The next morning, Sam woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing. He groggily reached for it, rubbing his eyes.
Mahiru: Are you free this weekend?
Sam sat up, blinking away his sleep.
Sam: Yeah, why?
Mahiru: Let's go somewhere.
Sam raised an eyebrow. Mahiru wasn't usually the one to initiate plans like this.
Sam: You're planning a date?
Mahiru: M-Maybe…
Sam smirked.
Sam: What happened to the shy Mahiru who blushed at everything?
Mahiru: She's still here! I just… wanted to spend time with you.
Sam's teasing faded, replaced by a soft smile.
Sam: Where do you want to go?
Mahiru: Anywhere. Just you and me.
Sam's chest felt warm.
Sam: Alright. It's a date.
Mahiru: O-Okay! I'll think of a place!
Sam: Looking forward to it.
He put his phone down, a grin forming on his face.
This weekend was going to be interesting.
--
The weekend arrived faster than Sam expected. He stood in front of his mirror, adjusting his casual button-up shirt. He wasn't nervous exactly, but something about Mahiru planning the date this time made his heart race.
"You're acting like this is your first date with her," Anna's voice came from the doorway, arms crossed with a smirk.
Sam shot her a look. "Mind your own business."
Anna shrugged. "Just saying, you better not mess up. Who knows, Mahiru might realize she deserves someone better—"
"Out. Now." Sam groaned, pushing her out and shutting the door before she could tease him more.
With a deep breath, he grabbed his phone and headed out.
When Sam reached the meeting spot, Mahiru was already there, looking effortlessly beautiful in a light-blue sundress. Her eyes lit up when she saw him.
"You're here!" she said cheerfully.
Sam chuckled. "Of course. You planned the date, after all."
Mahiru gave a small, nervous smile. "I, um… I hope you'll like where we're going."
"I'll like it as long as you're there."
Mahiru turned red. "D-Don't say things like that so easily!"
Sam laughed but let her lead the way.
To his surprise, Mahiru had chosen a seaside town just outside the city. The area was peaceful, with cobblestone streets, small cafes, and a stunning ocean view.
"Wow… this place is nice." Sam admitted, impressed.
Mahiru beamed. "I found out about it recently and thought it would be nice for us to explore together."
Sam smiled. "Good call."
The two wandered through the streets, stopping by small shops and enjoying the local food.
At one point, Mahiru insisted on getting matching keychains from a tiny boutique. She held up a small cat-shaped one. "This one looks like you."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "How does a cat look like me?"
Mahiru giggled. "It's a little grumpy but cute."
Sam sighed. "Fine, then you get the matching one."
Mahiru's face brightened. "Deal!"
Later they started walking alongside,they stood there for a moment, just watching the waves crash against the shore. The golden hues of the setting sun reflected on the water, creating a mesmerizing view.
A cool breeze swept past them, making Mahiru shiver slightly. Noticing this, Sam hesitated for a moment before gently wrapping his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to his warmth.
Mahiru blinked in surprise, her cheeks immediately turning pink. She glanced up at him, her lips parting slightly as if to say something, but no words came out. Instead, she hesitated before shyly leaning into him, resting her head against his shoulder.
"...You're warm," she mumbled softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sam felt his heart skip a beat at her closeness. He looked down at her, a small, fond smile forming on his lips. "Better?" he asked, his voice gentle.
Mahiru nodded against his shoulder, her hands lightly gripping the front of his shirt. "Mhm... much better."
The waves continued their rhythmic dance along the shore, the sky now painted in soft shades of pink and orange. In that quiet, intimate moment, neither of them spoke—they simply stood there, wrapped in each other's warmth, letting the ocean witness their unspoken feelings.
As the evening settled in, they found a quiet bench overlooking the ocean. The sky was painted in warm hues of orange and pink.
Mahiru fidgeted with her fingers before finally speaking. "Sam… thank you for today. I had so much fun."
Sam looked at her, tilting his head. "You don't have to thank me. You planned it, after all."
Mahiru shook her head. "I just… I love spending time with you."
Sam's heart skipped a beat.
Slowly, Mahiru reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers.
"I love you, Sam."
Sam's breath hitched. Mahiru had said it before, but something about this moment—her gentle voice, the way her eyes reflected the sunset—made it feel even more special.
He squeezed her hand gently. "I love you too, Mahiru."
Mahiru smiled, then slowly leaned closer. Sam met her halfway, and their lips brushed in a soft, tender kiss.
The world around them faded. It was just the two of them, hearts beating in sync.
When they finally pulled away, Mahiru's face was completely red, but she looked happy.
Sam smirked. "That was nice."
Mahiru groaned, covering her face. "You always ruin the mood!"
Sam chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. "C'mon, let's go. It's getting late."
Mahiru nodded, resting her head against his shoulder as they walked back.
Today was perfect.
----