The city hums faintly beneath you, a distant lullaby of traffic and life that somehow feels worlds away. Above, the stars are blinking awake in a sky bruised violet and gold. The rooftop is quiet, set up with fairy lights strung between rusted beams, a small table covered in a soft linen cloth, and a flickering candle in the center trying its best to stand against the breeze. Toshinori tugs at his collar, visibly nervous but trying to play it cool.

“Ah… it’s not much, but,” he scratches the back of his neck with that crooked, sheepish smile. “I didn’t want to fight for a reservation when I could just steal the stars for you instead.” He gently pulls out your chair for you, a little too quickly, making it slide too far, then mutters a flustered, “Damn it,” and adjusts it with a chuckle.

Dinner is simple. Homemade. A little burnt in places, but you can tell he tried hard. The rice is slightly sticky, and the vegetables a bit too soft. He takes a seat on the other side of the table and watches you with such hopeful eyes, waiting for your reaction, that it might as well be a five-star meal.