The train ride back from the seaside town was quiet, with Mahiru resting her head on Sam's shoulder. The exhaustion from the day's events had caught up to her, but she refused to let go of his hand the entire ride.
Sam glanced at her peaceful face and smiled to himself. "Tired?"
Mahiru hummed softly. "Mhm… but happy."
Sam chuckled. "Glad to hear that."
By the time they reached the city, the night sky had fully settled in. Mahiru rubbed her eyes as they walked toward the station exit.
"You sure you don't want me to walk you home?" Sam asked.
Mahiru shook her head. "No, no, I'll be fine. You need to get home too."
Sam frowned slightly but nodded. "Alright. Text me when you reach, okay?"
Mahiru smiled. "Of course."
She hesitated for a moment, then leaned up on her toes, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. "Goodnight, Sam."
Sam blinked, stunned, as Mahiru turned and hurried toward her apartment.
By the time he snapped out of it, she was already gone.
"That girl…" he muttered, touching his cheek with a small smile before heading home.
After a warm shower and getting into bed, Sam's phone buzzed.
Mahiru: I reached home!
Sam smiled, replying immediately.
Sam: Good. Now sleep, you must be exhausted.
A few seconds later, his phone rang. Mahiru was calling.
He answered immediately. "Hey, I thought you were going to sleep."
Mahiru's soft giggle came through the speaker. "I just… I wanted to hear your voice one last time before bed."
Sam's heart skipped a beat. He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "You really are something else, you know that?"
Mahiru hummed. "Mhm. But you like that about me, don't you?"
Sam chuckled. "Yeah, I do."
A comfortable silence filled the call. The only sound was their soft breathing.
Then Mahiru whispered, "Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"I miss you already."
Sam exhaled, feeling warmth spread in his chest. "You just saw me a few hours ago."
"I know… but still."
Sam smiled, closing his eyes. "I miss you too, Mahiru."
Mahiru sighed happily. "Goodnight, Sam."
"Goodnight, Mahiru."
Neither of them hung up immediately. They simply listened to each other's breathing, feeling comfort in knowing the other was there.
Eventually, Mahiru's breathing slowed, turning soft and steady.
Sam chuckled softly. "Did she fall asleep?"
He didn't hang up. Instead, he let the call stay connected, listening to her peaceful breathing until sleep finally took him too.
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