Leo didn't know why he was nervous.
It wasn't a date. Not really.
They were just walking home. Together. After school.
Like friends.
But his palms were sweating, and he'd checked his reflection in the window at least three times since stepping outside.
The sky was overcast again, but not stormy—just moody, as if it hadn't decided whether to be romantic or depressing.
Yuki, on the other hand, seemed unfazed.
She walked beside him, arms swinging, one earbud in. The other dangled toward him.
"Want to listen?" she asked.
Leo hesitated, then took it.
Soft music filtered in—something acoustic. Japanese indie pop. Chill and a little wistful.
He glanced at her.
Yuki smiled. "I figured you'd like it."
He smiled back. "I do."
They walked in companionable silence. A dog barked in the distance. A scooter zipped past.
When they reached the old bridge near the river, a few drops began to fall.
Yuki reached into her bag and pulled out a bright yellow umbrella with cartoon strawberries on it.
Leo blinked. "…That's—"
"Cute? Obviously."
"Childish."
She grinned. "Same difference."
She popped it open and held it over both their heads.
Leo instinctively moved closer.
Too close.
He could feel the warmth of her shoulder, hear the shift of her breath, smell the faint scent of her shampoo—green apple and something citrusy.
He swallowed.
Yuki said nothing.
But her steps slowed.
Matching his.
---
They reached a small convenience store. Yuki paused.
"I'm grabbing melon soda," she said. "Want one?"
Leo hesitated. "Sure."
While she was inside, he stood under the awning, watching the drizzle.
His mind buzzed.
He hadn't planned anything. No big moments. No gestures.
But maybe that was okay.
Maybe this was the kind of girl Yuki was.
Casual.
Effortless.
But somehow… unforgettable.
She returned, holding two cans.
"Bonus points," she said, "this store has the glass bottle kind. Feels more vintage."
He took his, their fingers brushing.
She didn't pull back.
---
They sat on a bench beneath a wide tree, umbrella hooked onto a branch above.
Rain tapped above them, like a soundtrack.
Yuki cracked open her drink and sighed. "This feels like a scene from a drama."
Leo opened his. "The part before the sad twist, or the happy ending?"
She looked at him, playful. "You think I'm the tragic backstory character?"
He shook his head. "No. More like the one who pretends not to care, but actually cares way too much."
"…Accurate," she muttered.
She leaned back.
"You know," she said, "I used to hate silence. Like, actually hate it. Felt like something was wrong when no one was talking."
Leo nodded. "You're always talking."
"Rude," she said. Then smiled. "But fair."
She looked at him.
"But this… feels okay."
Leo looked back.
"Yeah."
The rain eased into a soft drizzle. The wind moved through the trees. Time stretched.
Then Yuki stood, brushing off her skirt.
"Come on. I'll walk you home. Otherwise people will say I'm a bad influence."
Leo stood too.
"You are a bad influence."
"Sure, but a charming one."
She looped her arm through his.
He didn't resist.
Didn't blush.
Didn't overthink.
He just walked.
With her.
And for the first time, he wasn't wondering what the others might think.
Just what she might feel.