"Come on, let's read the manga."
Akira tapped Sajuna's head, who was in his arms, to remind her.
"Oh, oh." Sajuna reacted, watching Akira open the manga. Only then did she seem to remember to ask about the content of the manga: "What is the manga about?"
"It's clearly a slice-of-life just from the title, isn't it?"
"Of course, I know it's slice-of-life. It's the kind where nothing much happens, but it's just subtly good in a way that makes you savor it."
Sajuna argued, "It's not like I've only read Magical Girl stories; I know other manga genres too."
But then again, her daily life with Aki-Kun would probably make a good slice-of-life manga too.
"I remember this book is about coaxing someone to sleep, right?"
Sajuna curiously looked at the characters inside: a chibi Succubus Liz in a sexy outfit, doing various things behind a boy.
"Yes, it's a manga about the male protagonist who has to write light novels all night, so he basically doesn't sleep, and the succubus makes various efforts to get him to sleep."
"It seems this type of manga, where the tables are turned, is unexpectedly popular," Sajuna murmured in response to Akira's explanation.
It felt like every time she tried to take the initiative, Aki-Kun would turn the tables on her, but her heart still felt sweet.
"Come on, let's read the manga."
Akira reminded Sajuna, sensing that her gaze was distant, wondering where her thoughts had wandered.
"Oh."
Sajuna then lowered her head and started reading the story in the manga.
『Succubus: It's almost three in the morning! Why aren't you sleeping?!』
『Male Lead: Typing with a blank expression.』
『Succubus: I'm going to sing you a lullaby! Sleep, sleep, my dear.』
『Succubus: Sleep, sleep, baby… 』
『Succubus: Zzzzz… 』
Sajuna suddenly burst out laughing. This succubus was too goofy! She looked so cute, not at all like a succubus!
『Succubus: I learned a new hypnosis spell. Look at this copper coin.』
『Succubus: You'll get sleepier and sleepier… 』
『Succubus: Zzzzzzzzz… 』
This is clearly an idiot.
Sajuna looked at Succubus Liz above. Although she always felt she was indeed very cute, and the story was very heartwarming, she couldn't help but feel that she herself was similarly clumsy…
Especially since Succubus Liz's hairstyle was the same shoulder-length twin tails as hers, Sajuna couldn't help but project herself onto her. Moreover, the manga's art style was chibi, and the characters were all adorable, which seemed to suit her too…
Sajuna looked up at Akira and found that Aki-Kun was also looking down at her eyes.
"Sajuna, is the manga good?"
"Hmm, it's pretty good."
Sajuna was a little afraid to look into Akira's eyes, always worried that Aki-Kun would discover her thoughts from earlier.
"Sajuna, I have a request. Can you grant it?"
"Eh, what does Aki-Kun want to do?"
"Sajuna, just agree first."
Akira stroked Sajuna's hair, "Just agree first."
Sajuna didn't think of anything bad. After all, the atmosphere between them hadn't reached that level of ambiguity, and Aki-Kun wasn't the type to force girls. So, Sajuna agreed without any psychological burden.
"Okay, I'll agree to whatever Aki-Kun wants."
Sajuna nodded and gently tapped Akira's chest, "Aki-Kun, what mischievous idea are you thinking of now?"
Akira gently stroked Sajuna's hair and then kissed her forehead. Only when Sajuna's cheeks clearly started to blush did he state his purpose.
"Sajuna, can you cosplay Liz for me?"
"Li-li-li-li-Liz?!"
Sajuna looked as if she was about to faint, with even spiral patterns appearing in her eyes. For a moment, she didn't react to Aki-Kun's request.
"Do you want me to cosplay this succubus?" Sajuna asked, pointing at the manga book in front of them.
"Yes, but only cosplay for me, just me."
Akira stroked Sajuna's hair again, explaining his idea of wanting Sajuna to cosplay Liz.
"Because Liz's shoulder-length twin tails are very similar to Sajuna's, and she's as adorably clumsy as Sajuna. Such a cute Liz is very suitable for a cute girl like Sajuna, isn't she?"
"After all, when I saw this adorable Succubus Liz, I couldn't help but think of Sajuna."
"I'm not clumsy."
Sajuna gently thumped Akira's chest, then reached out to touch the spot she had thumped, as if afraid she had hurt Akira.
"But what Aki-Kun said, I, I'm not completely against it."
"But Sajuna, you already agreed to my suggestion beforehand."
"That, that was before I knew what naughty ideas Aki-Kun had. No, it doesn't count…"
"Sajuna, you actually tend to avoid cosplaying certain characters, don't you?"
Akira asked.
"I've seen Sajuna's cosplay photos; most of them are of the Magical Girl type. Sajuna must want to cosplay other characters, right?"
"No, not at all," Sajuna said, lowering her head.
"I know Sajuna hates the act of cosplaying characters carelessly without regard for image, but if you simply give up just because you feel you don't quite fit the character, won't you feel regret in your heart?"
"Sajuna, you actually want to cosplay Black Mountain Terrier, who Kitagawa-san cosplayed, right? Even though you said no so decisively before, you still have thoughts about it, don't you?"
"If you merely convince yourself with words like 'just looking is enough' to give up the decision to cosplay, won't you regret later that you didn't take action?"
Akira gently caressed Sajuna, who was in his arms. He always felt that Sajuna had a unique obsession with cosplay. This obsession couldn't be said to be bad; it's just that as his girlfriend, Akira didn't want Sajuna to be troubled by this obsession.
If Sajuna had even the slightest bit of hesitation or regret in her heart, Akira would also feel sad.
"So Sajuna, you can try to change a little. Don't make arbitrary conclusions about your cosplay. If you try, you might find that you're very suitable."
"If Sajuna can agree, I will also be very happy."
Akira looked at Sajuna. Sajuna was hugging his arm, with a moved expression on her face. It seemed she had been convinced by him.
"Then, then the clothes, I don't want anyone else to make them for me."
"I can make them for Sajuna."
"I also don't know how to do that hair and makeup."
"I can learn for Sajuna too."
"Oh, Aki-Kun, how can I refuse you now?!"
Sajuna gently leaned her cheek against Akira's chest and suddenly agreed to his request. Who knew Aki-Kun understood her so well?
What Aki-Kun said also made a lot of sense. She really did seem to need to try out more characters she liked.
However, although she felt Succubus Liz was suitable, she hadn't shown much enthusiasm for it. So, it must be because Aki-Kun liked it that he wanted her to cosplay, right?
Sajuna looked up and asked the question in her heart.
"Aki-Kun, why do you like Succubus Liz?"
Akira frowned, thinking about the reason he wanted Sajuna to cosplay this character, and finally uttered three words.
"Wears little?"
"Aki-Kun, just go die!"
Sajuna angrily grabbed a nearby cushion and threw it at Akira.