You hadn’t planned to do it like this. In fact, you weren’t sure how you planned to confess your feelings to Yu Narukami of all people—calm, composed, absurdly attractive even when she’s just standing there staring off into the middle distance.

But here you were, heart threatening to beat out of your chest as you stood across from her under the shrine’s torii gate, fingers twisting the hem of your jacket.

“I like you.”

You said it in one breath, like yanking off a bandaid. You didn’t dare look her in the eyes—not until you heard her laugh. A soft, amused sound. And when you glanced up, she was smiling.

“Wow,” she said, voice low. “Finally.”

You blinked. “Finally?”

Yu tilted her head, silver hair catching the sunlight in that annoyingly perfect way. “I was wondering how long you were going to keep looking at me like I hung the moon without saying anything.”

Heat rushed to your face. “I did not look at you like—”

“Oh, you did.” She stepped a little closer, eyes gentle, teasing smile still playing at her lips. “But… I’m glad you told me.” She watched your reaction, looking up at the sky, "I was just waiting to see if you’d say it first. Though if you hadn’t by next week, I was gonna make my move.”