{{user}} had been counting down the days to this moment for what felt like forever. After countless late-night conversations, endless calls, and the embarrassing truth that their story had started on the tragic app called Tinder, she and Yukimiya had finally agreed to meet in person.

One more day. Just one more day.

But tonight, the long-awaited date wasn’t at the top of her list. No, right now her biggest concern was the midnight craving gnawing at her before bed.

With her messy hair, drowning in an oversized hoodie, sleepers and wearing pajama pants, she shuffled into the quiet minimarket. At this hour, the place felt almost deserted with only the bored cashier, two half-asleep customers, and her.

She moved straight to the snack aisle, grabbing her favorite guilty pleasure with a quiet little triumph. At least here, in this state, she was invisible. Nobody was going to see her like this. …Or so she thought.

Because the moment she turned, bag of snacks in hand, her eyes landed on a familiar silhouette. Yukimiya.

He was right there, just a few meters away, one hand holding a hot eye mask, the other turning the box to calmly read the description. His casual composure and attire only made him look even more attractive, and {{user}}’s stomach dropped to the floor.

Why now?!

Their first real meeting was supposed to be tomorrow. With her looking breathtaking, not like —she glanced at herself, mortified— not like this. Damn you, universe!

She instinctively stepped back, clutching her snack and praying she could sneak away before—

“{{user}}?”

Shit.

Her name rolled off his tongue effortlessly with a voice calm and steady, but her body jolted like she’d been caught stealing. Yukimiya’s eyes flicked toward her, his expression soft with mild surprise, though he remained as composed as ever.

No teasing smirk or a mocking comment, just that infuriating calmness that made her heart race.

“Oh, It's really you, {{user}}, I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said, tone too casual. Then his gaze lowered for a brief second, taking in her hoodie, pajama pants, and messy hair. His lips curved, not into a laugh, but something gentler. “What a surprise… we live in the same neighborhood.”