With a stomach that felt full and satisfied, Azlan had absolutely no desire to move. Usually, he would help Akane wash dishes after dinner, but this time, even just standing felt like a heavy task.
He just wanted to sit still and let his body digest the culinary feast he had just enjoyed.
On the other side, with her usual sensitivity, Akane immediately noticed Azlan's condition.
"Azlan-kun, just rest on the sofa. Let me handle the dishes." She said gently while starting to collect dirty plates and glasses.
"Yes."
Without much protest, Azlan accepted the offer and moved to the soft sofa.
Turning around, his gaze fixed on Akane's figure standing at the sink. The Santa mini skirt she wore moved following her body's rhythm as she washed dishes while humming—a song Azlan didn't recognize, but sounded soothing.
Akane wearing the Santa mini skirt looked busy. Her hips moved following the rhythm of her humming, and because her skirt was very short, that movement allowed Azlan to clearly see her lace white panties, albeit only briefly.
After all, his sense of sight had increased drastically thanks to Mystic Eye of Heavenly Eye and Senjutsu training.
Once Azlan realized what he was seeing, he turned his face away, leaning on the sofa in silence.
[You're seriously staring at her, partner. Could it be you've fallen in love with her?]
Without manifesting Divine Dividing, Albion directly spoke to his host's mind.
"..."
[Ho~ interesting. Usually you immediately deny it. Unexpectedly, you're not giving an answer.]
Azlan's silence was like an admission in Albion's eyes. For him, an attitude like this was equivalent to agreement.
(Love, huh... I don't know and have never thought about it. My life has been filled with suffering, struggle, misfortune, and injustice. Just surviving was already my best effort, where would I have room for love?)
Azlan was truly confused with his own feelings. He didn't know if this was what they called love or not.
He had no experience to compare it to.
He didn't understand.
[That was before. You now are no longer your helpless self, Azlan. You are the White Dragon Emperor of this generation! Your path is supremacy!]
[If you like that woman named Kurokawa Akane, just say it! Don't beat around the bush, that doesn't suit supremacy.]
For Albion whose soul was sealed in a Sacred Gear, most of his free time was spent sleeping or observing his host's daily life. So, it was natural for him to comment on Azlan's love life.
Don't movie audiences always have opinions about the films they watch?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Akane came to the living room with light steps and sat beside Azlan. In her hands she held a gift box wrapped in silver-blue paper with small ribbon decorations.
"This is for you, Azlan-kun." She said while offering the box.
"What is this?"
Azlan had unconsciously accepted the box. His eyes looked confused at this unexpected gift.
Tucking her blue-green hair behind her ear, Akane's cheeks were reddish as she said, "I already told you earlier about the custom of giving gifts on Christmas night, right? Well, this is my gift for you."
"I've eaten your cooking every day, and I have nothing to repay it with. Now, you're even giving me a gift..." Azlan's voice sounded heavy. "Why are you so kind to me, Akane?"
Akane's expression became complicated hearing those words.
(Azlan-kun is foolish. Doesn't he realize that the most expensive things in life are often free?)
"It's me who can't repay all your kindness, Azlan-kun." Akane refuted with a gentle but firm voice. "The grace of saving my life, giving me shelter, and protecting me from threats... That already deserves repayment. How could I possibly repay it? Giving you a small gift like this means nothing compared to what you've given me."
"You said this is a gift exchange event usually done by young people in Japan." Azlan looked at the gift in his hand, "But I didn't prepare any gift for you."
Akane shook her head. "Azlan-kun doesn't need to give any gift. Being able to be with you here is more than enough. For me, that's the most beautiful gift from God."
After saying those words, she immediately turned her face away, not daring to look at him. She felt her words earlier were too embarrassing and too honest. Hurriedly she changed the topic of conversation.
"Quickly open the gift, Azlan-kun."
"Okay."
Carefully Azlan unwrapped the gift wrapping and opened the box. Inside lay a dark blue scarf neatly folded, made of soft wool.
"I knitted it myself." Akane explained, looking back at him shyly. "This year's winter is getting colder, and Azlan-kun often goes out. I don't want you to catch a cold..."
"Thank you very much, Akane." Azlan murmured, his fingers stroking the soft scarf. "This is the first time someone has given me a gift. Truly, I will take good care of it."
Glancing at Akane's fingers which had several small bandage wounds, Azlan knew how much effort was needed to make that scarf.
"..."
Seeing Azlan carelessly wrapping the scarf around his neck—just looping it once loosely—which looked very funny, Akane couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Pfft... That's not how to wear it, Azlan-kun. Here, let me show you the right way."
"Okay."
Obediently Azlan handed the scarf back to its maker. Akane stood closer, her slender hands skillfully wrapping the scarf around the man's neck.
The faint fragrant aroma from Akane's hair touched Azlan's nose, making him fall silent.
"There, now it's much better. Azlan-kun's charm has increased several points you know." Akane said while clapping her hands small, her face showing satisfaction.
"Warm..."
Azlan stroked the soft wool scarf on his neck. The warmth felt wasn't just from the wool material, but also from the feelings it brought. He had been accustomed to living in a harsh environment without warmth for too long, so a touch of attention like this moved him.
"I'm glad Azlan-kun likes it. If so, now let's watch a Christmas-themed movie!"
Feeling her heart pounding fast because she was captivated by Azlan's handsomeness typical of Middle Eastern men, the panicked Akane immediately stood up and turned on the LCD TV and DVD player. Her slightly trembling hands opened her film cassette collection.
After finding the cassette she was looking for, she returned to sit beside Azlan—this time maintaining a reasonable distance.
The film titled [Home Alone] began to play, telling the story of Kevin McCallister, a young boy who was accidentally left alone at home when his family went on a Christmas vacation.
Throughout the film, Azlan who was usually composed occasionally laughed softly seeing Kevin's antics and his various silly traps to chase away the thieves. Every time that soft laugh came from his lips, Akane's heart beat faster.