It was Saturday morning, and for once, Leo wasn't woken by his alarm. Instead, he was stirred by the soft ping of a message.
> [ 7:47 AM ] Yuki: Rise and shine~ I have a plan. Don't eat breakfast. Meet me at the station at 9. Bring coins. Dress cute. đ
Leo stared at the message.
Dress cute?
He pulled himself out of bed and stared at the mirror. After fifteen minutes of indecisive shirt switching, he finally settled on a clean white button-up and a dark navy jacket. Casual, not flashy. He even used hair wax for the first time in weeks.
When he arrived at the station, Yuki was already waiting.
She wore a pale pink hoodie over a pleated skirt, her long hair tied up in a playful half-bun. She grinned the moment she spotted him.
"Whoa, you do clean up nice," she teased, looking him up and down.
"You said 'dress cute.' I panicked."
Yuki laughed and tugged his sleeve. "Good panic. Let's go."
---
Their first stop: the arcade.
Yuki practically ran inside, eyes shining. "We're doing everything," she declared. "Claw machines, racing games, photo boothsâ"
Leo followed her from station to station, struggling to keep up with her energy. She was terrifyingly good at rhythm games and somehow won three plush toys in a row. By the time they reached the sticker photo booth, he had two slushies and a bag full of prizes he didn't even win.
Inside the booth, the camera countdown started.
"Quickâfunny face!" Yuki shouted.
Leo blinked. Yuki stuck out her tongue and leaned close. On instinct, Leo made a peace signâand the shutter clicked.
Later, they looked at the printed photos together.
"Hmm... You look cute in this one," Yuki said, pointing.
Leo stared at it. Their faces were close. Too close.
Yuki caught his expression and smirked. "What? You shy?"
He looked away. "A little."
"I like that."
She stuffed the photo strip into her pocket. "I'm keeping this one."
---
They had lunch at a small family diner nearby. Nothing fancyâjust ramen and iced teaâbut somehow it felt like the best meal Leo had in weeks. Yuki talked about her radio club projects, her childhood dream of becoming a voice actress, and a list of anime she swore he had to watch.
"You know," she said, between bites, "I always thought dates would be... weird. Or awkward."
"And this isn't?"
"No," she said, smiling. "This is easy. Like breathing."
Leo felt warmth bloom in his chest.
"I like being with you, Leo," she said simply.
He didn't say anything. He didn't have to.
He reached across the table and gently held her hand.
---
Later, as they walked back to the station, the air turned cooler. The sky was fading into a soft orange hue.
Yuki slowed her steps. "You know what's funny?"
"What?"
"I think I fell for you way before you realized I existed."
Leo stopped walking.
Yuki glanced at him. "Don't look so shocked. You were always so... quiet. But not cold. You listened. You noticed things. And when you finally looked at meâreally lookedâI felt seen."
Leo opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
"Don't overthink it," she said quickly, laughing. "I just wanted you to know."
He stepped closer.
"I'm glad you waited for me," he said.
Yuki's eyes widened slightly. Then softened.
She reached up and gently adjusted the collar of his jacket.
"I'll keep waiting, you know. Even if you take your time."
Leo smiled.
Thenâimpulsively, without overthinkingâhe leaned in and kissed her cheek.
Yuki's face turned bright red.
"W-Was that legal?!"
"Maybe."
She laughed, punched his shoulder lightly, then leaned her head against him as they walked the rest of the way.
It was the kind of quiet joy you don't forget.
And for Leo, it was the first time he felt like maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.