(bugs chirping)

Aoba:

…hey, Koujaku.

Koujaku:

Hm?

Aoba:

There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you for a while…

Koujaku:

Oh, what is it?

Aoba:

Well, you…that’s…when you’re about to come…

Koujaku:

(sputters)

Aoba:

…you always grab my hand, don’t you?

Koujaku:

Ah…yeah…I guess. That’s right.

Aoba:

Why…do you do that?

Koujaku:

That’s…w-well, how do I say it…I just sort of do it naturally, I guess. Probably, it gives me peace of mind. Just for me.

Aoba:

Peace of mind?

Koujaku:

Yeah. I want to be sure of your presence. To make sure it’s real. That’s a strange way of putting it, but in any case in I do it in that moment when my feelings for you are overflowing.

Aoba:

Eh? Eheh…that…(quietly) I wonder if you’ve done it with anyone else.

Koujaku:

What’s that?

Aoba:

Mmh! Nothing!

Koujaku:

What is it? I couldn’t hear you so say it again.

Aoba:

Mmh…no, it’s fine.

Koujaku:

Aoba.

Aoba:

(grunts and sighs) I was wondering if you’d done that with anyone else.

Koujaku:

With anyone else? You mean…ah…aah. Aha. So that’s what you mean.

Aoba:

Ah…(he mutters)

Koujaku:

I haven’t done it with anyone else. You’re the only one whose hand I’ve held.

Aoba:

Well. Even if you’d done it with someone else, I don’t really mind it.

Koujaku:

Is that right?

Aoba:

That’s cuz…it happened before we started dating. It has nothing to do with me, right? Anyway, to begin with I don’t give a damn about any of that.

Koujaku:

Really?

Aoba:

Mm..mhm.

Koujaku:

Aaooba.

Aoba:

What d’you want?

Koujaku:

If you’re jealous over me then I’m glad.

Aoba:

Geh–I’m not jealous or–it’s not anything like that!

Koujaku:

Aoba… You know…it seems like talking about whether you’re feminine or not really got on your nerves. Didn’t I tell you that you don’t need to worry over it so much? Just think about how love is between a man and a woman. Even in that case men sometimes don’t know when to give up and force someone along. They can feel overwhelmed and hesitant too. Of course there’s times when they’re jealous too. That’s not because they’re men or women. Once you’ve fallen for someone everyone can be like that.

Aoba:

Mmh…

Koujaku:

That’s why it’s fine if you honestly vent how you really feel. I wouldn’t hate you or think that you’re strange for that at all. Anyway, do you think there’s anything that I’d hate you for?

Aoba:

Nngh–aah…

Koujaku:

I’d love you no matter what. I’ll declare that.

Aoba:

Ah…really?

Koujaku:

Yeah.

Aoba:

Then…for example…if I was actually a really violent and arrogant guy…

Koujaku:

Are you anything like that?

Aoba:

It’s just a ‘what if’!

Koujaku:

Let’s see…I’d be surprised at first, but I wouldn’t really mind. Anyway, I’d lovingly and relentlessly discipline you.

Aoba:

D-Discipline…?

Koujaku:

Right. You have to call a spade a spade, but since you’re so determined I wouldn’t hate you. Even if you were a little violent, you’re cute to the core so it’s fine.

Aoba:

(sputters) That’s…I don’t know…how I’m supposed to react to that…

Koujaku:

In other words, no matter what sort of person you are, Aoba, I’d love every part of you. If that makes you happy, then I’m happy too.

Aoba:

Tha…that’s…well…I’m glad.

Koujaku:

I see. (he shifts closer to Aoba, whispering) I’m glad.

Aoba:

Ah…

Koujaku:

That reminds me…you said you were going to cut my hair…are you really going to do it?

Aoba:

Oh, uh…well…if you felt like getting your hair cut right now I’d do it…

Koujaku:

Ooh, I don’t really feel like it.

Aoba:

Then, it’s fine for now. But…if you really feel like getting your hair cut sometime…I want to cut it…I think. I don’t know if I’d do a good job of it, but…

Koujaku:

When the time comes, I’ll leave it to you.

Aoba:

Mhm…I don’t want anyone else to cut it.

Koujaku:

(singsong) Aoba~

Aoba:

(stammers) What is it?

Koujaku:

You really are…(he gathers Aoba up in his arms)

Aoba:

U-uwah! You’re squeezing too tight! Th-that hurts!

Koujaku:

It’s your fault for saying such cute things, Aoba!

Aoba:

I didn’t say that!

Koujaku:

Aoba.

Aoba:

Mmh?

Koujaku:

Thank you.

Aoba:

(mumbles) You’re welcome.

Koujaku:

Will you come with me next year too? To pay our regards.

Aoba:

Of course. Let’s go together.

Koujaku:

Yeah.