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It’s dark out, the stars are the only light that was provided to anyone sitting outside. The party inside hums with excitement, yet its boisterous noise proves to be proficient in draining social batteries. In the moonlight, there was a ponytailed figure leaning over the balcony, the soft hum of a phone speaker playing a soft tune to the right of her. Gently pushing open the balcony door, a boy of the same age observed the figure, who was isolated with only the music to comfort her.
“Thought I’d find you here, Aishi-san.”
The dark-haired girl turned around, acknowledging the boy as he approached, “Matsuda-san.” Her eyes upturned in a welcoming manner.
Budo Matsuda positioned himself to her right, as to not obstruct the speaker, since he of all people knew how rejuvenating music can be after a wild party.
“Shouldn’t you be inside… with your friends?” Ayano Aishi says finally, after the two stood in silence, taking in the song’s rhythm. It was in English, making the lyrics unclear at first, but with enough time and the repeated listening of this specific song, encoding it was easy enough.
The song was titled, ‘UNDERSTAND’, by an artist named Keshi. It was the first song Ayano truly listened to, as she never really bothered to listen to music. It was also the first song Budo showed her when they first hung out. At that time, she couldn’t connect with the lyrics properly. Of course, since she was still grasping the concept of ‘emotion’ for the first time in 15 years… it would be difficult for her to relate to a song entirely. Maybe it was the humble acoustics of it all that hooked her, or maybe it was the comforting feeling the song provided, or the intimacy of the lyrics. Ayano didn’t know what it was then, but she would beg Budo to play it over again during their study sessions.
----
“Matsuda-san… I’m truly sorry if this is a bother but…” The dark haired girl’s gaze suddenly fell on her companion, the latter of which was sprawled on the floor pen and paper in hand, her stormy eyes locked on his as she made a request.
At that moment, all Budo could think was, ‘whatever her request is, I will be sure to fulfill it as many times as it takes to make her satisfied’.
“Please, can we play that song again while we study?” Her voice is like chocolate in the middle of a pastry; the best part of the day.
“Sure. Want me to add you to my playlist? It’s got a ton of songs like this, too…” He smiles, offering his hand out for her phone.
Without hesitation, the girl responds, “Yes, I’d love that.”
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“Well, I…” Budo’s mind raced, desperately trying to attach a reason to his presence. He really had no reason, other than just to see Ayano. Without her, he feels… incomplete. Her gentle, shy exterior grounds him in a way, or maybe it’s her witty personality. He was a yin without his yang without her… and that thought of separation disturbed him.
Alas, his lack of words failed him, and he couldn’t say what was on his mind. Instead, Budo stutters and says, “I… wanted to check on you. You were gone for a while, I was worried.”
Ayano chuckled sweetly, “Oh, Matsuda-san. You never fail to amuse me.”
They stand together in silence, as the singer Keshi continues singing this lonesome ballad both have come to love.
Never thought that I'd find
That the one in my life would be so near
And now you're here
Unbeknownst to Budo, Ayano had been fidgeting on her own as well. Her own thoughts consumed her like a behemoth, as she just had to admire her companion’s build in the glossy moonlight. She had always known he was built - it was just fact as he was the Martial Arts Club Leader - but to observe the divots in his skin where muscles formed, where veins began and ended and how his bicep wrapped around his arm like strong blankets meant to cuddle with… it was flustering to say the least.
Now that the two were alone in such an intimate moment, the navy gradient of a sky coming into its role as the backdrop of such a cliche romance scene, the schoolgirl’s cheeks burned brighter than even the moon.
I got you, you got me
When it's us, babe, you make me feel complete
You're all I need
“Matsuda-san?” The girl suddenly hums, her sweet honey-like voice rousing the boy out of his thoughts.
“Yes?”
“... Isn’t the moon lovely tonight?” She decides to say, turning her body now to the boy. Her eyes gaze into his, as if she was trying to examine his answer beforehand.
Budo turns to face the girl the same, their obvious height difference being made apparent now that they were looking at each other head-on.
With his signature grin, Matsuda found no other answer to her question, “It looks lovely, Ayano.”
The sudden first-name usage initially shocked the girl, her heart warming at it. Luckily the moonlight didn't specifically shine on her lips, as they quirked up in a small smile. Something in her held onto the thought that this would become more common, and easier to deal with.
Maybe we can try it if you let me
Take you by the hand
You're the only one who understands
As the chorus echoed throughout the night, Ayano’s hand slithered across the balcony rail, gliding over to Budo’s, fingers intertwining with his.