diff --git a/recognization/code/live.py b/recognization/code/live.py
index 385f379..3850448 100644
--- a/recognization/code/live.py
+++ b/recognization/code/live.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ lock so classification callbacks can land concurrently.
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import asyncio
 import collections
 import os
 import statistics
@@ -169,6 +170,9 @@ class LiveSession:
 
         self._pending: Optional[Tuple[int, bytes]] = None
         self._frame_ready = threading.Event()
+        # One waiter, created on the caller's loop. None until the first async take.
+        self._waiter: Optional[asyncio.Event] = None
+        self._waiter_loop: Optional[asyncio.AbstractEventLoop] = None
         self._closed = False
 
         self._seq = 0
@@ -213,23 +217,77 @@ class LiveSession:
                 self._frames_dropped += 1
             self._pending = (int(frame_id), payload)
             self._frame_ready.set()
+            self._wake_waiter_locked()
             return True
 
+    def _pop_pending_locked(self) -> Optional[Tuple[int, bytes]]:
+        pending = self._pending
+        self._pending = None
+        self._frame_ready.clear()
+        return pending
+
+    def _wake_waiter_locked(self) -> None:
+        """Set the async event from this thread. Caller holds self._lock."""
+        waiter = self._waiter
+        loop = self._waiter_loop
+        if waiter is None or loop is None:
+            return
+        try:
+            running = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        except RuntimeError:
+            running = None
+        if running is loop:
+            waiter.set()
+            return
+        try:
+            loop.call_soon_threadsafe(waiter.set)
+        except RuntimeError:
+            # Loop already closed. The sync event still wakes take_pending.
+            pass
+
     def take_pending(self, timeout: float = 0.2) -> Optional[Tuple[int, bytes]]:
         """Blocking pop for the processing loop; None on timeout/close."""
         if not self._frame_ready.wait(timeout):
             return None
         with self._lock:
-            pending = self._pending
-            self._pending = None
-            self._frame_ready.clear()
-        return pending
+            return self._pop_pending_locked()
+
+    async def take_pending_async(self) -> Optional[Tuple[int, bytes]]:
+        """Awaitable pop. None means the session closed with nothing left.
+
+        Bind the waiter to the running loop on first use. A frame that arrives
+        before that bind is still visible: the event starts set when one is queued.
+        """
+        loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+        with self._lock:
+            if self._waiter is not None and self._waiter_loop is not loop:
+                raise RuntimeError("take_pending_async is bound to another event loop")
+            if self._waiter is None:
+                self._waiter = asyncio.Event()
+                self._waiter_loop = loop
+                if self._pending is not None or self._closed:
+                    self._waiter.set()
+            waiter = self._waiter
+
+        while True:
+            await waiter.wait()
+            with self._lock:
+                if self._pending is not None:
+                    pending = self._pop_pending_locked()
+                    if self._waiter is waiter and self._pending is None and not self._closed:
+                        self._waiter.clear()
+                    return pending
+                if self._closed:
+                    return None
+                if self._waiter is waiter:
+                    self._waiter.clear()
 
     def close(self) -> None:
         with self._lock:
             self._closed = True
             self._pending = None
-        self._frame_ready.set()
+            self._frame_ready.set()
+            self._wake_waiter_locked()
 
     @property
     def closed(self) -> bool:
@@ -293,6 +351,8 @@ class LiveSession:
             self._latest_frame_id = None
             self._frame_origin = [0.0, 0.0]
             self._shift_map = None
+            # ponytail: do not touch _waiter here. asyncio.Event is loop-affine;
+            # take_pending_async clears a stale wake on its own loop.
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------------ frame path
     def process_frame(self, frame_id: int, payload: bytes) -> Dict[str, Any]:
diff --git a/recognization/code/test_live.py b/recognization/code/test_live.py
index 1e9ed14..3fbdc7d 100644
--- a/recognization/code/test_live.py
+++ b/recognization/code/test_live.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ newest frame.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import os
+import asyncio
 import sys
 import threading
 import time
@@ -391,6 +392,39 @@ class ClassificationBudgetTests(unittest.TestCase):
         session.close()
         self.assertTrue(session.closed)
         self.assertIsNone(session.take_pending(timeout=0.05))
+
+    def test_async_take_keeps_latest_and_wakes_on_close(self):
+        """The server waiter must not miss a frame that beat registration, and close must wake it."""
+        session, engine, _, _ = make_session()
+
+        async def scenario():
+            session.submit_frame(1, frame_bytes())
+            session.submit_frame(2, frame_bytes())
+            first = await asyncio.wait_for(session.take_pending_async(), timeout=1.0)
+            self.assertEqual(first[0], 2)
+
+            waiting = asyncio.create_task(session.take_pending_async())
+            await asyncio.sleep(0)
+            self.assertFalse(waiting.done(), "an empty queue must not complete the waiter")
+            session.reset()
+            session.submit_frame(3, frame_bytes())
+            self.assertEqual((await asyncio.wait_for(waiting, timeout=1.0))[0], 3)
+
+            cancelled = asyncio.create_task(session.take_pending_async())
+            await asyncio.sleep(0)
+            cancelled.cancel()
+            with self.assertRaises(asyncio.CancelledError):
+                await cancelled
+            session.submit_frame(4, frame_bytes())
+            self.assertEqual((await asyncio.wait_for(session.take_pending_async(), timeout=1.0))[0], 4)
+
+            closing = asyncio.create_task(session.take_pending_async())
+            await asyncio.sleep(0)
+            session.close()
+            self.assertIsNone(await asyncio.wait_for(closing, timeout=1.0))
+            self.assertFalse(session.submit_frame(5, frame_bytes()))
+
+        asyncio.run(scenario())
         engine.shutdown()