The days without Mahiru felt strangely long. Even though they texted and called often, it wasn't the same as having her right there beside him.
Sam sighed as he leaned back in his chair, staring at his phone.
Mahiru: Busy today too… I'll call you at night, okay?
He smiled. Even with her packed schedule, she always made time for him. It was a small thing, but it meant the world to him.
Still… he missed her.
It was frustrating in a way he hadn't expected. His daily routine was unchanged—classes, meals, dealing with Anna's constant teasing—but there was this persistent emptiness, like a piece of his life was missing.
A piece named Mahiru.
"You're hopeless," Anna's voice cut through his thoughts as she flopped onto the couch next to him, stretching like a lazy cat.
Sam glanced at her. "What now?"
"You're obviously missing your girlfriend but just sitting here like a sad puppy." She yawned. "If it were me, I'd have already gone to see her."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how do you suggest I do that, genius?"
Anna grinned, eyes glinting with mischief. "Easy. Surprise visit."
Sam blinked. "…A surprise visit?"
"Yeah! Show up out of nowhere, sweep her off her feet—like one of those cheesy romance movies you pretend not to like."
Sam scoffed. "I don't—never mind. That's not the point."
Anna smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "C'mon, I know you want to. Just imagine her face when she sees you."
Sam paused. He could already picture it—her wide eyes, the surprised gasp, and then… that bright, beautiful smile.
His decision was made.
The next day, after confirming Mahiru had classes until the evening, Sam hopped on a train and made his way to her apartment.
But he didn't come empty-handed.
As he passed by her favorite restaurant, he stopped to pick up some food—creamy Alfredo pasta with garlic bread on the side. He knew Mahiru well enough to guess she wouldn't have had a proper meal yet.
She's always reminding me to take care of myself, he thought. It's only fair I do the same for her.
By the time he reached her apartment, he waited nearby, leaning against a wall with his hands in his pockets. He kept checking his phone to make sure she hadn't changed her schedule.
And then, finally, he saw her.
Mahiru walked up the street, her bag slung over one shoulder, her posture slightly slouched from a long day. She fumbled for her keys as she approached the entrance, clearly tired.
That's when he stepped forward.
"Need some help with that?"
Mahiru froze.
Her head snapped toward the voice, and her eyes widened as she saw him standing there, smirking slightly.
"…Sam?"
Sam grinned. "Hey."
She stared for a second, her brain clearly struggling to process what she was seeing. Then—
THUD!
She dropped her keys.
"You—! W-What are you doing here?!" she stammered.
Sam chuckled, bending down to pick up her keys and handing them to her. "Surprise?"
Mahiru's face turned red, her expression flustered and somewhere between shock and disbelief.
"You can't just—just show up unannounced like this!" she sputtered, unlocking the door in a hurry.
He smirked. "Judging by that reaction, it was a good idea."
She huffed, stepping inside and setting her bag down. "You're unbelievable…"
Sam tilted his head. "Are you mad?"
Mahiru opened her mouth as if to scold him, but then she sighed. Before he could react, she stepped forward—
And wrapped her arms around him.
Sam blinked, caught off guard. But he didn't hesitate to hug her back, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her close.
She buried her face against his shoulder, her voice muffled. "I missed you."
A warm smile spread across his lips as he held her tighter.
"Yeah," he murmured. "I missed you too."
Once Mahiru had recovered from the initial shock, she sighed and looked at him with a mix of exasperation and fondness.
"You really came all this way just to see me?"
Sam nodded. "Yeah. I wanted to see you."
Her gaze softened, and she lightly punched his arm. "Idiot… You should've told me. I would've prepared something."
Sam smirked, lifting the bag he had brought. "No need. I already got your favorite food on the way."
Mahiru blinked. "…Wait, you brought food?"
"Of course," Sam said, rolling his eyes. "I know you. You would've come home, collapsed on your bed, and either forgotten to eat or grabbed something unhealthy."
Mahiru pouted. "That's… not entirely true."
He gave her a knowing look. "Mahiru."
She avoided his gaze. "…Fine, maybe it is true."
Sam chuckled. "Which is why I got you your favorite—Alfredo pasta."
Her eyes lit up. "Wait. From that place?"
He nodded. "Yep. With garlic bread, too."
Mahiru gasped dramatically, taking the bag from him as if it were a treasure. "Okay. You're officially the best boyfriend ever."
Sam smirked. "Took you long enough to admit it."
She playfully stuck her tongue out at him before walking to the dining table. "Come on, let's eat."
They sat down, and as Mahiru twirled her fork into the pasta, she let out a satisfied sigh after the first bite.
"Mmm… this is so good," she mumbled happily.
Sam watched with satisfaction. "I knew you'd like it."
As she ate, she stole a few glances at him. "You didn't have to do all this, you know."
"I wanted to," he said simply.
Mahiru paused, then set her fork down for a moment. Without a word, she reached across the table, resting her hand on top of his.
Sam blinked, slightly caught off guard.
"You always do things like this," she murmured, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thinking about me… taking care of me."
Sam smirked, squeezing her hand lightly. "Well, someone has to make sure you're eating properly."
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "You're sweet, you know that?"
Sam chuckled. "I try."
They continued eating, the air between them warm and comfortable.
After finishing, Mahiru stretched and let out a small yawn. "I'm so full… and so sleepy."
Sam chuckled. "That's what happens when you eat properly."
Mahiru pouted. "Now I just want to curl up and sleep."
"Then go rest," he said softly. "I'll clean up."
She blinked at him. "You will?"
"Yeah," he said, starting to gather the plates. "Just relax for once."
Mahiru hesitated, but then, instead of leaving, she stepped up beside him, resting her head against his shoulder.
Sam froze slightly. "You okay?"
She hummed sleepily. "Mmm… Just… comfortable."
A soft smile tugged at his lips. He placed a hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair.
"Glad to hear it," he murmured.
Mahiru closed her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "You really made my day, Sam…"
He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Good," he whispered. "That was the plan."
And just like that, all the distance between them melted away. Because in this moment, together—everything felt right again.
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