The next morning, Mahiru couldn't stop thinking about it.
You feel it too, don't you?
Sam's words echoed in her mind as she sat in her apartment, staring at her untouched breakfast.
She did feel it. But what was it?
A deeper connection? A shift in their relationship? A silent understanding that something had changed?
Her heart thumped just thinking about it.
Later that day, she met Sam at their usual spot—the riverside bench where they often talked.
Sam greeted her with his usual smirk, as if nothing had happened.
"Yo."
Mahiru sat beside him, hugging her knees. "Hey…"
A comfortable silence settled between them, but it was different this time. Heavy. Unspoken thoughts filled the air.
Mahiru glanced at Sam, who was casually skipping stones across the water.
She had to ask.
"Sam…"
"Hm?"
She hesitated.
That question from last night—should she bring it up?
Would it change things between them?
"…Never mind," she muttered, looking away.
Sam sighed, tossing another stone. "You always do that."
Mahiru blinked. "Do what?"
"Hold back," he said, finally looking at her. "If you have something to say, say it."
Mahiru's heart pounded.
This was it.
The moment to ask what he really meant.
But—
"Do you… want ice cream?" she blurted out.
Sam blinked. "…What?"
Mahiru mentally slapped herself. Coward.
"I-I just thought we could get some ice cream," she stammered.
But instead of his usual teasing agreement, Sam frowned. "No."
Mahiru blinked. "Eh? Why not?"
Sam crossed his arms. "Do you not remember what happened last time?"
Mahiru tilted her head, confused—until realization struck.
"Oh… the last time we had ice cream, I got sick."
"Exactly," Sam huffed. "It's cold today too. I'm not letting you catch another fever because of a stupid craving."
Mahiru pouted. "It's not stupid…"
Sam gave her a pointed look. "Do I need to remind you how miserable you were? You could barely move, and I had to take care of you the entire day."
Mahiru blushed at the memory. Sam had stayed by her side, making sure she was comfortable, bringing her food, even forcing her to rest.
"Still," she muttered, looking away, "it's not like I'll get sick again…"
Sam sighed. "No means no."
Mahiru puffed her cheeks. "You sound like my dad."
Sam smirked. "Good. Maybe you'll actually listen to me."
Mahiru groaned, giving up. "Fine, no ice cream…"
"Good."
They continued walking, the conversation shifting to other things.
But even as they talked and laughed, that lingering thought remained in Mahiru's mind.
Because no matter how much she tried to avoid it…
That feeling was still there.
And sooner or later, one of them would have to face it.
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