We walked side by side through the evening streets, our footsteps matching almost too perfectly.

The city was alive — lights flickering to life, laughter spilling from shops, the faint sound of a guitar somewhere far away.

For once, I didn’t know what to say. I kept stealing glances at her — the way the breeze brushed through her hair, how she looked at the world as if everything was made of light.

Every time our hands brushed, my chest tightened. I pretended not to notice, but deep down I wondered if she felt it too — that quiet spark, that nervous wish to hold her hand.

“So… where are we going?” I finally asked.

“There’s a café near the river,” she said. “It has a beautiful view.”

But then she fell silent, as if she’d said too much.

“Actually,” she added shyly, “my friends went there last week, but I couldn’t go with them.”

Her voice softened. “They asked me to come again today too… but I refused.”

“Why did you do that?”

Her cheeks turned crimson. She lowered her head before whispering,

“Because I wanted to visit it with you.”

She looked up then, smiling — pure and radiant — and my heart forgot how to beat.

That smile stayed with me as we walked toward the café, warmth spreading quietly through my chest.

---

The café was quiet — warm lights, soft music, the faint scent of roasted coffee. We sat by the window, the river glimmering in the distance.

Tsukiko leaned forward, her chin resting on her hand as she looked outside.

“You know, Haruto… if you look at the street long enough, it feels like everyone’s living their own little story.”

I smiled. “And what kind of story do you think ours is?”

She turned, surprised, then laughed softly.

“Maybe the kind that’s still learning how to begin.”

Her words lingered between us, like a secret meant only for this moment.

I chuckled. “Then I hope it’s a long story.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down, stirring her drink.

“Maybe,” she murmured, “if the author is kind.”

---

When the cakes arrived, she immediately brightened.

I ordered chocolate; she chose strawberry.

She took one bite and looked as happy as a child. But soon, I noticed her glancing — again and again — at my plate.

Her eyes sparkled with temptation. Even though she tried to hide it, she wasn’t doing a very good job — and she looked too cute trying.

I smiled. “Here,” I said, offering my spoon. “You can try it.”

She blinked, surprised, then nodded shyly.

“Th-thank you.”

She took a bite from my hand, cheeks pink, eyes shining.

In that tiny moment, the world felt perfect. 

I could say that it was the best day of my life.

---

We talked for hours after that — about small things, silly things, dreams, and memories. It felt effortless, like breathing.

We finally came out of the café. As we were walking towards the station silently, Tsukiko slowly held my hand. In that moment my heart almost skipped a beat and I also held her hand silently without breaking the magic and beautiful silence of the moment.

The sky had turned soft gold. She stopped by the river and looked up at the fading light.

“Haruto,” she said quietly, “thank you… for today.”

I smiled. “No — thank you.”

She turned to me, her eyes reflecting the glow of the streetlamps. For a heartbeat, time simply stopped.

---

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