The night after the festival felt different.
For days, their routine had been the same—meeting, spending time together, sharing soft moments before parting ways with a kiss. It had become their daily life, something so natural that neither of them questioned it.
But today…
Sam felt restless.
It wasn't like Mahiru had gone anywhere far. They had texted before bed as always, their usual goodnight messages exchanged. And yet, as he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, he missed her.
It wasn't the usual kind of missing someone.
It was deeper.
The kind that made his chest feel strangely empty.
His fingers unconsciously traced over the bracelet she had given him, his other hand clutching the stuffed fox she had won for him. He exhaled, shaking his head.
"Seriously… what is she doing to me?"
He rolled onto his side, staring at his phone. Their chat was still open.
Mahiru: Goodnight, Sam. Sleep well.
He debated whether to text her again. Would it be weird? It wasn't like anything had changed… yet everything felt different.
Instead, he flipped open his locket.
Inside, their picture smiled back at him.
His heart squeezed.
He groaned, covering his face. "Damn it… I think I'm in too deep."
--
The Next Day
Mahiru wasn't immune to the feeling either.
As she walked to college, she found herself smiling at nothing in particular. Her fingers brushed over her phone, resisting the urge to text Sam again even though they had already spoken that morning.
She sighed. Is this what being in love does to you?
Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt an arm wrap around her shoulder.
"Mahiru-chan~! You're glowing today," a playful voice teased.
Mahiru sighed. "Rika…"
Her friend grinned, leaning in closer. "What happened? Did your boyfriend do something sweet?"
Mahiru flushed. "I-It's not like that!"
Rika laughed. "Oh, please. You've been radiating happiness all morning. Spill spill!!!"
Mahiru hesitated before mumbling, "We kissed…"
Rika gasped dramatically. "Oh Finally! And? How was it?"
Mahiru's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. "I-It was… warm. And soft. And…" She trailed off, biting her lip as the memory replayed in her mind.
Rika smirked. "That good, huh?"
Mahiru groaned, covering her face. "Can we talk about something else?"
Her friend chuckled but let her be.
Still, as Mahiru made her way to class, she couldn't help but think—
Even though she had just seen him yesterday…
Even though they had kissed…
She already missed him.
--
Meeting Again
That evening, Mahiru stood outside the café, shifting on her feet.
She didn't even know why she had come here without telling Sam. It was their usual place, but they hadn't planned to meet today.
Maybe she just wanted to feel close to him.
She sighed, glancing down the street.
And then—
"Mahiru?"
She turned at the familiar voice.
There he was.
Sam stood a few feet away, slightly out of breath, as if he had hurried here.
Mahiru blinked. "Sam? What are you doing here?"
He hesitated before scratching the back of his head. "I… I don't know. I just felt like coming here."
Mahiru's heart skipped.
So he had been feeling the same way too?
They stared at each other for a moment before Sam let out a small chuckle. "Guess we're both hopeless."
Mahiru smiled softly. "Maybe."
He walked up to her, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Wanna take a walk?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
And just like that, they fell into step beside each other, the city lights glowing around them.
They found themselves at a small park, the air cool but comfortable. The quiet surroundings made everything feel peaceful, like the world had slowed down just for them.
Mahiru sat on the swing, gently rocking back and forth. Sam leaned against the metal bar beside her, watching her with a fond smile.
After a while, she looked up at him. "Sam?"
"Hmm?"
She hesitated before murmuring, "Do you ever… just miss someone even when you just saw them?"
Sam's lips curled into a soft smile.
"Yeah," he said, looking at her with warm eyes. "I do."
Mahiru felt her chest tighten, her fingers gripping the swing's chain.
She didn't say anything.
She didn't need to.
Instead, she stood up, stepping closer to him.
Sam watched her, his heart already knowing what was about to happen.
Mahiru reached out, lightly touching his arm before leaning in, resting her head against his chest.
Sam stiffened for a second before wrapping his arms around her, holding her close.
The sound of his heartbeat filled her ears, steady and warm.
They stayed like that for a long time, neither of them speaking.
Because sometimes, words weren't needed.
Sometimes, just being together was enough.
----