The air inside the house was warm, smelling faintly of home and tea, but Akari's heart was already racing toward the door.
"Ehh... so, who are you going with?" her mother asked, leaning against the kitchen doorframe with an arched brow and a playful glint in her eyes.
Akari adjusted her scarf, trying to keep her hands steady. "With Ren-san and his friend, Daiki-san."
The reaction was instantaneous. Her mother's face lit up as if someone had flipped a switch. "Really? How cute! Hoh! So you really are going out with that handsome boy.
I'm so glad my daughter finally found a boyfriend. Look at you, all grown up."
"Moooom!" Akari's face erupted in a violent shade of crimson. The heat traveled from her neck to the tips of her ears. "It's not like that! We're just friends."
Her mother chuckled, a warm, melodic sound, and reached out to pat Akari's shoulder. "Okay, okay. Enjoy your ramen date with your 'friend.' But don't stay out too long, alright? It gets really cold at night." Though she teased, her voice carried the soft weight of genuine motherly care.
"I'm heading out now," Akari mumbled, ducking her head to hide her lingering blush as she stepped into the crisp night air.
"Enjoy your ramen together!" her mother called out, waving as the door clicked shut.
The night was sharp and clear, the wind nipping at Akari's cheeks as she walked toward the meeting spot. And there he was. Ren. To him, as she approached through the dim glow of the streetlights, she looked less like a classmate and more like an unexpected savior—an angel appearing out of the winter haze.
"Good evening, Akari-chan," Ren greeted her, his voice soft, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Beside him, Daiki's jaw nearly hit the pavement. Ehh... what?! his inner voice screamed. Since when is he on a first-name basis with her?!
Recovering quickly, Daiki chimed in with a grin. "Good evening, Minazuki-san."
"Good evening, Ren-san, Daiki-san," she replied, her voice like a chime in the quiet street.
As they walked toward the ramen stall, the smell of rich pork broth and toasted garlic began to drift through the air. Akari walked a few paces ahead, her coat swaying with her steps. Daiki seized the moment, leaning in until his shoulder brushed Ren's.
"Dude," he hissed. "Say something cool to make her happy."
Ren blinked, looking lost. "What?"
"You know! Like, 'You're so beautiful today.' Something like that!"
"No way, bro," Ren whispered back, his heart hammering against his ribs. "I can't. That's mission impossible. She'll think I'm some weirdo and it'll ruin the vibe."
"Dumbass!" Daiki grumbled, exasperated. "You have to act cool and impress her. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Go ahead—say something, man. Agh, you're hopeless."
Ren took a deep breath, the cold air stinging his lungs. He looked at Akari's back, then at the way the streetlights caught the stray strands of her hair. He gulped, his voice trembling slightly.
"A-Akari-chan... You look really pretty today."
It was as if an emotional earthquake had leveled the sidewalk. Akari froze mid-step. Her heart skipped a beat, then began to thrum a frantic rhythm against her chest. The heat returned to her face tenfold.
"I-Is that so? Thank you... Ren-san," she stammered, her voice an octave higher than usual. Without another word, she bolted toward the restroom of the stall they had just reached, needing the sanctuary of a mirror to hide her glowing face.
Ren turned to glare at Daiki, his eye
s wide with panic. "See what you did?! She definitely thinks I'm a creep now."
Daiki just grinned, hands behind his head. "Nah bro, she doesn't. You just complimented her. It's called being a human."
"You made me say it!"
"Relax, man. Everything's chill."
Inside the restroom, Akari stared at her reflection. Her pupils were dilated, and her cheeks looked like they had been painted with watercolors. What the heck... why is my face like this? He just said I was pretty... that's all... She splashed some cool water on her wrists, trying to steady her breathing before returning to the table.
By the time she sat down, Daiki was already in full "wingman" mode. "She's coming," he whispered to Ren. "Don't mess up. Be cool, you amateur. I'll handle the vibe."
Three steaming bowls of ramen arrived, the noodles perfectly springy and the broth glistening under the stall's yellow lights. Daiki sparked a conversation effortlessly, filling the silence with jokes and stories. For a while, the three of them felt like a perfectly synced trio, their laughter blending with the clatter of chopsticks and the ambient hum of the city.
"We're all good friends now, right?" Daiki asked, leaning back.
Akari nodded enthusiastically, her earlier shyness fading into the warmth of the meal.
"Of course! Aren't we already?"
Daiki gave Ren a sharp nudge under the table. Hey, idiot. Say something too.
Akari's eyes darted between them, a small pout forming on her lips. "You two keep whispering like you're hiding secrets. Am I missing something?" There was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes—and perhaps a tiny, sharp spark of jealousy. "Don't leave me out! That's unfair—I already told you so much about myself."
"It's just boy talk," Ren said, waving a hand dismissively. "Nothing serious. Sorry if it bothered you."
Akari softened, her smile returning. "No, I just... I really enjoy watching you two joke around. You're funny together." She paused, a strange thought crossing her mind. Why am I acting like their childhood friend...?
"Let's take a pic!" Daiki announced, pulling out his phone. "You two—sit closer."
Ren stiffened. "Wait, no—Daiki—"
"If you don't pose," Daiki threatened in a low voice, "I'll show her all your ugly pictures. I've got them locked in a secret folder. Wanna risk that?"
Ren groaned, defeated. "Fine! Just one. But ask her first, idiot."
Daiki turned to Akari with a charming smile. "Minazuki-san, Ren says he wants to take a picture with you. If you don't mind, can I snap one?"
Akari's eyes widened slightly, then she smiled softly. "Mm... yeah, that's fine."
Permission granted, Daiki cheered internally.
"Alright, smile! Three... two... one... Pose!"
Ren and Akari leaned in. Their shoulders touched lightly—a brief, electric contact—and their heads tilted toward one another. Click. The one photo turned into several. The initial awkwardness melted into a genuine desire to capture the moment. Ren even took a photo of Daiki and Akari, and finally, they got a perfect shot of all three of them together.
Daiki checked his messages and suddenly stood up. "Hey, I'm heading to the restroom. Be back in a minute."
"Don't take too long," Ren called after him.
"Yeah, yeah..."
But as soon as Daiki was out of sight, Ren's phone buzzed.
> Daiki: Yo, I'm heading out. Something urgent came up. Pay my bill too. ;)
Ren's eyes narrowed as he typed back furiously.
> Ren: I didn't say this was my treat, idiot!
> Daiki: Sorry, dude.
> Ren: You idiot.
"Is something wrong?" Akari asked, noticing his expression.
Ren sighed, putting his phone away. "Daiki bailed. Said something urgent came up."
Akari smiled gently. "He's really responsible. A hard worker, isn't he?"
Ren stared at the door. Hard worker my ass.
"Excuse me, Ren-san," Akari said, standing up. "I need to use the restroom as well."
"Yeah, sure. Take your time."
The atmosphere shifted the moment Akari stepped out of the restroom a few minutes later. Four older guys, smelling of smoke and looking for trouble, moved in to surround her.
"Hey, are you single?" one asked, leaning into her space.
"Wanna grab a drink? We know a better place than this."
"You look gorgeous tonight, sweetheart. Come hang out with us."
Akari shrank back, her heart leaping into her throat. But before she could even find her voice, a shadow fell over her. Ren was there, his expression uncharacteristically cold, his hand firmly on her shoulder as he pulled her behind him.
"Stay back, Akari-chan," he said, his voice low and steady.
The thugs moved to retaliate, but as they got a good look at Ren's face, they stopped dead. Recognition washed over them, followed by visible blood-draining terror.
"You're with... him?!"
"We're so sorry, sis!" one stammered, bowing frantically.
"Didn't know you were with him! Please forgive us!"
They scrambled away as if the ground were on fire. As they ran, one whispered to the other, "We got lucky. If that guy's friend Daiki was here, we'd be dead..."
Akari stood in the sudden silence, her hand clutching the fabric of Ren's jacket. She looked up at him—at the protective set of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes. A newfound warmth, deeper than the blush from earlier, settled in her chest. Did I just... fall for him a little more?
They finished with another round of ramen, the steam rising between them. "Thanks for the food," they said together, the unison making them both laugh.
The walk back was quiet, but it wasn't the heavy silence of before. It was comfortable. Neither of them had to ask; it felt natural for Ren to walk her home.
"Arigatou gozaimasu for the treat, Ren-san," Akari said as they reached her gate.
Ren looked at her, the moonlight reflecting in his eyes. "Thanks for coming today, Akari-chan. I really enjoyed this. I'll never forget tonight."
"Yeah..." Akari whispered, looking at her shoes. "Me too."
They exchanged a final "See you tomorrow," and Akari slipped inside, moving like a shadow to avoid her mother's detection.
Unknown to them, Daiki hadn't gone home at all. He was leaning against a wall a block away, watching them with a satisfied smirk. When Ren finally turned to head home, Daiki stepped out.
"Yo. How'd it go?"
Ren jumped. "You abandoned me, you traitor!"
But Daiki saw right through him. "You're happy with her, huh?"
Ren's bravado crumbled. "W-What...? Is it that obvious?"
"Totally."
Ren let out a long breath, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "Thanks, Daiki. I'm really glad you're my friend."
Daiki's grin turned mischievous. "Ohh~ Ren-chan, will you marry me then?"
"Like hell I would, dumbass."
"Aww, so mean~!"
Daiki's expression then turned serious, his voice dropping an octave. "Hey. I'm really happy for you two. Just promise me—don't make her cry. If you do, I'll find out. I've got her number now, too."
Ren laughed. "You only have her number because of me."
"Nah, she gave it to me willingly!"
Later that night, tucked under her covers, Akari stared at her phone. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard before she finally hit send.
> Akari: Did you get home safely?
>
A moment later, the screen lit up.
> Ren: Yeah, just got in. Thanks again for tonight, Akari-chan. I'm really tired now. See you tomorrow. Good night—sweet dreams.
> Akari: Good night, Ren-san.
>
She didn't put the phone away. Instead, she opened the gallery. She looked at the pictures of them together, zooming in on Ren's face, then zooming out to see them as a pair. She did it once, twice... five times.
Knock, knock.
Akari panicked, dropping her phone on the duvet. The screen stayed stubbornly lit. "I'm going to bed, Mom!"
Her mother barged in anyway, wearing a look of pure investigative hunger. "Wait, I have something important to tell you!" She sat on the edge of the bed. "So? How was he? He really is handsome, huh? Tell me everything!"
"Nothing special happened! We just had ramen!"
Her mother's eyes darted down. The phone was right there, glowing with the image of Ren and Akari sitting shoulder-to-shoulder.
"You two look like such a cute couple!" her mother squealed.
"Mooom!" Akari cried, diving for the phone.
"Come on, think of me as a friend. Tell me more about him."
Akari stopped struggling, a small, shy smile touching her lips. "He's really... cool. And... handsome."
After finally pushing her mother out of the room, Akari heard one last tease through the wood of the door. "Good night, dear! Don't stay up too long staring at Ren-chan's photos!"
"MOM! Stop it already!"
But as Akari lay back in the dark, the warmth from the ramen stall stayed with her.
THINGS LEFT UNSAID—BUT EVEN WITH LAUGHTER IN THE AIR, SOMETHING DEEPER STIRRED… SOMETHING NEITHER OF THEM DARED TO NAME.