The walk back from the movie was quiet. Not awkward.
Just… full.
Full of words unsaid. Hands still not held. Hearts pacing each other like they were afraid to run too far ahead.
Arisa kicked at a pebble on the sidewalk.
"I haven't been on a real date in a while."
Yuuki blinked. "That wasn't a real date?"
She smirked. "You paid with a free movie pass. Barely qualifies."
He grinned. "Still made you smile."
She looked away. But not before he saw it — that same dorky laugh from earlier.
"You're dangerous," she muttered.
"You said that before."
"I meant it then, too."
---
Next Morning – Campus
Yuuki was barely through the gates when it happened.
"Yo, Yuuki!"
A guy from class jogged up beside him. "You and that girl — Arisa, right? You two a thing now?"
"Uh…"
"Bro, someone posted a pic of you two outside the theater last night. Holding hands or some sh—"
"We didn't hold hands," Yuuki said too fast.
The guy just smirked and walked off.
Yuuki's phone buzzed.
> Minami: "I saw you with her."
He stared at the screen.
No emoji. No tone. Just six words loaded with tension.
> Minami: "Meet me at the rooftop. Lunch break."