The evening breeze has grown cooler as the last of the guests leave, and the teahouse is finally quiet. The sign has been flipped to "Closed," and the lights inside have dimmed, casting soft shadows on the tatami mats.
Grandma is upstairs resting, and I find myself standing by the sliding door, watching the moon rise over the ocean. The waves reflect its silver light, and everything is wrapped in a quiet, gentle glow.
I take a slow breath, feeling the salt in the air fill my lungs.
"Hey."
Kaito's voice breaks the stillness.
I turn to see him standing near the counter, a bottle of iced tea in hand. He smiles, a bit of mischief in his eyes.
"Couldn't wait to get out of here, huh?"
"Not exactly," I reply, stepping closer. "Just needed a moment to breathe. I'm still getting used to it all, you know?"
He nods, then holds out the bottle. "You look like you need this more than I do."
I take it from him, fingers brushing briefly. A spark runs through me, and I quickly look away, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest.
"You did well today," Kaito says, leaning casually against the wall. "Looked like you might've passed out from nerves at first, but you got into the groove."
I sip the tea, the coolness refreshing against the warmth of the day. "I don't know… I just kept thinking that everyone would be watching me. Like I'm still new and out of place."
"That's because you are new. But it doesn't mean you don't belong here," he says softly. His tone shifts, just for a moment, and it catches me off guard.
I glance at him. He's still smiling, but there's something behind his eyes.
I look away again, suddenly self-conscious. "I guess… it's just hard to shake the feeling that I'm not me anymore."
Kaito steps closer, his voice quieter now. "I know what you mean. But you're still you, Ayumi. You just don't have to figure it all out today. You're allowed to take your time."
I nod, feeling the weight of his words settle inside me. He doesn't push or try to fix anything—he just lets me be.
The silence between us stretches, but it's comfortable now.
"Thanks, Kaito," I say, my voice softer than usual. "For... everything."
He grins, stretching a little. "No problem. I'll be around. You can't get rid of me that easily."
I chuckle lightly, glancing up at the sky. The moon is brighter now, casting a soft light over everything.
For a brief moment, everything feels okay.
Just us, the ocean, and the night.