"I was just about to prepare dinner. How about staying and have dinner, as a thank you for walking Yui home?" Yuigahama Asuna asked with a warm smile.
"This…" Akira hesitated for a moment.
Yuigahama Yui, recalling Akira's life experience, stretched out her small hand, grabbed the corner of his jacket, and looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"Okay… excuse me for disturbing you then," Akira finally agreed.
Yuigahama Asuna smiled slightly, and Yui's face lit up with a soft, happy smile.
Bringing Akira home seemed to have gained her mother's approval, and the atmosphere suggested that the relationship between the two would proceed smoothly.
The three of them walked toward Yui's house together.
When they arrived at the door, Akira suddenly remembered that he hadn't brought any gift.
"... I came a bit hurriedly this time. Next time, I'll visit with a box of snacks," he said politely to Asuna.
"Then I'll look forward to your next visit. If you need me to leave, I'll gladly leave the house to you and Yui," Asuna said with a teasing smile.
"MOM!!" Yui's cheeks flushed as she heard her mother's words again.
Asuna chuckled, as sheopened the door.
As Yui handed a pair of slippers to Akira.
"I'm going to the kitchen to cook. Fugimiya-kun, you can go to Yui's room and sit down," Asuna said as she walked toward the kitchen.
Akira looked at Yui, who gave him a small, shy nod.
....
In front of Yui's room, Akira stood quitely, waited for Yui to finished.
He understood that she would probably tidy up her room before letting him in—it was a Understandable. Boys and girls alike wanted their personal space to look neat before inviting someone they liked inside.
A few minutes later, Yui opened the door.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," she said softly.
"It's okay. Go ahead; I'll tidy my own room a little," Akira replied gently.
"Please… come in." Yui stepped aside as to made way for him.
Akira enter her room.
Her room was simple, much like his own, yet carried a distinctly feminine touch—cute decorations, pastel colors, and a warm, cozy feel. Girls' rooms, after all, shared this cute charm.
He sat at the low table and looked around thoughtfully.
"Is my room too simple? right? Maybe even a bit boring?" Yui asked, sitting beside him.
"It's better to keep it simple. Easier to clean, and more comfortable," Akira said, finally meeting her gaze.
"I… I'll go pour some tea for you," Yui mumbled shyly, feeling her heart race under his steady gaze.
"No, I'm not thirsty," Akira said softly, reached out and gently holding Yui's small hand.
Her face turned crimson instantly.
"Actually, I was just thinking… there must be a plushie next to your pillow, right? that you probably hug it at night," Akira said, glancing at the head of her bed but there was nothing.
"There was one, but I gave it to a relative's child in junior high. I thought it was childish for a high school student to sleep with a plushie," Yui replied, a little embarrassed.
"I think that's a cute," Akira said, moving slightly closer.
"I… I'm not cute…" Yui murmured, turning her face away.
"You are cute. You're my type, Yui… and your figure…" Akira's voice lowered as he leaned closer.
"Akira… you… what are you thinking about?" Yui asked, her ears burning red.
"I'm thinking about something… indecent," he whispered in her ear.
Yui lifted her gaze to meet his, heart pounding. Akira gently lifted her chin, bringing their faces closer.
Her heart raced—she knew what to do next. And so she closed her eyes.
Yet, the kiss she imagined never came.
Instead, Akira gently released her chin.
Confused, Yui opened her eyes.
"When, we go on a date next time, I'll choose a more romantic spot and kiss you properly," Akira said with a gentle smile.
A warm, sweet feeling spread through Yui's chest. She leaned her head lightly against his shoulder.
After a moment, she remembered something and whispered close to his ear, "I have no experience in kissing."
"I don't either," Akira replied softly.
Hearing this, Yui's smile grew even sweeter. She believed him.
"Can I see your photo album?" Akira asked, noticing the frame on the table.
"I'll get it for you." Yui stood up, opened her desk drawer, and reached out for it.
She glanced at him, then at the diary inside, recording her journey of getting to know and eventually falling for Akira.
Yui smiled softly, deciding in her heart that she would let Akira see her diary once their relationship was official.
She returned to him with the photo album.
Akira flipped through it slowly. Her childhood photos showed a shy little girl, often hiding behind her mother.
By elementary school, she smiled warmly; by junior high, she had grown confident, though she rarely took photos with anyone outside her close circle.
She didn't have many close friends back then.
On the last page, Akira found a photo of Yui with Miura Yumiko and Ebina Hime.
"Do you want to be friends with them forever?" he asked.
"They're both so kind to me. I'm happy to have them as friends, and yes, I hope we stay friends forever," Yui said softly.
Akira nodded silently, understanding.
In this world, their relationships were slightly different from the anime. Among the three, Yumiko cared more about her friends.
"I'd also be happy if I could become friends with Yukinoshita-san, too" Yui added.
"Then put your photos here—and our photos too," Akira suggested, pointing to the empty space in the album.
"Okay," Yui nodded.
"About the game script… Yui, I think I know what to write," Akira said, glancing at a poster on her wall with a faint smile.
"Magical girl?" Yui asked, following his gaze.
....
At the dining table,
The comforting aroma of curry filled the room.
As Akira remembered the time he had made curry for Yui before—it had been well received.
But, Mrs. Yuigahama homemade curry carried a different kind of warmth.
"Fujimiya-kun, try it," Asuna encouraged, smiling warmly.
He nodded and tasted it carefully.
After a few seconds, he looked across the table.
"It's comforting… if my mother were still alive, she'd probably let me taste something like this," he said softly.
"Eh?" Asuna froze, glancing at Yui in surprise.
Yui understood what he meant, as she silently reached for Akira's hand, holding it gently.
"Fujimiya-kun, if you want, you can come to our house to eat anytime," she said softly, gently.
"I'm just talking… I'm not sad. Don't worry about me," he replied calmly, softly.
"I… I'll learn how to make it, and then you can taste the curry I make," Yui said, squeezing his hand firmly, determination shining in her eyes.
"Then you should also learn miso soup," Akira added lightly.
"Mh!, I'll learn everything, as long as you like it," she said firmly.
"Yui, this make me so happy. I asked you to learn before, but you always refused. Now… you finally want to cook," Asuna said proudly.
"Mom…!" Yui's face flushed.
"Akira, are you planning to get married in college? What are your future plans? Don't worry about the house— you can live here, I can even help with the children," Asuna asked playfully.
"Well… I actually have an apartment," Akira said quietly.
"An apartment?" Asuna looked at him, surprised.
"If I rent out everything except my room, it'd be around four million yen per year," he continued matter-of-factly.
"Fujimiya-kun, marry Yui tomorrow!" Yuigahama Asuna said, in a very serious tone.
.....
After dinner, Akira decided to leave quickly
Yui followed him to the door.
"About what my Mom said...y-you didn't take it seriously, did you?" she asked, face slightly flushed, as she ask nervously.
"You mean getting married tomorrow?" Akira look at her blushing face with a teased smiling.
Yui lowered her head shyly.
"If we were to marry, it'd be in college, not high school," he said gently.
"I'll try my best to go to the same college as you," Yui whispered lightly.
"Actually… I'd rather you go to another university. I've heard that girls in college dress up really provocatively… I'd like to experience that," he said teasingly.
"You!..If you dare to try that, I'll never pay attention to you again," Yui pouted, while clenching her fists— As if provoking him to try and see what happen.
Of course, she knew that he was joking.
"Then I'll have to make sure you can't leave my side," Akira said softly, wrapping his arms around her.
"Akira, Baka," Yui whispered, leaning into his embrace.