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“...See, I like ya, Rabu-han.”
“Ehehe~, I like you too, Kohakucchi!”
A shaky breath. Kohaku had known Aira for years now, and it was clear that his friend assumed he was just reaffirming what was obvious: best friends were supposed to like each other. He knew everything about Aira that she had let him know, of course, along with the little things he picked up on himself. Each and every thing he learned, he cherished as dearly as his heart would allow.
“N-no, I mean, like like, y’know?…”
Aira had a quizzical look on her face a second before her eyes widened, clearly having processed his confession. Kohaku couldn’t bring himself to watch her anymore as much as he wanted to, since the ground beneath his feet was suddenly much more captivating.
He jumped and had to bite back a surprised yelp when he felt her hand gently rest on top of his, and as mellow and delicate as the action was, there had been no hesitation. He knew her so well and that was something he could be certain of. His heart picked up its pace as he let his gaze drift to their hands, then to her again when she spoke.
“Kohakucchi, I like you too…” she affirmed, then giggled, “Like like.”
He stared at her, mind running way out of track trying to properly process her words. Had it really been that easy? Everything— absolutely everything— about all the time they spent together, including when they first met online, seemed like something straight out of a dream.
Right then, he couldn't help but worry about that being true, and-
He swallowed back a sigh as he placed his other hand on Aira’s. She’s warm, and real. This is real and he didn’t want to think about anything else. So… he moved closer.
“Um… can I?...” Kohaku murmured.
“Mhm.”
A nervous hum spread out between them as Aira looked at him expectantly. The sight made his heart jump right to his throat, but he was determined to not chicken out, especially not now. Kohaku’s mind raced as he decided on awkwardly lacing their fingers together, trying to remember what else he was supposed to do.
As if picking up on his uncertainty, Aira boldly leaned in just a little more and spoke softly, “Just take your time, Kohakucchi. I’ll stay right here, okay?”
“Uhm, yeah, ‘m jus’...” he trailed off as he reluctantly slipped his hands away from Aira’s in favor of placing them on her shoulders. He had seen dramas, and movies, and sometimes read stories about this sort of thing, and all those actors made it seem so easy, but to do it for real… A bashful hue painted across his face, matching his hair.
Up this close, Kohaku could count her eyelashes, and watch the faint outline of her dimples appear as her face blossomed into a smile. True to her word, Aira patiently waited still, her eyes fluttering shut to make things less embarrassing, maybe. Kohaku’s head spun as much as his heart was swimming, thumping rhythmically right against his chest when he brought a shy hand to the inviting solace of her rosy tinged cheek, that warmth being only the tether that convinced him to not fall off the brink of euphoria as they both shared their very first kiss with each other.
Kohaku was as thoughtful as he could be. If he tilted his head a bit more, they wouldn’t bump noses. Aira wouldn’t mind if he tentatively wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her closer. Everything seemed to click as naturally as it was to breathe even in those fleeting seconds.
It’s Aira who pulls away after a moment more, shyly glancing away as quickly as her face had reddened, her somewhat relaxed and cool facade vanished in just those few heartbeats.
“...Rabu-han, can I do it again?”
“M-mhm.”