After all the shenanigans, we closed up the Anime Club room and went outside the school. Sawako and I walked together and as we did outside the school, I began to think about Taiyo again. He could do what he did to Shinji to anyone I knew. I can't help but worry.

"What's wrong Zou-chan?"

I looked at Sawako as we walked together.

"Is there something on my face?" Sawako raised an eyebrow.

I made sure I wasn't speaking my thoughts out loud like with Minori. I made a conscious effort as to not repeat that and with that said, I made up my mind.

"Sawako, stay at my house for tonight."

"Huh?" Sawako looked at me with widened eyes. "You want me sleep over your house?"

I was really worried about her. I don't know what Taiyo would do while I sleep so having her close to me would keep her safe.

I looked at her with a serious face "Sawako. I need you next to me."

"Z-Zou-chan!? What are you saying?" Sawako stuttered,looking flustered.

I continued. "I know it's sudden but we have to sleep together."

"Together!? Like on the same bed?"

That's actually not a bad idea. Having her physically closer would ensure her safety so I nodded. "Yes."

"But-but my heart's not ready for something like this!" Sawako waved her hands in front of her.

Hmm, yes, we've never faced a threat like Taiyo before. I can understand her confusion. I held her hand into mine and place my other hand on hers.

"Don't worry, Sawako. I'll take care of you." I gave her a warm smile.

At this point, Sawako's jaw dropped and became red from blushing. Why is she blushing?

Sawako just looked down. "Um, well then… Please be gentle with me," she mumbled.

I nodded. "Of course!"

So went to Sawako's house first so she could tell her parents and get herself a change of clothes. Of course, I decided to wait outside since I didn't want to waste time talking to her parents. No offense to her parents, but I'm sort of facing a crisis here.

Sawako came out of the house still wearing her school uniform but she also dragged a small trolley bag.

"Let's go?" Sawako suggested.

We arrived at my house and I introduced her to my mom who was really happy to see Sawako. I'm guessing Sayori wasn't the type to bring friends home. So mom made us dinner, had a long talk with her since the only friend I had that she met was Shinji, and then Sawako and I went to my room.

"So, welcome to my humble abode." I sat down on my bed.

Sawako stepped inside and placed her bag next to my desk."Your room is cute…"

"Hm? I mean, yeah, it sure is."

Sawako picked up the cow plushie. "I expected something different."

"Well, if you remember, it's not exactly my room."

"Oh, right." She placed plushie back to its place

I then noticed she still wore her school uniform. "Aren't you gonna get changed?" I wondered.

"Huh!? Already?"

"Well, we're not going to sleep immediately but at least change out of your uniform first."

"O-of course… The night is still young, as they say."

Both of us got changed into our sleepwear. By sleepwear, I meant just a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Sawako insisted she used the bathroom to change, which was pretty odd since she never did that at school whenever we were changing for P.E., and changed into what I knew was probably called a onesie. I can't believe I got to see one in front of me. Sawako's light blue onesie was a bit loose and cute patterns of bears all over it. I probably would wear one but I never really saw any of those in stores.

"That's… not what I expected," I admitted.

"Mama bought me these so I use them… I guess you prefer to see me in something else?" Sawako fidgeted with her fingers..

"Not really? I mean, that looks good on you."

Sawako covered her face. "H-how could you say that!?"

"Huh?" I don't get her sometimes.

"A-anyway, what should we do before we sleep?"

"Come sit next to me." To be honest, I had no idea so I decided to just talk to her.

Without doubt, Sawako sat next to me but still covered her face.

I just stared in front of me, looking at nothing in particular. "You know, Sawako, I'm really thankful you believed me that day."

"That day?" Sawako peeked from between her fingers as she still covered her face.

"You know. Me not being Sayori, being from another world. So why did you believe me?"

"Didn't I already answer that sometime ago?"

"Hm. I just want to hear it again. If you ever did answered that question."

Sawako removed her hands from her face. "Well… I just had the feeling you were telling the truth. When you cried when I asked about Sayori's whereabouts, that really nailed it. I knew you're a good person."

"I could've been acting, you know."

"Then I bought your performance. Thankfully, I did because it turns out you're a really good person."

I held her hand which was near me. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I looked into her blue eyes. I know Sayori also had blue eyes but for some reason, I preferred looking at Sawako's. Well, I could only see one of her eyes since her bangs covered the other one. I reached and pushed her bangs away and as I did, Sawako flinched a bit. What did she think I was going to do?

And then I noticed her other eye. It was green, as opposed to her blue right eye.

Sawako looked down. "Um, I know it looks weird, don't stare too much."

"Weird? It's beautiful," I smiled

Sawako looked at me with disbelief. "It is weird. You're the only one I've shown it to."

"Then I'm glad I'm the only one who gets to see something so gorgeous."

I don't know why I said that. Wait, I do. Because I have feelings for her. Duh. Sawako looked at me with widened eyes.

"You mean it?"

I smiled. "Yeah."

Sawako slowly got closer to me, still holding my hand. And then, her face got close to mine. Now I can see her dual-colored irises up close. Truly, it was a fantastic view. I could also feel her breathing. Also my heart was about to explode.

"Sawako?"

She didn't stop getting closer and eventually I felt her lips touch mine. It was a moment that made me thought time had stopped. No, maybe my heart did? When Sawako pulled away, I felt my heart beating faster.

"Zou-chan, I love you."

I didn't think that my heart couldn't beat any faster but it did. Hearing her words just made me feel an intense emotion of joy and excitement. I wanted to say it back but words failed to come out of my mouth. How long is this stun duration?

"It's okay. I just wanted you to know." Sawako held my hand tighter. "Even if you don't accept my feelings, I wanted you to know how I felt."

I pulled her hand and got her close to me again and looked at her eyes. Her wonderful, gorgeous eyes. "Sawako. When you say things like that, you're only going to make me love you more."

"L-love me more?"

"Oh, right. I never replied. I love you too." And then I placed my lips on hers.