Aki's POV

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind wandered back to the moment Haruki and I had confessed our feelings for each other. It felt surreal, like a dream I never wanted to wake up from. The way he looked at me, his warm gaze lingering on my face, made my heart race even now. Our relationship had shifted in a way I couldn’t fully grasp, and I found myself replaying our conversation over and over in my head.

Were we dating? Did that make us a couple now? I bit my lip, feeling a flutter of excitement and nervousness. What did it mean to be in a relationship with someone like Haruki, someone I had admired from afar for so long? I knew I liked him, and he liked me—but did that mean we were dating?

The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to know. I sighed, pushing myself up from the bed, determined to get answers.

After getting ready, I took a deep breath as I stepped into the school hallway, my heart racing with anticipation. I spotted Haruki standing near our usual meeting spot, his head buried in a book. A small smile crept onto my face. Just the sight of him made the world feel brighter.

“Hey, Haruki!” I called out, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach.

He looked up, and his face broke into a smile that made my heart skip a beat. “Hey, Aki. How are you feeling today?”

“Much better, thanks!” I replied, walking closer. “I’m really glad to be back.”

We fell into step beside each other, the air around us humming with an unspoken tension. I could feel my cheeks heat up as we walked. Should I ask him?

“Haruki,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper, “can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” he replied, glancing at me curiously.

I hesitated for a moment, gathering my courage. “So… about us. I mean, what are we now?”

His eyes widened slightly, and I noticed the faintest hint of a blush on his cheeks. “Well, we… we confessed our feelings. So, I guess that makes us… a couple?” He looked unsure, as if he were waiting for my reaction.

My heart raced at his words. “S-So, we are dating then?”

“Yeah, I think so,” he said, a shy smile spreading across his face. “Unless you don’t want to?”

“No! I do!” I exclaimed, feeling a rush of relief and happiness. “I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.”

Haruki let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “I’m really glad to hear that.”

We stood there for a moment, the realization settling in. We were really dating now. It felt incredible and terrifying all at once.

Haruki's POV

As I walked beside Aki, I couldn't help but marvel at how everything had changed in such a short time. Being around her felt different—our hands brushed against each other more often, and I found myself stealing glances her way, hoping she wouldn’t catch me.

When we arrived at our first class, I noticed Aki fidgeting with her pencil, a small smile lingering on her lips. I felt a warmth spread through my chest. It was nice to know she felt the same way.

After class, I suggested we go to the library to study, a place where we could have some quiet time together. As we settled into our usual corner, I felt the familiar thrill of being near her. Aki pulled out her notes, and I tried to focus on the material, but my mind kept drifting to her.

“Haruki,” she said suddenly, catching me off guard. “Do you think we should… h-hold hands or something? I mean, couples do that, right?”

I blinked, my heart racing. “Uh, yeah. I’d like that.”

Aki’s cheeks flushed, and I felt a rush of excitement. I reached out tentatively, our fingers intertwining on the table. Aki looked down, a shy smile breaking through her nervousness, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

As we studied, I felt a sense of calm wash over me, the tension from earlier dissipating into an easy companionship. We exchanged shy glances, our fingers still linked, and I realized how much I had wanted this—just to be close to her, to feel her warmth beside me.

After a while, I cleared my throat, feeling a playful urge to tease her. “So, what’s the first thing we should do as a couple?”

Aki looked up, her expression curious. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. Go on a date? Maybe go to the aquarium or something?” I suggested, trying to hide my own excitement.

Aki’s eyes lit up, and I felt my heart race at the sight. “I’d love that! But, um, where exactly do we go?”

I leaned closer, a grin spreading across my face. “I like anywhere as long as I’m with you.”

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Her cheeks turned bright red again, and I felt a sense of triumph. I wanted her to know how much she meant to me.

“Then it’s settled!” she said, a smile gracing her lips. “We’ll go on our first official date this weekend.”

I nodded, feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness wash over me. “I can’t wait.”

The rest of our study session flew by in a blur of laughter and gentle touches.

Aki's POV

The day of the date arrived faster than I could have imagined. I woke up with a mix of excitement and anxiety swirling in my stomach. This was my first official date with Haruki, and I wanted everything to be perfect.

As I stood in front of my mirror, I studied my reflection. I pushed my long hair behind my ears and adjusted my glasses, feeling slightly self-conscious. Would he think I looked cute? Would he like my outfit? My heart raced at the thought of seeing him again, the thrill of being with him mingling with my nerves.

I rummaged through my closet, trying to find something that felt right. After trying on several outfits, I finally settled on a soft, pastel blue sweater that complemented my skin tone, paired with a dark skirt. It was comfortable yet stylish, just the way I wanted it. I slipped into my favorite pair of ankle boots, feeling a little more confident.

Glancing at my reflection once more, I noticed the way my glasses framed my face. I fiddled with the frames, adjusting them just a bit. It was silly, but I wondered if Haruki liked girls who wore glasses. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of him thinking I looked cute.

Just as I was about to head out, my mom walked into my room. She stopped, raising an eyebrow as she took in my outfit. “Where are you off to all dressed up?” she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

I felt my cheeks flush, and I glanced down, suddenly feeling shy. “Um, I’m just going out with a friend,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Is this friend someone special?” she prodded, a teasing smile forming on her lips.

I fidgeted with my skirt, unable to meet her gaze. “I guess you could say that…”

My mom’s smile widened, and she stepped closer, inspecting me with a mix of approval and motherly pride. “You look lovely, Aki. Just be yourself, okay?”

“Thanks, Mom,” I said, feeling a rush of warmth at her words.

After a quick hug, I gathered my things and headed out the door. The cool breeze hit my face, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart as I made my way to the aquarium. My thoughts were consumed with images of Haruki, the way he smiled, and how easily our conversations flowed.

The walk felt longer than usual, each step amplifying my anticipation. Finally, the aquarium came into view, its large glass windows reflecting the afternoon sun. I spotted Haruki standing outside, his head tilted slightly as he looked at his phone. He was dressed casually in a navy blue shirt and jeans, his hair slightly tousled in a way that made him look effortlessly charming. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of him.

When he noticed me, his face lit up with a smile that made my heart flutter. “Aki!” he called out, his voice warm and inviting.

“Hey, Haruki!” I replied, waving shyly as I approached him.

“You look amazing,” he said, his eyes sparkling with sincerity.

“Thank you,” I said, feeling my cheeks heat up. “You look great too.”

We exchanged shy smiles, and I felt the initial tension ease as we stepped into the aquarium together. The atmosphere was filled with the sounds of bubbling water and distant chatter. As we walked past the entrance, I felt like a kid again, filled with wonder at the thought of all the colorful sea creatures waiting to be seen.

“Which exhibit should we check out first?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing as excitement bubbled inside me.

“Let’s start with the jellyfish. They’re mesmerizing,” he suggested, his enthusiasm infectious.

As we made our way through the exhibits, I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. His eyes lit up with every new creature we encountered, and I felt a rush of happiness knowing I was sharing this experience with him. We paused in front of the jellyfish tank, the ethereal creatures floating gracefully in the water.

“Wow, they’re beautiful,” I murmured, mesmerized by their movements.

“Just like you,” he said, almost as if he hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

I turned to him, my cheeks burning. “You really think so?” I asked, surprised and flattered.

“Absolutely. You light up the room,” he replied, his sincerity evident.

We stood there for a moment, our eyes locked, the connection between us deepening. Then Haruki pulled out his phone. “Let’s take a selfie!”

“Okay!” I said, excited at the idea.

We squeezed together in front of the jellyfish tank, the soft glow of the underwater lights illuminating our faces. As he held the camera at arm's length, I felt a rush of giddiness. We both smiled wide, and as the shutter clicked, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness at capturing this moment with him.

“Let’s do another!” Haruki suggested, and we took several more, trying out different poses. Each picture made me feel lighter, more connected to him.

“Okay, now one more, but this time we have to do a silly face!” I said, a playful grin on my lips.

Haruki laughed and agreed, pulling a goofy face that made me giggle uncontrollably. I joined in, sticking out my tongue, and we both burst into laughter as the camera clicked again.

“Those are going to be great to look back on,” he said, glancing at the photos with a smile.

“I can’t wait to show them to my mom,” I replied, feeling a flutter in my stomach at the thought of telling her about us one day.

After exploring more exhibits, we reached the large aquarium tank filled with colorful fish and even a few sea turtles gliding gracefully through the water.

“Look at that one!” I pointed excitedly.

Haruki leaned in closer, our shoulders brushing against each other. The contact sent a thrill through me, and I could feel my heart racing. “It’s amazing,” he said, his gaze fixed on the tank, but I could see the corner of his mouth lift in a small smile.

As we stood there for a moment in comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's company, I felt a surge of happiness bubble inside me.

“Haruki,” I began, my voice slightly shaky, “I’m really glad we’re spending this time together.” I glanced up at him, searching for the right words. “I’ve been looking forward to this day.”

He smiled warmly, his cheeks tinged with pink. “Me too, Aki. It feels... special.”

Feeling bold, I intertwined my fingers with his, and he looked down in surprise, his eyes widening. A smile broke across his face as he squeezed my hand gently.

As we continued to explore the aquarium, I felt a sense of contentment. This day was turning out to be everything I had hoped for, and I couldn’t wait to see where our relationship would go from here.

Haruki's POV

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow across the neighborhood, I found myself walking alongside Aki, our fingers still intertwined. The sounds of laughter and chatter from the aquarium lingered in my mind, but now it was just the two of us, enveloped in a comfortable silence. I glanced over at her, the way her hair caught the fading light, the soft smile playing on her lips.

I really love this girl, I thought, my heart swelling with warmth. Every moment with her feels like a dream I never want to wake up from.

Today had been incredible—exploring the aquarium, sharing laughter, and capturing countless memories in selfies. I had never felt so at ease with anyone before, and it was all because of Aki. She brought a lightness to my world that I never knew I needed.

As we approached her house, I felt a pang of sadness. I didn't want this day to end. Why does it have to be so short? I wanted to hold onto her longer, to cherish every second of our time together.

“Aki,” I said as we reached her front door, my voice tinged with reluctance. “I had an amazing time today. Thank you for being so... you.”

She turned to me, her eyes bright. “I had fun too, Haruki. I’m really glad we did this.”

Our gaze locked for a moment, and I felt a familiar warmth creeping up my cheeks. It was as if the world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us standing in that moment. But then, reality crept back in, reminding me that soon we would have to part ways.

“Guess this is goodbye for now,” I said, trying to keep my tone light despite the heaviness in my chest.

“Yeah,” she replied softly, and I could see a hint of sadness in her eyes as well. Was she feeling the same way I was?

I stepped closer, feeling the urge to hold her, to somehow extend this moment. But before I could say anything else, she turned and took a few steps towards her house. My heart sank a little more, the distance between us already feeling unbearable.

“See you tomorrow, Haruki!” she called out, looking back at me with a smile that made my heart race.

“Goodnight, Aki,” I replied, trying to mask the sadness in my voice. I whisper silently, "I’ll miss you..."

Just then, out of nowhere, Aki dashed back towards me. My eyes widened in surprise as she closed the gap between us. Before I could even react, she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on my cheek, her lips soft and warm against my skin.

“Goodbye!” she said, her voice teasing as she flashed me a bright smile before spinning on her heel and running towards her house.

I stood there, completely dumbfounded, my heart racing. Did that just happen? My cheek tingled where she had kissed me, and a rush of warmth spread through my chest.

“What just happened?” I muttered to myself, still processing the whirlwind of emotions. Aki was full of surprises, and this one left me utterly speechless.

As she disappeared inside, I felt a grin slowly spread across my face. She kissed me! I couldn't help but replay the moment in my mind, a mix of disbelief and sheer happiness coursing through me. I can’t wait to see her again.

I stood there for a few moments longer, basking in the glow of our time together. This day had been perfect, and as I turned to head home, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were only going to get better between us.