Although Asuna was extremely unwilling, for her husband's sake, she still came to Mahiru's side and said, "If Akasaka wakes up, can you forgive him? Forgive everything he's done."
Mahiru lay facedown on the bed, her head buried underneath, her voice trembling as she clearly cried. "Of course I can. As long as he wakes up, I'll listen to whatever he says."
"Even if he asks me to accept those women, I'm willing—as long as he wakes up."
Asuna snapped her fingers. "Okay, that's enough. Stop playing dead and wake up already. I recorded what she just said."
Mahiru raised her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Asuna tossed the phone containing the recording onto the bed for Akasaka. Too lazy to keep playing along with his act, she turned and left, taking Yui's hand with her.
Before leaving, she added, "Remember what you said, Mahiru. If you make unreasonable trouble for me again, I'll hit you again next time."
Asuna led Yui away without the slightest hesitation.
In truth, she had deliberately left some space for Akasaka and Mahiru in the room, letting the two of them spend some time alone. That was Asuna's own unique kind of tenderness.
Mahiru was still kneeling there in a daze when Akasaka woke up, nearly scaring her half to death.
Akasaka said somewhat awkwardly, "Um... you have to keep your word. You said you'd accept them, so that's why I woke up..."
The more Akasaka spoke, the less confidence he had, and his voice grew quieter and quieter...
Mahiru stared at him expressionlessly. How could she not realize she had been tricked?
Akasaka silently hid the phone with the recording behind his back, like a child. This was the only method Akasaka could think of; he really had no other options...