The café was already quiet in the early morning, but when Lena said it—

"Today... let me kiss you back."

—time seemed to stop completely.

Miu froze in her seat, both hands wrapped around her drink without daring to take a sip. Her face burned so hot it felt like she could bake bread on it.

"Y–you... what did you just say...?" Her voice was tiny, like a kitten that had just opened its eyes.

Lena tilted her head, her gaze never leaving Miu for even a second.

"I want to kiss you."

Miu's heart dropped then bounced back up like a rubber ball.

"Y–you shouldn't say things like that... people are watching..."

"No one is watching," Lena replied, frighteningly calm.

"Are you worried for me?"

"...Yes."

"I'm not." Lena leaned forward slightly.

"You're the only one I'm looking at."

Miu lowered her head, wishing she could disappear under the table.

"Lena..." Her voice trembled.

"I'm really embarrassed..."

"Are you embarrassed because you want me?" Lena asked, not avoiding the question.

"It's not that... it's because yesterday... I did it first..." Miu stammered.

"I was... strange..."

"Not strange," Lena said immediately.

"It's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me."

Miu bit her lip, eyes shimmering.

"But... you don't have to give it back..."

Lena didn't deny it. Didn't explain either. She stood up from her chair.

"Come with me."

"H–huh?! Where are we going?!" Miu shot up instinctively.

Lena took her wrist gently enough to guide, not enough to pull.

"Outside. It's crowded here." Her voice was firm.

⸻

The café had a small back balcony, rarely used as the sun had started to rise. Lena stepped out first, then turned to look at Miu.

Miu stood in the doorway, clutching the hem of her shirt, heart pounding like a drum.

"Come here." Lena held out her hand.

Miu stepped forward. Their eyes met for a brief moment just long enough to knock her breathing off rhythm.

"Lena..." Miu whispered.

"Yesterday... I kissed you because... I was jealous..."

"I know," Lena said.

"But I don't want it to be something that happens just once because you acted on impulse."

Miu's eyes widened.

"You mean..."

"I want you to remember it," Lena said.

"The way you've made me remember it since last night until this morning."

Miu lost her voice completely, standing there with her heart racing.

Lena lifted her hand and rested it gently on Miu's cheek. The way she touched her wasn't rushed or impulsive like yesterday's kiss. It was careful, deliberate like opening a gift she had waited a long time for.

"Is this okay?" Lena asked.

Miu didn't know whether to say yes, okay, or please don't make me melt any further. In the end, she only nodded.

A very small nod. But enough.

Lena leaned down, slowly—so slowly Miu could feel the warmth of her breath against her lips before they even touched.

Then—

Lena kissed her.

Not like the kiss Miu had given her yesterday.
Not rushed.
Not trembling.

But deep, warm, intentional.

A kiss that made Miu feel held, as if someone were carefully gathering her heart and keeping it safe.

Miu shivered, her hands instinctively clutching the edge of Lena's shirt. Lena placed a hand on her waist just enough to keep her steady.

The kiss lasted only a few seconds. But to Miu, it felt like a beam of light sweeping through every dark corner inside her.

When Lena pulled back, her forehead rested against Miu's, her voice low.

"Don't be jealous next time." A pause.

"You don't need a reason to kiss me."

Miu turned red enough to nearly faint.

"If you say that... I'll end up kissing you all the time..."

Lena let out a soft laugh—one of those rare laughs Miu loved.

"Then I'll wait."

⸻

As Miu tried to step back out of embarrassment, Lena caught her wrist.

"Wait."

Miu looked up.

"Yes?"

Lena studied her. Her eyes no longer held that perfect composure she usually wore—there was a tremor there, something honest she rarely showed.

"Tomorrow, don't avoid me."

Miu frowned slightly.

"I wasn't avoiding you..."

"You were," Lena said.

"When you walked into the café today, you looked at the floor before you looked at me."

Miu froze.

"I was embarrassed..."

"Then don't be." Lena said softly, but firmly.

"I want to see you."

Miu let out a tiny laugh.

"If you say things like that... how am I supposed to look at you tomorrow?"

"You will," Lena replied.

"Because I'll be the one looking at you first."