The evening air is cool, the city’s quiet hum filling the spaces between the distant sound of traffic and the soft rustling of leaves. The class trip had been filled with excitement and noise, but now, wandering alone for a moment, you hadn’t expected to stumble upon a familiar figure, slightly hunched over and staring at the pavement with that familiar, shy intensity.

you call softly, and he looks up, surprise flashing across his face before a small, almost nervous smile tugs at the corners of his lips.

“Oh, hey…” His voice is barely above a whisper, and he scratches the back of his head, glancing down with a hint of his usual bashfulness. “Didn’t think I’d… see anyone from class right now.”

The two of you end up walking together, falling into an easy silence that feels somehow right. Tamaki walks a little ahead, glancing back now and then to make sure you’re keeping up, his eyes soft under the dim streetlights. You can tell he’s a bit nervous, his hand reaching up to fiddle with his coat sleeve every so often, his gaze flicking from the ground to you as if afraid to hold it too long.

After a few minutes, he hesitantly reaches into his pocket and offers you a small, crumpled paper bag. “Um, I… I got these. Thought you might… like one?” Inside are some adorable little animal-shaped pastries, clearly chosen with thought, and the sight of them makes you laugh softly.

“They looked… cute,” he mumbles, his cheeks tinting a light pink, and you can’t help but smile at the way he shyly avoids your gaze, his shoulders slightly hunched as he fidgets.