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Upon arriving at her place, Hinata was waiting for him by her front gate, a bright smile lighting up her face. As she caught sight of Orion, her eyes sparkled with excitement. Orion returned her smile, his own eyes reflecting the warmth he felt towards her.
Hinata was deep in conversation with a girl who bore a striking resemblance to her. As Orion pulled up on his scooter, he recognized the girl immediately. It was Hanabi, Hinata's younger sister, and a childhood friend of theirs.
Hanabi was a year younger than Hinata and, like her sister, had an infectious energy that made people around her feel alive. Her short, dark hair was usually pulled into a ponytail, and her dark eyes were always filled with mischief.
The moment she saw Orion, Hanabi's face lit up with joy. She dashed towards him, wrapping her arms around his waist in a tight hug. "Orion, it has been ages!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "Why don't you visit me? Did you forget about me?" She pouted up at him, her puppy-dog eyes aimed to melt his heart.
Orion chuckled at her exaggerated display of disappointment, patting her back gently. "Now, you know that's not true, Hanabi," he said, his voice filled with affection. "It's just been a little busy recently."
Hinata, having observed their interaction, stepped forward, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Hanabi, stop pestering Orion," she scolded, her voice gentle yet firm.
With one last squeeze, Hanabi let go of Orion, her pout giving way to a playful grin. "Alright, alright," she conceded, stepping back. "But you better visit me soon, Orion. I miss our chats."
Orion nodded, giving Hanabi a wink before turning his attention to Hinata. He extended his hand towards her, a gentle smile on his face. "Ready for our date, Hinata?"
Hinata's face broke into a bright smile as she took his offered hand, nodding her agreement. "Absolutely."
Hanabi watched as Hinata climbed onto the back of Orion's scooter, her arms wrapping around his waist. With a final wave towards Hanabi, Orion kickstarted the scooter, driving off towards their picnic destination.
They arrived at a beautiful park, an oasis of green in the middle of the bustling city. Mature trees lined the pathways, their canopies casting dappled shadows on the ground below. The park was home to a serene lake, its surface sparkling under the morning sun. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, adding a soft melody to the tranquil scene. It was one of Hinata's favorite places in the city, a place where she felt at peace.
Orion led Hinata to a spot under a large tree, close to the edge of the lake. The location offered them a fantastic view of the water and the surrounding park, while also providing ample shade.
With practiced ease, Orion spread a large sheet on the ground, smoothing out the creases. He then reached for the picnic basket, opening it to reveal an array of treats he'd prepared for their date. There was a selection of sandwiches, fresh fruits, a couple of salads, and a dessert that looked absolutely mouth-watering.
Hinata's eyes widened as she looked at the spread, her mouth watering at the sight. She turned to Orion, her gaze filled with admiration. "You prepared all this?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.
Orion nodded, a shy smile playing on his lips. "I hope you like it, Hinata," he said, his gaze meeting hers.
"I'm sure I will," she replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Everything looks so delicious."
With that, they began their picnic, basking in the beauty of the park and the company of each other.
After the meal, Orion extended his hand toward Hinata, his gaze both serious and soft. "Shall we take a walk? There's a forest nearby that's beautiful this time of the day."
A faint blush spread across Hinata's cheeks as she took his hand. The contact was electrifying, even familiar, but it never ceased to cause her heart to flutter. "That sounds nice," she said, matching his grip with her own.
The forest near the lake was a kaleidoscope of colors; vibrant greens, splashes of wildflowers, and the calm azure surface of the lake that mirrored the sky. The evening sun filtered through the verdant canopy, casting a dappled light that danced around them as they walked.
Orion held her hand a bit tighter, his thumb stroking the back of her hand in a gentle rhythm. The intimacy of the act sent shivers down Hinata's spine, yet she felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and comfort.
"You know," Orion began, breaking the silence between them. His voice was like a melody that melted into the tranquillity of the forest. "When I'm with you, everything else fades into the background. It's just you and me."
Hinata squeezed his hand in response, her heart pounding in her chest. His words, while simple, were packed with sincerity. She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions. "I... I feel the same way, Orion."
Their conversation flowed naturally, just like the gentle breeze that rustled through the leaves. Orion's typically robust demeanor softened, replaced by a sincere warmth that made Hinata's heart flutter with a renewed intensity.
Near the edge of the lake, Orion found a smooth, moss-covered rock to lean against. Hinata, resting comfortably between his legs, was enveloped by his arms securely wrapped around her waist. His nose nestled into her hair, breathing in the earthy scent mixed with the faint whiff of the shampoo she used, a fragrance that was distinctly hers. The glittering lake lay still before them, the sun sparkling on the surface like a thousand diamonds.
A light rustling of the trees around them filled the air with a serene symphony. The calls of distant birds sang in harmony with the rustling leaves, creating a soothing melody that echoed through the otherwise silent forest. Hinata could feel Orion's chest rising and falling against her back, matching the rhythm of her own breath. A sigh escaped his lips, causing a few strands of her hair to dance around.
"Mmmm," he mumbled into her hair, the vibrations from his chest resonating through her. Orion loved these moments. There was something uniquely soothing about Hinata's presence, an underlying sense of tranquillity that seemed to drown out the rest of the world. The constant chatter, the bustling crowds, the incessant demands of his life, everything seemed trivial when he was with her.
"You smell nice," he whispered, his words seeping into her like a sweet serenade. Hinata's heart throbbed at his words. She had always been self-conscious about how she smelled, always worrying whether she'd put on too much perfume or too little. Orion's casual comment put all her worries to rest.
"Hanabi and I, we tried a new recipe today," Hinata said, her words soft and hesitant. She was always a bit nervous when talking about her sister, even to Orion. She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because Hanabi was always so different from her, so full of life and confidence.
"Oh? What did you make?" Orion's interest was genuine. He liked hearing about her day, about the little things she did. He always had. The corners of Hinata's lips curled upwards as she recounted their culinary adventure.
"We tried making strawberry shortcake. It was a disaster," she laughed, the sound of it twinkling in Orion's ears like a melody. "But we had fun. Hanabi, she... she said I was too cautious with the ingredients."
"She's right, you know," Orion chimed in, a mischievous grin on his face. "You always measure things too carefully. Sometimes you have to just go with the flow."
Hinata turned slightly, looking up at him with her eyes shimmering with warmth. "Is that how you approach everything, Orion?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Just... going with the flow?"
Orion didn't need to ponder over her question. He knew his answer. "Yeah," he murmured, his arms tightening around her ever so slightly. "It's how I approach you, Hinata."
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