A week passed quickly. As usual, Akira ate breakfast at Sajuna's house in the morning and participated in club activities after school.
At this stage, though, the club activities didn't really need him.
After learning about Akira's light novel publishing, Sajuna was clearly more invested in her own art club matters.
This meant that, aside from mornings and evenings, the two of them could only quietly spend time together on weekends.
Akira bought a box of tape measures and came to Sajuna's house. He didn't sleep in as he usually did, but it was still almost nine o'clock when he woke up.
Upon arriving at Sajuna's house, he saw Fujiwara Kyoko, whom he had never seen there before.
Fujiwara Kyoko was wearing a white dress, and her high ponytail was tied with a hair tie identical to Sajuna's.
It looked like they had bought matching "best friend" hair ties.
Akira made a quiet guess.
"Akira-kun."
Fujiwara Kyoko looked annoyed.
She was the one who had known Sajuna the longest, so how could this boy in front of her have stolen her away?
"Hello, Fujiwara-kun."
Akira nodded, greeting her, and then asked, "Where's Sajuna?"
"You still call Sajuna 'Sajuna'?"
Fujiwara Kyoko asked in confusion. "Isn't there a nickname, like something more intimate?"
"I always call her Sajuna."
Akira shook his head.
"Sajuna is her name. Calling her something else sounds too distant."
"Calling her 'Sasa' isn't as good as using her actual name."
"And since I already call her Sajuna, I won't use the same nickname as you."
"Moreover, her online name comes from the middle character, so I definitely can't use that either."
"Otherwise, it wouldn't highlight my identity as her boyfriend."
Akira nodded slightly.
"So only by calling her Sajuna can I show my uniqueness."
"You actually said you don't want to use the same name as me."
Fujiwara Kyoko stomped her foot in anger.
But since he was Sajuna's boyfriend, she couldn't bully him, so she could only sulk by herself.
"Sajuna, come quickly and deal with your Aki-kun!"
Fujiwara Kyoko called out helplessly, but what she didn't expect was that her backup had already defected.
Sajuna ran out of her bedroom, wearing a pure white dress with a white belt cinching her waist.
Her feet, clad in white short socks, pattered against the floor as she ran, and she threw herself into Akira's embrace.
Akira glanced at Fujiwara Kyoko, whose expression instantly changed.
Her face clearly darkened.
I was here first, so why…
Sajuna lifted her head from Akira's embrace, turned, and saw Fujiwara Kyoko's saddened expression. She quickly pulled away and hugged her instead.
"Tell me this isn't real."
Fujiwara Kyoko's tone was full of despair.
But even in such a dramatic moment, Sajuna still didn't want to give her the answer she wanted.
After all, denying her relationship with Aki-kun was something she didn't even want to imagine, let alone say out loud.
Akira felt the force of Sajuna's earlier hug. It had been softer than usual, less energetic.
She probably hadn't eaten anything this morning.
"Are you two going out together this morning?"
Akira asked, noticing their matching outfits, even down to their identical hair ties.
"Actually, anything is fine."
Sajuna couldn't help but feel shy.
Fujiwara Kyoko sighed.
This silly Sajuna was completely captivated by Akira.
She had come today hoping to go out and play with her, but Sajuna wanted to stay home and spend time with Akira instead.
They saw each other every morning anyway, didn't they?
Fujiwara Kyoko hadn't been in love before, so she couldn't understand Sajuna's dependence on Akira.
She also looked down on their desire to always stay together.
How childish.
Could simply being together really bring joy, happiness, and contentment?
Could their companionship really compare to all the entertainment and experiences the world had to offer?
Fujiwara Kyoko couldn't help but feel a little smug.
Akira set down his backpack, took out his high school uniform, and handed it to Sajuna.
"Huh?"
"What's wrong, Aki-kun?"
Sajuna, holding the uniform, looked confused.
Did he want them to wear matching uniforms?
She glanced at it and realized it was much larger than she had expected.
"Today might be a bit busy."
Akira took out a tape measure from his bag and handed it to Sajuna.
"Perfect, Fujiwara-kun is here too, so let's all help."
"Huh?"
Sajuna was momentarily stunned.
"Aren't we supposed to help Shinju cosplay Soma-nii? We've been busy with the other characters' outfits, and we finally have time today."
Akira explained.
Compared to the magical girl characters, Soma-nii, as a supporting character, only needed a school uniform.
The most difficult parts of this cosplay were flattening Shinju's chest and preparing a suitable wig.
"Oh."
"Wait, Shinju is going to cosplay too?"
Fujiwara Kyoko exclaimed. "But that makes sense. Seeing her sister cosplay so often, it's only natural she'd want to try too."
She quickly accepted it, which made Sajuna inwardly blame her past self a little.
But as long as Shinju was happy now, that was enough.
"Hey, where's Shinju?"
Akira looked around but didn't see her.
Had she already gone out with her friends?
If so, they would have to continue tomorrow. Calling her back would only upset her.
"Shinju is in her room doing homework."
It always seemed like whenever the two of them were together, Shinju was in her room studying.
But it might be awkward for her to stay with them anyway.
Speaking of which, Shinju's grades should be pretty good, right…?