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It was late.
Maki tapped her foot impatiently, her arms crossed in front of her chest, annoyance etched on her face. Even with her obvious bad mood, she looked quite beautiful. Yūta reminded himself not to stare at her for too long, and with her latest snort of displeasure (not directed at him, thankfully), Yūta checked his phone again.
Still nothing.
Yūta looked up and met the girl's expectant gaze. He shook his head slightly, and Maki looked away, scanning the passersby.
"I'm going to strangle them," Maki muttered, a promise he was sure she'll keep.
It was late. They had been waiting for Panda and Toge at the agreed-upon meeting point for quite some time, but they still hadn't appeared.
This was supposed to be a special occasion, and what had been organized as a celebratory outing—mainly Panda's idea—was about to become a source of conflict between them.
Yūta resisted the urge to sigh; things weren't going as planned. He glanced at Maki again and then looked away. The nervousness he'd been feeling for a while only intensified as time went on. He didn't know what to do about it, because since the first days of his first year, Yūta hadn't had to deal with such a heavy and uncomfortable atmosphere.
For more than two years, their interactions, mutual understanding, and growing affection had improved his relationship with Maki to the point where they sought to spend time together—training, outings, or simply conversations—because it was enjoyable for both of them. Surprisingly, he and Maki got along remarkably well until he was sent abroad.
He had only recently returned to Japan, and although he'd come back for New Year's, his stay was far too short, as he was obligated to continue the mission he'd been assigned. It was at the end of February that he finally managed to find the cursed object for which he'd been sent abroad. That day, he truly cried tears of joy and didn't care that Miguel teased him about it. And although he was offered the possibility of extending his stay abroad if he wished, Yūta quickly declined. His return was in time to finish his second year and therefore begin his third year with his classmates without being separated again. To say he radiated happiness upon seeing his friends again would be no exaggeration. He couldn't help but hug them, overjoyed to return to what he considered his home: his friends.
«We have to celebrate your return, as well as your birthday!» Even though it had been several days since, Yūta was thrilled that his friends wanted to celebrate with him. Without hesitation, he agreed.
«We have a mission, but don't worry, we'll be there before the movie starts.» But their duties got in the way, and although they assured them they would arrive on time, they still hadn't arrived.
"What if something happened…?" he asked uneasily. He didn't want that to be the case, but if it were, it would be best for them both to return to the dorms.
Maki was about to say something, but the sound of a notification on her phone interrupted her. She picked it up, read what it said, and her expression changed.
"Maki-san?"
She was expressionless, just staring at her screen. But Yūta saw her clutch the device, and he feared it would shatter. But the change happened in seconds, as Maki's frozen face then revealed just how angry she was.
"I'm going to strangle them."
"Did something happen?"
"They're not coming."
"Huh?"
"They're not coming," she repeated, gritting her teeth and holding back her emotions.
"Why? Did something really happen? We should—"
Maki interrupted him, showing him her phone screen. Yūta read Panda's message.
«Something unexpected happened. It's not serious. Enjoy yourselves, just the two of you.»
A sigh escaped his lips, relieved that his friends were okay. But when his mind registered the last part, he froze instantly. «Just the two of you.» Why, suddenly, could he hear Panda's voice saying that?
"Anyway, they're not coming. Idiots, they'll pay for this."
Oh.
At first, Yūta had been relieved that it wasn't anything serious, but it was true that a part of him was also disappointed that they couldn't carry out their plans. But those feelings were soon pushed aside by anxiety as he understood those five words that echoed in his mind relentlessly: «the two of you.» Nervousness, embarrassment, and anticipation overwhelmed him... until they were crushed when he remembered Maki's reaction.
It is… selfish, he admitted to himself, this desire to spend time with her. Finding his voice amidst the tangle of emotions, he spoke calmly.
"It's good they told us before buying the tickets. Do you want to buy anything on the way to the train station?"
"…You really want to go back already?"
Yūta looked at her, confused. Maki seemed conflicted, her brow furrowed, and her lips pressed tightly together; she watched him intently. "Don't you want to see the movie? It would be a waste to go back when we're already here."
The walk back to the dorms wasn't short, and as she mentioned, they were already in Shibuya. They passed through areas lined with restaurants and cafes, with department stores nearby, and with busy people going from one place to another. The young sorcerers, dressed in casual clothes appropriate for the place and the occasion, mingled with ordinary people. On an unusual day off when they were able to meet, for which excitement had been building for some time, did he really want to return? Didn't he want to stick to the original plan just with Maki?
It wasn't about what Yūta wanted, but about what he believed was right. Yet Maki was offering him a choice. How wonderful that was. Trying to keep his expectations in check, he looked more closely at his companion.
Maki pressed her lips together and gazed at him resolutely (as if refusing to yield to the situation), but what surprised him most was the subtle blush that spread from her cheeks, down her nose, and to her ears.
No matter how many times he'd seen her, he couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked that day. She'd changed out of her uniform into a skirt that barely touched her knees and a simple but slightly fitted blouse. Her hair, usually in a ponytail, now fell loosely down her back and shoulders. He wasn't sure, but he could almost tell she was wearing a little makeup (he thought so because of the subtle shimmer on her eyelids and the color on her lips). Maki was beautiful, but that day there was something Yūta couldn't quite put his finger on, something that made her especially captivating, more so than on any other day. There was something else about her face that mesmerized him... was it the subtle color of her lips? The sparkle in her eyes and her gaze...?
Yūta had known Maki for two years. He admired and appreciated her deeply; she was one of the few important people in his life. But there was always something different about her. He sought out time with her, to chat, to practice together, to the point of feeling an uncontrollable anticipation when it came to Maki. Yūta knew that his appreciation and admiration had grown into something more intense.
"Well?" she asked impatiently, seeing the young man's prolonged silence. She herself looked nervous, waiting for his answer.
"I... I want to go to the movies with Maki-san."
His words, though direct, were wrapped in a soft, tentative voice. He feared his mouth would reveal more than he was prepared to admit at that moment—though he couldn't help but want to—because he knew he still had to wait.
"It's not that hard to do, see? I thought you'd already learned to say what you really think," she said, taking his wrist, causing Yūta to flinch slightly at the unexpected contact. But Maki didn't give him any more time, urging him to get going. She continued lecturing him, "It's not that hard to admit what you really want to do. I've told you before: you're not truly considerate of others if you're not considerate of yourself first!"
Maki herself wasn't always following her own advice. As she guided him through the crowd toward the movie theater, her face was unusually flushed and her voice a little grumpier. Yūta smiled; he knew her and knew she was embarrassed.
"You're not entirely honest either, Maki-san."
"Huh?!"
He was honest and said he wanted to watch a movie with her, but he was starting to think that was going to be a bit complicated. At least, as far as «watching the movie» was concerned. How much time had passed since it started playing? Uhh.
From the moment the theater lights dimmed and the movie started, Yūta lost all sense of time, though he could have sworn more minutes had passed than actually had. He had a vague feeling that the movie was halfway through, but he couldn't even understand what it was about. How could he, when he barely turned his head toward the screen? Yūta was more preoccupied with looking in Maki's direction than ahead. Not only had his eyes adjusted to the darkness, but the film's light barely illuminated her face, and the small space between them allowed Yūta to observe Maki's face in greater detail.
In that screening room, with other people scattered around, Yūta felt a nervousness as if it were really just the two of them there. He attributed this to the absence of some of his friends or classmates, something he wasn't used to.
He realized it was the first time they'd been in this situation. The closeness, the dim light in the private darkness, their emotions threatening to overflow... it was clear Yūta wouldn't even know what the movie was about.
You need to concentrate and look straight ahead. Good, keep your gaze there, keep it. It wouldn't be good if Maki realized that—the thread of his thoughts was interrupted when his gaze met hers.
Ah. Aah…
His body, treacherous and lacking self-control, had turned its gaze back to her, and what he didn't want had happened. He longed to vanish in embarrassment, but he couldn't even break eye contact. He could barely swallow with great difficulty.
"Maki-san..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Whether from the movement of his lips or her keen senses, he knew she had heard him. He knew it from the slight, subtle tilt of her head, her hair sliding over her shoulder, from her complete focus on him, from the expectation in her eyes. But Yūta had no idea what to say, or even if he was going to say anything at all. He couldn't remember—nor did he try to—because in an instant, the shame and humiliation of being caught admiring her vanished, replaced by a static anticipation mingled with nervousness and settled in his chest.
His senses were so focused on Maki's face, observing and recording every detail of her in his mind while his heart threatened to overwhelm him—there was no logic to it, but that wasn't what he was seeking; rather, it was the longing to close the distance between them.
His hand was covering her cheek in an instant, barely a superficial touch, and yet he marveled at her softness.
Ah, is this going to happen? Incredibly, his thoughts were free of anxiety, fear, or shame. With his eyes half-closed, Yūta calmly realized what was happening and what would happen as the distance between them slowly closed.
The touch was brief, barely a light pressure, but it was gentle. And although the kiss tasted sweet, Yūta couldn't distinguish the flavor of the drink still on the armrest or the untouched popcorn.
If it were up to him, Yūta would have stayed in that position—still holding his breath—but he would likely try to kiss her again if he didn't create some distance.
"What was that about?" Maki whispered, holding his gaze without showing surprise or annoyance, but rather a subtly gentle expression.
Yūta took a moment to answer, searching for the ability to form coherent sentences. The kiss had been brief, but it had caused a mental short circuit. Fortunately, Maki was patient, and her expression never wavered.
Ah, I really want to do it again. Yūta sighed softly, scolding himself for his greed. His tone was slow and calm.
"...A while ago, Maki-san, you told me I should be honest about what I wanted to do."
"So, it was intentional?"
Intentional? No, he didn't have the nerve to deliberately initiate intimacy when they hadn't yet communicated their feelings, even though they knew they were there. Yūta noticed it in Maki too, but the physical distance, due to his long stay abroad, had put a pause on the tentative steps they had taken to get closer. But with his permanent return, the expectation of changing the direction of their relationship—from friendship to something more—was barely manageable.
So no, Yūta hadn't planned to go to the movies alone to kiss her. He hadn't even considered daring to kiss her before officially dating.
He carefully considered his words to avoid any misunderstanding.
"It wasn't intentional or a spur-of-the-moment impulse. I didn't expect this to happen now, since it's something I wanted to share with you after telling you how I feel," Yūta said softly but firmly, without hesitating, even though his heart was racing. "I didn't mean to do anything to upset you."
Part of the confession that had been lingering in his mind for so long, waiting for the right moment, slipped out naturally from his lips, like a breath. He watched Maki intently, noticing how her eyes widened for a moment, as if absorbing his words. Suddenly, Yūta was more nervous about what she was going to say than he had been when he kissed her.
Maki stifled a huff.
"Don't make fun of me. You should know by now that I'm not one to stand by when I don't like something. I don't let myself be swayed by the atmosphere either."
Maki was determined and unyielding, acting according to her heart. Yūta knew this, and it was precisely this that had always attracted him to her—from the very beginning. With what she had said, Yūta confirmed that she had accepted the kiss not out of a sense of obligation, but because she had wanted it. The emotion he felt was indescribable, and he was sure it showed on his face.
Maki was also watching him closely and perhaps knew what he was planning to do, because she gently pushed his face away, creating more space between them, and then turned his face slightly toward the screen. The message was clear.
Yūta went from confusion to disappointment. Sighing in defeat, he tried to watch the movie. Meanwhile, Maki seemed amused, all thanks to his reaction. The boy blinked, confused by the plot he didn't understand. What was happening? He tried to recall the premise of the movie, but nothing came to mind. Sighing in surrender, he told himself that the best thing to do was to try to pay attention.
However, after a moment, his attempt to understand the film was unexpectedly interrupted. His eyes widened at the unexpected touch, and he immediately looked at Maki, who was still engrossed in the screen. But the squeeze of his hand told him Maki was paying more attention to him than she let on, and she stifled a laugh, letting it slip into a sigh. Yūta found it incredible that he was capable of falling even further at her feet.
Intertwining their hands, he decided to give up trying to watch the film, and, without the embarrassment of being caught staring at her openly, Yūta focused his full attention on her.
.
.
.
.
"Oi, Yūta, how much longer do you plan on delaying our return?"
"But Maki-san said so earlier! We should take advantage of being here."
"Don't twist my words! Tch, you're so stubborn about the most inconvenient things. You're annoying."
After the movie, they were walking through the streets of Shibuya, and although Maki initially wasn't in a hurry to return, it was all too obvious that Yūta was trying to delay it even further. At first, the girl didn't say much, although she found it almost endearing and amusing, but that didn't last long.
"Should we have dinner before we head back? There's a place over there that looks good, so—"
"Yūta, we already bought snacks, remember? Three times."
They'd walked all over the place to eat, to get coffee, even to have dessert. At the time, of course, Maki hadn't complained; everything was welcome, but the girl didn't have room for more food in such a short time. Besides, she was tired of walking, and they still had to walk from the nearest train station to the dorms, which wasn't a short distance.
She understood his reluctance, but he was being pushy. Sighing, tired and not wanting to hurt his feelings, she softened her tone.
"Let's head back for today. And on the way, we can decide where to go on our next day off, okay?"
"Really? Then I'm in!"
She scoffed at his quick recovery; one moment, he was a droopy bean sprout, and the next an excited puppy with sparkling eyes. Was he really the same sorcerer with a growing reputation for being dangerous? She sighed again, imagining what the future held.
At Shibuya's largest and busiest pedestrian intersection, just as the light indicated they could proceed, Maki was stopped before she could take a step. Yūta grabbed her hand and pulled her around, spinning her on her heels, drawing her toward him, and kissing her for the second time.
The kiss was a little longer, the pressure a little firmer, but just as sweet. When Yūta pulled back to get a better look at her face, Maki kicked him in the shin.
"Ouch, Maki-san!?"
"Don't get carried away. Especially not in public." Her face was red, but there was no real anger on her face, just embarrassment.
Yūta quickly straightened up, recovering just as quickly, and moved closer again, excited.
"Not in public, that means it's okay if—"
"Hey, I already told you not to get carried away, you idiot!"
Her scolding lacked any annoyance, and when he took her hand again, Maki didn't pull away. She clicked her tongue in exasperation at the silly grin on his face. Yūta, for his part, didn't point out the bright blush on her face or how she was trying to suppress her smile.
As they walked through the bustling streets, Yūta could only think that if this was a dream, then he didn't want to wake up.
But the gentle warmth of their intertwined hands reassured him that it was real.