"S" is for the Smell of Your Love and Coffee ☕ Saimatsu ☕

Small Realizations

Hey y'all, it's been a while. So, basically I got writers block, school work, so yeah. Also, I'm sorry I took so long and it's a short chapter :(
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Those who fall in love may notice the signs right away or later on. Some signs may be small, while others may be major. Though once you realize, it is up to you to accept. For Kaede and Shuichi, it was difficult to accept, let alone, even acknowledge their feelings. They spent their days denying the new found emotion they'd feel each time they saw each other.

One falls first, the other follows the same path. It's only natural a fire would grow from a spark. Three major occurrences were all enough for them to realize.

5:27 p.m. Hibiya Park, Tokyo

Saturday afternoon, a park full of families and their children and big friend groups too. Though, one pair stood out from the crowd.

Kaede and Shuichi were walking together in a snow filled park. They walked close together, wanting any kind of closeness, though denying it profusely in their heads. Kaede kept up conversation, sharing small childhood memories or school memories too. Shuichi would occasionally also contribute to the conversation, but mostly spent his time admiring her. She could often feel his gaze but never said anything, afterall, her heart fluttered everytime he did it.

They soon stopped to take a look at the now frozen fountain. Kaede grinned from ear to ear, "It's still so beautiful even though it's frozen!". Shuichi stood beside her and nodded, "It really is".

"You'll be going back to Nagoya for Winter break, huh?" Kaede asked. Shuichi turned to her, "Yeah...I have to visit my uncle back home." A wash of disappointed fell over her, "What about you?".

"Huh? O-Oh! I'll be staying here in Tokyo. I've always lived here". Kaede responded. Shuichi also grew disappointed. They didn't know what they had expected, though their disappointment came from a romantic emotion.

Kaede backed away from the fountain and so did Shuichi. She shot him a quick smile before asking, "Well, shall we continue walking?". Shuichi smiled too, before walking to her side.

As they continued down the trail, Shuichi's eyes couldn't help but keep looking down at Kaede's hand. He also couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to slip his hand in her hand. He often wondered if a gesture like that would make her uncomfortable. There was only one way to find out, right? His mind kept going back and forth between thoughts. He must've had a conflicted face, as Kaede seemed to have caught on. "Is something wrong, Shuichi?"

He was so startled he jumped a little. "AH-ah! Nothing! It's nothing...". Kaede was still concerned, but ultimately, let it slide.

They continued walking together, unconsciously inching closer together. Shuichi gulped once he noticed, but never said anything. Kaede also noticed but stayed quiet as well. Shuichi moved his finger closer to Kaede's hand. Kaede's eyes looked down. She felt blood rush to her cheeks as she moved her hand closer to Shuichi's. She inched her finger outward and let Shuichi's finger hold hers.

Maybe it was enough for both.
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9:46 p.m, Tokyo University dormitory, Tokyo

The eight friends were having a small party in the dorms, to celebrate the fact that they had made it past the midterms.

Currently, Miu, Kokichi, Tsumugi, Kiibo and Kaito were having a karaoke battle. Kaede had joined them in the very beginning but got tired, so Kiibo took her place instead. Kaede flopped down on the couch, right next to Shuichi holding a glass of water.

She yawned before sipping her water. Shuichi looked at her, "Are you getting sleepy?" He asked her.

"Yeah I'm getting pretty tired...I'm probably gonna get going soon..." Kaede murmured, her eyes half open.

Shuichi simply nodded, not knowing what else to say. He kept watching the others sing, it was quite funny as none of them had musical vocals.

He kept watching, laughing at their attempts at hitting high notes. Maki on the other hand was cringing heavily, though that didn't stop her from occasionally laughing. Shuichi heard one last yawn before he felt a weight on his shoulder.

He nervously looked at his shoulder, and just as he had thought, Kaede's head was resting on his shoulder. Her eyes were already closed shut, but the tiredness was visible on her. Shuichi took note of this. He spotted his coat sprawled on couch. He grabbed his coat and gently placed it on top of her. He grew red and embarrassed, yet also enjoying her presence.

Maybe he was finally starting to realize it.
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8:44 p.m, University of Tokyo campus, Tokyo

There were only a few days left before Shuichi and Kaede would part ways. Though it'd only be for 10 days. They would even celebrate Christmas together before Shuichi would leave. However, it was still a big deal for them.

The two were seated on a bench outside Cafe of Stars, both drinking their coffee. Shuichi was slightly blowing on his coffee when Kaede spoke up,

"You know, I'm...going to miss you a lot while you'll be gone..." Kaede said, slightly blushing with a shy smile. "Everyone else is staying here and you'll be leaving, it's not gonna be the same..."

Shuichi blushed too, "I'll...miss you too....a lot, actually...." his voice seemed to trail off at the end, but Kaede still heard.

Maybe they were both realizing it.