The village lights dimmed behind them as they walked deeper into the forest, the rustling leaves and chirping crickets creating a serene backdrop.
They reached a small clearing where the sky was open, and the stars twinkled brightly above them.
Hanabi led the way to a spot on the grass, and they both sat down, the soft glow of the stars illuminating their faces.
Hanabi looked up at the night sky, her expression softening as she took in the view.
"It's so beautiful here," she said quietly, her gaze fixed on the stars.
Shoi glanced at her, a gentle smile forming on his lips.
He felt a warm, fluttering sensation in his chest as he observed the peaceful look on her face. Taking a deep breath, he decided to take a chance.
Slowly, he shifted closer to her, his hand inching towards hers. He watched her closely, noting the relaxed and content expression she wore.
When his fingers finally brushed against her hand, he hesitated, giving her a chance to pull away if she wished.
Internally, Hanabi was panicking. She had never been in close contact with a man before, and she was embarrassed, wanting to pull her hand away. But… it felt good.
She kept a calm expression, pretending not to notice that they were now holding hands.
Encouraged, Shoi gently took her hand in his, their fingers intertwining.
Seeing her not react, he had a bold idea.
Suddenly, he raised her hand and gently cupped her face with his other hand. Hanabi looked at him in confusion, trying to understand what he was doing. But before she could piece it together, she felt a warm, unfamiliar sensation on her lips.
Her eyes widened in shock as Shoi's lips pressed against hers in a kiss so sudden and intense that she didn't even have a chance to process what had just happened.
Her mind went blank, her thoughts scattering in a thousand directions. The warmth of his touch and the softness of his lips overwhelmed her senses.
She had never been this close to anyone before, and now, she was caught in the middle of an experience that was both thrilling and terrifying.
Shoi held the kiss, his emotions spilling over into the way he moved—firm yet tender.
He was lost in the moment, the world around them forgotten as he focused entirely on the feel of her lips against his.
The boldness of his actions surprised even him, but there was no turning back now.
Hanabi, still wide-eyed, felt her heart hammering in her chest.
She wanted to pull away, to create some distance, but her body refused to move.
A strange warmth spread through her, a mix of embarrassment and something else.
All she could do was remain still, caught between the urge to flee and the unfamiliar pleasure of the kiss.
Seconds felt like an eternity, and just as suddenly as it began, Shoi pulled back slightly, his face inches from hers.
When Hanabi finally regained her thoughts, a surge of panic and confusion washed over her. Without thinking, she reacted on instinct, shoving Shoi away with all the strength she could muster.
"Bammm!"
Shoi was thrown back with such force that he tumbled several meters away, landing on the grass with a surprised grunt. The sudden impact left him momentarily dazed, his mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.
Hanabi stood frozen in place, her hand covering her mouth in shock. She hadn't meant to push him so hard, hadn't realized just how much force she'd used. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of guilt and fear swirling within her.
Shoi, still lying on the ground, slowly propped himself up on one elbow, wincing slightly from the impact. He looked at Hanabi, trying to reassure her despite the situation.
"I'm okay," Shoi managed to say, his voice calm. He could see the panic in her eyes, the way her whole body seemed to tremble with the aftershock of what had just happened.
Hanabi's hand slowly lowered from her mouth, and she took a hesitant step toward him, her thoughts racing. The warmth from the kiss still lingered on her lips, but it was overshadowed by the sudden fear of having hurt him.
"Next time?" Hanabi echoed, her eyes narrowing as she processed his words. "You…!"
Shoi winced, realizing his slip of the tongue. "Uh, I mean—" he started to backpedal, but the mischievous glint in Hanabi's eyes stopped him in his tracks.
"You think there'll be a next time, huh?" she asked, her voice low, a mix of irritation and something else—something that made Shoi's heart skip a beat.
"Well… maybe?" he ventured cautiously, testing the waters.
Hanabi stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, to his surprise, she let out a small, exasperated sigh, her shoulders relaxing as the tension slowly drained from her body.
"Shoi, you idiot," she muttered, though there was no anger in her voice. "You can't just… kiss me out of nowhere and then act like it's no big deal."
"I know," Shoi admitted, his tone sincere. "I'm sorry, Hanabi. I shouldn't have done that without your consent." He paused, then added, "But I don't regret it. I wanted to kiss you."
Hanabi's cheeks flushed, her heart beating faster at his words. She didn't know how to respond, didn't know what to do with the feelings that were bubbling up inside her.
Shoi, sensing her hesitation, took a deep breath and decided to take the plunge. "Hanabi," he said softly, "I like you. A lot. I've liked you for a long time. And… I want us to be more than just friends."
Hanabi's eyes widened in surprise, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn't expected this—hadn't expected him to be so direct, so open.
"I… I don't know what to say," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Shoi stepped closer to her, his hand gently reaching out to take hers. "You don't have to say anything right now," he said softly. "Just… think about it. And if you feel the same way, then maybe… we can give this a try?"
Hanabi looked down at their joined hands, her mind racing.
After a long moment, she finally looked up at him, her eyes searching his. "Shoi… I think… I think I'd like that," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.
Shoi's eyes lit up with joy, his heart soaring at her words. "Really?" he asked, barely able to contain his excitement.
Hanabi nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yes, really," she said, feeling a mix of nervousness and anticipation. "But… we'll take it slow, okay?"
"Of course," Shoi agreed quickly, his smile widening. "As slow as you want, Hanabi."
She looked up at Shoi, her heart still racing, and found him smiling softly, his own emotions mirrored in his gaze.
"So… it's official between us?" Shoi asked, his voice a gentle murmur as he looked into her eyes, his thumb brushing lightly across her cheek.
Hanabi's smile grew, a mixture of relief and happiness settling over her. "It's official," she confirmed, her voice steady and full of emotion.