Ashi let out a small, forced laugh, the sound brittle against the crickets' hum "It's weird, right? It's not like I'm antisocial or anything. I've never been the type to push people away, and I do talk to people when needed… but for some reason, nobody ever seemed to take much interest in me." She trailed off, eyes dropping to her hands, fingers twisting together. "From school to university, I never really made a single real friend."
Haari stayed quiet, letting her words sink in, the pond's ripples catching his eye as he processed her raw edge.
She forced a smile, faint and hollow, not reaching her gaze. "Guess some people just don't fit anywhere."
Without a beat, Haari reached out—pure impulse—and gave her a light smack on the head, not hard, just a quick tap. Ashi jolted, eyes popping wide, startled as she rubbed the spot. " What was that for?"
"You've got a friend, dummy—how could you forget me?" he said, grin splitting wide, bright against the night. He leaned back, locking eyes with her, cocky but real.
" I might not be able to change your past, but I can promise you this—" He locked eyes with her, steady, real " That , you'll always have a friend to talk to now."
Ashi blinked, his words sinking in, a mix of shock and warmth catching her off-guard, her breath hitching.
He chuckled, crossing his arms, all casual swagger. "So quit with the lonely act?"
She stared, stunned, then—slowly—her lips twitched, a small, genuine smile breaking through, soft but sparking. "…You're weird, Kichiro-san."
They settled into silence, easy and warm, the pond mirroring stars in lazy flickers. The breeze carried a faint city hum—distant, muted—while the park held them in its quiet bubble. For the first time in ages, Ashi felt the weight lift, the solitude fade, replaced by something solid, unspoken but there.
Rafta and Oki settled on a weathered wooden bench by the lake, the evening air cool and crisp, brushing their skin. The water stretched dark and still, catching glints of distant lights.
Rafta stretched his arms behind his head, letting out a content sigh. "Man, what a day. That ice cream shop was pretty nice, huh?"
Oki didn't answer. Her eyes stayed on the lake, hands clasped tight between her knees, her silence loud.
Rafta noticed the shift in his demeanor.
"Huh?" He tilted his head, studying Oki's expression. "Hey, what's the matter? Did I do something?"
She hesitated, fingers flexing, grip tightening. "No… why do you ask?"
Rafta frowned. "Because you haven't seemed like yourself since we left the ice cream shop. You've been acting weird."
Oki exhaled slow, voice dropping low. "It's… not a big deal. Or maybe it is."
He leaned in, elbows on his knees, gaze sharp. "Spill it out already."
She wavered, then turned her eyes away, words steady but edged. "Rafta… are you actually serious about our relationship?"
He blinked, thrown. "Huh?"
Oki turned her gaze away, her voice steady but laced with frustration. "It's been two years since you confessed to me, but we've hardly done what couples usually do. We don't go on romantic dates, we don't hold hands much, and we don't—" She stopped herself, her brows furrowing. "Sometimes, it feels like… like you don't even see me that way."
Rafta stared, then—a soft laugh broke out, catching the air.
Her head snapped to him, eyes flashing. "Why're you laughing?"
He leaned back, shaking his head, amusement glinting. "You know… you look so pathetic right now."
Oki stiffened, voice hard. "I'm not joking, Rafta."
His smirk dropped, amber eyes locking on hers—sudden, piercing. "So am I."
Before she could blink, he closed the gap, lips crashing into hers—firm, warm, unhesitant. The world froze: lake lights blurred, trees hushed, the breeze stilled. Oki's eyes flared wide, body locking up—then the heat of him hit, a shiver racing down her spine. Her heart slammed, drowning out the night.
He pulled back slow, his usual tease gone, replaced by something raw, unguarded. His hand lingered on her wrist, thumb brushing light. "I never made a move on you," he murmured, voice low, "because I wanted you to feel free around me. I didn't want you to feel awkward or bound when you see me. I wanted you to be comfortable and not stressed when I was around."
Oki swallowed, mind reeling, pulse still thudding. "Rafta…"
He leaned closer, breath grazing her cheek. "You're important to me, Oki. I love you. I always have. You are my world, my everything, and more. Without you, the stars would lose their shine, and the world would feel empty. You are the breath in my lungs, the beat in my heart—my forever."
Oki's head jerked away, eyes darting to the lake." Stop. It's not like you to like talk this like , this is out of character, It's__embarrassing."
Rafta froze, caught, then chuckled soft, amber eyes glinting with a mix of sheepishness and truth. Her lips parted, hands gripping her jacket's edge, his words sinking past her walls. No tease, no dodge—just him, bare—and it twisted something in her chest, tight, warm. Her guard splintered, and a smile—small, real—broke free.
"…I love you too," she murmured, voice quiet but sure.
The lake shimmered, streetlights dancing on its surface, rippling with the breeze. A couple's faint laugh drifted past, fading into the dark. For the first time in two years, Oki felt seen—truly. And Rafta, for once, had let his heart spill free.
The park hushed as night thickened, the sky now a deep indigo, stars faint pinpricks against the dark. Streetlights blinked awake, spilling soft gold over trimmed bushes and stone benches, the air sharp with a late chill.
Ashi hugged herself slightly, feeling the chill of the evening air. Haari noticed and instinctively took off his jacket, offering it to her."Here."
She blinked, hands waving off. "Oh, no—I'm good, really! You don't—"
"Take it," he cut in, draping it over her shoulders, firm but gentle, before she could dodge.
Ashi tugged it close, his warmth seeping into her. "Thanks, Kichiro-san," she murmured, voice small but real.
They walked side by side toward the park exit, their steps slow , syncing without rush—like the night wasn't done with them yet. The pond's ripple faded behind, crickets softening to a hum.
Ashi peeked at the sky, then at him, her eyes catching the glow. "Today was… amazing. So much fun—and all because of you." Her tone was quiet, laced with something earnest.
Haari rubbed his neck, a flicker of awkwardness crossing his face. "Yeah, well—you're cooped up too much. Someone's gotta drag you out, right?" He sidestepped the real reason they'd started this day—Rafta, Oki, the spy game—letting it drift, unmissed for now.
She giggled, light and bright. "Oh? So you're looking out for me now?"
He shrugged, lips twitching. "Something like that."
They hit the park's edge, the gate looming, and Haari stopped short. "Wait."
Ashi turned, head tilting, curious. "Hm?"
Haari paused, a beat of hesitation, then pulling out a small, neatly wrapped package. He thrust it toward her, a half-smirk tugging his lips. "Here. For you."
Ashi stared at it, brow creasing. "What's this?"
"Ice cream," he said, smugness glinting in his eyes. "That Shalimar from this morning—You seemed to really like it, so I ordered one before we enter the park."
Her eyes popped wide, a rush of warmth blooming in her chest. She took it, fingers brushing the cool wrapping, stunned. "You… didn't have to do that," she mumbled, voice soft. "How much? I'll pay you back."
He waved it off, shaking his head. "My treat. Just get home safely."
Ashi's grip tightened on the package, her heart stuttering at the quiet thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Kichiro-san," she said, barely above a whisper, sincerity leaking through.
Then, something flickered in Ashi's mind, a memory from not too long ago.
"Kichiro-san," she spoke up again, her tone shifting slightly, "did you read that book I gave you back at the book fair?"
Haari hesitated. His gaze flickered elsewhere for a second before he finally answered, "Yeah… I'm halfway through it."
Ashi perked up, her eyes lighting up. "Tell me when you finish it."
"Yeah, yeah, I will," he replied with a small, lopsided smirk.
With that, Haari turned, shoving his hands into his coat pockets, the city lights casting long shadows across the pavement. As he walked away, he lazily tossed a wave over his shoulder.
"Catch you tomorrow, Nicawa-san."
She watched him go, his figure fading into the night, a small, unstoppable smile curling her lips.
The second Ashi's apartment door clicked shut, she slumped against it, heat flooding her face. "What was I thinking all day!?" she groaned, burying her face in her hands, sliding down to the floor in a heap.
Her mind spun—reeling through the day's chaos: dragging Haari into that clothing store, twirling in dress after dress, shamelessly fishing for his opinion; strong-arming him into faking a couple for those damn tickets. "Oh my god," she muttered, voice muffled, cheeks blazing. "I acted like a freaking ten-year-old kid."
She peeked through her fingers at the ice cream package, still clutched tight. He actually got this for me… Her heart did a stupid, giddy flip.
"It's just ice cream," she scolded herself, biting her lip. "Not a big deal. It's not like…" She trailed off, then groaned louder, kicking her legs in a flustered tantrum. "Ugh—stop it, Ashi!"
The package sat there, innocent, mocking her meltdown as the day's highs crashed into her like a tidal wave.
Ashi sucked in a deep breath, hauling herself up from the floor, shaking off the spiral. She shuffled to her small dining table, the ice cream package still in hand. Fingers trembling slightly, she peeled back the wrapping—cold mist curled off the Shalimar, its surface glistening, promising that sweet bite she'd loved earlier.
She scooped a small spoonful, letting it melt on her tongue, the chocolate rich and smooth. A slow, soft smile crept up, unbidden.
"Maybe today didn't go as planned," she whispered to the empty room, voice barely a breath, "but it was… kinda fun, in its own messy way."
She leaned back in the chair, head tipping to stare at the ceiling, its cracks faintly visible in the dim light. Control was her thing—always had been. She thrived on schedules, on knowing the next step, the next move. But today? Total chaos—unscripted, wild, veering off every rail she'd ever laid. The clothing store frenzy, the ticket scam, the park's stillness—all of it blindsided her.
And yet, she'd loved it. Every unpredictable second.
Her eyes drifted to Haari's jacket, slung over a chair, its fabric rumpled but warm. She reached out, fingers grazing the folds, tracing the texture like it held some secret.
Maybe—just maybe—she was starting to get this 'go with the flow' deal. Letting go, rolling with it, trusting the ride.
A small laugh escaped her, soft and surprised. She spooned the last of the ice cream, the cold sweetness lingering, and felt a flicker of something new—excitement, light but real, for whatever tomorrow might toss her way.
The next day, Haari sat alone on the rooftop bench, the midday sun casting short shadows. Earlier, back at his desk, he'd found a cloth-wrapped tiffin waiting—neat, unexpected. He'd glanced around, puzzled, then his phone buzzed. Ashi's message, I'm kinda busy today, so I won't be able to catch you on the rooftop. Sorry. No rooftop lunch today, then.
He was about to unwrap it when Rafta strolled up, leaning against the railing, cola can cracking soft as he sipped, a smirk curling his lips. "Hmm, you're alone today? Where's Nicawa-san?"
"She said she's busy today, so she won't be able to come," Haari said, fingers pausing on the cloth. "What about you? Don't you usually eat in the cafeteria? What brings you here?"
Rafta raised a brow, grin widening. "Why? Don't like me crashing your little lunch date spot?"
"No, it's not that," Haari backpedaled, voice flat.
Rafta took a slow sip, eyes glinting. "So… how'd your date go?"
Haari's face tightened, a blink of disbelief. "Huh? Date?"
"You and Nicawa-san yesterday," Rafta pressed, casual but pointed. "Looked cozy."
They saw us, Haari thought, gut sinking. He kept his cool. "Where did you see us?"
"Ice cream shop," Rafta said, smirking deeper. "ou were apologizing to her for some reason,"
"We weren't on a date," Haari shot back, firm, dodging the truth. Can't let him know we were tailing them. ""I was just wandering around the market when I ran into Nicawa-san. She was there to kill some time too, so we just happened to visit the ice cream shop together. That's all."
Rafta tilted his head, unconvinced. "Is that so? I Thought you two were a dating."
"Nope, you've got it wrong," Haari insisted.
"Even if it wasn't a date," Rafta mused, " You still spent all day together. That's not much different from dating,"
"No, she went home right after we left the shop," Haari lied, doubling down. " We didn't spend the whole day together."