The following weekend, Mayu and Kyle decided to hang out at a cozy little café near their school. It had snowed the night before, and everything was covered in a soft blanket of white, making the café feel even more inviting with its warm, toasty atmosphere. As they sat down, the waitress brought over two mugs of hot chocolate, complete with whipped cream and tiny marshmallows.
"Thanks for inviting me out," Mayu said, smiling at Kyle as she carefully took her mug. "I needed this."
Kyle shrugged, though there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What, you mean you wouldn't want to spend your Saturday with me?"
Mayu rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but grin. "You're alright, I guess."
He raised his mug in mock offense. "Alright? Just alright? I thought I was a solid 10 out of 10, but I guess not."
Mayu laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe an 8, on a good day."
Kyle pretended to gasp, putting his hand over his heart. "You wound me, Mayu. Deeply."
They both laughed, and for a moment, everything felt light and easy. But then, as Kyle took a sip of his hot chocolate, something completely unexpected happened. The whipped cream smeared across his upper lip, giving him an unintentional, fluffy mustache. Mayu tried to hold in her laughter, but the sight was too much. A giggle escaped her lips, and soon she was laughing uncontrollably.
Kyle blinked, confused. "What? What's so funny?"
"You—" she gasped between giggles, pointing at his face. "You have… a whipped cream mustache!"
Kyle frowned in confusion and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Did I get it?"
"Nope!" Mayu burst into another fit of laughter, leaning over the table. "It's still there! You look ridiculous!"
Kyle finally realized what had happened and grinned. "Oh, I see. You think that's funny, huh?" Without warning, he dipped his finger into his hot chocolate and dabbed a bit of whipped cream onto Mayu's nose.
"Hey!" Mayu squealed, trying to wipe it off, but Kyle wasn't done. He added a bit more to her cheek, laughing as she tried to dodge his attacks.
"Now we match!" he said, triumph in his voice.
Mayu glared at him playfully, her cheeks flushed. "You're such a child."
Kyle leaned back in his chair, still grinning. "But you're laughing, so I must be doing something right."
She couldn't help but smile, even as she tried to wipe the whipped cream from her face. The playful banter between them was so natural, and she loved how easy it was to be herself around him. But as the laughter died down, the playful mood shifted ever so slightly. Mayu glanced at Kyle, noticing the way his eyes softened as he looked at her.
"You look cute with whipped cream on your face," he said, his voice quieter now, more sincere.
Mayu's heart did a little flip, and she felt her cheeks warm even more, this time from embarrassment. "Shut up," she mumbled, looking away to hide her blush.
But Kyle didn't push. He just smiled, watching her with that same warm, kind gaze that made her heart race every time