Saki and Hiroki walked out of the school gate toward the end of the street, and the air was still warm.
The sky looked like a painting in shades of orange; clouds were scattered like cotton, and the sunlight left a soft warmth on every corner.
Hiroki walked silently, his hands in his pockets.
Saki, on the other hand, stole glances at him every now and then, quickly turning her head away each time.
The silence didn't feel strange.
Being next to Hiroki was a moment where even staying quiet felt peaceful.
After walking for a while, they reached the park entrance.
The air was filled with the chirping of birds, distant children's laughter, and the faint scent of flowers.
Saki took a deep breath.
"I love this place," she said. "It's really peaceful."
Hiroki smiled.
"I know… everything feels better when you're here."
Saki looked at him in surprise.
"Me?"
"Yes. You quietly bring color to your surroundings without even realizing it… just like this place."
Saki's heart skipped a beat.
"You… you're sometimes too straightforward," she said in a soft voice.
Hiroki shrugged.
"I can't lie."
Saki turned her head away, trying to hide the warmth creeping up her cheeks.
Then she murmured softly,
"Every place feels beautiful with you…"
A gentle breeze blew, tossing her hair across her face.
Hiroki reached out gently and tucked her hair behind her ear.
Saki forgot to breathe.
"Th-thank you," she finally managed to say.
"You're welcome. You deserve every compliment," Hiroki replied.
Saki's cheeks turned a deep pink.
They walked together along the park's central path.
They found an empty bench and sat down.
The light filtering through the trees fell between them like a golden line.
For a while, they watched the sky in silence.
Then Hiroki reached into his bag.
"I brought something for you."
Saki looked at him curiously.
"What is it?"
"Your reward," Hiroki said, a mysterious expression on his face.
He pulled out a small gift wrapped in colorful paper with a tiny ribbon.
Saki stared in surprise for a moment, then shyly reached out.
"For me, really?"
"Yes. It's the reward for yesterday's task," Hiroki said.
Saki slowly opened the package.
Inside was a small, adorable teddy bear, with a tiny red ribbon around its neck.
Saki froze for a moment.
The bear fit perfectly in her palm, soft and warm.
"It's… so cute," she said, smiling.
"Did you really pick this for me?"
Hiroki tilted his head slightly.
"Yes. It reminded me of you when I saw it."
Saki's heart started racing again.
"Why… is the bear as cute as me?"
Hiroki chuckled.
"No… because you're my little sweet baby."
Saki looked away, but smiling was impossible.
The wind rustled the leaves in the silence.
At that moment, Hiroki's phone rang.
His expression changed instantly when he looked at the screen.
"One second, I need to take this," he said.
He walked a few steps away from the bench.
Saki watched his silhouette retreat.
The wind played with her hair as the sky slowly turned purple.
Hiroki's voice could be heard faintly from a distance, the words indistinct.
It sounded serious, not an argument but a tense conversation.
After ending the call, he paused for a few seconds, then took a deep breath.
When Saki looked up, she noticed him returning with a slightly tense smile.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
Hiroki nodded.
"Yes… just a small issue came up. I'm sorry, but I have to go."
Saki tried to understand.
"Now?"
"Yes… I wish I could stay, but it's urgent."
Saki looked at the teddy bear in her hands.
A brief disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she held it back.
"Okay… I understand."
Hiroki came closer.
"Take good care of Mr. Teddy. When you miss me, you can hug him," he said softly.
"I will," Saki said, trying to smile.
A brief silence passed.
Then Hiroki ran his hand through his hair, as if about to say something, but he gave up.
"I'm sorry, Saki… I have to go. See you," he said.
"See you…"
As Hiroki walked away, Saki stayed seated on the bench, watching his back.
The last rays of the sun slowly disappeared.
She hugged the teddy bear tightly.
Its soft fur was warm in her fingers, but the emptiness in her heart felt strange.
"Was it really urgent…?" she murmured to herself.
"What could be more urgent than me?" she thought, then smiled faintly.
"Anyway… thank you, Hiroki."
The sky had turned completely purple.
Saki stood up and carefully placed the teddy bear in her bag.
As she left the park, the wind blew again, gradually dispersing the traces of the moments that had just passed.
But the feeling inside her remained…
Her heartbeat, her smile, and a small sense of curiosity.
It may have been just a short walk, but the echo of her first date would linger in Saki's heart for a long time.