[At the same time as breaking off contact with Chitose Kazumi, Asano Nao also hit a bottleneck in her light novel writing.]
[Over the years, Asano Nao submitted one volume per year to the publisher. Through three volumes, "NEET" gradually gained success. The editor frequently urged Asano Nao, but she couldn't speed up her writing.]
[Rather than creating novels, it was more like she was documenting your story with her. Gathering material over the year, she would then write one volume.]
[In these three years, you encouraged her multiple times to create her own plot, but she couldn't manage it. You showed her comments from readers on forums, which were full of encouragement, hoping to boost her confidence. Previously, Asano Nao never browsed information about her novels online.]
[Contrary to your intentions, those positive reviews only made Asano Nao more anxious.]
[The more others praised the moon's brightness, the more Asano Nao worried about how to get through a night without the moon.]
[You chose to let go and stop interfering in this matter.]
[Upon hearing that you were accepted into Misaki Arts University, your parents back home were very happy. Before the start of school, they planned to visit Misaki to celebrate with you and tour your campus.]
[You thought it was time to introduce Asano Nao to your family and sought her opinion.]
[To your surprise, Asano Nao refused the meeting.]
A memory scene unfolds.
As April approached, cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Standing on the second floor of the Asano house, through the guest room window, you could catch a glimpse of the two rows of pink cherry blossom trees by the distant lakeside.
Minami Yuuki often walked from there. That not-so-wide river always reflected the blue sky, with pink cherry blossom petals falling into the river, as if floating from the ground to the sky. This river of the sky carried bits of pink and white, slowly flowing forward.
"How about we go see the cherry blossoms tonight?" Minami Yuuki looked at Asano Nao in his arms.
He lay on the recliner by the window, the sun warming his body. Asano Nao was cleaning the room, but he pulled her by the waist, drawing her into his embrace.
Asano Nao relaxed her body, pressing her full weight onto the boy. She used to worry if this would crush the boy underneath, but now she had completely dispelled this concern.
She thought back to her childhood. The rocking chair beneath Minami Yuuki was her father's favorite piece of furniture, and her mother always lay on her father just like she did now.
As a child, she would add another layer to the rocking chair, sitting in her mother's lap.
She raised her arm, imagining holding a four or five-year-old girl.
Hearing Minami Yuuki's voice, she snapped out of her reverie, looking up with confused eyes at the boy's jawline.
"What bad thing is sister thinking about, being so absent-minded?" Minami Yuuki tapped her head with his chin.
"Nothing." Asano Nao's reply lacked conviction. She had indeed briefly thought about having a child.
"Not now, I have to go to class soon."
"I didn't mean that!"
Asano Nao puffed up her cheeks and pinched Minami Yuuki's cheeks, tugging gently.
Seeing her shy and annoyed look, unable to be harsh with him, Minami Yuuki felt delighted.
After Asano Nao let go, he said, "I asked if you wanted to go see the cherry blossoms tonight."
"Sure, should we bring a picnic blanket and some bento?" Asano Nao intended to turn a walk into a picnic.
"If it's not too much trouble for you."
Hearing Minami Yuuki's affirmative answer, Asano Nao showed a joyful smile.
"Did sister always like cherry blossoms?" Minami Yuuki asked.
Asano Nao shook her head. She was not someone with leisure interests; flowers, birds, and fish didn't appeal to her.
"Then why are you so happy?" Minami Yuuki pursued.
Asano Nao turned over, lying on his chest, her hands sliding into the gap between his back and the chair, embracing him.
She said, "I don't like cherry blossoms, but I like Yuuki-kun."
Minami Yuuki was taken aback, smiling as he stroked her hair, "I like sister too."
"Mm." Asano Nao responded happily.
"By the way," Minami Yuuki made a decision, "how about meeting my family? They'll be here for the start of school, my parents and my sister."
He felt the woman on his chest tense up.
"With Sister's looks, my parents will definitely like you. My sister is a bit difficult, she might be unfriendly at first, but just praise her and she'll blush and be at your mercy."
Minami Yuuki thought Asano Nao was worried about not being accepted by his family, quickly reassuring her. He wasn't lying; with Asano Nao's current state, meeting a few times a year would be manageable.
Asano Nao pressed her face to Minami Yuuki's left chest, not responding for a long time.
Outside, a thick, broad cloud drifted from the east, covering the sun and casting a thin shadow on the street.
"I'd better not meet them." Asano Nao's voice was muffled.
"Why?" Minami Yuuki was shocked.
He had hesitated for days about arranging this meeting, thinking the only issue was whether Asano Nao could handle the pressure. He never imagined she would refuse.
"I don't think it's a good time to meet now, I'm sorry." Asano Nao's response was vague.
"It's okay, we'll wait until we decide to get married to tell them then." Minami Yuuki stroked her hair, his fingers gliding down her neck, lifting her chin, kissing her rosy lips.
[You didn't understand Asano Nao's reason for refusal. She didn't seem willing to explain, and you didn't press further.]
[That night, you sat under the cherry blossom trees, had a late-night snack. Out of guilt, Asano Nao tried hard to please you. At night, she was at your mercy.]
[The day before enrollment, Asano Nao stayed home. You borrowed an apartment from a friend at a private academy, pretending it was yours, hosting your parents and sister who visited Misaki, and spent a day with them. The next morning, they toured your school and boarded the train at noon.]
[Before leaving, your mother pulled you aside, telling you to find a girlfriend quickly in college, as it would be harder after graduation. You thought of Asano Nao and reassured her not to worry.]
[University life didn't change much for you.]
[Misaki Arts University was a half-hour commute from the Asano house. Commuting time increased, but the course load lessened.]
[After getting familiar with the instrumental music curriculum, you often attended vocal and composition classes. You gradually showcased your musical talents.]
[In your freshman year, you joined the school's symphony orchestra, preparing for a competition the following year. To practice, you spent less time with Asano Nao.]
[One night, you and Asano Nao walked to a convenience store and met a classmate from the orchestra.]
[The classmate chatted enthusiastically with you, admiring your skills and speaking respectfully. You introduced Asano Nao, and they greeted her politely, which she reciprocated courteously.]
[This ordinary meeting became the turning point for Asano Nao's decision.]