The world felt different the next morning.
Sam woke up with a strange, lingering warmth in his chest. His fingers instinctively touched his lips as he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
We… kissed.
It wasn't a dream. It wasn't just another "almost" moment like the Ferris wheel.
They had actually kissed.
His first kiss. Mahiru's first kiss.
His heart pounded as he covered his face with his hands, groaning softly. The memory of last night played in his mind on a loop—the way her lips felt against his, the way she had gripped his coat, the way she had looked at him afterward, breathless and dazed.
And then… the way she had smiled.
A soft, shy, beautiful smile that made his chest tighten.
Damn it… how am I supposed to act normal after this?
His phone buzzed beside him, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Mahiru: Good morning, Sam ☀️
Mahiru: Umm… are you awake?
Mahiru: …You're not ignoring me because of last night, right?
Sam blinked.
Of course, she was thinking about it too.
He sat up, quickly typing a reply.
Sam: Good morning.
Sam: I'm not ignoring you, I just…
He hesitated, then typed again.
Sam: I don't know how to act normal after last night.
She read the message instantly, and for a moment, there was no reply.
Then—
Mahiru: …Me neither.
Sam exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Mahiru: But… I'm really happy.
His chest tightened.
Sam: Yeah… me too.
--
Later That Day – Valentine'sDate
Since it was Valentine's Day, they had planned to spend the evening together. After all, it was their first one as a couple.
Sam waited at the usual spot, near the station, checking his watch. The winter air was crisp, but his nerves kept him warm.
Then—
"Sam!"
He turned and felt his breath hitch.
Mahiru was there, wrapped in a soft white dress, a burgundy scarf tucked around her neck, and her golden-brown hair cascading over her shoulders. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, but her eyes… they were warm.
And the moment their gazes met, the memory of their kiss hit them both.
Mahiru immediately looked away, her hand fidgeting with the edge of her scarf. Sam felt his ears grow hot as he cleared his throat.
"You look… nice," he said, forcing himself to act normal.
Mahiru peeked at him and giggled softly. "You too."
They started walking side by side, neither quite sure what to say. There was a quiet shyness between them, a lingering nervousness from last night.
But underneath that was something else.
Something warmer.
Something deeper.
----