As Aki and Yuki descended the stairs together, their hands brushed lightly, a lingering trace of the kiss they had just shared in her room. Yuki's cheeks were still faintly pink, though she tried to keep her composure. Aki, on the other hand, felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest, though he masked it with an awkward but determined smile.
"Don't let Mom say anything embarrassing," Yuki muttered under her breath as they reached the bottom step.
Aki chuckled nervously. "I'll try, but your mom is kind of… persistent."
When they entered the dining room, the aroma of home-cooked food filled the air. The table was neatly set with plates of rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and various side dishes. Yuki's mother, wearing an apron, greeted them with a warm smile from her seat at the table.
