The next morning, Hina stood in front of her closet ten minutes longer than usual.
It wasn't like her. She usually threw on something soft and easy, a cardigan, denim skirt, maybe a hair clip to keep it tidy. But today, after everything Yuto had said the day before, after her mother's gentle nudge, she paused.
She didn't want to dress for him. But maybe… she wanted to look like someone he wouldn't hesitate to walk beside.
She chose a pale blue blouse, a simple pleated midi skirt, and tied her hair with the ribbon she wore on the day she first visited him in Paris.
Just as she grabbed her tote bag, her phone buzzed.
Yuto: "Library lawn. Got your favorite. Come before class?"
Her heart skipped.
Hina: "On my way."
She spotted him immediately.
He was sitting on the grass near the cherry blossom path, a can of peach soda in one hand and his backpack beside him. Casual, calm, impossibly composed in a soft gray pullover and black pants. His legs were stretched out, one arm resting over his knee.
He looked like something out of a campus drama.
And Hina was not the only one who noticed.
Two girls from the sociology faculty passed by, giggling softly as they glanced his way. Another girl paused while walking past, pretending to check her phone while very clearly checking him out.
Panic bubbled in Hina's chest.
Oh no.
No, no, no.
He'd always been this handsome. That wasn't new. But now that he'd said what he said, now that she knew what she wanted, everything felt more fragile. More at risk.
She picked up her pace.
"Morning," Yuto said, standing as she approached. He held out the can with a little smile. "Your favourite."
"Thanks," she mumbled, her hand brushing his as she took it.
He blinked. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," she lied, her eyes darting toward the last girl still watching from a distance.
Yuto followed her gaze.
When his eyes returned to hers, something in them had shifted. He stepped a little closer. Not enough to be obvious. Just enough for his shoulder to hover beside hers.
"You look nice today," he said softly.
Hina glanced up, startled. "Do I?"
"You always do," he said. "But today… I feel like you know it."
Her cheeks warmed instantly. "You're so—"
She didn't finish. Because just then, a group of students walked by. One of the girls whispered something to her friend while blatantly looking at Yuto.
That was it.
Hina turned quickly and tugged lightly at the sleeve of his sweater.
"Yuyu—can we… go somewhere else?" she whispered.
Yuto raised a brow, amused. "Are we escaping?"
"Yes," she muttered.
He chuckled and grabbed his bag. "Lead the way."
As they walked off the lawn, Hina's hand still holding onto the edge of his sleeve, she didn't dare look back.
But Yuto did and he smile.
Because for the first time, she was the one holding onto him.
They ended up at a tucked-away corner behind the main literature building, an overgrown garden with ivy-covered benches and the soft rustling of leaves overhead.
It wasn't far from the sakura tree where they often sat, but this spot felt more hidden. More theirs.
Hina settled onto the edge of a stone bench, her can of peach soda clutched between both hands. She hadn't said much since dragging Yuto away from the lawn.
Yuto sat beside her, watching her in his usual calm silence. He didn't press. He just waited.
Finally, she exhaled and mumbled, "I panicked."
His brow lifted slightly. "Because of me?"
"No," she muttered. "Because of… them."
He tilted his head. "Them?"
She hesitated, then groaned into her hands. "Those girls. The ones looking at you. Smiling. Whispering."
Understanding flickered across his face. But he said nothing.
"I know it's stupid," she went on quickly. "You didn't do anything. You were just sitting there. But the moment I saw them looking at you like that, my brain spiraled. I felt so—"
"Possessive?" he offered gently.
Her head snapped up, cheeks instantly turning crimson. "I—no—I mean—okay, maybe."
Yuto smiled. That soft, rare, breathtaking kind of smile.
"You're allowed to feel that way," he said, voice quiet. "You've always been the only one I saw, Hina."
She swallowed hard. "But we're not… anything. Not officially. So I didn't know if I had the right to feel like that."
He leaned in slightly. Not too close. Just enough that she could feel the change in the air between them.
"Hina."
Her breath caught.
"I told you I want to pursue you. Not pass time with you. I meant it."
She blinked, heart thudding.
Yuto's gaze was steady. "I don't want anyone else. Even if you're not ready to say what this is yet—I've already decided where my heart is."
Her throat tightened. "That's… unfair."
"Why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Because every time you say things like that," she said, blushing furiously, "I feel like I'm going to explode."
Yuto chuckled under his breath, eyes warm. "Then maybe I should say it more."
Hina looked away, flustered beyond repair. "Don't you dare."
"I dare," he said, softly.
And before she could stop herself, she reached out and brushed her fingers against his sleeve again.
Yuto glanced at her hand, then up at her face. "You're holding onto me a lot lately."
"I know," she whispered. "It makes me feel less… jealous."
He nodded once, and this time he turned his hand palm up, quietly inviting hers into his.
She hesitated for a moment.
Then slowly, deliberately, she slipped her hand into his.
Their fingers fit like a memory.
And neither of them let go.
Their hands stayed clasped for longer than either of them expected.
Hina stared at their joined hands for a long second, surprised by how natural it felt. His hand was warm, steady. Larger than hers, she felt safe.
She finally spoke, voice barely above a breath. "Is this okay?"
Yuto turned his head, eyes gentle. "Only if you want it to be."
"I think I do," she whispered. "I think… I've wanted to for a long time."
His fingers gently curled tighter around hers in response.
"You don't have to rush," he said, his tone almost reverent. "I'll keep walking beside you at whatever pace you choose."
Hina felt her eyes sting a little. She blinked quickly and looked up at the sky instead. "Why are you always like this?"
"Like what?"
"Patient. Kind. Constant."
Yuto's eyes didn't leave her. "Because it's you."
Her cheeks flushed again, and she ducked her head, hiding a wobbly smile behind her free hand. "You're really bad for my heart, you know that?"
"Then take care of it," he said quietly, "and let me do the same."
She looked at him. Then, slowly, Hina leaned in and rested her head on his chest.
His hand tightened gently around hers.