The two walked downstairs hand in hand, and his grandmother was waiting for them on the couch.
"Sit down."
Sayuri squeezed Jun's hand nervously.
"Grandma…"
She interrupted him.
"Quiet, boy!"
"Yes, ma'am."
His grandmother looked at the two of them, then at their intertwined hands.
"So… have you both lost your minds? What were you thinking? And you, bringing a young lady into your room late at night."
"Grandma… in my defense—"
She smacked the back of his head again.
"I'm not finished yet, you brat…" She took a deep breath and looked at Sayuri. "And you… if your parents found out about this, you'd be in serious trouble."
Embarrassed, Sayuri lowered her head, unable to say anything or argue back. Jun, feeling responsible for explaining, looked at his grandmother with gentle eyes.
"Grandma…" He leaned away slightly to avoid another smack. "Please, let me explain…"
Jun explained everything that had happened. He told his grandmother everything the two of them had gone through to finally be together and why Sayuri had stayed there that night.
With a softened expression, his grandmother took his hand.
"My dear, I already told you that I'll always support you, but there are things we must avoid, like this. A girl like her shouldn't be sleeping in your room. You need to respect her."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Midori. It was my fault. I should've avoided it…"
"Oh, young people…" She sighed. "Well, I hope this doesn't happen again. And Jun, treat your girlfriend with respect, please."
"Yes, ma'am. Always…"
His grandmother kept staring at him. Jun looked confused.
"Something else, Grandma?"
"Oh, this boy…" She sighed dramatically. "Are you going to offer the young lady breakfast or not, boy?"
He immediately stood up and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for them. For the first time that morning, Sayuri smiled at Mrs. Midori.
"My dear…" She gently held Sayuri's hand. "Thank you…"
Confused, Sayuri asked why.
"For making Jun smile again…"
Those words made her emotional. Looking at him, she whispered softly:
"I love him so much…"
"Shall we eat?" Jun asked, pulling out a chair for his grandmother and then another for Sayuri.
That morning became one of the warmest mornings Sayuri had ever experienced. Mrs. Midori's kindness, mixed with the smell of fresh coffee, made everything feel comforting.
But to Sayuri, it meant far more than just breakfast. It was the kind of family moment she had dreamed about for a very long time.
Every morning, she searched for that feeling inside her own home, but all she ever found was silence and emptiness.
And now… she had finally found it.
Around ten in the morning, Sayuri got ready to head home. Her parents had already left for work, so returning would be easier.
"I'm leaving, Jun. I'll give your clothes back later."
She kissed him and ran across the street so no one would see her leaving his house wearing his clothes. Once home, she tossed her clothes into the wash along with his and headed for the shower. Later, she was going to meet Yume for lunch.
Jun also got ready to leave. He was going to the job interview at the place Sayuri had told him about. He felt confident and excited.
"Good afternoon… Jun?"
"That's right," he replied while greeting the shop owner.
"So I heard you're very knowledgeable about music. Could you tell me your strengths?"
"My strengths?"
"Yes. In music."
Jun smiled confidently and began explaining everything he knew about music, mentioning that he also composed songs and sang in a band.
"Wow!" the woman said, clearly impressed. "You have incredible knowledge. When can you start?"
"Immediately, if you'd like."
She laughed softly.
"Then come back tomorrow at nine in the morning."
"Thank you very much."
"No, thank you. See you tomorrow."
As soon as he left the store, he hopped onto his motorcycle and sped off faster than ever. All he could think about was telling her the news.
"Meet me later."
— Jun
"Say? What is it?"
"Jun said he wants to see me later."
Yume narrowed her eyes.
"Oh, you two… come later. Right now, you're mine."
When Jun got home, he immediately told his grandmother the news. She looked incredibly proud of him.
"I knew you could do it. Did you tell Sayuri yet?"
"I'm meeting her later."
"Alright, but behave yourself, okay?"
"Don't worry, Grandma… now let me help with those cookies." He kissed her cheek.
Plim! Plim!
Yume picked up her phone and made an annoyed face.
"What happened?"
"Ugh, this girl, Usagui… this is already the sixth message today. It's getting really annoying."
"But isn't that normal fan behavior?"
"I don't know, Say. Something about her makes me uncomfortable."
"Why?"
Yume hesitated.
"Forget it…"
"Yume, why?" Sayuri asked seriously.
"Well… all the messages are directed at Jun."
For a moment, Sayuri looked uncomfortable, but then she shook it off, saying it was probably nothing since some fans acted that way, and considering it was Jun, she understood.
"Ugh, seriously, Sayuri…" Yume grabbed her arm. "Come on, let's go back. I need to meet Kenji. By the way, you and Jun should come to the studio later."
"Okay, friend."
Sayuri was walking peacefully when suddenly someone grabbed her from behind and kissed her neck.
"Love… I did it…"
She turned around excitedly.
"Really?" She hugged him tightly. "I knew you would."
"And that's not all…" He paused dramatically. "Ready?"
"For what?"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key.
"I got an apartment…"
She felt overwhelmingly happy, not only because he had gotten a job and an apartment, but because she could see how proud he finally was of himself.
"I'm so proud of you…"
He lifted her into his arms and spun her around.
"I wanted to celebrate with you, but I promised Kenji I'd go to the studio."
"Yume told me to go there too."
Jun let out a suspicious hum.
"I think those two are planning something… but before we go, come on. I want to show you the apartment."
She put on the helmet.
"Let's go, Jun," she said excitedly.
Laughing because he found her adorable, he climbed onto the motorcycle and started it. When they arrived, he carried her bridal-style into the apartment.
"That's how couples do it."
"You're ridiculous…"
"Our little place, Say. You can come here whenever you want… whenever you need."
She looked around. It was simple, but cozy, and it had a beautiful view of the cherry blossom park.
He stepped closer to her.
"I chose the view thinking about you…"
"It's perfect, Jun…"
Ring ring!
"Hello? Yeah, we're coming."
"Let me guess… Yume?"
"Exactly." Sayuri laughed. "We better go before she loses it."
"Let's go."
"Huh? Why is everything dark?"
As they entered the studio, it was completely silent until—
"Woooo!! Yeah!!"
Kenji popped open a bottle of champagne.
"To our Jun… and his first job!"
Surprised they already knew, Jun asked how.
"Oh, Jun, I have my connections, and my mom knows half the city. Did you really think she wouldn't find out?"
"Haha, your mom is amazing."
"Then let's toast to this new chapter of your life, brother. And to many more achievements ahead."
Sayuri smiled and said he had one more thing to tell them.
"What? Tell us, Jun," Yume said eagerly.
He held up the apartment key for them to see.
"No way!! An apartment? Our Jun is all grown up now," Kenji teased.
"What love does to a man," Yume laughed.
Jun looked at Sayuri, sighed softly, and raised his glass as if silently admitting the truth:
She had changed his life.