The evening of the promised dinner had finally arrived, and Kazuki found himself pacing in front of Shizuka's house, feeling both excited and a little nervous. He'd been to her house countless times before, but somehow, tonight felt different. It wasn't just two friends hanging out—it was their first official "date" as a couple.
The door opened, and there was Shizuka, beaming at him. She'd dressed up a bit, wearing a simple, elegant dress that made her silver hair shimmer under the evening light. Kazuki swallowed, feeling his heart race.
"You look… amazing," he said, almost breathless.
Shizuka laughed softly, twirling a little. "Thank you, Kazuki. I wanted to look nice for you."
She led him inside, and the delicious aroma of food greeted him instantly. The dining table was set neatly, with plates and utensils laid out just so, and a few candles giving the room a cozy glow.
"I hope you're hungry," Shizuka said, guiding him to the table. "I made your favorite—pasta with a twist."
They sat down, and Kazuki couldn't help but smile at the effort she'd put into the meal. The pasta was creamy and perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of spice, and there were small side dishes she'd made to complement it.
"Shizuka, this is… amazing," Kazuki said, tasting a bite and closing his eyes as the flavors hit him.
She smiled, watching him enjoy the meal. "I'm so glad you like it! I might have experimented a bit, but I wanted it to be perfect for you."
Kazuki felt a warmth in his chest as he saw how genuinely happy she was. "Honestly, this is better than anything I've had in a restaurant."
They continued eating, sharing laughs and stories about their day. Shizuka was animated, recounting the silly rumors floating around school about them. Kazuki laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.
"They think we're secretly married now?" he asked, incredulous.
Shizuka giggled, hiding her face behind her hand. "Apparently, that's the latest theory. But hey, maybe we're just giving off that 'domestic' vibe, huh?"
Kazuki blushed, looking away for a moment. "Maybe… but I think I kind of like it."
Shizuka's cheeks turned pink as she looked at him, her usual teasing tone softening. "Kazuki… I like it too."
---
**The End of the Evening**
After they finished eating, they decided to sit outside on the patio, where a cool breeze brushed over them, carrying the scent of evening blossoms. They watched the stars, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a warm blanket.
Shizuka leaned her head on Kazuki's shoulder, sighing contentedly. "You know, I never thought I'd feel this happy with someone. Even if we're just sitting here in silence, it's… perfect."
Kazuki gently wrapped his arm around her, his voice a soft murmur. "Me too, Shizuka. I'm really glad you're here with me."
They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the comfortable silence, until Shizuka broke it with a mischievous grin.
"Hey, Kazuki… so, what do you think about dessert?" she asked, her eyes gleaming.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Dessert? I thought you already made pasta and side dishes!"
She laughed, shaking her head. "No, silly. I meant… maybe you owe me a little something as dessert."
He felt his face heat up, catching on to her hint. "Shizuka, you're not serious…"
But she just leaned in closer, her face inches from his, her voice a playful whisper. "Oh, come on. I passed my test and made you dinner. Isn't that worth at least a little reward?"
Kazuki swallowed, his heart pounding as he looked at her. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and her cheeks were flushed. He leaned in, feeling his nerves almost take over before he finally placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"There… that's your reward," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Shizuka blinked, clearly surprised, and then let out a soft laugh. "Kazuki, you're really the sweetest… but you know I'll be asking for more someday."
Kazuki chuckled, feeling relieved but also a little bolder. "Maybe I'll be ready next time."
They shared a quiet laugh, and Kazuki placed his hand on hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. As the evening drew to a close, they both felt the quiet satisfaction of simply being together, knowing that their journey as a couple was just beginning, and that every moment—big or small—was precious.