They ended up at the park, a quiet place with dim streetlights and empty benches. The evening air was cold, and Mahiru shivered slightly, hugging herself.
Sam sighed. "You never wear something warmer, do you?"
Mahiru pouted. "I thought the scarf would be enough…"
Rolling his eyes, Sam pulled off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"Sam, wait—"
"Just wear it," he muttered, his ears turning red.
Mahiru stared at him for a moment, then smiled softly and slid into the warmth of his jacket.
They sat down on the bench, sharing the oversized coat between them. Their shoulders brushed, their arms pressed together.
Mahiru let out a small sigh, resting her head on his shoulder.
Sam stiffened.
"Is this… okay?" she asked, her voice quiet.
He swallowed. "Yeah."
A comfortable silence settled between them, their breath visible in the cold air.
Then, softly, Mahiru spoke.
"Yesterday… that was our first kiss."
Sam's fingers twitched. "Yeah."
Mahiru bit her lip, her cheeks warming. "It was…really special."
His heart pounded. "Yeah… it was."
She tilted her head, gazing up at him. "Did you… like it?"
Sam turned to her, their faces close. "Did you?"
Mahiru's face turned bright red. "I asked first!"
Sam chuckled. Then, without thinking too much, he reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Mahiru's breath hitched.
And suddenly, that same tension from the café, from the Ferris wheel, from last night—returned.
Sam's gaze dropped to her lips.
Mahiru's fingers curled against his sleeve.
Their breaths mingled, the space between them vanishing.
For a second, it felt like they might kiss again.
But—
Mahiru quickly looked away, covering her face with her scarf. "W-We should go!"
Sam blinked. Then, realizing what had almost happened, he laughed.
She peeked at him. "What?"
"You're cute when you're embarrassed," he teased.
Mahiru groaned, burying her face further. "Stop teasing me!"
Sam grinned. "No promises."
----