Aira and Yuu had been floating in their thoughts all day.
They didn't tell anyone, not even each other, but a thought had slowly taken root in both of their hearts—
"I want to keep this person by my side... forever."
It was too soon, too dreamy, too big of a wish… but the feeling was undeniably real.
Lost in their gentle yet overwhelming thoughts, both were walking from opposite directions on the same street. They weren't even looking ahead—
BUMP!
A soft thud.
They both instinctively muttered, "Ah! I'm so sorry—"
And then blinked, stunned.
"Aira…?"
"Yuu…?"
The blush spread on their faces in seconds.
They both let out a shy, awkward giggle and greeted each other.
"…H-Hi."
"…Hey."
Just like always, their crochet session was on for the day. But unlike always, today, neither could focus.
Their fingers moved, but their hearts beat to a different rhythm—the rhythm of "What if…?"
What if we were more than this? What if I never get to say it? What if… they don't feel the same?
The session ended with sweet smiles, hidden glances, and tangled yarns of emotion.
Afterward, Yuu walked through a quieter lane, heading home.
He noticed an old lady struggling with her luggage.
"Ah—excuse me, may I help you?" Yuu asked kindly.
The lady smiled. "A kind young man. Thank you."
As they walked, she looked at Yuu's thoughtful face and said,
"You know, if you ever find someone you don't want to lose… hold on tight. Don't wait. Even if it costs you your pride or your fear… reach out before they're gone. You might not get another chance."
Yuu was silent for a moment.
Then he whispered, "Someone… I don't want to lose…"
His eyes widened. He bowed quickly to the old lady and ran—his legs already moving before his thoughts could catch up.
"I have to tell her. Now."
At the same time, Aira was inside the yarn store, putting the last batch of yarn into the almirah.
She stepped outside, wiping her hands, when a man in his twenties approached her with a nervous smile.
"Um… sorry if this is sudden but… I like you. Would you go out with me?"
Aira froze.
The words made her feel… off.
She wasn't flattered. She wasn't excited.
She was sad.
The young man noticed. "Do you… like someone else?"
Aira looked at him, stunned.
"…How do you know?"
"It's on your face," he laughed. "You were clearly wishing someone else said those words instead of me."
Aira looked down.
"…What should I do…?"
"Run after him," he smiled.
"Make an effort. Win him before you lose him forever. That's what I would do."
And suddenly, she was running. Her heart pounded in her ears.
"I have to tell him. Now. Even if he says no… I don't want to regret."
—
Under the fading sunset, Aira and Yuu ran.
One from the yarn store.
One from the streets of home.
Breathless. Hopeful. Scared.
They met—right in the middle.
Panting, with just a little distance between them, they looked into each other's eyes.
No words, no planning, no buildup.
Just hearts speaking louder than thoughts.
At the exact same moment, they both shouted,
"I love you!"
Stunned silence.
"…W-What…?"
"…What…?"
They laughed nervously, tears stinging their eyes.
Yuu took a step forward. "Wait… you… came to tell me this?"
Aira stepped too. "I… thought you came for something else."
"Then… you really… want to be with me?" they asked together.
They both laughed again, louder this time.
Yuu reached out gently, his hands shaking.
"Can I… hug you?"
Aira, eyes twinkling, nodded.
He wrapped his arms around her slowly, and they both stood there, warm and real.
After a moment, Yuu pulled back slightly and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"We'll talk properly tomorrow. But for now… get home safely, alright?"
Aira smiled. "Only if you do too."
No one said goodbye.
Because they both believed—
This was not an end.
Just a beginning.
Of a forever.