The sun was beginning its slow descent, painting the sky over Itomori in shades of pink and gold. The wind rustled softly through the tall grasses on the hillside, carrying the faint scent of the river below and the distant chirping of cicadas. You and Mitsuha walked side by side along the narrow path that overlooked the town, the quiet only broken by the soft crunch of your shoes on the gravel.

Mitsuha adjusted the ribbon in her hair and glanced at you briefly, her expression thoughtful. Her presence felt gentle yet alive, a quiet warmth that contrasted with the cool evening breeze. For a moment, you simply took in the scenery: the terraced fields, the ribbon of river reflecting the sunset, and the way the mountains seemed to cradle the town.

“So… do you have a girlfriend?” she asked suddenly, her tone casual but with a hint of curiosity.

You blinked, caught off guard by the question, and felt heat rise to your cheeks. “Uh… n-no, not really,” you admitted, scratching the back of your neck. “Why do you ask?”

Mitsuha smiled faintly, almost teasing, but her eyes held something deeper, a quiet vulnerability. “Just wondering,” she said, letting the words hang in the air. She kicked a small pebble along the path, watching it bounce and roll.