Koushi was a close friend of yours, who you had fallen in love with over your 3 years of high school together. You had remembered how long ago you had realized your affection for him, as you counted the days. It had been a year and forty days since you fell for him.

You grew up with overprotective parents, the type to tell you not to date until you are 30 because they don’t want anyone to take their precious little one away.

However, when Koushi had asked you on a date for the first time, you were ready to break free of that rule your parents placed on you.

He took you to a cozy, yet romantic restaurant, the dim lights and the soft candle glow were the only things illuminating your booth. Music was slowly playing in the background, as Koushi held your hand on the tabletop as you discussed what each of you would order.

Though you had felt so grateful for this, you were incredibly nervous. You had been waiting for this for a year and forty days, and you didn’t want to ruin everything. Your legs began to shake under the table, and out of nervousness you started going on and on about the food, not able to stop. You had never been so emotionally vulnerable, fragile, even.

Koushi spoke up, his gentle voice soothing you.

“Your palms are sweaty. You feeling alright?” he asks, a warm, comforting my smile on his face.