It was late in the evening, the stars just beginning to scatter across the darkening sky. You sat on a bench near the empty school field, tapping your foot lightly against the gravel, waiting.

And then you saw her — Sae Itoshi — walking towards you with her usual calm, collected stride, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder. Her teal eyes caught yours, and even though her face stayed stoic, you could feel the tiny shift in her energy.

You stood up, smiling. "Practice ran late again, huh?"

She didn’t answer at first. Instead, she dropped her bag onto the bench with a heavy thud and without warning, stepped forward, wrapping her arms tightly around your waist.

You stumbled a little from the force, laughing. "Woah, Sae—"

"Shut up," she said, voice low but soft against your neck. "Just… stay still."

You could feel her bury her face into your shoulder, her arms gripping you like she was afraid you’d disappear if she loosened her hold even a little.

This was Sae — the girl who never wasted time, who brushed off almost everyone with a cold glance — clinging to you like you were the only thing in the world that mattered.

"I missed you," she mumbled finally, the words so quiet you almost didn’t catch them.

You chuckled gently, running your fingers through her soft, sea-green hair. "I missed you too, dummy."

She pulled back just enough to look at you, her eyes half-lidded, warm and sleepy from exhaustion. Then, slowly — carefully — she leaned in and kissed you. Not rushed, not desperate. Just firm and honest, like she had nothing else to say.

Another kiss followed. And another. Each one sweeter than the last, her cool façade cracking more and more with every second she stayed wrapped around you.

"You're the only thing I want when I'm tired like this," she whispered against your lips, pressing her forehead to yours, her breathing slow and steady now.

You smiled, feeling her hands tighten on your shirt, refusing to let go.

"Stay with me a little longer," she murmured.

And you did — holding her as the stars above you quietly blinked to life, and the world faded away around you.