A Connection Deepens

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Aki's POV

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind wandered back to the moment Haruki and I had confessed our feelings for each other. It felt surreal, like a dream I never wanted to wake up from. The way he looked at me, his warm gaze lingering on my face, made my heart race even now. Our relationship had shifted in a way I couldn’t fully grasp, and I found myself replaying our conversation over and over in my head.

Were we dating? Did that make us a couple now? I bit my lip, feeling a flutter of excitement and nervousness. What did it mean to be in a relationship with someone like Haruki, someone I had admired from afar for so long? I knew I liked him, and he liked me—but did that mean we were dating?

The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to know. I sighed, pushing myself up from the bed, determined to get answers.

After getting ready, I took a deep breath as I stepped into the school hallway, my heart racing with anticipation. I spotted Haruki standing near our usual meeting spot, his head buried in a book. A small smile crept onto my face. Just the sight of him made the world feel brighter.

“Hey, Haruki!” I called out, trying to sound casual despite the butterflies in my stomach.

He looked up, and his face broke into a smile that made my heart skip a beat. “Hey, Aki. How are you feeling today?”

“Much better, thanks!” I replied, walking closer. “I’m really glad to be back.”

We fell into step beside each other, the air around us humming with an unspoken tension. I could feel my cheeks heat up as we walked. Should I ask him?

“Haruki,” I started, my voice barely above a whisper, “can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” he replied, glancing at me curiously.

I hesitated for a moment, gathering my courage. “So… about us. I mean, what are we now?”

His eyes widened slightly, and I noticed the faintest hint of a blush on his cheeks. “Well, we… we confessed our feelings. So, I guess that makes us… a couple?” He looked unsure, as if he were waiting for my reaction.

My heart raced at his words. “S-So, we are dating then?”

“Yeah, I think so,” he said, a shy smile spreading across his face. “Unless you don’t want to?”

“No! I do!” I exclaimed, feeling a rush of relief and happiness. “I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.”

Haruki let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “I’m really glad to hear that.”

We stood there for a moment, the realization settling in. We were really dating now. It felt incredible and terrifying all at once.

Haruki's POV

As I walked beside Aki, I couldn't help but marvel at how everything had changed in such a short time. Being around her felt different—our hands brushed against each other more often, and I found myself stealing glances her way, hoping she wouldn’t catch me.

When we arrived at our first class, I noticed Aki fidgeting with her pencil, a small smile lingering on her lips. I felt a warmth spread through my chest. It was nice to know she felt the same way.

After class, I suggested we go to the library to study, a place where we could have some quiet time together. As we settled into our usual corner, I felt the familiar thrill of being near her. Aki pulled out her notes, and I tried to focus on the material, but my mind kept drifting to her.

“Haruki,” she said suddenly, catching me off guard. “Do you think we should… h-hold hands or something? I mean, couples do that, right?”

I blinked, my heart racing. “Uh, yeah. I’d like that.”

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