Dinner was awkward. 

Your mom was out to run some errands. Souji's dad had to head out for dinner with his friends. So, only you and Souji were left. 

You both could only hear the slurping sounds of the ramen. Whenever you made eye contact, you both quickly gazed away. 

Why though? Why can't I look him in the eye? you mentality scold yourselves. 

Of course, you were thrown off a bit by the indirect confession. You should have felt happy, though, knowing your feelings are reciprocated. But Souji doesn't know that. Not to mention, you are leaving soon.  

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Souji POV

Why must it be this awkward? Was my confession too sudden? Did I make her uncomfortable? Damn it, Souji, why did you have to say that aloud earlier. I mentally scolded myself. 

I cleared my throat a bit. I saw her looking up with concern. 

"Are you okay, Sou-chan? Need more water?" She asked, standing up and was about to head to the kitchen. 

I immediately stood up and grasped her hand. The light brush somehow caused my heart to beat faster.  Could she hear it? I worried.

"No, I'm good." 

Silence. 

I let out a big sigh before looking back at her. I could see she quickly avoided my gaze. 

"N/N can we talk?" I finally found the courage to ask. 

She looked up and met my eyes. Like always, she could always understand my hidden message and nodded. 

We quickly cleaned up our dirty dishes and went to the yard. 

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Normal POV

You could feel your heart beating faster when he grasped your hand. You worried he could also hear it beating-- a little too fast. 

You tried to look at him while he was thinking. He finally snapped out of his thoughts and gazed back at you. 

Startled, you found yourself looking elsewhere until you heard, "N/N can we talk?"

You finally found the courage to meet him in the eyes. You nodded, understanding what he wanted to talk about. Better than later. You told yourself. 

You both quickly cleaned up your mess. 

You headed out the yard first, grabbing two cushions. While Souji grabbed two small blankets. 

"Here you go." he handed. 

"Arigato." you murmured. 

Both of you sat down and gazed at the stars. 

Another awkward silence. You can see in the corner of your eyes that Souji was thinking of how he should start the conversation. 

"The stars are so pretty tonight." you said, causing him to glance at you and then looked up. 

"Yeh, it is." he replied. 

*Thump*Thump*Thump*Thump*

"N/N, about today..." He turned to you. You hesitantly looked at him. 

"I meant what I said." 

You could feel a sudden rush of excitement, surprise, and butterflies. 

"I--" 

"You don't have to respond immediately," he reassured you. "I know you're leaving soon. Hence, I didn't plan to tell you yet." 

He slowly reached and placed his hand on top of yours. You could feel the warm radiance of his touch.

"I'm really glad you came back N/N." he continued. 

"No. Do not blame yourself for what happened between Rin and I." he stated, seeing you were about to speak. 

Your eyes widened, but you were not surprised that he could read your mind. 

"Just follow your dream N/N," he said. "and if---if by chance you are able to meet someone special over there, I---"

You quickly place one finger on his lip to hush him. He looked flustered at your action. You could see a faint blush on his cheek. 

"N/N?" he asked, seeing you keep looking at him. He was a bit worried as he saw some tears on the corner of your eyes. 

You used your other hand to wipe it and let out a small smile. 

"Arigato, Sou-chan." you stated. 

He still looked a bit puzzle. You removed your hand and looked back at the stars as his gaze never left you. 

"When I first came back here and saw you with Rin, I'll admit...I wasn't feeling the best. Remember when you and Ian kept calling out to me when I was in a daze?" 

He tried recall that memory. 

Flashback (from Secret)

Souji's POV

"You guys look like lovebirds. Even Rin didn't even give him any nicknames. Or she does but he doesn't like nicknames. So she just called him Souji." Ian exposed me.

Y/N had a surprise expression all written over her face. I quickly turned to Ian and punch him. 

"Yah, why did you tell her that?" I hissed in embarrassment. 

Ian just chuckled. "I'm just helping you out Boy-yah!" Ian winked. 

"N/N, don't listen to his nonsense, alright?" I told Y/N while 

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

Souji-kun didn't like nicknames? It was shocking to hear that since he always came up with different nicknames for me when we were playing. I was once again lost in my thoughts not noticing Souji punching Ian for exposing him.

"Y/N"

"N/N"

"Y/N" they both called me. I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Are you feeling okay? We've been calling tons of time?" Ian asked in concern.

"Are you still tired from the plane? How about I take you home?" Souji offered.

"Hmm...I'm fine. Maybe just a little tired." I lied. Souji stood up from his seat and went by my side. 

End of flashback

"I didn't know why I was feeling really bitter that you're dating someone....and I guess it didn't help that we were staying in the same house too.." you chuckled. 

"at first...I'm not sure if it was just that childhood friend affection...that I'm jealous because you now have someone else to go to....or...." you continued feeling his gaze. 

You paused, not knowing how to continue. 

"Or?" he asked, judging by his tone of voice, you can sense some excitement, fear, and concern. 

"Or...is it because I like you too." You finally turned and looked at him with a smile. 

"I like you too, Sou-chan." 

He pulled you into a deep hug. 

"Arigato." was all in his say. You returned the hug and buried your head in his shoulder.

"I'll come back. I promise," you told him. 

"I'll wait for you til then," he said. "I promise."

You looked up in his eyes. You both stared at each other before chuckling together. 

"Shall we clean up and head in for a movie night?" he asked. 

You nodded. He sat up and extended his arm to pull you up. 

You both cleaned up and headed in. 

To Be Continued...

Hi everyone! 

Sorry for the long wait! Here's the latest chapter. 

Hope everyone enjoy it!

Til' next time, 

Adieu~~~