Chapter 27 – “Under the Stars”

The camp had fallen silent.

Only the chirping of crickets and the occasional crackle of dying embers filled the air. The stars glittered endlessly above, like a spilled box of diamonds across velvet sky.

Inside their small tent, Riko lay on her side, wide awake.

The faint rhythm of Daichi’s breathing was too close, too real.

Why can’t I sleep? she thought, clutching her pillow. Because someone’s breathing three inches away, that’s why!

A rustle beside her made her flinch.

“…You awake?” Daichi’s low whisper cut through the quiet.

Riko hesitated. “No,” she whispered back. “I’m sound asleep.”

He chuckled softly. “Right. Me too.”

The silence that followed was heavy but not uncomfortable — the kind that made their hearts thump louder in their own ears.

After a moment, Daichi spoke again, voice uncertain. “Hey… remember when we used to fight every single day?”

Riko smirked into her pillow. “Used to? You literally called me a goblin two days ago.”

“That was affectionate,” he said. “A cute goblin.”

She turned to glare at him — only to realize he was already looking at her. The faint starlight filtered through the tent fabric, casting soft shadows over his face. He looked… different. Older, somehow. Softer.

Her voice dropped. “You really can’t sleep, huh?”

“Not really.” He exhaled slowly. “Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“…You.”

Riko’s heart skipped. “Me?”

“Yeah,” he said simply. “About how much trouble you cause.”

“Wow. Romantic.”

He laughed under his breath, rubbing his neck. “And how quiet it feels when you’re not around.”

That silenced her. Completely.

She turned to face him fully now, the thin sleeping bag between them feeling more like a wall. “You’re saying weird things again.”

“I know,” he said, voice unsteady. “But if I don’t say it now, I’ll never be able to.”

He took a small breath, then met her gaze. His eyes weren’t teasing this time — they were open, nervous, honest. “Riko… I like you.”

The words hung there, soft but powerful, echoing in her chest.

Her breath trembled. “You… like me?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’ve probably liked you for a while now. I just didn’t realize it until—” He scratched his head, embarrassed. “—until that stupid play. And that kiss.”

Riko’s face burned. “You mean the one you added yourself, you idiot?”

“Yeah,” he said, smiling sheepishly. “That one.”

She tried to glare at him, but her lips twitched. “You’re impossible.”

“I know.” He looked down. “So if it’s too much, if you don’t feel the same—”

“Shut up,” she whispered suddenly.

“Huh?”

Her fingers clutched the edge of her sleeping bag. “You talk too much, Daichi.”

He blinked in confusion — then froze as she shifted closer. Her face was inches away, eyes shimmering with something between fear and hope.

“I like you too,” she said quietly. “So stop making me say it twice.”

For a second, neither breathed. The world outside faded — the trees, the crickets, even the flicker of firelight. All that existed was the small space between them.

Then, awkwardly — adorably — Daichi leaned in.

Their noses bumped.

“Ow—!”

“Sorry—! I—”

“Do you not know how kissing works?!”

Riko tried to glare again, but laughter slipped out instead. Daichi laughed too, rubbing his nose.

“Let’s try that again,” he murmured.

“Please do better this time,” she said softly.

And then, finally, their lips met — hesitant, clumsy, but real. The kind of kiss that wasn’t perfect, yet felt exactly right.

Outside, the wind rustled through the trees. A shooting star streaked across the sky, unnoticed by both of them.

When they pulled apart, faces flushed, Riko hid her face in her hands. “We really just did that, didn’t we?”

Daichi grinned. “Pretty sure we did.”

“Do you realize Mina is in the next tent? If she finds out—”

“—she’ll post about it before breakfast,” he finished. “Yeah, probably.”

They both burst into quiet laughter, trying not to wake the camp. Then silence again — but this time, it was peaceful.

Daichi leaned back on his sleeping bag, still smiling. “Hey, Riko?”

“Mm?”

“Can I hold your hand?”

Riko turned red instantly. “You just kissed me and now you ask?”

“Just making sure,” he said with a shrug.

After a pause, she reached out under the sleeping bag and found his hand. Their fingers fit together awkwardly — like puzzle pieces that somehow belonged.

They lay there, side by side, staring at the faint glow through the tent ceiling — stars above them, hearts finally steadying.

Riko exhaled softly. “So…”

Daichi turned his head toward her. “So?”

She smiled shyly, voice barely above a whisper.

> “So… we’re really together now?”

He squeezed her hand gently, grin widening.

> “Yeah. Guess there’s no pretending anymore.”

Outside, the forest kept its secrets. Inside the small tent, two hearts — once loud with denial — finally rested in rhythm under the stars.