The café was cozy and warm, a pleasant contrast to the busy street outside. We sat down at a small table by the window, and a friendly waitress brought us menus. "I'll have a black coffee," I said, glancing over the menu. Hana hesitated. "I'd like… a matcha latte with caramel syrup and a pinch of cinnamon." I raised an eyebrow. "That sounds… interesting." Hana laughed. "I like things a bit unusual. But don't worry, I'll share if you don't like it." We ordered and waited in silence, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It was a silence of familiarity, a silence that resonated with unspoken feelings. When our drinks arrived, we started talking about the mangas Hana had brought me. We exchanged recommendations, laughed about quirky characters, and philosophized about the meaning of friendship in the stories. Then, suddenly, I became serious. "Hana, I've actually wanted to tell you something for a while now." Hana looked at me questioningly, her eyes full of attention. "I… I wanted to thank you." "For what?" she asked softly. I took a deep breath. "For everything. For pulling me out of the way back then. If it hadn't been for you… the accident might have been much worse. I… I don't know where I'd be now." Hana looked away shyly. "Anyone probably would have done that." "No," I disagreed. "There were others. But only you acted. And… I was so happy when you visited me in the hospital. Your voice… it helped me. It… brought a breath of fresh air into that sterile environment." I felt my cheeks grow warm. "And I'm so glad nothing worse happened to you. That you didn't suffer any permanent damage." Hana turned increasingly red. She stared at her hands, nervously clasped in her lap. "I… I don't know how I can ever repay you," I whispered. Hana lifted her head, and her eyes met mine. There was a sparkle in them, a mixture of shyness and courage. "Do you… do you want to be my boyfriend?" she asked softly. I was speechless. I hadn't expected this question. I had always admired Hana, found her pretty and likable. But that she… that she could feel this way… I couldn't get a word out. I was overwhelmed. Hana seemed to misinterpret my silence. Her eyes became uncertain. "You… you don't have to if you don't want to," she said quickly. "I… I know it might be too soon. But… I think you're handsome. And likable. And…" Her voice trailed off. I still couldn't say anything. My heart was racing. My mind was blank. I looked at her. Her delicate beauty, her open kindness, her unexpected directness. And suddenly I realized how much she had done for me. How much she had risked. How much she meant to me. Without saying a word, I nodded. Hana's face lit up. Her eyes shone. She seemed overjoyed. I never thought she had this side to her. So open. So… brave. But I couldn't argue against it. She was pretty. She was likable. She was helpful. And she was athletic, you could tell. And she liked similar mangas to me. It wasn't exactly a rarity at my school that some couples got together for less. "Yes," I finally whispered, my voice still a bit hoarse. "Yes, I want to be your boyfriend." A wide, radiant smile spread across Hana's face. She reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. "I'm so happy, Nobuyuki-kun." I returned her smile, but inside, a whirlwind of emotions raged. Happiness, confusion, a touch of uncertainty. I could never have imagined Hana feeling this way about me. And I wasn't sure if I was ready for a relationship. But I didn't want to hurt Hana. I wanted to show her that I valued her friendship. And maybe… maybe I would grow to feel more for her over time. "Another coffee?" Hana asked. "And maybe a piece of that chocolate cake? It looks tempting." "Sounds good," I agreed. "My treat." "No, let me," Hana countered. "You already invited me." "But it's..." I broke off, unsure how to label the new situation. Hana blushed slightly. "It's okay. I just want to… spoil you." We ordered and waited eagerly for our order. "So," Hana began once the waitress had left. "Tell me more about yourself. What are your dreams?" "My dreams?" I repeated. "Well, I'd like to become a writer. Write novels. Create stories that touch people." Hana's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful! I draw too. I want to become a mangaka. Tell my own stories, but with pictures." "We're a dream team," I joked. "Author and mangaka." Hana giggled. "Maybe we should collaborate. I'll illustrate your novels." "That would be cool," I said. "But I think you have enough to do with your own mangas." "Not if you help me write the stories," Hana teased. We laughed, and the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed. "And what about your family?" Hana asked. "You've never told me much about them." I hesitated. "They're… successful. My mother is a lawyer, my father a prosecutor. They're very busy." "That sounds impressive," Hana said. "But also stressful." "Yes," I admitted. "Sometimes I wish they had more time for us. For me and my little brother." "Family is important," Hana said thoughtfully. "Mine is very different too. My mother is a housewife, and my father works in an office. I have two younger siblings. It's not a glamorous life, but… it's honest." "That sounds… solid," I said. "Secure." "Mostly," Hana sighed. "But sometimes a bit... predictable. I still go to high school, live at home. And sometimes it feels like my life is already mapped out. But I want more than just following the beaten path." "I understand," I said. "The desire for something of your own." We continued talking, about our families, our fears, our hopes. It was as if we were opening up a world to each other that we kept hidden from others. And the more I learned about Hana, the more I felt that there was something special between us. When the chocolate cake arrived, we shared it like siblings. And as we laughed and talked, we almost forgot that we had only really gotten to know each other since the days in my hospital room. "So," Hana began, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she loaded a piece of cake onto her fork. "Tell me about your school. What's it like?" "Pretty normal," I replied. "Big, lots of students. The classes are okay, but… sometimes a bit boring." "I go to Seiryu High School," Hana said. "It's not as big. But it's… more familial. The teachers know you personally." "Sounds nice," I said. "I'm at Tōdai Academy. It's quite famous for its… academic achievements." Hana nodded. "Yeah, I've heard of it. You're always so good at school, right?" I shrugged. "I try my best. Usually in the top 10." "Wow," Hana said, impressed. "I'm more in the middle. But I get by." She grinned. "My passion is something else anyway." "What's that?" I asked curiously. "Tennis," Hana beamed. "I've been playing since middle school. I love the competition, the movement, the feeling when you hit a perfect serve." "Cool," I said. "I'm not much of an athlete. I prefer reading." "I already know that," Hana teased. "But maybe I could take you to tennis sometime. You could watch a match." "Maybe," I said hesitantly. "But I think I'll stick with my books." "Too bad," Hana said. "But maybe we can still do something together sometime. With our friends." I paused. "Friends?" I asked. "Do you have many?" Hana sighed softly. "Not really. I have a few I hang out with at school, but… real friends are hard to find." I nodded. I knew what she meant. "My best friends are Shigeo and Emiko," I told her. "Shigeo is loud and impulsive, but he has a good heart. And Emiko… she's smart and loyal. We've known each other since childhood." "That sounds nice," Hana said. "Such a close-knit group." "Yeah," I said. "But sometimes… sometimes I feel like I don't quite fit in." "Why?" Hana asked. "I don't know. I'm just… quieter. More thoughtful. Not as extroverted as those two." "I think you're just right the way you are," Hana said softly. "You're… you're interesting. And you have a good soul." I felt my cheeks grow warm. "Thanks, Hana." We continued talking, about our schools, our friends, our grades, our passions. It was as if we were slowly, carefully revealing ourselves to each other, layer by layer. And with each revelation, the feeling grew that there was something special between us. Suddenly, Hana's phone rang. She answered, and her expression changed immediately. "Hello?" she said, her voice tense. "Yes, I know, Mom. But I'm out right now… What? But that can wait… I know, I know… But…" Her voice grew louder, and I could guess that an argument was erupting on the other end of the line. It was about something Hana was supposed to have done at home but had forgotten. "Yes, Mom, I'm coming right away… No, I can't later… Okay, okay, I'll be there in half an hour." Hana hung up and sighed deeply. "Sorry, Nobuyuki-kun. I have to go." "What's wrong?" I asked, concerned. "A family emergency," Hana said evasively. "Nothing serious, but I have to go home immediately." I nodded, and a strange feeling of emptiness spread through me as she stood up. "But I still wanted to pay," Hana said. "No, leave it," I countered. "I'll treat you. As… as compensation for the whole hospital time." Hana hesitated but seemed too tired to argue. "Okay. Thanks." She picked up her bag and briefly squeezed my hand. "It was wonderful, Nobuyuki-kun." "Me too," I said honestly. Hana turned away and hurried towards the door. I watched her disappear, suddenly feeling alone. I sat there for a little longer, slowly finishing my coffee and replaying the afternoon in my mind. I had a girlfriend now. Hana. She was cute, likable, interesting. But… she wasn't Kasumi. The thought of Kasumi popped into my head unexpectedly. Her mysterious aura, her dangerous allure. She was so different from Hana. Hana was more tangible, more approachable. But Kasumi… she was like a distant star, unattainable yet fascinating. Another waitress came to my table. She was younger than the others, with long, dark brown hair and a serious expression. "Can I get you anything else?" she asked. I looked up and froze. Kasumi. She had a waitress apron tied around her, but I recognized her immediately. Her eyes, her voice, her quiet grace. I was so surprised I couldn't get a word out. Kasumi didn't seem to recognize me. She waited patiently, pen in hand. So Hana hadn't seen her.

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