It started with a pause.
Haruto stood at the counter longer than usual, fingers wrapped tightly around his coffee cup. Miyu noticed right away. He always did this when he was thinking too much.
"Miyu," he said quietly.
"Yes?"
"…Are you free after work today?"
Her heart stopped for half a second.
"I—yes," she replied, a little too quickly.
He exhaled, relieved."Then… would you like to go somewhere? Just… walk. Maybe eat something."
She smiled, soft and honest."I'd like that."
That was it.No dramatic confession. No big gestures.
Just two people choosing to spend time together.
Evening – Tokyo Streets
The sun had already begun to sink when Miyu locked Hana Café. Haruto waited a few steps away, hands in his pockets, trying not to look nervous.
She noticed anyway.
They walked side by side, close but not touching. Tokyo glowed in warm colors—orange streetlights, reflections on wet pavement, quiet laughter from passing couples.
"So," Miyu said, breaking the silence, "where are we going?"
Haruto hesitated."…I didn't really plan it."
She laughed."That's okay. Neither did I."
They ended up at a small takoyaki stand near a park. Nothing special. Plastic stools. Steam rising into the air.
They shared one box.
Miyu bit into one and winced. "Hot!"
Haruto reacted instantly."Careful—"Their hands met as he reached out.
This time, neither pulled away.
The moment lingered. Heat—not from the food—spread between them.
"…Sorry," he murmured.
Miyu shook her head. "It's okay."
They sat quietly, shoulders almost touching, chewing slowly, stealing glances when they thought the other wasn't looking.
The Park
The park was calm. Cicadas hummed softly. A few couples sat on benches, close and comfortable.
Miyu and Haruto walked along the path, their steps slowly syncing.
"Haruto," she said softly, "why do you always come at 8:17?"
He stopped.
She worried she'd crossed a line.
But he answered.
"That was the time my mornings used to feel empty," he said. "Coming to the café… changed that."
Her chest tightened.
They stood there, facing each other under the streetlight.
"I'm glad," Miyu whispered.
So am I, he wanted to say.
Instead, he reached out—hesitant—and gently took her hand.
She didn't pull away.
Her fingers curled around his.
It wasn't dramatic.It wasn't rushed.
But it felt like the beginning of something important.
Goodbye
At her street corner, they stopped.
"Thank you for today," Haruto said.
Miyu nodded. "I had fun."
Silence.
Then—
"…Can we do this again?" he asked.
She smiled, brighter than the café lights.
"Yes."
They let go of each other's hands slowly, like they weren't quite ready.
As Miyu walked home, she pressed her fingers to her chest.
It was warm.
And for the first time, she knew—
This wasn't just a date.This was the first page of a love story.