Morning sunlight spilled across the city skyline, casting a golden glow over the buildings.

Hikari hadn’t been able to sleep for long. She sat up, pushed the curtains aside, and looked out at the quiet city below.

Her thoughts drifted back to last night’s dinner.

“…It felt like… a date,” she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Shaking off the lingering emotions from both the dream and the dinner, she stood up and headed to the kitchen. The early light touched the corners of the room as she brewed herself a cup of coffee.

As she sipped it, a thought crossed her mind.

He treated me last night… so maybe I can make him breakfast? Just as a thank-you—nothing weird.

She tied up her hair, rolled up her sleeves, and got to work. Chopping onions, whisking eggs, frying vegetables—her movements were practiced, efficient, and surprisingly elegant. The kitchen quickly filled with the warm, savory aroma of tamagoyaki, miso soup, and perfectly steamed rice. She added grilled salmon and pickled radish to complete the set.

Once everything was packed neatly into containers, she stepped out and knocked on Saito’s door.

It creaked open a few seconds later.

Saito stood there, glasses slightly askew, deep dark circles under his eyes, hair messy like he just wrestled with a tornado.

“…Whoa,” Hikari blinked. “Didn’t sleep well?”

Saito let out a tired sigh. “Long story. But hey, come in.”

She stepped inside and was immediately hit by the sight of chaos. Books, snack wrappers, energy drink cans, open notebooks, wires—it looked like a storm had passed through.

“Yikes…” she muttered.

She set the breakfast down on the small, cluttered table and followed Saito into his room, hesitating at the doorway.

He sat in front of his computer chair and turned slightly toward her.

“So,” he started, rubbing his eyes, “after I got home last night, I got a call from the company. The game we launched two days ago? Total disaster. Tons of bugs. It crashed the servers globally. We had to pull an all-nighter fixing it.”

Hikari winced. “That sounds horrible…”

He gave a tired chuckle. “Yeah. But it’s finally done.”

And…thank you for the food. Seriously.

A pause.

“…Hey, can I ask you something?”

Hikari tilted her head. “Sure.”

“…I’m way too tired. Can you… feed me?”

Her brain short-circuited.

“H-Huh?!” Her face went beet red. Feeding him?! That’s…

She forced herself to breathe. No. He’s exhausted. I’m just helping. Nothing more. Nothing weird.

“…Fine,” she said quietly, averting her gaze. “I can…”

She turned and walked out quickly to grab the food. Saito leaned back in his chair with a small smile. “Chopsticks are on the table,” he called after her.

When she came back, she placed the tray on his desk and knelt beside him. Her hands trembled slightly as she picked up a piece of tamagoyaki with the chopsticks.

“Open up,” she muttered.

Saito obeyed, and chewed thoughtfully.

“…Yummm. That’s seriously good.”

“I-I’m glad you liked it,” Hikari said, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

Saito reached out and gently took the chopsticks from Hikari’s hand.

"Alright then," he said with a faint smirk, lifting a piece of tamagoyaki. "Your turn. Say aah~."

Hikari blinked, caught completely off guard. “H-Huh? W-What are you doing?”

He held the bite up to her lips, casual as ever.

Her heart skipped. Wait… isn’t that the same pair of chopsticks he just used? Her mind raced. Wouldn’t that be… an indirect kiss?!

Her cheeks flushed bright red. “T-This is so stupid…” she mumbled under her breath. But she didn’t back away.

Reluctantly—no, hesitantly—she leaned forward, lips parting just a little. She took the bite.

Soft silence followed as Saito calmly popped the rest into his own mouth like nothing happened.

She stared at him, flustered beyond belief.

Saito gave her a teasing glance. “What? You’re the one who started this by feeding me first. Fair’s fair.”

“I—Ugh!” she stood up abruptly, her face still warm. “I-I have stuff to do! You can eat the rest yourself!”

“Roger that,” Saito said, chuckling under his breath.

She huffed and made her way to the door.

“Well… I should get going,” she muttered, still avoiding eye contact. “Don’t forget to rest, okay?”

“Thanks again, Hikari. Really.”

With a quick wave, she slipped out of the apartment, her heartbeat still in overdrive.

Inside his room, Saito leaned back into his bed, exhaling softly. A faint, happy sigh escaped his lips.

“…So Fumi was right after all.”

“I’ve already fallen for her.”

Back in her own room, Hikari faceplanted into her pillow, muffling a squeal.

“What was that?! Ughh…”

She buried her face deeper.

Why… why does my heart keep doing this…?