It was a typical afternoon when Sam walked into the cozy café again. The warm aroma of coffee filled the air, a sense of familiarity wrapping around him as he walked to their usual spot. As he settled in, he glanced out the window, his mind wandering back to the day they had shared. The memory of Mahiru's soft kiss on his cheek made him smile to himself.
As if on cue, the bell above the door jingled, and Sam's heart skipped a beat. There she was.
Mahiru stood at the entrance, her presence lighting up the room. She wore a long white frock with delicate blue designs, the fabric flowing gracefully around her, and a charming hat perched atop her head. The way she moved, like a snow princess lost in her own world, made Sam's breath catch in his throat. She was stunning.
Sam's eyes widened slightly, not able to hide his surprise. He hadn't expected her to look even more beautiful than the last time, but here she was, outshining everything around her.
Mahiru noticed him staring, and a playful grin spread across her face. She walked over to him with a soft, teasing smile. "Like what you see?" she asked, her voice light yet teasing.
Sam blinked, suddenly flustered. "You look... amazing," he murmured in a soft voice, the words slipping out before he could stop himself.
Mahiru's cheeks flushed, and she chuckled, a soft pink tint coloring her face. "You're too sweet."
Both of them stood there for a moment, the air thick with a shared sense of warmth and quiet affection.
Sam could feel his heart racing, his thoughts scattered. He had meant to say something more, but her beauty left him speechless.
"Shall we sit?" Mahiru asked, breaking the silence with her gentle voice.
"Yeah," Sam nodded, still trying to compose himself.
As they sat, the conversation flowed smoothly, like a continuation of everything they had shared before. But Sam couldn't help but steal glances at her from time to time, still in awe of how perfect she looked.
Suddenly, a playful idea struck him. He reached into his pocket and casually pulled out his phone, holding it low enough that Mahiru wouldn't notice. His fingers hovered over the screen, and before she could catch him, he snapped a quick picture of her.
The camera captured the way the soft light from the window seemed to dance around her, casting a warm glow on her delicate features. The image was like a moment frozen in time—her peaceful smile, the elegance of her frock, and the way the hat framed her face just right.
Sam couldn't help but smile to himself. He wasn't sure why, but there was something about this moment that felt too perfect not to preserve. He quickly pocketed his phone before Mahiru could see.
Mahiru, however, was watching him closely and raised an eyebrow. "Did you just take a picture of me?" she asked, a teasing tone in her voice.
Sam's face flushed, and he stammered, "Uh—no, I mean... maybe... I just thought you looked really beautiful today and wanted to... um... capture the moment?"
Mahiru tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in a playful challenge. "I see. Well, I hope it's as good as I look in person."
Sam nodded enthusiastically, still blushing. "Definitely better."
Mahiru grinned, clearly flattered, and leaned back in her chair. "You're impossible, Sam."
But her soft smile said it all—she didn't mind one bit.
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