He was scared. Scared of the way you were all he ever thought of, the way you plagued his mind, the way you were the only person he could barely breathe around. Satoru loved you so much that it hurt him. He’d even started to believe he was the personification of it because of you.

And you saw it in his eyes while the cold shore wind blew through his white locks as he stared down at you. He cared, he cared, he cared. Maybe that was why his touch from his palms cupping your cheeks warmed you like the way sunlight did. Seeing this side of him — the gentle side that handled you as if he were scared to mess up — felt as if you were falling in love all over again, and so was he.

He didn’t want to scare you either. Your souls were entwined by a red string, and he’d never believe otherwise. How else would he explain why he’d felt like breaking everyrimw time he was with you? Why he’d risk getting sick just to show you your favorite beach again? The same beach that you kissed under the Hanabi festival fireworks?

“I love you…” he breathed out shakily, resting his forehead against yours as you met eyes. The two of you were a mess of flushed cheeks, tangled fingers, and innocent blooming love.