Miu stood in front of the mirror for more than five minutes just to fix her hair. She didn't understand why her hands kept trembling today.

It's just going out.
Not a date.
Not... that.

She tried to calm herself down, but her heart kept pounding as if someone were knocking on it again and again.

Her phone lit up.

Lena: I'm here.

Just two words, and Miu sprang up, grabbed her bag, and rushed down the stairs so fast she nearly missed a step.

When she stepped outside, the familiar black car was already waiting in front of her house. The window slid down.

Lena sat inside. The streetlight cut across half her face, making her look... gentle, yet unreadable. Dark shirt, hair tied low, eyes calm but focused.

"Get in," Lena said softly, her voice pulling Miu closer.

Miu climbed into the car. The faint scent of Lena's perfume stole three full seconds of her breathing.

"Did you wait long?" Lena asked as she reached over to fasten Miu's seatbelt.

Miu startled.

"I—I can do it myself!"

"I know." Lena still fastened it.

"But I want to."

Her hand brushed Miu's shoulder for exactly one second. That single second was enough to make Miu's ears burn.

⸻

"So... where are we going?" Miu asked as the car began to move.

"I haven't decided," Lena replied.

"I just wanted to see you."

Miu lowered her gaze.

"When you say things like that... I don't know how to respond..."

"You don't have to."

"Just listen."

Miu flushed and fell silent like a small, obedient cat.

"What do you feel like eating?" Lena asked.

"Something... light today."

"Alright. I know a place."

Miu shot upright.

"Wait—didn't you say you hadn't thought about it?!"

"I hadn't."

"But I think fast."

"...You really say that with a straight face."

Lena smiled very slightly, the kind of smile so rare it felt counted.

⸻

Lena took Miu to a small place hidden deep in an alley, warm and quiet, softly lit, barely crowded.

Miu looked around, surprised.

"You know places like this too? I thought you only went to fancy restaurants."

"You like quiet places," Lena said.

"So I brought you."

Miu paused. Lena always seemed to say the exact thing Miu hadn't yet put into words.

They chose a seat by the window. Miu ordered hot noodles. Lena ordered only warm water.

"You're not eating?" Miu tilted her head.

"Watching you eat is enough."

"If you say that again I'll put my spoon down!"

"Try it."

"...."

Miu didn't dare.

⸻

"Work's tiring?" Lena asked, resting her chin on her hand.

"A little." Miu twirled her chopsticks.

"They changed managers recently, so things are messy."

"Did anyone make you uncomfortable?"

"No!"

"Are you sure?"

"I am..."

Lena watched her for a moment, as if checking for lies. When she saw Miu was truly fine, her shoulders relaxed.

"What about you?" Miu asked.

"Meetings all day?"

"Yes. But I'm not tired now."

"Because... you're with me?"

Miu asked and immediately wanted to bite her tongue. She ducked her head, pretending to look for noodles.

Lena answered plainly.

"Yes."

Miu's heartbeat thundered in her ears.

⸻

There were moments when Miu focused on eating, and Lena said nothing. She just watched.

Not the kind of look that judged. But the kind that tried to memorize everything. Her hair, her eyes, the way her brows knit when it was spicy, the curve of her lips when she smiled.

Miu couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop staring..."

"Why?"

"It's... embarrassing..."

"I like looking."

"But—"

"You don't like it when I look at you?"

"...It's not that I don't like it..." Miu murmured.

"It just feels... too..."

"Too what?"

"...Too close."

Lena tilted her head.

"Closer is fine too."

Miu seriously considered leaving her body.

⸻

Outside, the alley was quiet, washed in yellow light. Lena slowed her steps so Miu could walk beside her.

"Lena," Miu called softly.

"Hmm?"

"Today was... nice."

Lena turned to her.

"Yes. I feel the same."

"You always say things that make my heart race."

"Then don't stand so far from me."

"...How is that related?!"

"Stand closer. Your heart will beat less."

"You're lying."

"Try it."

Lena held her hand out, clearly inviting Miu closer.

Miu hesitated for a few seconds.

Then stepped in.

The distance between them shrank to less than a hand's width.

Lena looked down. Miu's cheeks were flushed, her eyes shining under the streetlight. Lena lifted her hand—

Didn't touch.

She only adjusted Miu's scarf so it sat neatly.

A small movement. Enough to melt Miu completely.

"How is it now?" Lena asked quietly.

"...Still beating fast..."

"Yes." She nodded.

"It's fine. I'm used to it."

"Used to what?"

"Used to you making my heart do the same."

Miu froze for exactly three seconds.

⸻

At the door, Miu fumbled through her words.

"Thank you for today... I... I was really happy."

"Yes."

"Drive safely, okay?"

"No."

"Huh?!"

"Go inside first."

"You're... waiting until I go in?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god..."

Embarrassed to the point of tears, Miu climbed the steps anyway.

Before opening the door, she turned back. Lena was still leaning lightly against the car, hands in her pockets, eyes never leaving her.

No pressure.
No possessiveness.
Just one clear truth:

She cared.

Miu whispered, "Lena..."

"Yes?"

"Today... I really liked it."

Lena replied with a sentence that kept Miu awake all night.

"Then let's meet again tomorrow."

"Tomorrow already?!"

"Yes."

"You won't get tired of me?"

"No." Lena said slowly.

"I'm only afraid you'll get tired of me."

Miu shook her head rapidly.

"Never!"

Lena's lips curved slightly.

"Then go inside."

"Yes..."

Miu stepped in and closed the door.

On the other side, her heart was pounding so hard she had to sit down on the floor.

Outside, Lena stood still, staring at the closed door, and whispered softly, only for herself to hear:

"Tomorrow... and the days after that... I want to see you too."