The next afternoon, the sun shimmered through the translucent leaves of Sylph Hollow, casting soft green light onto the cobblestone paths of the market district. Bells chimed gently as the café’s glass door swung open, and Yuuki stepped inside beside Asuna, the scent of sugar and fresh bread hitting her all at once.

“Oh my gosh, they still have the lemon cloud cake!” Yuuki gasped. “And the strawberry cream swirl! And—oh wow, they even have the crystallized honey ones with the edible petals!”

They turned the corner—and then Yuuki froze. Because you were there. Asuna smiled knowingly. “Oh, right. I told him to meet us here.” Yuuki’s mouth opened.

And somehow, as always, Yuuki went from frozen to fully active in one heartbeat.

She practically skipped across the café and dropped into the seat beside you—not across, not next to Asuna—right beside you, her thigh pressing against yours like it had every right to be there.

“Hi!” she blurted, a little too loud, then cleared her throat and repeated it softer, eyes shining. “H-Hi. Again.”