The walk back from the amusement park was unusually quiet.
Mahiru, still red-faced from the Ferris wheel incident, kept her eyes glued to the pavement, her hands clasped tightly together to stop them from shaking.
Sam, on the other hand, stole occasional glances at her. His mind was still reeling from what almost happened. The warmth of that moment still lingered—their closeness, the way Mahiru had leaned in, the way her breath had mixed with his.
He cleared his throat, trying to shake the thought away.
"You okay?" he finally asked, breaking the silence.
Mahiru flinched slightly but nodded too quickly. "Y-Yeah! Perfectly fine! Why wouldn't I be?!"
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Because you just screamed that like a guilty person."
Mahiru pouted, turning away with a huff. "I-I'm just a little… um… tired! That's all!"
Sam sighed but didn't push further.
It was obvious they were both avoiding the topic.
But even as they walked side by side, there was something different between them now. Something unspoken, lingering in the air.
The night breeze was cool, brushing past them gently. The city lights twinkled in the distance, casting a warm glow over the streets.
Mahiru finally broke the silence, her voice softer this time. "Did you have fun today?"
Sam glanced at her, surprised by the question.
Then, a small smile crept onto his lips. "Yeah… I did."
Mahiru relaxed a little. "That's good… I wanted to see you smile again."
Sam's heart skipped a beat.
She had said something similar on the Ferris wheel. And now, hearing it again, he felt his chest tighten—not in pain this time, but in something warm.
Something he couldn't quite put into words.
"Mahiru…" he said quietly.
She turned her head slightly, looking up at him with curious eyes.
For a second, he wanted to say it.
That she meant more to him than she realized. That he didn't know how he would've gotten through the last few days without her. That she was always there for him, even when he didn't ask her to be.
But in the end, he just smiled.
"Thanks," he said instead.
Mahiru blinked, then smiled back—soft and genuine.
"You don't have to thank me, dummy."
Soon, they reached the station.
Mahiru was about to take a step forward, but she hesitated. She turned back toward Sam, shifting slightly on her feet.
For a moment, she seemed to debate something in her mind.
Then, taking a deep breath, she stepped closer—much closer than usual.
Before Sam could react, she gently pressed her forehead against his shoulder, her face hidden from view.
"Good night, Sam," she murmured.
Sam stiffened, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Mahiru didn't move for a few seconds, as if trying to memorize the warmth of the moment. Then, slowly, she pulled away and walked toward the train without looking back.
Sam stood frozen in place, staring after her, his mind blank.
And as the train doors closed and took her away, he raised a shaky hand to his chest—where his heart was still beating wildly.
Something has definitely changed between us…
And for the first time in a long time…
He didn't mind it at all.
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