Volume 1 – Chapter 10

A week passed. Saturday.

I still can’t believe I actually did it. Seriously.

I stand in front of the mirror for the fifth time, staring at my reflection – light skirt, picnic basket in hand – and hardly recognize myself.
You’ve really lost it, Mirai. He agreed, sure, but a whole picnic? Cooking? This is you, not some Gourmet Nancy…

And yet… I’m not afraid. Nervous, yes. My heart flutters the same way it does before an important stream – but this nervousness is sweet. Because this isn’t just a meeting. It’s… a little celebration. Mine. For him.
I want him to feel the way I did on our first date. Warm. Safe.

…

Senpai messaged that he’d already left home. My hands shook so much I nearly dropped the thermos.

Blanket, snacks, homemade bento, thermos with tea, dessert in little jars – even the cute heart-shaped bubble wand – everything was neatly packed in the basket.

It took me almost an hour to find this park, the one with blooming sakura trees, and the perfect spot – quiet, a bit hidden, just for the two of us.
He said he’d let me choose the place. And I did. The place I’d dreamed of sharing with someone important. And today, that someone is you, Senpai.

…

When I saw him, my heart jumped.
He approached with that same calm smile – the one that somehow makes the whole world lighter.

– Hi, – he said.
– Hi… – I breathed out softly. Then, barely audibly: – I’ve been waiting for you.

He laughed gently.
– You look like you’ve prepared a whole festival for two.
– Well… that’s exactly what it is, – I mumbled, embarrassed.

We walked along an alley sprinkled with pink petals. I slowed down on purpose – I wanted to savor every second. He didn’t hurry either. Just walked beside me, silent and steady.

When we reached the spot, I spread the blanket. He helped – calm, confident, like always. I unpacked the bento box.

– Please, let it not be terrible… – I muttered.
– You cooked it yourself? – he asked, smiling wider.
– Uh-huh. So if it’s bad, there’s no hospital nearby, but I do have activated charcoal, – I giggled.
– Then I’ll risk my life, – he said with a playful nod.

…

We ate slowly, unhurried. I watched him smile, taste each bite, and say “mm, delicious” in such a sincere tone that I almost wanted to sit closer and whisper, “Say that again. Just once more.”

He had no idea how much that meant to me. How hard I’d tried. How nervous I’d been.

Then, while we were drinking tea, there was a tiny space between our cups on the blanket.
I put my hand there – casually, or maybe not.

He noticed. Smiled.
And placed his hand gently over mine.

That was all. Just a hand on a hand.
But inside – the whole world stopped.
And music began to play.

We sat there in silence. But it wasn’t awkward. It was peaceful. The kind of silence where you don’t need words, because being near is enough.

…

I looked at him – at how the petals reflected in his eyes.
At how he looked at me – calm, certain, like I was someone who truly mattered.

– Thank you for coming, – I said softly.
– Thank you for inviting me, – he replied.
– I wanted to surprise you. To do something from the heart.
– You did, – he said with a smile.

Then his voice dropped a little, warm and steady.
– You’re already in my heart, Mirai. And with each day… even deeper.

I froze. My cheeks burned all the way to my ears. I laughed nervously and whispered:
– And you’ve been in mine… for a while already.

…

We stayed like that a long time. Listening to the breeze sway the branches, to petals landing softly on the blanket. I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.

If time could stop – I’d leave us here. Under this tree. In this warmth.

…

Before we left, he suddenly said:
– Wait. I have something for you.
– Huh? You’ve already given me so much…
He pulled out a small box, tied with a ribbon patterned in tiny stars.
– It’s just a little thing. But I thought you’d like it.

I opened it carefully. Inside was a handmade keychain – a tiny pirate ship with a heart on its sail. So delicate, so me, it felt like it had come straight out of my dreams.

– I wanted you to have a reminder, – he said quietly, eyes lowered. – That no matter what happens, or where you are – I’ll be there.

I pressed the keychain to my chest. My heart quivered, my lips trembled. I couldn’t even speak – just nodded, holding back tears.

He really is here. Not just in words. Not just as an image. But truly – here.

…

When we said goodbye, he pulled me into a gentle hug.
No rush. No pretenses.

I leaned my forehead against his shoulder and whispered:
– Thank you. For everything. This was one of the happiest days of my life.

He brushed his hand lightly across my back and said:
– I promise – there’ll be even better ones, Mirai.

We parted with a soft ache, but not sadness – more like the certainty that this was only the beginning.

I glanced back several times.
He was still there, standing and watching until I disappeared from sight.
As if afraid that if he looked away, I might vanish – and with me, everything between us.

But I won’t vanish. I don’t want to.

…

Evening. Home. Pajamas.
The lamp’s warm light fills the room.
In my hand – the keychain. That tiny ship. I trace the little heart on its sail with my fingertip.

He said: “I’ll be there.”

And I’ve waited my whole life to hear someone say that.
Not for money. Not for fame. Not for anything but… care.

I press the keychain to my lips, close my eyes, and whisper into the quiet room, my voice trembling softly:

– Well… how could I not fall in love with you, huh?..