Work Text:
"Dear Love,
I hope this note finds you well. I.. want to get to know you more. I wonder if you might like to meet me for coffee tomorrow? Just the two of us.
-Still in Love."
That was the letter she had folded into a tiny rectangle, slipped into the other girl’s locker and clasped it shut. Her cheeks warmed at the memory of doing such a bold thing, heart fluttering. Now that she stood here in the quiet park... she wondered if Loves Only You would even come.
She adjusted her simple blue dress, hair neatly tied into two braids. Still in Love kept glancing at her watch, nerves tightening her chest. What if she had misjudged the timing? What if her crush had forgotten? Or, what if-
The distant sound of footsteps snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned her head toward the approaching figure… Loves Only You, walking confidently with a smile that radiated warmth.
"Sorry! I’m a little late. I got caught up with stream, but I got ready as soon as I could!”
Still in Love somehow managed to speak. "Oh- no. I wasn’t waiting long.” She looks so cute in that green dress. "I’m glad you came." Her voice wavered.
Loves Only You nodded and held out her hand. "Shall we?"
Still in Love hesitated only a moment… before placing her trembling hand in hers. The warmth of that touch instantly soothed some of her nerves. They headed toward a cozy coffee shop nestled among the bustling streets.
Inside, the aroma and gentle hum of conversation made it feel like a refuge from the outside world. The two found a corner table by the window and sat down, Still in Love clutching the end of her dress.
After they ordered, Loves Only You turned to face her more directly.
“You look really nice today,” she admired. “I was excited to have our little date!”
Still in Love blushed, lowering her gaze to the cooling cup. “I… I felt the same way.”
The other girl giggled and reached across the table, covering her hand again. “Tell me, how have you been?”
As they exchanged small talk, their coffees soon arrived. Still in Love took a tentative sip, the warmth spreading through her fingertips. She looked out the window, watching the world go by… she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" she suddenly asked.
Loves Only You blinked, caught off guard. “Well… I’d think that’s possible!”
"That’s- …That’s how I felt when I first saw you.” Still in Love was unable to make eye contact. “…I couldn’t ignore it.
A faint blush rose on the other girl’s cheeks, and she went quiet for a moment. Just long enough for Still in Love’s stomach to twist into anxious knots before the silence broke.
"…You know, that day," Loves Only You suddenly giggled. "You could barely look me in the eye! I thought I’d made you uncomfortable."
Still in Love's face burned with embarassment. "Y-You remember that?!”
"Of course," the other winked. "I notice more than people think. But that’s okay, you know? I wanna get closer to you too.”
Those words melted away some of the tension Still in Love had been carrying. Her shoulders relaxed as she finally managed to look up, and meet those bright eyes across the table. "Really?" The word escaped as barely more than a whisper.
"Really." Loves Only You's thumb traced across her knuckles, sending little sparks up Still in Love's arm. "You're sweet, you know that?"
That’s unfair. Her heart will explode at this rate.
"I..." Still in Love swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry despite the coffee she just drank. "I wanted to talk to you for so long. I just never knew how…”
Loves Only You shook her head. “Don’t worry about that anymore. You can always talk to me~ Oh, why don’t we exchange numbers?” she fished her phone from her pocket.
Well, that’s it. Still in Love must’ve just used up her luck for the rest of her life.
“Of course!!”
As she held the other’s phone, Still in Love's hands shook so badly she nearly dropped it twice. She typed in her number with painstaking care, double-checking each digit before handing it back. “Th-There…” she said softly, a small smile on her face. It was so simple, she feels silly for being anxious before.
"Now we can talk whenever we want!” Loves Only You beamed, her smile radiant.
Still in Love’s voice was steadier now... "I'd like that.”
Just then, the waitress approached to take their empty cups. "Are you ready for the check?" she asked with a friendly smile. Still in Love hesitated for a moment before speaking up-
"Yes, can you put it all on one check…?" She stole a glance at Loves Only You, hoping she didn't overstep.
Loves Only You chuckled. "Right, let me take care of this one.”
“What!? No, for me!” Still in Love protested. “I invited you out today; it's only fair that I pay."
After some back and forth, they both agreed to split the bill evenly.
"You can treat me next time," Loves Only You teased, nudging the shorter girl with her elbow.
Still in Love let out a sigh with pink cheeks. "Alright," she replied, relieved at the casual atmosphere.
Leaving the cafe, the late afternoon sun cast a glow over the two of them as they walked side by side. The gentle breeze passing by carried their laughter and conversation all the way. Before parting ways at the corner of the street, Still in Love shyly cleared her throat.
"…Thanks for today. I had a great time."
Loves Only You returned the sentiment with a smile that reached her eyes. "Me too! Let's do this again next week."
Huh?
Still in Love was still processing those words as she walked away, her heart pounding in her chest.
… Yes, I’d like that.