The weekend after their beach trip arrived, bringing with it a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement. Kazuki had been thinking about his movie date with Shizuka ever since he'd invited her at the beach. Now that the day had finally come, he was both eager and slightly anxious. It wasn't that he wasn't comfortable with Shizuka—it was just that their relationship had been growing at such a fast pace, and moments like these made his heart race in unexpected ways.
He had picked the movie theater at the edge of town for their date, one of the quieter, more intimate spots that Shizuka seemed to appreciate. It was a perfect place for their date without Aoi tagging along, and Kazuki had done his best to make sure everything would go smoothly.
He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his shirt for what felt like the hundredth time. "Come on, Kazuki, it's just a movie. You've got this," he muttered to himself, giving a final nod of approval.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Coming!" he called, rushing to open it.
Standing in front of him was Shizuka, looking effortlessly stunning. She was wearing a casual yet chic outfit—jeans, a simple white blouse, and a light jacket. Her hair was down, and the soft curls framed her face perfectly. Kazuki's breath caught in his throat for a moment.
"You look amazing," he blurted out before he could stop himself.
Shizuka smiled, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Thanks, Kazuki. You clean up well too."
Kazuki couldn't help but blush at her compliment. "I—uh, thanks."
They stood there for a moment, both unsure of what to say next. Then, Shizuka broke the silence with a laugh. "Are we going to the movies, or are we just going to stand here all night?"
Kazuki laughed along with her, relieved by her easygoing attitude. "Right! Let's go."
---
The movie theater wasn't crowded, the perfect setting for a quiet evening. After buying their tickets and popcorn—Kazuki, predictably, insisted on paying—they made their way into the theater, finding seats toward the back. The theater lights dimmed as the trailers began, and Kazuki glanced over at Shizuka. She was already focused on the screen, her face lit by the flickering images.
Kazuki couldn't help but smile. He wasn't usually the type to go for movie dates—he had always thought they were a little cliché—but with Shizuka, everything felt right. The quiet atmosphere, the shared silence between them, it all felt comfortable. And, of course, there was the slight thrill of sitting next to her, their elbows brushing occasionally, sending a rush of warmth through him every time.
Halfway through the movie, Kazuki leaned in, lowering his voice just enough so only Shizuka could hear. "Hey, I was thinking… we should do something after this. Maybe grab some dinner? I know a great little ramen place."
Shizuka turned to him, her smile softening as she caught his gaze. "Sounds perfect," she whispered back, her voice barely audible over the sound of the film.
Kazuki's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't just the idea of dinner—it was the fact that she was happy to spend time with him, and that feeling was something he wasn't quite used to yet, but he certainly liked it.
The rest of the movie passed in a blur. Kazuki found it hard to focus on the plot, his mind constantly drifting to Shizuka, her reactions to the film, and how perfect everything felt. Every so often, he'd catch her glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, her smile soft, and it sent a rush of warmth through his chest.
When the credits finally rolled, Kazuki was the first to stand, eager to continue the night. "Let's go?" he asked, his voice a little too eager, but Shizuka didn't seem to mind.
"Lead the way," she replied with a smile, and they made their way out of the theater.
---
Outside, the night air was cool, and the streets were quieter than usual. They walked side by side, the soft glow of streetlights casting a gentle light on their path. Kazuki glanced over at Shizuka, unsure of how to keep the conversation going.
"So… what did you think of the movie?" he asked, though he had a feeling her answer wouldn't matter much to him. It wasn't the film he was focused on—it was the time spent with her.
"I liked it," she said, her eyes bright. "It was pretty funny, but I think I liked the fact that we were together more." She glanced at him as they walked, her expression soft and sincere.
Kazuki's chest tightened at her words. He tried to keep his voice casual. "Yeah, me too. I mean, it's nice to just hang out."
Shizuka smiled, stopping in front of a small ramen shop that Kazuki had picked out. "This place looks great," she said, her tone playful. "You have good taste."
Kazuki smirked, trying to hide his growing nervousness. "I know. I'm full of surprises."
They sat down at a small table by the window, the soft clink of chopsticks and the warm aroma of ramen filling the air. As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, as it always did with Shizuka. They talked about the movie, school, and the beach trip, and everything felt simple, comfortable. And yet, there was an undercurrent of something more, something between them that made Kazuki's heart race a little faster every time their eyes met.
As the night wore on, Kazuki found himself savoring each moment. It wasn't just the food or the movie—it was the way Shizuka looked at him, the way she laughed at his jokes, the way her presence seemed to make everything brighter.
When they finished dinner and stepped outside into the cool night, Kazuki's mind was buzzing. He couldn't help himself any longer. As they walked along the street, he slowed his pace, then turned toward her.
"Shizuka, I—" He paused, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never been good at saying exactly what he meant, but tonight felt different. "I really like being with you. A lot. I hope we can do this more, you know? Just… us, no distractions."
Shizuka looked at him, her expression softening. "Kazuki… I like being with you too." She smiled, a little shy now, and her hand brushed against his. "This has been one of the best nights I've had in a long time."
Kazuki's heart leaped at her words. Without thinking, he reached out, taking her hand in his.
"Then let's make sure there are more nights like this," he said softly, squeezing her hand.
Shizuka smiled, her eyes warm and content. "I'd like that."
And with that, Kazuki knew—this was just the beginning of something even more special.