𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓.

── .✦ 17

The days had passed like a gentle blur, each one pulling Ayato and Y/n into a new rhythm they hadn't experienced before. Their relationship had shifted—subtle but undeniable. Ayato found himself lingering a little longer around her, looking for reasons to talk, to tease, to be close. Y/n welcomed his company but kept a cautious distance, her thoughts swirling with questions she didn't yet have the answers to.

As the holidays approached, Y/n couldn't help but feel a warmth in her chest. The thought of giving gifts to her friends brought a smile to her lips. Ayato was on her mind, of course, but so were Amao, Megamo, and Akira. It was then, as she scribbled down ideas in her notebook, that a curious realization hit her.

'Why are all my close friends guys?'

She paused, tapping her pen against her chin. It wasn't that she minded—far from it. Each of them had carved a unique place in her life, and for that, she was grateful. But it did make her wonder how things had ended up this way.

That train of thought didn't last long, though. Her focus shifted back to her list. For Ayato, she decided on something cheeky but thoughtful: a book titled How to Make a Girl Fall in Love. It wasn't as straightforward as it sounded. She planned to personalize it, jotting down her own likes and general things she thought girls would appreciate. At first, the idea had stemmed from thoughts of Taeko, but Y/n quickly realized she didn't know enough about Taeko's romantic preferences. Instead, she wrote from her own perspective.

She was deep into her book when Amao's soft voice called out to her.

"Y/n, come here for a second, please?"

She glanced up, her pen pausing mid-word, and tilted her head at him. Amao stood by the counter, a tray of cookies in his hands and an expectant look on his face.

Curious, Y/n set her notebook and pen aside, rising from her seat. "What's up?" she asked as she approached him.

Amao's small smile widened, a hint of pride flickering in his warm, gentle expression. He placed the tray on the table, the cookies still steaming slightly, their aroma filling the room with the rich scent of cocoa and sugar.

"I need your opinion on something," he said, picking up a cookie with his delicate fingers. It was a vibrant shade of red, its texture soft and inviting.

Amao leaned closer, holding the cookie in front of her, and blew on it lightly to cool it down. The sight was endearing—his carefulness, the way his gaze shifted from the cookie to her with a quiet anticipation.

"Open up," he instructed gently, his voice lighthearted but persuasive.

Y/n chuckled at his theatrics, unable to hold back a smile, and opened her mouth as he fed her the piece. As soon as the cookie touched her tongue, her eyes widened.

It was heaven.

The red velvet cookie was a masterpiece. The edges had a delicate crispness that gave way to a soft, moist center. It was the perfect balance of textures—chewy and crunchy in all the right places. The sweetness was just enough to enhance the richness of the chocolate, not overpower it.

Her hands shot up to clasp her cheeks as she let out a muffled squeal of delight. "Amao, this is incredible!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "It's so moist and crunchy and chewy—it's perfect!"

Amao's face lit up at her praise, his cheeks tinged with a faint pink. "Is it too sweet?" he asked, though her reaction had already assured him of the answer.

"Not at all! It's just the right amount of sweetness. Seriously, Amao, how are you this good at baking?" Y/n gushed, taking another eager bite.

He laughed softly, his tone humble but pleased. "I'm glad you think so. I was worried it might be too rich."