As dinner came to a close, Kenji pulled out his guitar, an old habit when the family had guests. He began to play a soft melody, and Taro, noticing, started to sing along in a rich, smooth voice. Akane's eyes widened in surprise; she had no idea he could sing.
Taro smiled, taking her hands in his. "Me too. I feel like I can breathe a bit easier now."
Akane laughed. "I think we both can."
As Taro drove away, Akane watched him go, a sense of hope and excitement for what the future held for them.
Taro, sensing her tension, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, it's going to be fine," he said with a gentle smile. Akane smiled back, feeling a bit better.
The initial small talk was a bit strained, but as they sat down to a dinner prepared by Yumi, the atmosphere began to relax. Taro was charming, engaging in conversation with Akane's parents about everything from his job to his hobbies. Akane watched him with pride, feeling grateful to have him by her side.
As dinner came to a close, Kenji pulled out his guitar, an old habit when the family had guests. He began to play a soft melody, and Taro, noticing, started to sing along in a rich, smooth voice. Akane's eyes widened in surprise; she had no idea he could sing.
Taro smiled, taking her hands in his. "Me too. I feel like I can breathe a bit easier now."
Akane laughed. "I think we both can."
As Taro drove away, Akane watched him go, a sense of hope and excitement for what the future held for them.
Taro, sensing her tension, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, it's going to be fine," he said with a gentle smile. Akane smiled back, feeling a bit better.
The initial small talk was a bit strained, but as they sat down to a dinner prepared by Yumi, the atmosphere began to relax. Taro was charming, engaging in conversation with Akane's parents about everything from his job to his hobbies. Akane watched him with pride, feeling grateful to have him by her side.
