Arcades weren't exactly my thing. With my astigmatism, the flashing lights and loud noises felt more like an assault on my senses than entertainment. Honestly, I never thought I'd step foot in one of these places. But today was different.
I don't know how to explain it, it felt like I'd loved arcades all along. The energy, the laughter, the sheer fun of it, I wanted to stay here forever. I never imagined I could enjoy an arcade, let alone love it. But as they say, the right company can make anything enjoyable.
And for me, that right company was Yui.
"So? Ready to grab some dinner?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.
"Yeah! I'm craving pizza!" Yui replied, her face lighting up with a smile so radiant it was contagious.
"You read my mind," I said with a chuckle.
She started walking ahead, and I followed, watching her skip with a carefree energy that reminded me of a child. It was hard to believe that I once thought Yui was cold and unapproachable. She was the exact opposite, cheerful, kind, and full of life.
With each passing moment, I found myself drawn to her more and more. It wasn't just her smile or the way she laughed, it was her presence. Being around her was light and comforting, like a warm breeze on a spring day.
And I realized something.
I didn't want this to end.
I didn't just want to spend time with her. I wanted to stay by her side, for as long as she'd let me.
The aroma of melted cheese and fresh dough greeted us as we stepped into the pizza parlor. The menu was plastered on the wall, a gallery of mouthwatering choices. My eyes immediately focused on my favorite. It was so tempting that, for a moment, I forgot I wasn't alone.
But then, like a jolt of lightning, it hit me. I wasn't here by myself.
I was here because of Yui. She had agreed to hang out with me today, taking time out of her day to be here. And now that I thought about it, shouldn't I do something to thank her?
No, not just should, I wanted to.
After everything Yui had done for me, this was the least I could do. Sure, buying her a pizza might not measure up to her kindness, but it was something. A small act, but one I hoped that could make her happy.
The line moved forward, and as we got closer to the counter, I carefully slipped cash out of my wallet. My plan was simple, pay for her meal before she even had a chance to react.
When it was our turn, I told the cashier our orders, then swiftly handed over the payment before Yui could even reach for her wallet.
She blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly in confusion.
"I'll pay for it when we sit down," she said, already reaching into her bag.
"Nope, I got this one," I replied.
For a moment, she hesitated, then softly said, "Thank you."
Her voice was quiet, and as she looked down, a hint of pink spread across her cheeks. She was trying to hide her embarrassment, but the way she avoided my gaze made her shyness all the more obvious.
I couldn't help but find it adorable.
As we sat across from each other, our plates of pizza gradually disappearing, the conversation flowed effortlessly. We talked about university, sharing stories, venting frustrations, and laughing at inside jokes that seemed to form on the spot.
And yet, no matter how hard I tried to focus on the conversation, I kept finding myself looking into her eyes.
It wasn't intentional. At least, I told myself it wasn't. But once I noticed them, those eyes, I couldn't look away. They were beautiful in a way I couldn't put into words, like they held some secret I desperately wanted to understand. Even when I tried to resist, I kept getting drawn back in.
Time slipped by without us noticing. Every topic led to another, and before long, it felt like we'd known each other for years. We started uncovering little parts of ourselves, things that aligned so perfectly it was almost eerie.
We laughed at how similar we were. The way we viewed people, how we valued kindness, our shared love for books, the comfort we found in stillness and quiet moments, and even our mutual preference for carbonara over spaghetti. Each discovery felt like another piece of a puzzle falling perfectly into place.
"Seriously? Carbonara over spaghetti? I can't believe I finally found a teammate on that debate!" I teased.
She laughed, the sound so light and genuine it made my chest feel warm. "What can I say? Creamy sauce is superior."
I couldn't stop smiling. Everything about the moment, the laughter, the shared stories, the ease of being together, it felt right.
If you were to ask me how it felt, I'd tell you it was like finding home in a person.
Someone who understood me, someone who shared the same values and joys. It felt as though the universe had conspired to bring us together, as if all the small choices and coincidences in life had led to this very moment.
And at that moment, I couldn't help but think. This is what it feels like to belong.
By the time we finished the food on our table, two hours had passed. Yeah, it took that long but who could blame us? The conversations were too fun to rush. Still, time doesn't wait for anyone, and when we glanced at the clock, a shared sadness lingered in the air.
The mall was about to close.
Reluctantly, we stood up, gathered our things, and made our way to the train station.
"So? Which station should we split up?" Yui asked as we walked.
"I-I'll go to your station and walk you home first," I replied, trying to sound casual, though I felt my voice falter slightly.
"Are you sure? Wouldn't that be a hassle for you?"
"No, not at all!" I said, a little too quickly.
"O-okay then," she replied softly.
We boarded the train, and a comfortable silence fell over us. The lively energy we'd had earlier at the mall seemed to fade, replaced by the quiet tiredness of a day well spent.
At some point, we both dozed off. It wasn't until the automated announcement sounded that Yui jolted awake.
"Hey, Sora! We need to get off!"
"O-Oh yeah!" I stammered, quickly gathering myself.
Her apartment was only a short walk from the station. The neighborhood felt different from mine, sleek and modern, with clean lines and street lamps that cast a soft, warm glow. It had a mainstream charm to it, a stark contrast to the quieter, more rustic vibe of my own.
"We almost missed our stop," Yui laughed as we strolled down the street. "That would've been hilarious!"
"Yeah, it would've been a core memory," I said, chuckling. Then, without thinking, I added, "But today's already a core memory for me."
"Yeah, me too," she replied, her voice sincere.
I felt my ears and cheeks heat up at her words. Relief washed over me, knowing that she had as much fun as I did. I'd been worried that maybe the joy I felt, the comfort in her company, was one-sided. But hearing her say that made my heart feel a little lighter.
When we reached her apartment, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. I stayed on the doorstep, watching as she climbed the stairs.
Before disappearing completely, she peeked through a small window-like gap near the stairs, waving one last goodbye. "Goodnight, Sora," she said with a soft smile.
"Goodnight, Yui," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper as she vanished from sight.
Turning around, I started my walk back to my apartment. The streets were quiet, the air cool, but I couldn't stop smiling.
It had been a fun day, a perfect day, even.
And as I made my way home, a single thought echoed in my mind. I hope we can do this again sometime.