The sky was clear that Saturday morning, Yuto was already waiting at the station when Hina arrived. He wore a simple black hoodie layered under a beige jacket, hands tucked into his pockets, hair slightly tousled. Casual, but effortlessly handsome.
Hina felt underdressed in her cream knit sweater and floral flowy skirt, even though she had tried on three outfits before leaving the house.
When he spotted her, he smiled softly. "Good morning."
"You're early," she said, a little breathless from walking fast.
"I was excited."
Hina's cheeks flushed immediately. "Don't start."
He offered his arm, casually. "Shall we?"
She hesitated then looped her hand around it. It was the first time they walked arm-in-arm in public. Her heart skipped.
The bookstore café was tucked behind a quiet street in Daikanyama, the kind of place with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, warm lights, and cozy corners with overstuffed chairs.
They browsed together first and Hina trailing her fingers along spines of poetry books, Yuto lingering in the philosophy section. Every so often, she'd glance up to find him already watching her.
He came over, holding out a slim poetry book. "You'd like this one."
She took it, flipping through the pages. "How do you always pick the ones I like?"
"Because I know how you think," he said softly. "And I pay attention."
She stared at him, heart thudding. "Stop saying things like that."
"Then stop blushing like that."
"Yuto—"
He leaned in slightly, voice brushing against her ear. "I like watching you get flustered. It's my new favorite thing."
They then found a spot by the window and ordered drinks.
For a while, they just read together, sitting close enough that their knees touched beneath the table. The quiet between them wasn't awkward. It was full of warmth, of presence, of something slowly growing roots.
At one point, Hina rested her head lightly on his shoulder.
He froze for half a second. Then leaned slightly into her.
"I could get used to this," she murmured.
"You should," he replied, turning his head slightly so his cheek brushed her hair. "I'm not going anywhere."
Later, they walked hand-in-hand to the cinema. Yuto had pre-booked the tickets.
They sat near the back of the darkened theater, drinks in the cupholders, the space between them almost nonexistent.
Halfway through the movie, when Hina reached down for her popcorn, her hand brushed his.
He didn't move.
Instead, he gently took her hand in his, fingers interlacing.
She held it there, resting against his thigh, and leaned ever so slightly into him.
At one point when something made her laugh, Yuto turned to watch her instead of the screen.
"You're not even watching," she whispered.
"I am," he said. "Just my favorite part."
Her breath caught.
In the darkness of the theater, with the flickering screen casting shadows across his face, he looked at her like she was the only thing that existed.
He leaned in slowly.
Their foreheads brushed.
And in a quiet, unhurried moment that smelled like caramel popcorn and felt like the world had stopped—
He kissed her.
When the movie ended, they didn't rush to leave. They just sat there for a few moments longer, fingers still laced, shoulders pressed together.
"Best date I've ever had," Yuto said softly.
"It's our first," she laughed.
"Exactly."
The sky had darkened into a velvety navy by the time they reached the front gates of the Kazama estate. Yuto slowed his steps as they approached the gate. Hina's hand was still in his, fingers loosely laced, warm despite the cooling night breeze.
"Well," she said softly, stopping just a step away from the gate. "Thank you for today."
He turned to face her fully. "You say that like I won't be thinking about it all night."
She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Me too.
Yuto took a slow step forward. She looked up at him.
"Can I kiss you again?" he asked, voice barely above a whisper. "Here, before you go?"
Hina nodded. She didn't trust her voice not to tremble.
He leaned in gently. And when his lips touched hers, it felt different than the one in the garden and cinema.
It was soft yet deeper. Like something had settled inside both of them.
Her fingers curled lightly in the fabric of his jacket. His hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb stroking gently across the warmth blooming there.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads stayed touching.
"I could get used to this," she whispered, echoing her words from earlier.
Yuto smiled, brushing his thumb across her lower lip. "Then let's keep doing it until it feels like breathing."
She laughed, blushing so hard she had to bury her face in his chest. "You're so cheesy."
"Only for you."
He pulled back slowly, brushing her hair back one last time before she turned toward the gate.
"Text me when you're in your room?" he said.
"I will."
"And don't think too hard about the kiss."
"Too late," she said, grinning over her shoulder.
As she slipped through the gate and into the house, Yuto stood there for a moment longer, watching the door close behind her.
As Hina stepped into the quiet warmth of the house, she leaned her back against the closed door, pressing her fingers to her lips.
She was still glowing—heart fluttering, skin warm, breath a little uneven.
Just as she was about to tiptoe upstairs, a voice called softly from the kitchen.
"Hina?"
She flinched. "Mama—!"
Emi appeared in the doorway with a knowing smile, her arms crossed loosely and a cup of tea in her hand. She wore her soft loungewear, her long cardigan brushing the floor. "You're back late."
"We… we went to the bookstore. And a movie. And then he walked me home."
Emi sipped her tea, watching her closely. "Mmm."
Hina looked away. "Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?" Emi teased gently. "Like a mother who just saw her daughter float in like she's walking on clouds?"
"I'm not floating," Hina muttered, even though her cheeks betrayed her completely.
"Did he kiss you?" Emi asked, smiling into her cup.
"Mama!" Hina practically squeaked.
Emi laughed softly and walked over, gently tucking Hina's hair behind her ear. "You don't have to answer. I can already tell."
Hina dropped her gaze, her voice quiet. "He asked first. Before he did."
Emi's hand stilled. Then she smiled wider. "He always was the respectful type."
Hina nodded. "It was… really soft. And warm. Like the world paused."
"You love him," Emi said without hesitation. Not as a question. Just truth.
"I do," Hina whispered. "And it's terrifying."
Emi hugged her gently. "The good kind of terrifying."
Hina nodded into her shoulder. "It's real now, isn't it?"
Emi pulled back and looked into her daughter's eyes. "It's always been real. You're just finally brave enough to step into it."