Chapter Fifty-Five: Good Night

Sora clung tightly to Aoki’s arm, her usually cool and reserved face now bright with excitement, her tear-swollen eyes sparkling with joy.

“Aki… the claw machine!” Sora pointed at a row of claw machines in the mall, her smile radiant.

It seemed that after her tears had fallen, all her grievances and sadness had been washed away. Simply holding on to Aoki’s arm made her feel as if there was nothing left in the world to fear. She was no longer timid as before—on the contrary, she took the initiative, leading Aoki around the mall.

Seeing her so happy, Aoki could hardly refuse her anything. He let her drag him to the claw machine, inserted a coin, and Sora eagerly took charge of the controls. Yet, for three consecutive rounds, she failed to win a prize.

She looked up at him with pitiful eyes. “Aki…”

Aoki ruffled her hair and reached out to take the controls himself, his expression earnest as he manipulated the machine.

Perhaps luck was on his side; with just one try, Aoki managed to retrieve a black rabbit plush from inside the machine.

Sora hurried to pick up the black rabbit from the prize chute, hugging it tightly to her chest, her face alight with happiness. “Thank you…”

Aoki smiled softly. “Do you like it?”

“Mm!” Sora nodded, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons, her twin ponytails swaying behind her like two silver ribbons.

“Sora, let’s go have some barbecue!” Aoki glanced at the time—it was already six in the evening.

Clutching the rabbit in one arm and her little purse in the other, Sora hooked her hand around Aoki’s arm, nearly hanging off him entirely. “Okay!”

She might not have been good with words, but her dependence and affection for Aoki needed no explanation.

They left the mall, and, following the directions on his phone, Aoki found a well-known barbecue restaurant. The two of them sat in a small private booth, facing each other.

Sora placed her purse and the rabbit plush beside her, smiling as she gazed at Aoki until he began to feel a little self-conscious.

“What is it… Is there something on my face?” Aoki asked with a laugh, touching his cheek, but finding nothing there but skin.

Sora shook her head gently, her slender legs swinging under the table, her smile tinged with shyness. “No…”

“Aki?” she suddenly called his name.

Aoki blinked, tilting his head.

Sora pursed her lips, anticipation shining in her eyes. “Will you… will you take me out like this again sometime?”

“Of course!” Aoki answered without hesitation. “I was afraid you didn’t like going out and preferred staying at home. But if you enjoy it, I can take you out every weekend.”

Sora lowered her head, her gaze bashful. “I…”

It’s not that I like going out—I just like being together with you like this…

In the end, she didn’t voice what was truly in her heart. Instead, she quietly repeated, “Thank you…”

“Silly girl!” Aoki tapped her lightly on the head with the tip of his chopsticks. “How many times do I have to tell you, you don’t need to thank me for things like this.”

“Mm.” Sora felt as if she’d smiled more today than in the entire past year.

After their meal, full of laughter and stories, Aoki hailed a taxi to take them home.

Sora, exhausted, rested her head on Aoki’s shoulder, hugging the black rabbit won from the claw machine, snuggling into his arms. She closed her eyes, listening drowsily to the amusing tales Aoki told her about his life at school, her breathing growing slow and steady.

Rocked gently by the motion of the car, she soon drifted into a deep sleep.

Aoki looked down at her sleeping face, a smile on his lips. He carefully adjusted her head so she would rest more comfortably against his chest.

With her eyes closed in silence, Sora looked just like a delicate doll. Occasionally, her silver ponytails brushed against Aoki’s neck with the car’s movement, tickling him slightly, though he didn’t dare move.

For the first time, Aoki studied her quietly from such a close distance. Her pale brows peeked out from beneath her silvery bangs, her long lashes curled gently above closed eyes, her dainty nose reflecting a tempting glow, her small lips soft pink with a hint of fragile white. Her skin was smooth as porcelain, and her cheeks, perhaps warmed by the car, were tinged with a delicate blush.

How adorable.

A smile involuntarily crept onto Aoki’s lips.

How could anyone bear to bully such a lovely girl?

Thinking of all the injustices she might have suffered in the past, Aoki sighed inwardly.

He quietly rested his head against hers, gazing out at the scenery flashing by the window—the neon lights outside weaving into vibrant threads. The faint scent of milk from Sora filled his senses, her warm little body nestled in his arms. Aoki’s eyes softened, his mind drifting, utterly immersed in this serene and gentle happiness.

When the driver finally brought the car to a halt, Aoki paid the fare and effortlessly lifted Sora into his arms, carrying her home with great care.

She truly must have been tired; Aoki carried her from the door all the way to her bedroom, and she didn’t stir once from her slumber.

He laid her gently on her small bed, removed her shoes, tucked her in beneath a thin blanket, closed the window, and knelt by her bedside. Reaching out, he tapped her jelly-soft cheek with a fingertip.

Even in sleep, she smiled, clutching the rabbit plush tightly—a picture of innocence, utterly oblivious to the world. Aoki couldn’t help but smile again. He gently smoothed her bangs, set her purse on the computer desk, and finally turned off the light.

“Good night, Sora.”