Dinner at Kyle's house was unexpectedly comfortable, despite the whirlwind of assumptions his mom had made earlier. Kyle's mom, in her usual energetic manner, had fussed over them, chatting nonstop and making them laugh with stories from Kyle's childhood. Mayu couldn't help but feel warm inside, even though she was still a bit embarrassed by how fast things had escalated. The food was delicious, the atmosphere light, and for a moment, it almost felt like she really was a part of Kyle's family.
When the dinner ended, Kyle's mom excused herself with a knowing smile, leaving the two of them alone in the cozy dining room. Kyle, clearly embarrassed, scratched the back of his neck as he looked over at Mayu.
"Uh… I'm sorry about earlier," Kyle mumbled, avoiding her gaze. "I didn't really know how to stop my mom once she got going. She's... well, you saw how she is."
Mayu looked at him, her eyes softening. She could tell he felt bad, but the truth was, she wasn't upset. In fact, she found the whole situation rather endearing. She smiled, a small laugh escaping her lips.
"It's okay, really," Mayu said, her voice gentle. "Your mom is... energetic, that's for sure. But I don't mind." She paused, looking down at her hands for a second before whispering under her breath, "It's not bad... and I like it, you know."
Kyle blinked, unsure if he had heard her correctly. "What was that?" he asked, his voice light, though there was a teasing edge to it.
Mayu blushed slightly, waving it off. "Oh, nothing!" she replied quickly, but she avoided eye contact. Kyle stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he chuckled softly and let it go. In truth, he had heard her—every word—but he wasn't quite ready to acknowledge it yet. His heart was racing just as fast as hers.
"Well, I'm glad you don't mind," Kyle said, his tone lighter now, though a hint of embarrassment still lingered in his voice. "Mom really likes you, you know. She's already planning our next dinner together."
Mayu laughed softly, shaking her head. "I bet she is."
After finishing up, they both stood, the night drawing to a close. Kyle grabbed his jacket and turned to her. "I'll walk you home. It's late, and I want to make sure you get there safely."
Mayu's heart fluttered slightly at his offer. "You don't have to, really. I'll be fine."
"I insist," Kyle said, giving her a determined look. "Besides, it'll give us more time to talk."
The walk home was peaceful. The streets were quiet, illuminated by soft streetlights, and the cool night air was refreshing after the warmth of dinner. As they walked, they talked about everything and nothing—school, their friends, even random thoughts that popped into their heads. It was easy and comforting, the kind of conversation that flowed naturally between two people who had grown close without realizing it.
Before they knew it, they had reached Mayu's house. They stood in front of her door, the night air filled with a gentle breeze. Mayu turned to Kyle, a small, teasing smile on her lips.
"Well, I'm home safe, just like you wanted," she said softly, her voice a little more playful now.
Kyle nodded, feeling a little awkward but pleased that he had walked her back. "Yeah, I'm glad you made it home okay."
Mayu shifted her weight slightly, looking down at her feet for a moment before glancing back up at him, her cheeks a faint shade of pink. "Um... Kyle?"
"Yeah?" Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow.
She hesitated for a moment, her heart racing, then finally spoke. "Could you... give me a kiss?"
Kyle's eyes widened in surprise, and for a split second, his mind went blank. A kiss? His heart thudded loudly in his chest, and he felt himself starting to panic a little. But then Mayu clarified, her voice barely a whisper.
"On the forehead," she said, her face now fully flushed. "Just... you know, for goodnight."
Kyle exhaled, his tense shoulders relaxing as a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He took a step closer, gently placing a hand on her shoulder, and leaned down. He could feel her holding her breath as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering for just a second longer than necessary.
"Goodnight, Mayu," he whispered softly.
Mayu smiled, her heart swelling with warmth. "Goodnight, Kyle."
As she walked inside, closing the door behind her, Kyle stood on the doorstep for a moment, feeling the warmth of the night and the memory of her words. He had heard her confession earlier, after all. And maybe, just maybe, he was starting to feel the same way.