I assumed Nanami would move on, just like the rest. That was until my mother came into my room with a smug expression. “Get dressed,” she said, arms crossed. “Nanami is here.”

I sat up immediately. “What?”

She sighed, like she was already exhausted by my antics. “He’s here to ask permission to take you out again.”

I blinked, stunned. Out of all the men my parents had tried to set me up with, none had ever willingly come back. Still, I took my time getting ready, partly to test his patience, partly because I still wasn’t sure what to make of him. But when I finally came downstairs, Nanami was waiting, calm as ever, sipping tea like he had all the time in the world.

He glanced up at me, then stood, smoothing out the sleeves of his suit. “Ready?” he asked, like yesterday hadn’t happened.

I crossed my arms. “You’re really doing this again?”

He simply nodded. “Yes. Let’s go.”

This time, he didn’t ask where I wanted to go. He drove in silence, his focus entirely on the road, and I didn’t bother asking where we were headed. Something about him made it feel pointless—he would tell me when he was ready. After a while, the scent of salt filled the air, and I realized where we were. The beach.

The sun was beginning to set, casting warm orange and pink hues over the waves. The wind blew gently, rustling my hair as I stepped out of the car.

I turned to him. “So, what? You’re trying to impress me now?”

He let out a quiet breath—something close to a chuckle, but not quite. “You think too much.”

I rolled my eyes, but followed him anyway as he walked toward the shore. He didn’t say much; just let me take in the view. We were standing near the water, the waves brushing against our feet, when he finally spoke again.

“Be my girlfriend.”