A clear Sunday morning.
The city stretched under pale sunlight, the streets unusually calm for once.
Kasumi Hoshino pushed open the glass door of a small café near the river.
A gentle bell chimed above her head.
Inside, the air was warm — the faint aroma of roasted beans and buttered toast filling the quiet.
She glanced around.
And froze.
At the corner table, a familiar figure sat reading — the usual black shirt, the same relaxed posture.
"Shion…" she whispered.
He looked up, calm as ever.
"…You're early."
Her brow lifted. "You didn't tell me you were coming here."
"I didn't know I'd find you here either," he replied, closing his book.
"Coincidence."
Kasumi smiled softly. "Or destiny."
Before he could reply, a loud voice cut through the calm.
"YO! The lovebirds are here already!"
Ren Fujimiya burst through the door, waving both arms like an excited kid. Behind him came Yeamori Arisa — hands in her casual, an expression halfway between bored and amused.
Kasumi's eyes widened. "You two too?"
Yeamori shrugged. "Ren said there's a new café with good cheesecake. I didn't expect a full cast reunion."
"Now it's officially a hangout," Ren grinned, pulling out a chair.
Moments later, even Souta appeared, balancing two takeaway bags.
"Don't tell me… all of you had the same idea."
Shion looked at the table, exhaling quietly. "Apparently."
---
The five of them sat together — coffee cups steaming, plates clinking.
It wasn't noisy, but the calm buzz of quiet chatter surrounded them.
Yeamori leaned back. "So, Kasumi, how's your champion life treating you?"
Kasumi smiled faintly. "Still can't believe we actually won. I think my hands are still sore."
Ren leaned forward. "You're saying that, but Shion here looked prouder than anyone else. He didn't blink once during your final set."
Shion looked up slowly. "…I was focused on technique."
"Sure you were," Ren teased, grinning.
Souta chuckled. "He's not wrong though. You both were something else that day."
Kasumi glanced at Shion, cheeks warming. "Thanks… but I couldn't have done it without everyone's support."
Yeamori smirked. "That's what people say when they're in love."
Kasumi's eyes widened. "Y-Yeamori!"
Ren burst out laughing. "Finally, someone said it out loud!"
Souta shook his head. "You guys never change."
---
The waitress arrived with coffee refills and fresh croissants. The momentary chaos melted into laughter and light conversation.
Kasumi sipped her latte quietly. Shion sat beside her, eyes on the window — soft sunlight falling across his face.
For a few moments, the noise faded. Only the clink of his spoon and the gentle murmur of the café remained.
She leaned slightly toward him.
"Shion… do you ever think about how far we've come?"
He blinked, turning his head slightly.
"…From when?"
"From that first day — when you barely said a word."
"I still barely talk."
She laughed quietly. "Maybe. But now, your talk much better."
He didn't answer, but his gaze softened — just a small shift, but enough to make her heart flutter.
---
Across the table, Yeamori was scolding Ren for spilling sugar.
"You're like a five-year-old, seriously."
Ren grinned. "That's my charm!"
"Your charm is chaos," Souta said flatly, not looking up from his coffee.
Yeamori rolled her eyes. "Thank you, President of Boring Remarks."
Ren chuckled. "You two sound married already."
"Ren, if you don't stop talking, I'll serve your coffee on your head."
"See? Love language."
Kasumi couldn't help laughing. Shion exhaled, almost smiling.
"This table's too noisy," he murmured.
"Maybe that's why it feels alive," Kasumi replied softly.
He looked at her again — and for a fleeting second, she caught something rare in his eyes.
A quiet peace.
---
Later, the group split up to explore the nearby market.
Yeamori dragged Ren to the vinyl shop. Souta went to buy coffee beans.
Shion and Kasumi stayed behind, walking slowly along the riverside path.
The afternoon breeze carried the faint music of a street musician — a soft tune.
Kasumi tilted her head. "It's nice, isn't it?"
Shion he agreed.
She stopped by the railing, watching sunlight ripple across the water.
"Sometimes I forget… not every day has to be big. Some days can just be… quiet."
Shion softly smile."To me, this moment… is something special."
Her lips parted in surprise. "That's… sweet."
He blinked. "Was it?"
She laughed softly. "You really don't notice when you say nice things, do you?"
He looked away, faintly embarrassed. "…Not on purpose."
---
Evening came slowly, the sky turning a pale orange.
The group regrouped outside the café, carrying small shopping bags.
Yeamori waved. "Kasumi, tell shion to da—"
Kasumi flushed crimson. "Yeamori!"
Ren added, " come on kasumi not though!"
Souta sighed deeply. "Let them be. You two go annoy someone else."
Yeamori and Ren go out in smile, high-fiving each other as they walked ahead.
Kasumi looked down, hiding her smile. "They'll never change."
Shion adjusted his shirt, glancing at her. "You don't want them to."
She nodded slowly. "No… I don't."
They walked together as the streetlights flickered on — warm, golden, familiar.
The day hadn't brought any drama, no major twist.
Just laughter, teasing, coffee, and sunlight.
But somehow… that was enough.
"Quiet days," Kasumi thought.
"Sometimes, they're the most beautiful."
---Chapter 27 end---