A Step Forward
---
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow across Kaito's room. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind still replaying the events of the night before. The quiet moments, the heartfelt words, the warmth of Misaki's hand in his—it all felt surreal.
A soft knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. He already knew who it was before she even spoke.
"Onii-sama, are you awake?" Hina's voice was as composed as ever, but he could hear the slight impatience in her tone.
Kaito sighed before sitting up. "Yeah, I'm up. Come in."
The door creaked open, and Hina stepped inside, her long silver hair cascading down her back. She was already dressed, as poised as ever, but there was a curious glint in her eyes as she studied him.
"You seem... different today," she noted, crossing her arms. "Did something happen?"
Kaito hesitated before offering a small smile. "Yeah. I think something finally changed."
Hina's sharp gaze didn't waver. "Does this have anything to do with Misaki Aoyama?"
Kaito exhaled a soft chuckle. "Is it that obvious?"
She sat on the edge of his bed, her expression unreadable. "You were in turmoil these past few weeks. But today, you seem... at peace." She paused, tilting her head slightly. "Did you two make up?"
Kaito nodded. "We did. And this time, I think it's real."
A flicker of something—relief, perhaps?—passed through Hina's usually impassive face, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. "Good," she said simply. "You deserve that, onii-sama."
He was about to respond when she suddenly narrowed her eyes. "But if you hurt her again, I'll personally make sure you regret it."
Kaito laughed. "Noted."
Hina huffed but stood up, smoothing out her skirt. "Breakfast is ready. Hurry up before it gets cold."
As she walked out of his room, Kaito couldn't help but smile. Even if she didn't always show it, Hina had always been looking out for him.
---
Meanwhile, across town, Misaki stood in front of the mirror in her small apartment, adjusting the collar of her uniform. Today felt... different. Lighter. As if the weight she had been carrying for so long had finally lessened.
Her phone vibrated on the desk, breaking her from her thoughts. She picked it up and smiled when she saw Kaito's name on the screen.
Kaito: Good morning. Have you eaten yet?
She chuckled softly before typing a quick reply.
Misaki: Morning. Not yet, but I will soon. You?
A response came almost instantly.
Kaito: I'm being forced to eat breakfast. My sister's orders.
Misaki could practically hear the exasperation in his tone, and she found herself smiling at the thought.
Misaki: You should listen to her. She's looking out for you.
A pause, then another message.
Kaito: Yeah. I know. By the way... can I see you after school? Just for a little bit?
Her heart skipped a beat.
Misaki: Of course. I'd like that.
As she set her phone down, she caught her reflection in the mirror once more. For the first time in a long while, she felt hopeful about what was to come.
---
The day passed by quickly, classes blurring together as anticipation built in Kaito's chest. The moment the final bell rang, he found himself heading toward the usual meeting spot near the school gates, where Misaki was already waiting.
She turned at the sound of his footsteps, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. "Hey."
"Hey," he greeted, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Did you have a good day?"
She nodded. "Yeah. It was... nice. How about you?"
Kaito shrugged. "It was alright. But I was looking forward to this."
Misaki's cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and Kaito found himself memorizing the sight. She was beautiful, even in the simplest moments.
"Come on," he said, offering his hand. "Let's go."
She hesitated for only a second before slipping her fingers into his. Together, they walked down the street, the world around them continuing as usual—but for them, everything felt new.
This was their second chance, and neither of them was willing to let it slip away.
The afternoon sun cast a warm glow as Kaito and Misaki walked side by side through the quiet streets, their hands still loosely intertwined. It wasn't as if they were consciously holding on—it just felt natural, as if letting go would somehow break the fragile peace they had only just found.
Misaki glanced at Kaito from the corner of her eye. He looked relaxed, a soft expression on his face that she wasn't used to seeing. For the first time in a while, there were no walls between them, no tension lingering in the air.
"Where are we going?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.
Kaito smirked. "You'll see. It's a surprise."
She raised an eyebrow but didn't protest. If it were before, she might have hesitated, unsure of where she stood with him. But today, she simply trusted him.
After a few more turns, they arrived at a small café nestled between larger buildings, its entrance adorned with vines and fairy lights. The scent of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air, instantly making Misaki feel at ease.
Kaito led her inside, where the soft hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of cups. A waitress greeted them with a smile before guiding them to a cozy corner booth.
"I used to come here a lot when I was a kid," Kaito admitted as they settled in. "It's quiet. And the food is good."
Misaki glanced around, taking in the warm ambiance. "It's nice. I wouldn't have expected you to know a place like this."
He chuckled. "What, did you think I only ate at fancy restaurants?"
She grinned. "Maybe."
As their orders arrived—a slice of strawberry shortcake for Misaki and a cup of black coffee for Kaito—she hesitated before picking up her fork. "Thank you for bringing me here."
Kaito leaned back, watching her with an unreadable expression. "I just wanted to spend time with you. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere we can just... be."
Her chest tightened at his words. She had spent so much time overthinking, doubting, worrying about what they were to each other. But right now, none of that mattered.
She took a bite of the cake, the sweetness melting on her tongue. "This is really good."
Kaito's lips quirked into a small smile. "I'm glad you like it."
For a while, they simply sat there, sharing quiet conversation, their laughter mingling with the soft music playing in the background. And for the first time in a long time, it felt like they were exactly where they were meant to be.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the streets, Kaito walked Misaki home. They stood in front of her apartment building, neither of them quite ready to say goodbye.
"Kaito," she murmured, looking up at him. "Today was really nice."
He reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Let's do it again."
She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'd like that."
And as Kaito watched her disappear behind the door, he knew—this time, he wouldn't let her go.