After their first date, something changed.
Nothing dramatic happened.They didn't suddenly talk all the time.They didn't touch more than before.
But the air between them felt… aware.
At Hana Café, Haruto stayed longer. Miyu noticed how he waited until there were no other customers, how his eyes followed her movements when he thought she wasn't looking.
And Miyu—she started fixing her hair before 8:17.
That Morning
The café was unusually quiet.
Rain tapped lightly against the windows. The city outside felt muted, like it was holding its breath.
Haruto sat by the window, untouched coffee growing cold.
"Miyu," he said.
She turned. "Yes?"
"…After work today," he began, then stopped.
She waited.
"…Can we talk?"
Her heart knew.Her mind tried to stay calm.
"Of course," she said.
Evening – The Same Park
They walked to the same park as before. The cicadas were loud this time, filling the silence neither of them could.
They sat on a bench, leaving just a little space between them.
Too much space.
Haruto stared ahead, fingers clenched together.
"I'm not good with words," he said suddenly. "So… please be patient."
Miyu nodded. "I am."
He swallowed.
"When I first came to Hana Café," he continued, "I just wanted somewhere quiet. Somewhere that didn't ask anything of me."
He turned to her.
"But then you started greeting me. Remembering my order. Smiling like mornings mattered."
Her chest tightened.
"I realized," he said softly, "that I was looking forward to seeing you more than the coffee."
Miyu's breath caught.
"I don't know when it happened," Haruto went on. "But you became part of my day. Part of my thoughts. And when you're not there…"
He paused.
"…things feel empty."
The world felt very small.
"Miyu," he said, finally meeting her eyes, "I like you."
Not loud.Not dramatic.
Just honest.
Her hands trembled slightly in her lap.
She stood up before she could overthink it.
"Haruto," she said, voice shaking, "I've liked you for a long time."
His eyes widened.
"Every morning," she continued, "I waited for 8:17. Not for the sound of the bell—but for you."
Tears welled, but she smiled.
"I like you too."
For a moment, neither moved.
Then—slowly—Haruto reached for her hand.
This time, there was no hesitation.
Their fingers intertwined naturally, like they had always known where they belonged.
"…May I?" he asked quietly.
Miyu nodded.
He leaned in—not rushing, not crossing the line—and gently rested his forehead against hers.
Warm. Close. Safe.
No kiss yet.
Just the promise of one.
After
They walked home together, hands still joined.
Tokyo rushed around them, unaware that something precious had just begun.
Before parting, Haruto squeezed her hand once.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said.
"At 8:17," Miyu replied with a smile.
As she watched him leave, her heart felt full—almost too full.
Love hadn't arrived suddenly.
It had walked in quietly, ordered the usual, and stayed.