The soft hum of cicadas buzzed through the warm spring air as Miyako and Souta strolled out of the university gates. The day had dragged on longer than usual, filled with dull lectures and surprise quizzes, but now it felt like it didn't matter.
Because it was just the two of them again.
"Your notes saved me," Souta said with a small grin, hands tucked in his pockets. "I was this close to failing that quiz."
Miyako rolled her eyes. "If you actually paid attention in class, maybe you wouldn't need saving every time."
"I do pay attention. To you."
She stopped walking for a second, blinking at him in disbelief. "That doesn't count!"
"It does to me."
She groaned, laughing despite herself. "You're impossible."
They crossed the park near the station—one of their favorite detours when heading home. The trees were in bloom, petals scattering across the path like snowflakes. Miyako instinctively reached up to catch one in her hand.
"It's pretty," she murmured, gazing at the pale pink petal.
"You are too," Souta said without missing a beat.
Miyako looked up at him, cheeks heating. "Stop it…"
"Why?" he teased, tilting his head slightly. "You get all cute when you're flustered."
She covered her face with her hands, half-laughing, half-groaning.
---
They found a bench under a tree and sat down, letting the quiet settle between them. Miyako leaned against his shoulder, the familiar scent of his cologne making her feel calm.
"You know," she began softly, "sometimes I still can't believe we're really dating."
Souta turned his head, looking down at her. "Why not?"
"Because you're… you know. You. And I'm just… me."
Souta's expression softened. "You're not just you, Miyako. You're kind, thoughtful, way too trusting sometimes—" he added with a smirk, "—but that's what I like about you. You don't try to be someone else. You're real."
She blinked at him, touched by his words. "You really mean that?"
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
She smiled, shy but genuine, and rested her head fully against his shoulder this time.
They stayed like that as the sky turned orange, the city slowly quieting down around them. No need for fancy words. Just the steady rhythm of shared silence.
---
"Walk me home?" she asked as they stood up.
"Always."
---
As they walked hand-in-hand down the dimming street, Miyako glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"I'm glad I confessed back then," she whispered.
Souta looked at her with a gentle expression. "So am I."
And for that moment, in that quiet evening glow, it felt like nothing could ever pull them apart.