Confessions Under the Stars
That evening, after the tour, Aoi and Ren wandered along a quiet back path behind the dormitories. The stone path shimmered faintly in the moonlight, and a vending machine hummed softly in the distance — the only sign of life beyond them.
They walked slowly, side by side, until Ren stopped.
"Aoi," he said, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
She turned to him, her eyes reflecting the stars above. "Yeah?"
He hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding harder than it had in the hackathon finals. But there was no turning back now.
"I… I like you," he finally said. "I've liked you for a while. And I wanted to tell you before things change… before we move on to the next stage of our lives."
Aoi's eyes widened for just a second. Then they softened, her lips parting into a smile — not playful, not teasing, but one full of warmth, of relief, of something long held in.
"Took you long enough," she whispered. "I like you too, Ren. I really do."
Ren let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his shoulders easing. A silence settled between them — the peaceful kind, heavy with meaning.
But after a moment, he looked away slightly and spoke again, his tone more cautious now.
"Can I ask for something… selfish?" he said.
Aoi tilted her head. "What is it?"
"Can we… keep this between us?" he asked, eyes flicking up to meet hers again. "Just until graduation. You know how school is. You're popular — everyone's always watching you. Me… I'd rather us not be part of the daily gossip or rumors."
Aoi was quiet. Not because she didn't understand — but because she did.
Then she smiled, and it was full of affection.
"Okay," she said gently. "But only until graduation."
She held out her pinky, like she had that day at the vending machine. "After that, I'm not hiding it anymore."
Ren chuckled softly and linked his pinky with hers. "Deal."
And just when he thought that moment couldn't get any more perfect — Aoi took a slow step forward.
She looked up into his eyes, her cheeks tinged pink under the moonlight. "I waited for so long…" she whispered.
Then, without giving him time to respond, she leaned in and pressed her lips softly against his.
It wasn't a rushed kiss. It wasn't dramatic or messy.
It was gentle, warm, and full of every feeling she'd hidden behind teasing words and casual smiles.
Ren stood still, stunned, but then slowly closed his eyes and returned the kiss — awkward, yes, but honest. His fingers gently curled around hers, their pinkies still locked even then.
When they pulled apart, Aoi was smiling again — eyes a little shinier, but full of joy.
Ren's face was redder than ever, but he couldn't help the smile spreading across his own lips.
"Y-You kissed me…"
"Of course I did," Aoi said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Do you know how long I've been holding back?"
He shook his head slowly. "I'm glad you didn't anymore."
Then they started walking again — this time closer, side by side, shoulders touching with no space between.
And for the first time, they weren't just partners in code, classmates, or friends walking home.
They were something new.
Something just beginning.
Something they'd keep safe, for now — until the day they no longer had to.