Jun's hand, nervous.
"Grandma..."
She interrupted immediately.
"Be quiet, you brat."
"Yes, ma'am."
The grandmother looked at the two of them, then at their joined hands.
"So… have you both lost your minds? What were you thinking? And you, young man, bringing a girl into your room late at night..."
"Grandma... in my defense..."
She smacked his head again.
"I'm not finished. You brat..." she sighed deeply and then looked at Sayuri. "And you… if your parents found out, you would be in serious trouble."
Sayuri lowered her head, too embarrassed to speak or defend herself.
Jun, feeling responsible, looked at her with gentle eyes.
"Grandma..."
He leaned back slightly, avoiding another hit.
"Please let me explain."
Jun told her everything that had happened, everything they had been through to be together, and why Sayuri had stayed there that night.
His grandmother, now more understanding, took his hand.
"My dear, I already told you I will always support you, but there are things we must avoid, like this. A girl like her should not be sleeping in your room. You need to respect her."
"I'm sorry, ma'am Midori. It was my fault. I should have stopped it."
"Ah, young people..." she sighed. "Just don't let it happen again. And Jun, treat your girlfriend with respect, please."
"Yes, ma'am. Always."
The grandmother kept looking at him.
Jun blinked.
"Anything else, Grandma?"
She sighed.
"That boy... go make breakfast for the girl."
He immediately stood up and went to the kitchen.
Sayuri smiled for the first time in front of Mrs. Midori.
"My dear..." the woman held her hand. "Thank you..."
Sayuri blinked.
"Why?"
"For making Jun smile again."
Those words made her emotional.
Looking at him, she whispered.
"I love him so much..."
"Shall we eat?" Jun said, pulling out a chair for his grandmother and then for Sayuri.
That morning felt like one of the most peaceful she had ever experienced.
The warmth of Mrs. Midori, the smell of fresh coffee, everything felt comforting.
But for Sayuri, it meant something deeper.
It was the kind of family moment she had always dreamed of.
Something she searched for every morning at home, but only found silence and emptiness.
And now… she had finally found it.
Almost ten in the morning, Sayuri got ready to leave. Her parents had already gone to work, so it was safer to go now.
"I'm going, Jun. I'll return your clothes later."
She kissed him and ran across the street so no one would see her leaving his house in his clothes. Once home, she washed her clothes with his and went to take a shower. Later she would meet Yume for lunch.
Jun also got ready to leave. He had a job interview at the record store Yume had mentioned. He felt confident and excited.
"Good afternoon, Jun?"
"Yes," he replied, greeting the shop owner.
"So I heard you're very good with music. Can I ask about your skills?"
"My skills?"
"Yes, in music."
Jun smiled confidently and began explaining everything he knew about music, also mentioning that he composed and sang in a band.
"Wow!" the woman said, impressed. "You have amazing knowledge. When can you start?"
"Immediately, if you want."
She laughed and told him to come back the next day at nine.
"Thank you so much."
"No, thank you. See you tomorrow."
He left, got on his motorcycle, and sped off, only thinking about telling Sayuri the news.
"Meet me later."
"Jun."
"Say? What happened?"
"Jun said he wants to meet me later."
Yume narrowed her eyes.
"Oh you two... come back later you can answer. Now you're mine."
When Jun got home, he immediately told his grandmother. She was proud of him.
"I knew you would succeed. Have you told Sayuri yet?"
"I'll meet her later."
"Alright, but behave yourself, okay?"
"Don't worry, Grandma... now let me help with these cookies," he said, kissing her cheek.
Plim! Plim!
Yume looked at her phone, annoyed.
"What is it?"
"That girl, Usagui… this is already her sixth message today. It's getting annoying."
"But isn't that normal for fans?"
"I don't know, Say… something about her feels off."
"Why?"
Yume hesitated.
"Forget it..."
"Yume, why?" Sayuri insisted seriously.
"Well… all the messages are directed at Jun."
Sayuri felt uncomfortable, but tried to brush it off.
"Some fans are like that, I guess..."
"Ugh, Sayuri… come on, we need to go. I have to meet Kenji. And you and Jun are coming to the studio later, okay?"
"Okay."
Sayuri was walking when someone suddenly grabbed her from behind and kissed her neck.
"Love, I did it..."
She turned, excited.
"Really?" she hugged him. "I knew you would."
"And that's not all..." he paused. "Are you ready?"
"What?"
He pulled out a key.
"I got an apartment..."
She was overjoyed, not just because of his success, but because of how proud he looked.
"I'm so proud of you..."
He lifted her and spun her around.
"I wanted to celebrate with you, but I promised Kenji I'd go to the studio."
"Yume asked us to go too."
Jun frowned slightly.
"I think those two are up to something..."
When they arrived at the apartment, Jun carried her inside.
"This is what couples do..."
"You're silly..."
"Our place, love. You can come anytime you need..."
She looked around. It was simple, cozy, with a beautiful view of the cherry blossom park.
"I chose this view thinking of you..."
"It's perfect, Jun..."
Ring ring!
"We're on our way."
"Let me guess... Yume?"
"Exactly."
When they arrived at the studio, everything was dark.
"Why is it so dark?"
Suddenly—
"Surprise!!!"
Kenji popped champagne.
"To Jun… and his first job!"
Jun was shocked.
"How did you know?"
"I have my contacts. My mom knows half the city, you think she wouldn't know?"
Everyone laughed.
"Then let's toast to your new phase, brother."
Sayuri smiled.
"You also have something to tell them, right?"
Jun nodded and raised his glass. He looked at Sayuri and silently, he knew:
She had changed his life.