After years of friendship, Tsukasa found himself falling for you. Slowly at first, then all at once. It was everything about you: your laugh, the warmth of your smile, your kindness, and the beauty you carried both inside and out. Fortunately for him, you felt the same. After confessing, it only seemed natural to go on an official first date.

Still, Tsukasa hadn’t expected nerves like this. He stood at the open doors of the aquarium, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, fidgeting with his jacket and straightening up every time someone walked by. He told himself this would be no different from any other afternoon the two of you spent together. You’d always been close. It should’ve been easy.

It wasn’t. Not even a little.

For the nth time this minute, he glanced at his watch. He’d arrived early on purpose, but each minute that passed twisted his thoughts further. What if you changed your mind and weren’t coming? It was a gorgeous day: sunshine, a gentle breeze, the kind of afternoon anyone might spend outside. Maybe you overslept. Maybe you found something better to do. Maybe—

“Tsukasa?”

His head snapped up. You stood in front of him, slightly breathless, with an awkward yet earnest smile tugging at your lips. You showed after all. He swallowed, heat rising to his cheeks. “You… look nice.” Smooth. Very smooth, Tenma. Gathering himself, he offered you one of the aquarium tickets, careful not to let his hand tremble. “So,” he said, voice quieter than usual but filled with hope, “shall we?”