Under the setting sun, Yuko and Asa sat on unfolded lounger chairs. Asa kept on darting her gaze between the sun and Yuko multiple times, catching sight of Yuko's reddened cheeks. Sitting in Yuko's back garden was quite relaxing, despite the lingering anxiety that Asa felt in her gut.
Every time Asa tried to think happier thoughts, her mind continued to play yesterday's events, where Asa snatched Yuko from the streets and ran away from the Cockroach Devil.
That episode haunted her.
Asa cackled at the sight of Yuko's cheeks, "I can see you've been sunbathing all day. As a blonde, your skin burns and doesn't tan," she remarked playfully.
"I did try to apply suncream. I guess it didn't work that much," giggled Yuko.
Glancing at Yuko's leg, Asa eyed the bandages. They were still clear as white, the plaster not yet tainted.
"How is your leg?"
"It still hurts," she answered.
While resting her head back into her chair, Yuko averted her gaze from the sun to Asa. Her cheeky smile never seemed to fade away, and Yuko reached in with a hand, pressing an index finger to her glasses as she pushed them up her nose.
"I bet I can guess what your mind is saying!" Yuko voiced.
"H-huh? Are you sure?" Asa broke their gaze, looking towards the bright ball of orange setting in the horizon. A tear of sweat appeared at her forehead, stopping its fall just at her eyebrow.
"Mhm!" Yuko leaned in, her smile turning brighter than before.
"Well, what is it saying?"
Yuko exclaimed without a care in the world, "I know you like me more than a friend. More than a best friend, too."
"Do I?" Asa scratched the back of her head nervously, her eyes still refusing to look at Yuko.
"Mhm," she hummed, "I know it's true 'cuz your cheeks are blushing!"
"...I never knew you could read minds-" Asa gulped.
"So it's true, then?" Yuko leaned into the arm of her lounger as much as she could, minding the pain in her leg.
"Sure, a little bit."
Yuko placed a finger up to her lip, "I think it's a lot, actually. You wouldn't be blushing so much if you didn't like-like me!"
"Shut up, Yuko," grumbled Asa while she folded her arms over her chest.
"No, I mean it," Yuko insisted, "you were blushing for a reason."
"And what's that?" Asa questioned.
"Your heart's racing, your palms are sweaty, and your lips are completely red. It's 'cuz you obviously like me as a lover," she teased, trying to pull Asa's strings.
"Yeah, whatever. I do."
"It's good that you told me, because I like you too," and those words were spoken much softer than before.
Asa blinked, "I guess..."
The sun gradually set in the horizon, and the purple and blue shades filled in the blackened sky.
"Thanks, Asa. I'd totally give you a hug right now, but I can't move that quickly yet," cackled Yuko.
"It's okay," Asa gave a small smile, "I'll give you a hug before I go."
They both gazed up at the endless purple, thinking the same thing. Asa wanted this day to last a little longer, but without Asa's problem being in the background. Maybe that could happen, but not anytime soon. Asa's problem, Yoru, would have to disappear first.