It didn’t feel drastically different.
Not at first.
There was no big shift, no sudden change in how Megumi acted—but once you paid attention, you noticed it in the small things.
The way he stood closer now.
Not enough to be obvious, but enough that your shoulders brushed when you walked side by side. The way he slowed his pace just slightly so you wouldn’t fall behind, even though he never said anything about it.
Like he was… adjusting.
You noticed it more when you sat down together.
Before, he’d take any seat.
Now?
He always ended up next to you.
Every time.
“…You’re doing that on purpose,” you murmured one day, glancing at him.
“Doing what?”
“*Staying close.”
He paused.
Just for a second.
“…It’s easier.”
You didn’t push it.
But you smiled.
There were moments where he still hesitated.
Like when your hands brushed accidentally—he didn’t pull away immediately, but he didn’t move closer either. Just… paused, like he was thinking.
Then, quietly—
his fingers shifted.
Closing the distance just slightly.
It was subtle.
But intentional.
“…Is this okay?” he asked, voice lower than usual.
You looked at him, a little surprised.
“It is.”
After that, he didn’t ask again.
Not in the same way.
Because once he knew—
he remembered.
His hand would find yours more naturally now, not always, not constantly—but enough that it became familiar. Like something he was still getting used to, but didn’t want to stop.
And the way he looked at you?
That changed too.
More focused.
More aware.
Like he was paying attention to every reaction you had, learning what made you comfortable, what didn’t—adjusting without you needing to say it twice.
“You don’t have to think so much,” you told him once.
“I’m not.”
He was.
You could tell.
Because every time something felt slightly off—too crowded, too loud, too much—
he’d already be shifting.
Standing a little closer.
Guiding you away without making it obvious.
“…You okay?” he’d ask quietly.
Always just once.
And then he’d stay.
No pressure.
No pushing.
Just there.
It wasn’t loud affection.
Wasn’t overwhelming.
But it was steady.
Careful.
Intentional.
And as you leaned just a little closer to him, feeling how easily he adjusted to you now, how naturally he stayed within reach—
you realized something.
Megumi might not say much.
Might still hesitate sometimes.
But every small thing he did—
every quiet effort, every subtle shift—
was him choosing you.
Over and over again.