The school's cultural club was hosting a friendly inter-class competition, and Aiko and Ren had signed up together. The task? Build a small tower using only popsicle sticks and glue—fastest, tallest, and sturdiest wins.
Aiko adjusted her apron nervously. "I'm not sure if I'm good at this…"
Ren placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. We're a team, remember? We'll figure it out together."
Aiko felt a warm flutter. "Okay… together."
They started building, laughing immediately as Aiko's first attempt wobbled dangerously. Ren caught it just before it toppled. "Careful… teamwork is key," he teased, smiling.
Aiko's cheeks flushed. "I'm trying!"
Their tower grew, sticks carefully layered and glued. Occasionally, their hands brushed when passing materials, but it no longer made her heart race in panic—it was a comfortable, familiar flutter of closeness.
"Not bad," Ren commented after a particularly clever arrangement. "Looks sturdy."
"You're just saying that," Aiko muttered, though she couldn't hide her grin.
Ren leaned slightly closer, whispering, "I mean it. You're really good at this."
Aiko felt her chest warm. "Thanks… for helping me."
Midway through, a sudden shake of the table from another group caused their sticks to wobble dangerously. Aiko lunged forward instinctively, and Ren caught her by the waist to steady her.
"Got you," he said softly.
"Thanks…" she murmured, smiling up at him.
Despite the small chaos, they managed to stay focused. They joked about "engineering strategies," whispered silly tips to each other, and shared quiet encouragement. Even when their tower tilted dangerously, they worked together calmly, laughter echoing softly around the room.
When the timer ran out, their tower stood tall—slightly crooked, but impressive enough to earn second place. Aiko clapped her hands with excitement.
"We did it!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining.
Ren laughed, ruffling her hair gently. "See? Told you teamwork works."
Aiko leaned slightly against him as they collected their materials. "I had so much fun… even when it was stressful."
"Same here," Ren admitted, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I love how we just… click together. Even in chaos."
The rest of the club members congratulated them, and as they stepped outside, Aiko and Ren shared a quiet moment under the warm afternoon sun.
"You know," Ren said, linking his arm with hers, "it doesn't matter if we win or lose. I think I enjoyed this more than any of the prizes."
Aiko smiled up at him, her heart swelling. "I feel the same way. Winning would've been nice, but… this is even better. Us working together, laughing… being silly."
Ren squeezed her hand gently. "Exactly. That's what matters."
Walking home together, they talked about what they would do for the next club event, teasing each other about strategies and "engineering skills." The tower might have been crooked, the glue a little messy, but the day had created new memories—shared laughs, teamwork, and quiet moments that deepened their bond.
Aiko realized that dating Ren wasn't just about romantic gestures or grand moments—it was about these little slices of life, working together, supporting each other, and finding joy in ordinary chaos. And she couldn't wait for more.