Every time I closed my eyes, her face appeared before me—her cheeks flushed, her eyes shyly darting away, her lips forming words I still could not believe: “Could we go out tomorrow?”

I lay awake in the quiet of my room, staring at the ceiling. My chest was restless, my thoughts spinning. I was acting like a kid too excited for the day to come.

Was this real? Was Tsukiko… inviting me on a date?

My diary lay open on the desk, but tonight no words could escape my pen. The silence felt too fragile, as if even writing might shatter the delicate dream I was holding.

---

On the other side of town, Tsukiko sat by her window, her long hair falling softly over her shoulders. The night air was cool, yet her cheeks were still warm from the courage she had mustered earlier.

She hugged her pillow close, whispering to herself, “I actually said it… I asked him.”

Her phone buzzed suddenly, breaking her daze. It was Aya.

“Tsukiko!” Aya’s voice was playful as ever, brimming with curiosity. “Tell me—what happened with the class president? Don’t you dare leave me out of this gossip.”

Tsukiko bit her lip, her face turning red. “There’s nothing to tell… I didn’t say yes.”

“What?!” Aya exclaimed dramatically. “He’s the most handsome boy in the year! Don’t tell me you already have someone else in mind.”

For a moment, Tsukiko’s silence spoke louder than any words. Her heart fluttered with the image of Haruto, his quiet eyes that somehow felt like they could see through her. She couldn’t say it aloud, not even to her best friend, but the answer was already there, trembling inside her chest. Her face was red.

Aya gasped on the other side. “Oh my god… you do, don’t you? You’re blushing, aren’t you?”

“I’m hanging up now!” Tsukiko stammered, her voice small, before quickly ending the call.

Left alone again, she pressed her hands over her face, giggling and groaning all at once. The stars outside her window seemed to shimmer brighter than usual.

---

Morning came too quickly.

I woke with heavy eyes and a pounding heart. Choosing a shirt felt like a decision that could change the world. I wondered if I looked too plain, if I should style my hair differently, if I should even… smile more. The mirror reflected a nervous boy who didn’t recognize himself.

And somewhere else, Tsukiko stood before her own mirror, staring at the dress she had chosen. It wasn’t overly fancy, but it felt special—something soft, something gentle, something she thought he might notice. But indeed she was nervous too. She took a deep breath, practicing her smile, before quickly looking away, embarrassed at herself.

---

I reached the station where we promised to meet.

The air smelled faintly of roasted chestnuts from a nearby stall. People passed by in pairs, in groups, laughter spilling into the evening. But I stood still, my palms sweaty, my eyes darting from face to face.

Every second stretched endlessly, like time itself was testing me.

And there I was, waiting… for her.