The evening sky was fading into hues of orange and purple, the air thick with the sweet scent of blooming sakura. The festival crowd had long since dispersed, leaving the campus quiet except for the soft rustling of leaves in the spring breeze.
Aoi and Shuu sat side by side under the old sakura tree, their hands entwined, fingers lightly brushing against each other. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in a quiet bubble of warmth and closeness.
Aoi hadn't said much since their confession. His mind was still spinning from the chaotic afternoon—the surprise of the "accidental confession" in front of their friends, the awkward laughter, the teasing, and yet, somehow, everything had felt right. But now, with the quiet settling in, Aoi realized there was something more he needed to say, something he'd been feeling all along.
Shuu, as usual, was the one to break the silence.
"You know, I never thought I'd be the kind of guy who'd get all mushy in front of people... but when I saw you today, smiling like that, with the crown on your head…" His voice softened, his thumb brushing against the back of Aoi's hand. "I realized I really do love you, Aoi."
Aoi turned his head slightly, glancing at Shuu. The soft words made his heart flutter, and he felt his cheeks warm. He smiled shyly, looking down at their hands, then back up at Shuu.
"I love you too," Aoi whispered, his voice small but sincere.
Shuu leaned a little closer, his gaze softening. "Yeah? You know... I don't think I've ever been more certain about anything in my life."
Aoi's heart skipped a beat as Shuu's face drew even nearer, his breath warm against his skin. It was quiet now, with only the distant sounds of the last festival clean-up echoing in the background. The world felt like it had slowed down, leaving just this moment.
Shuu's hand gently cupped Aoi's face, tilting his chin up slightly, his thumb tracing the soft curve of his jaw. Aoi's breath hitched, his eyes fluttering closed, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Aoi," Shuu murmured, voice low and steady, "can I kiss you?"
Aoi's eyes opened, staring into Shuu's, his pulse racing at the simple question. It was exactly what he'd been longing for but never quite knew how to ask for.
He nodded, barely above a whisper. "Please."
Without another word, Shuu leaned in, his lips brushing against Aoi's in the softest of touches. Aoi's breath caught, a warmth spreading through him as the kiss deepened, slow and tender. It was nothing like the hurried, nervous kisses in dramas. This one was quiet, full of affection and reassurance, a gentle promise of everything that had been left unsaid.
Aoi's hands gripped Shuu's sleeve as he leaned into the kiss, his heart swelling with something sweet and new. Shuu's other hand moved to Aoi's waist, pulling him closer, the warmth of their bodies melding together, grounding them in the moment.
When they finally pulled away, their foreheads resting together, both breathing a little heavier, they smiled at each other—soft, content, and completely in sync.
"Wow," Aoi whispered, his voice still trembling slightly. "That was… amazing."
Shuu chuckled, his hand still resting on Aoi's cheek. "Yeah. But I've been wanting to do that for a while now."
Aoi's eyes softened, a small blush coloring his cheeks. "Me too."
Shuu's thumb traced Aoi's cheekbone again, his smile never fading. "Good. Because I plan on doing that a lot more."
Aoi laughed quietly, leaning into Shuu's touch, his heart filled with nothing but warmth. "I don't mind that one bit."
And so, under the sakura tree, with petals slowly falling around them like soft whispers of spring, Shuu and Aoi kissed again, this time with the knowledge that they were no longer just two people fumbling through their feelings, but a couple—one made of quiet smiles, tender moments, and a love that felt as natural as the springtime breeze.