After karaoke, the group left the store and walked down the street.
The dim yellow light from the streetlights illuminated their figures, casting long shadows behind them.
"I'm so tired!"
Morita stretched his body and yawned, "Ha."
"It's been a long time since I had so much fun."
"It really has," Rion agreed.
"Gojo-kun, how was it today?"
Marin excitedly asked Wakana, who was beside her. Even though he had participated, he had only sung one simple song.
She hadn't even had the chance to sing a duet with Gojo-kun.
She should have known to get her friends to egg them on to sing a love song.
Hehe.
Singing a love song with Gojo-kun.
Marin giggled, covering her cheeks.
"Ah, I had a great time."
Wakana, with a shy expression, looked straight ahead, not daring to turn his head to see Kitagawa's reaction.
If he had looked at Kitagawa-san's expression at that moment, he would have realized that Kitagawa-san's shyness was no less than his own.
They missed witnessing the surprise.
If Akira were here, he would definitely find a way to make Wakana and Marin at least make eye contact once, just once.
Akira estimated that Wakana would at least gain a little more confidence in himself.
He understood Wakana's inferiority complex.
This was a hierarchical concept formed over a long time in Japanese society, where so-called popular people associate with other popular people, and reclusive individuals are only fit to stay in the corner.
To put it broadly, reclusive and unpopular people talking to a popular classmate even risked being devalued.
Because people would think: Why would that kind of person talk to you? There must be something similar about you.
However, Akira, as a transmigrator, did not carry this burden in his heart.
With this mindset, he discovered that in this world, at least in his school, class stratification was merely a superficial phenomenon.
The fact that Japan is a feudal country disguised as a modern society does not actually exist.
Therefore, most of the difficulties blocking Wakana did not exist.
He just needed to maintain his profession as a doll maker and then win over Marin.
The group walked slowly down the street, silent for a moment.
Morita and Sugaya Nowa walked cheerfully at the front of the group, followed by Marin and the shy Wakana.
Rion and Daia walked near Marin.
At the very back were Murakami Kouki and Shiki accompanying him.
"How do you feel today?"
Shiki asked Murakami Kouki beside him, who was looking at Sugaya Nowa ahead.
"Very happy, very happy."
Murakami Kouki smiled with relief, repeating "very happy" twice.
He had never truly felt his own feelings before.
Now that he had made up his mind, he could move forward without regret.
More importantly, he heard Sugaya-san call him "Tetsuya."
This was how girls in high school used to call him.
Although he had never truly agreed to it.
But, Sugaya-san, she would call him that too.
Murakami seemed to recall something and turned to ask Kashiwagi beside him, "When did Akira say he was going to confess?"
Shiki shook his head: "At least half a month from now."
Murakami Kouki seemed a little nervous, yet also relieved, but he said something completely different from both emotions.
"I feel like the love in my heart can't be suppressed anymore."
-------------------------------------
On Saturday, Akira came to Wakana's house alone.
"Good morning, Gojo Grandpa!"
Akira greeted Gotō Kaoru politely.
The white-haired Gotō Kaoru looked kindly at the handsome Akira in front of him.
His grandson finally had a male friend he could bring home.
Although he liked Marin very much before, he always felt that Wakana had some social problems.
After all, the scenes he had witnessed were enough to make his old bones imagine quite a bit.
"Wakana is in his room."
"Alright."
Akira walked towards Wakana's room as usual.
"Swish!"
The sliding door made a clear sound, attracting the attention of Wakana, who was drawing lines on cardboard.
Seeing Akira arrive, Wakana smiled happily: "Akira-kun!"
"How was yesterday's gathering?"
Akira found a spot to sit cross-legged and still asked about him and Kitagawa-san.
Although he had already decided to urge Marin.
But he felt that Wakana probably understood Marin's feelings now.
"It was, it was very good."
Wakana said a little shyly.
He didn't know what part he was saying was good.
He had only sung one song at karaoke, and most of the time no one talked to him.
But he always felt that it would be great if they could do it again, and he hoped Kitagawa-san could still sit beside him.
Just talking to him would be enough, no need to do anything else.
Swish!
Wakana suddenly blushed.
I'm really too selfish and too greedy.
To actually actively want Kitagawa-san to do such a thing, it's simply too much trouble for Kitagawa-san!
Wakana, as usual, fell into self-reproach.
"Hey! Wakana!"
Akira decisively cut off Wakana's train of thought; always zoning out like this suddenly looked really strange!
"Hi! Akira-kun, I'm really sorry!"
Wakana quickly apologized, sometimes he just couldn't help but start daydreaming.
"So, Akira-kun, what's your purpose for coming here today?"
Wakana looked at Akira in front of him.
Although it wouldn't take up much of his time, Akira-kun shouldn't just be here to ask about yesterday, right?
After all, such things could be discussed on Line.
"Of course, it's to make clothes with you!"
Akira replied.
"Sajuna's clothes, of course I have to participate. Otherwise, what would it be if you made them all?!"
Akira said.
Wakana touched his neck, not knowing what to say.
"But Shinju also wants to cosplay, so I hope you can help me."
"Eh, is that Inui-san's younger sister?"
Wakana asked, puzzled.
"Yes, next time we go to the studio, you can meet her with Kitagawa-san."
"Okay!"
Wakana excitedly agreed.
A photography studio, he had never seen one before!
After all, Hina dolls only needed a display stand.
He had only heard of photography studios; he had never seen one with his own eyes!
Looking at Wakana's excited expression, Akira always felt that Wakana might have missed the point.
Based on his understanding of Wakana, Wakana probably thought about the photography studio.
However, what he wanted to say was *with Kitagawa-san*!!!