“Thank you!” Akira exclaims, as if Akari had saved his very life. “Oh my god, thank you!”

The two of them sit in his parked car, with Akari in the driver’s seat.

Akira can’t help but notice her strained, twitching eyes and trembling fingers. “Are you okay?” he asks softly.

“I’m fine,” she murmurs. “I just need a few.”

“Of course,” Akira responds. The poor man trembles himself, both from cramps and the lingering fear. Still, he keeps his eyes on Akari, and repeats his thanks in his mind, all to distract from the trauma that lingers.

She is the key.

Her strength, her kindness.

She’s his guardian angel!

—

As he watches Akari drive, Akira asks, “Did you want to do anything else?”

“I always shower after going to the gym,” she replies, calmer now. “I didn’t do a whole lot today, but I don’t want to break that habit. Especially since that guy breathed right in my face.”

“Ah…” Akira looks down with a mild frown.

“But we can maybe meet for dinner after?” Akari proposes. “At the Honors dining hall? Emilija too, if she wants.”

And thus forms a smile on the young man’s face. “Sure!”

Akari’s eyes stay on the road, but her heart stares right at Akira.

“By the way,” Akira remarks, “you have a license, but no car here?”

“Mhm. My family only has one car, and it’s back at home,” Akari responds. “Emilija has one on-campus, though.”

“I see.” Akira wonders if it was an invasive question. And yet, Akari’s smooth voice and modest smile reassure him of her patience. A part of him certainly feels he is burdening her, but that warm demeanor causes those doubts to drown as his heart beats faster and faster for her.

“Make sure to heal up and get lots of rest,” Akari says. “We’ll do cardio next time, okay?”

“Huh? Next time? You’re not giving up on me?”

“The decision to move forward is yours. I'm more than happy to come along. Well, I should ask, is that what you want to do?”

“I wasn’t sure, but I think I’ll give it a try. Though, why do you believe in me? I cramped up so badly, so quickly. Am I not a lost cause?”

“You can become stronger if you really want to,” Akari answers. “But I predict it’d be a very long and strenuous process.”

“Well, I don’t have a choice,” he mutters.

Akari frowns. I can’t push him to reconsider. Not yet…

Instead, she continues, “Your form during reps needs some adjusting. You’re also going too fast for your muscles. All that could be causing the cramps. Perhaps I should be more hands-on as a guide? Well, there could be something else too…”

There is, Akira answers in his head. There absolutely is. I’m far from him now, and yet he…

“Thank you, Akari,” Akira responds. “But it seems I’m just hopeless. Don’t you feel like you’re wasting your time?”

“Of course I don’t,” Akari insists. “You can absolutely exercise. You can absolutely become stronger. You just need to accommodate your body’s needs.”

“Does my body not have too many of those?”

Akari shakes her head. “You’d just need to work very hard.”

“Th-That’s fine. But still, I’m not very confident that I’ll improve. And I don’t want to burden you…”

“You’re my friend,” Akari says, channeling confidence for Akira’s sake. “I want to spend time with you.” I want to become closer to you. 

Akira’s eyes widen with passion. “I… I enjoy being with you too, Akari,” he admits meekly.

Akari blushes, trying not to lose composure. “Th-Thank you… Well, I think you should ask yourself how you feel about going to the gym. Do you really want to pursue this?” Please, Akira, it’s okay. You can make your own decision.

Akira does not respond.

“I think… you should take it one day at a time,” she adds nervously.

“Y-Yeah,” he murmurs, “I think so too.” He smiles. “Thank you for the advice.”

“Certainly,” she says softly.

Shortly after, Akari parks the car. Then, a flustered Akira looks at her, and says, “You…”

“Hm?”

“You’re a good person.”

Akari gasps. Akira…

“I don’t understand why you’re so patient with me,” he continues. “So accepting of me.”

Akari stares at him closely, her eyes shining with compassion. “Are you,” she asks, “not the same with me?”

Akira gasps himself, mimicking Akari’s gesture.

“You,” she murmurs, “aren’t used to kindness, aren't you?”

Akira’s eyes quiver. He hunches his back. He can’t help but turn away in shame.

“I’m sorry,” Akari says. “That was out of line.”

But then, Akira turns back to her with a smile. “Thank you, Akari,” he comments, trying to sound happy. “It’s okay. I’m okay.”

Akari isn’t convinced.

“I’ll see you at dinner.” Akira opens the car door. “Text me?”

“Sure.” Akari unstraps and opens her door, but then realizes with a dumbfounded look. “Oh, the seat.” It was adjusted as far back as possible so she could even fit, and she almost left without changing it back.

At this, Akira erupts into laughter.

The contrast between them… A seat with polar opposite settings, from a tall woman to a short man… He finds it charming. Charming enough to laugh about, to reflect upon joyously.

Perhaps it’s because he loves how tall she is. Thus, he can laugh about this without feeling shame for himself. This isn’t about how inherently small he is; it’s about their size difference. A size difference for which Akira feels genuine fondness.

Akari doesn’t laugh. She just watches him in awe. Even after everything, he can still wear his natural smile.

Such an adorable, happy face.