The Days They Shared

That first coffee turned into weekly dinners.

Dinners turned into long walks.

Long walks into laughter.

And laughter into kisses.

At first, they kept things light. Over hot cups of coffee, they shared pieces of themselves. 

Kei talked about his love for aquarium documentaries and how he used to draw comics in high school. 

Serena revealed her childhood dream wasn't medicine—it was to become a violinist.

To Serena's surprise, Kei wasn't the shy, awkward man she expected. Once the conversation started, he was witty, engaging—even charismatic in his own gentle way.

"You know," Serena said during one of their early coffee dates, stirring her cup thoughtfully, "you're not what I expected."

"Let me guess," Kei grinned. "You expected a guy who only talks about video games and fried chicken?"

She laughed. "No! I mean... maybe. But you have this calmness. And you're funny."

"Funny?" Kei blinked, feigning offense. "That's a compliment, right?"

"One of the best ones," she smiled.

With every meeting, the air between them grew warmer. What began as friendly check-ups slowly transformed into something tender, something neither of them could name just yet.

Their "non-dates" became real ones—impromptu walks through the city's ocean park, where colorful fish glowed in the dim light of the aquariums. 

They laughed at jellyfish. Serena reached out to touch the glass every time a stingray passed by.

"You know," Kei said, watching her with quiet affection, "you look happiest around things that float."

Serena rolled her eyes. 

"Maybe I just enjoy floating moments. Like this one."

Another time, they visited a theme park. Kei dared her to ride the tower drop, and Serena, prideful as ever, accepted.

Halfway through the drop, she screamed—not from fear, but from wild, euphoric laughter.

They were alive—alive in a way neither had felt for years.

A Ride Home – The First Time Driving Her Car

As they exited the theme park, the glow of neon lights still danced in Serena's eyes. The laughter from the tower drop ride echoed faintly in her ears, but her mind was somewhere else now—on the quiet warmth that lingered between her and Kei.

In the parking lot, Serena dangled her car keys between two fingers. "Want me to drive you home?"

Kei looked at her, then grinned. "Actually... mind if I drive?"

Her eyes widened. "You know how to drive?"

Kei gave a small chuckle. "Yeah. My dad taught me back in college. I just... haven't done it in a while."

Serena raised an eyebrow, teasing. "You sure you can fit behind the wheel now?"

Kei laughed. "I couldn't before. That's why I stopped. But now?" He patted his slightly flatter belly. "Let's see."

They both chuckled as he slid into the driver's seat and adjusted it. With a confident smile, he started the car, easing out of the parking space. The streets were quiet, and the ride was filled with soft music and gentle glances.

When they reached her home, the automatic gate opened with a smooth hum.

Kei pulled into the garage slowly, parking perfectly.

A beat of silence passed.

Neither of them moved.

Serena turned her head slightly, her fingers resting on the door handle, but she didn't open it.

Kei offered her a soft, uncertain smile. "So... I guess this is goodnight?"

Serena looked at him, eyes lingering longer than usual. There was a softness there. A shyness.

She didn't answer right away.

Kei took the cue. Slowly, he leaned in, closing the space between them—just enough for her to feel his breath, not quite a kiss.

And then— click! The garage light flicked on.

creeeak.

The door to the house opened.

"Serena?" a woman's voice called.

Both froze.

Serena blinked, snapping upright. "Mom? Dad? You're still awake?"

From the doorway, her mother stood with curious eyes and crossed arms. Her father stood behind her, one eyebrow raised like a disapproving detective.

Serena's face turned crimson.

Kei, without missing a beat, sat up and said cheerfully, "Will it help if I say... good evening?"

Her parents exchanged glances. Then, to Serena's horror and relief, they chuckled—then laughed outright.

"Oh my god, Kei," Serena muttered, hiding her face. "You didn't just say that."

Both of them got out of the car. Kei waved politely. "It was a fun evening. Thank you for letting me steal your daughter for a few hours."

He paused by the garage gate, turning back with a wink. "Please don't ground her. She's a good kid."

Serena looked both mortified and amused. Her parents laughed again—her mom shaking her head, and her dad wiping a tear from his eye.

As Kei disappeared into the night, Serena closed the gate behind him.

There was a beat of silence before her dad turned to her, smiling.

"I like him," he said simply. "If you do end up going out with someone like him... you already have my blessing."

Serena blinked.

Her mom elbowed her husband playfully. "Ow," he muttered.

Serena smiled softly, her heart fluttering in ways she couldn't quite explain.

A Heartfelt Confession

And then one evening, under a dim lamplight in the clinic's parking lot, everything changed.

Serena suddenly stopped walking.

Kei turned. "Serena? Are you alright?"

She looked at him, visibly shaken, her hands clenched at her sides.

"Kei..." she whispered. "I can't pretend anymore. I like you. I didn't know when it happened—but I really do."

Kei froze.

Then stepped closer. "I like you too, Serena. You were the second person who ever saw me for who I am."

Serena's brows lifted gently. "The second?"

He nodded. "My best friend Saito was the first."

Her lips trembled with a smile, tears threatening in her eyes. "Then I'm honored to be second."

"Would you..." she hesitated, "Would you go out with me? Like, really go out? Be my boyfriend?"

Kei's voice cracked. "I would love to."

A beat passed.

"I think..." he swallowed, "I think I love you, Serena."

Tears spilled from her eyes.

And then they were in each other's arms—an embrace full of trembling relief and overwhelming joy.

It was the kind of embrace only people who had been alone for too long could understand.

When they finally pulled apart, Serena wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and smiled.

"Come on," she said, unlocking her car. "Let me drive you home."

Kei shook his head gently. "Your place is way out of the way. I'll take the bus. Just... text me when you get home safe, okay?"

She looked at him with quiet affection, then nodded. "Okay. But next time, no excuses."

She climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. Kei watched as the taillights disappeared into the night.

Then he turned toward the bus stop.

The street was quiet, moonlight spilling across the pavement. He smiled to himself.

And that's when it hit.

A sharp pain in his side, sudden and deep. His vision blurred. The world tilted. He stumbled once, tried to steady himself.

Then everything went black.

To be continued...