Sam and Mahiru walked in comfortable silence, leaving behind the crowded streets near his college. The golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky, casting a warm glow over everything.
They soon reached a quiet riverside park, where the soft ripples of water and distant chirping of birds created a peaceful atmosphere.
Mahiru hesitated for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"Sam…" she started, her voice barely above a whisper.
He turned to her, tilting his head slightly. "Yeah?"
She clutched the small gift she had been hiding in her pocket—something she had been meaning to give him since she arrived.
"Here," she said, extending her hands toward him.
Sam blinked, confused at first, before looking down at the neatly wrapped box. "Another gift?"
Mahiru nodded, her gaze lowered. "It's not much, but… it's for Promise Day."
Sam stared at the box for a moment before carefully taking it. His fingers brushed against hers for a brief second, sending a spark through his chest.
A small silence followed as Sam unwrapped the gift. Inside was a simple yet elegant bracelet—a thin black band with a small silver charm attached to it.
"It's a… bracelet?" he murmured, running his fingers over the smooth surface.
Mahiru fidgeted slightly, her voice quiet but sincere. "It's a promise bracelet. I… I read somewhere that when two people wear matching ones, it means they'll always be connected, no matter what."
Sam felt his heartbeat quicken.
Mahiru then pulled out a second bracelet—identical to his—except the charm on hers was slightly different. She slipped it onto her wrist before looking up at him, a nervous but hopeful expression in her eyes.
"I wanted to give this to you… because I want to promise that no matter what happens, I'll always be there for you, Sam," she said softly. "So, whenever you look at it, I hope you'll remember that."
Sam stared at her, completely at a loss for words.
For someone who had once feared losing the people he cared about… this small gesture meant more to him than he could ever express.
A warm, genuine smile slowly formed on his lips.
"You're unbelievable, you know that?" he chuckled, his voice slightly husky with emotion.
Mahiru pouted. "I-I'm being serious here!"
Sam laughed, shaking his head as he slipped the bracelet onto his wrist. "I know. That's why I love it."
Mahiru's breath hitched at his words.
Did he just—?
Before she could process it, Sam reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"Thank you, Mahiru. Really." His voice was softer this time, filled with something indescribable.
Mahiru, completely flustered, looked away quickly to hide her burning face.
"I-It's nothing…" she mumbled.
They sat there for a while, watching the sun dip lower into the horizon. The world around them felt quieter, as if it had shrunk down to just the two of them.
And in that moment, no words were needed.
Their matching bracelets glistened in the evening light, a silent promise that bound them together.
No matter what happened next— they would always have each other.
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