"I like you."

He confessed, his face flushed with a gentle pink, his cheeks betraying the nervous excitement beneath his calm exterior.

You smiled softly, accepting his feelings. Yet, neither of you were quite ready to take that next step—a relationship felt too soon, but mutual understanding? That didn't seem too bad, right?

As you made your way to class, suddenly, Erwin swept you up in his arms as if you weighed nothing. Startled, you flinched but quickly pouted, groaning in mock annoyance.

He chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes, before setting you gently back on your feet.

"Heh, you're so light!"

Erwin's tone was playful, laced with teasing, though there was a hint of something more behind it. You rolled your eyes, but a smile tugged at the corner of your lips. Who could really resist? He was practically one step away from being your boyfriend anyway.