The sun shone brightly, signalling the start of a promising day. Airi stood in front of the mirror in her room, her brows furrowed as she adjusted her blazer.

  “Why am I even nervous?” she muttered to herself. “It’s just a presentation. I do this all the time.”

  Meanwhile, in the living room, Izuna lounged on the couch, scrolling through his phone. He noticed Airi pacing back and forth near her door.

  “Morning, Miss Perfectionist,” Izuna teased, setting his phone down. “Why are you wearing a hole in the carpet?”

  Airi shot him a glare but then sighed. “I have an important presentation today, and the client is known for being… difficult.”

  Izuna leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You’ll be fine. You’re, like, the most prepared person I know. If anyone can handle a tough client, it’s you.”

  Airi blinked, caught off guard by the genuine encouragement. “Thanks… I guess.”

  “Besides,” Izuna added with a smirk, “if it goes wrong, you can always bribe them with one of your alphabetized spice jars.”

  Airi groaned but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re impossible.”

  Later that morning, as Airi headed to work, Izuna decided to focus on a big freelance project he’d been procrastinating on. He sat at his desk, sketching out ideas for a branding concept.

  “I really need coffee for this,” he mumbled, getting up and heading to the kitchen.

  Just as he poured himself a cup, his phone buzzed. It was a text from Hikaru.

  Hikaru said, “Game night at my place this weekend? You in?”

  Izuna grinned. It had been a while since he’d hung out with Hikaru and the rest of the guys. He quickly typed a reply.

  Izuna said, “Count me in. I’ll even bring snacks.”

  With plans set for the weekend, Izuna returned to his work, determined to finish the project before then.

  At her office, Airi was in the middle of her presentation. The client, a middle-aged man with a stern expression, leaned back in his chair as she spoke.

  “So, as you can see, this marketing strategy targets your key demographics while also maintaining your brand’s unique voice,” Airi concluded, her hands steady despite her nerves.

  The client remained silent for a moment before nodding. “It’s a solid plan. Let’s move forward with it.”

  Relief washed over Airi as she thanked him and left the conference room. Back at her desk, Athena was waiting with a knowing smile.

  “Well?” Athena asked.

  “He approved it,” Airi said, sinking into her chair.

  “I told you he would. You’re too good at this,” Athena said, handing Airi a celebratory candy bar.

  Airi smiled, unwrapping it. “Thanks. I guess I just overthink things sometimes.”

  “Speaking of overthinking,” Athena said with a sly grin, “how’s life with your favorite housemate?”

  Airi groaned. “Don’t even start. He’s… tolerable, I guess.”

  “Tolerable?” Athena raised an eyebrow. “That’s high praise coming from you.”

  “Let’s just say he has his moments,” Airi admitted, recalling Izuna’s earlier encouragement.

  Back at the apartment, Izuna was finishing up his project when Airi returned home. She placed her bag on the counter and looked at him.

  “How was your day?” Izuna asked casually.

  “It went well. The client liked my presentation,” Airi replied, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

  “Told you,” Izuna said with a smug smile. “You’re a pro at this.”

  Airi rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a small laugh. “Thanks… again.”

  As they settled into their usual routine, the apartment felt a little warmer, their playful banter filling the air. It was just another day in their unconventional yet strangely comforting life together.

  The next day started like any other, with Izuna sprawled out on the couch, lazily flipping through TV channels. Airi, on the other hand, was preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

  “You know, you could help out once in a while,” Airi said, stirring a pan of scrambled eggs.

  Izuna raised an eyebrow. “I provide moral support. That’s just as important.”

  Airi shot him a deadpan look. “Your ‘moral support’ is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.”

  Izuna chuckled and got up, wandering over to the kitchen. “Fine, what do you need?”

  “Toast the bread,” Airi said, gesturing toward the toaster.

  As Izuna clumsily loaded the bread and fiddled with the settings, Airi couldn’t help but laugh at his obvious lack of experience.

  “You’re hopeless,” she teased.

  “And yet, here I am, making toast like a pro,” Izuna shot back with a grin.

  At work, the office was buzzing with activity. Airi and Athena sat at their desks, going over some new project details.

  “So,” Athena began, glancing at Airi with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “how’s the dynamic at home? Still just friends, or is it something more?”

  Airi sighed, used to Athena’s relentless curiosity. “We’re housemates. That’s it. Why does everyone think there’s more to it?”

  Athena leaned back in her chair, smirking. “Because you two have this… thing. Like, you argue like an old married couple but still look out for each other.”

  Airi opened her mouth to protest but found herself at a loss for words. Athena wasn’t entirely wrong, though she’d never admit it.

  Before the conversation could continue, Tamaki approached them with a stack of papers.

  “Hey, Airi, Athena. Got a minute?” he asked.

  “What’s up?” Airi replied, taking the papers.

  “I need you to review these proposals before the meeting this afternoon,” Tamaki explained. “And Athena, I need you to update the client file.”

  “On it,” Athena said, giving a mock salute.

  Meanwhile, at his own workplace, Izuna was in a heated discussion with Hikaru.

  “So, you’re telling me you’ve been living with her for months, and there’s been no progress?” Hikaru asked incredulously.

  Izuna groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Why does everyone keep asking me this? Airi and I are just housemates, nothing more.”

  Hikaru smirked. “Right, and I’m a unicorn. Come on, man, you can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”

  Izuna hesitated, his usual carefree demeanor faltering for a moment. “I mean… she’s great. Smart, funny, a little scary when she’s angry. But it’s not like that.”

  “Sure, keep telling yourself that,” Hikaru said, laughing.

  Later that evening, back at the apartment, Izuna and Airi found themselves sitting together on the couch, eating takeout.

  “So,” Izuna began, breaking the comfortable silence, “how was work?”

  “Busy,” Airi replied, taking a bite of her noodles. “Athena was in full nosy mode again.”

  “Let me guess,” Izuna said with a smirk. “She asked about me?”

  Airi gave him a look. “She’s convinced we have some kind of secret romance.”

  Izuna laughed, nearly choking on his food. “Athena really needs a new hobby.”

  “Tell me about it,” Airi muttered, though a small smile crept onto her face.

  As they continued their meal, the atmosphere was light and easy, their playful banter making the day’s stresses fade away.

  The morning at the office was uneventful until Athena arrived, her energy as radiant as ever. She strode to Airi’s desk with a determined look, carrying two cups of coffee.

  “Airi, we need to talk,” Athena said, placing one cup in front of her friend.

  Airi raised an eyebrow. “About what? Work? Because if it’s about work, you could’ve emailed me.”

  Athena leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Not work. You and Izuna.”

  Airi groaned, leaning back in her chair. “Why is everyone so obsessed with my living arrangements? Nothing is going on!”

  Athena grinned mischievously. “You’re so defensive. That means there is something!”

  Before Airi could retort, Tamaki passed by, overhearing the conversation. “Still denying it, Airi? I think Athena’s onto something. You two do have a weird chemistry.”

  “Not you too, Tamaki,” Airi muttered, face palming.

  Athena took a seat on the edge of Airi’s desk. “Listen, Airi. It’s not about what you’re saying. It’s about how you’re saying it. Your protests are way too passionate.”

  Airi glared at her friend. “There’s nothing to protest because there’s nothing happening. End of discussion.”

  Athena shrugged, clearly unconvinced. “Fine, but just know this—I’m rooting for you.”

  Meanwhile, Izuna was having a very similar experience at his office.

  “So, about Airi,” Hikaru began, casually leaning against Izuna’s desk.

  Izuna sighed, already knowing where this was going. “Let me guess. You think there’s ‘something there’ too?”

  Hikaru grinned. “Of course. Everyone does. You two are like one of those rom-com couples that don’t realize they’re in love until halfway through the movie.”

  Izuna chuckled despite himself. “You’ve been watching too many dramas, Hikaru.”

  “Maybe,” Hikaru admitted, “but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Seriously, you live together, you get along—even if you argue a lot—and you’re both single. It’s practically fate.”

  Izuna shook his head. “Fate has nothing to do with it. We’re just two people sharing an apartment.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” Hikaru said with a wink before walking away.

  Later that evening, Izuna and Airi crossed paths in the kitchen at their apartment. Both were visibly exhausted from the day.

  “Rough day?” Izuna asked, leaning against the counter.

  “You have no idea,” Airi replied, opening the fridge. “Athena wouldn’t stop pestering me about… well, you.”

  Izuna laughed. “Hikaru was doing the same thing to me. It’s like they’re on a mission to turn our lives into a soap opera.”

  “They’re relentless,” Airi agreed, pouring herself a glass of juice. “I don’t get it. Why can’t they just accept that we’re friends?”

  “Who knows?” Izuna said with a shrug. “Maybe they’re bored with their own lives.”

  Airi chuckled at that. “Probably. Still, it’s annoying.”

  As they stood there, a comfortable silence settled between them, the day’s frustrations melting away.

  “You know,” Izuna said after a moment, “for what it’s worth, I think we make a pretty good team. Even if everyone else thinks there’s more to it.”

  Airi glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yeah, we do.”

  The weekend arrived, bringing with it a rare moment of peace in Izuna and Airi’s bustling lives. Airi was up early, her to-do list in hand, determined to clean the apartment. Meanwhile, Izuna was still in his room, indulging in a long, lazy morning.

  “Izuna!” Airi called from the living room, broom in hand. “Get up! You promised to help me clean today!”

  A groan emerged from his room. “Five more minutes!”

  Airi stormed to his door and banged on it. “It’s already past ten! Get moving, or I’m coming in!”

  “Alright, alright!” Izuna opened the door, his hair dishevelled and his pajamas a crumpled mess. He yawned and scratched his head. “You’re way too energetic for a Saturday morning.”

  “It’s called being productive,” Airi said, shoving a mop into his hands. “You should try it.”

  The cleaning session turned into more of a chaotic ordeal than Airi had anticipated.

  “Why do you even have this many random gadgets?” Airi asked, holding up an old gaming console covered in dust.

  “Hey! That’s vintage!” Izuna snatched it from her hands, cradling it like a prized possession.

  “It’s junk,” Airi said flatly, tossing a broken controller into the trash bag.

  Izuna gasped. “You have no respect for the classics.”

  “And you have no sense of organization!” Airi shot back, opening a closet to find an avalanche of miscellaneous items spilling out.

  The two bickered as they worked, but slowly, the apartment began to look more presentable.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  By the time they finished, both of them collapsed onto the couch, exhausted.

  “That was… a lot,” Izuna admitted, wiping sweat from his forehead.

  “No kidding,” Airi said, leaning back. “But at least it’s done.”

  Izuna glanced around, noting how much cleaner and cozier the apartment looked. “You know, it does feel nice when things are organized.”

  Airi smirked. “Told you.”

  As they sat in comfortable silence, Airi’s phone buzzed with a message. She opened it and frowned.

  “What is it?” Izuna asked.

  “It’s Athena,” Airi replied. “She’s inviting me to some group dinner tonight. Apparently, all of her friends are bringing plus-ones, and she’s pressuring me to do the same.”

  Izuna chuckled. “Sounds like fun. Are you going?”

  Airi hesitated. “I don’t know. I’m not really in the mood for a social gathering.”

  Izuna leaned back, crossing his arms. “Why don’t you take me as your plus-one? I mean, if Athena’s going to bother you about it, might as well make it easier for yourself.”

  Airi blinked, surprised by the suggestion. “You’d actually go?”

  “Sure,” Izuna said with a shrug. “Besides, I kind of owe you after making you do all the work cleaning today.”

  Airi looked at him, considering the idea. “Alright,” she said finally. “But you better not embarrass me.”

  “No promises,” Izuna teased, earning a playful glare from Airi.

  The evening of the group dinner arrived, and Airi was standing in front of her mirror, nervously adjusting her outfit. She wore a knee-length navy-blue dress with a subtle shimmer that complemented her figure without being too flashy. Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she opted for light makeup to enhance her natural beauty.

  “This should be fine, right?” she muttered, turning side to side to inspect herself.

  In the living room, Izuna was waiting, dressed in a casual yet neat outfit—dark jeans paired with a fitted white shirt and a blazer. His usual messy hair was combed neatly, giving him a surprisingly polished look.

  “Are you ready yet?” Izuna called out, leaning back on the couch.

  “Almost!” Airi replied, grabbing her clutch and slipping into her heels. When she finally stepped into the living room, Izuna did a double take.

  “Wow,” he said, standing up. “You look… really nice.”

  Airi felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. “Thanks. You clean up well yourself.”

  “Shall we?” Izuna asked, offering his arm with a playful smirk.

  Airi rolled her eyes but smiled, linking her arm with his. “Let’s just get this over with.”

  The restaurant Athena had chosen was a trendy rooftop venue with a view of the city skyline. The warm lighting and soft music created a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. When Airi and Izuna arrived, Athena was already there, surrounded by a group of friends.

  “Airi! Over here!” Athena waved enthusiastically. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw Izuna. “And who’s this?”

  “This is Izuna,” Airi introduced, trying to sound casual. “He’s… my plus-one.”

  “Ah, so this is the mysterious roommate you’ve been talking about,” Athena said with a teasing grin.

  “Wait, what?” Izuna asked, raising an eyebrow at Airi.

  “She’s exaggerating,” Airi said quickly, glaring at Athena.

  The group welcomed Izuna warmly, and the conversation flowed easily. Athena’s friends were a mix of outgoing and laid-back personalities, and Izuna’s natural charm quickly won them over.

  As the evening progressed, the group started sharing funny stories. Athena couldn’t resist bringing up Airi’s habits.

  “So, Izuna,” Athena began with a mischievous glint in her eye, “what’s it like living with someone as organized as Airi?”

  Izuna chuckled. “Oh, it’s an adventure. She’s like a human alarm clock with a built-in cleaning mode.”

  The group burst into laughter, and Airi nudged him with her elbow, her cheeks turning red. “You’re one to talk. You’re the messiest person I’ve ever met.”

  “Opposites attract, right?” Izuna teased, earning more laughter from the table.

  Despite the teasing, Airi couldn’t help but notice how well Izuna fit in with the group. He was confident, witty, and surprisingly considerate, making sure to include her in the conversations.

  As the dinner wound down, Athena leaned over to Airi and whispered, “You two make a good team, you know.”

  Airi glanced at Izuna, who was currently engaged in a lively discussion with one of the other guests. A small smile tugged at her lips. “He’s… not so bad,” she admitted quietly.

  The evening ended on a high note, with everyone exchanging goodbyes and promises to meet again. As Izuna and Airi walked back to the apartment, the city lights twinkling around them, they fell into a comfortable silence.

  “Thanks for coming tonight,” Airi said after a while.

  “No problem,” Izuna replied with a grin. “It was fun. Plus, I got free food out of it.”

  Airi laughed softly. “Typical.”

  They reached their building, and as they stood outside the door, Izuna turned to her. “By the way, you really did look great tonight.”

  Airi felt her heart skip a beat but managed to keep her composure. “Thanks. You weren’t so bad yourself.”

  With that, they entered the apartment, their banter continuing as the door closed behind them.

  The next morning, Airi found herself staring blankly at her coffee mug, replaying the events of the previous night. Athena’s comment about her and Izuna being a good team echoed in her mind, leaving her feeling oddly flustered.

  “What’s with the spaced-out look?” Izuna’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He strolled into the kitchen, looking unusually cheerful for someone who just woke up.

  “Nothing,” Airi replied quickly, taking a sip of her coffee.

  Izuna raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. “Well, I’ve got some errands to run today. Don’t wait up for me if I’m late.”

  “Errands?” Airi asked, surprised.

  “Yeah, just some personal stuff,” he said casually, grabbing a piece of toast and heading out the door before she could ask more questions.

  Later that day, Airi decided to meet Athena for coffee. She needed someone to talk to, especially after last night’s events.

  “So,” Athena said, leaning forward with a knowing grin, “what’s the latest on you and your charming roommate?”

  “There’s no ‘latest,’” Airi said defensively. “We’re just roommates, Athena.”

  “Uh-huh,” Athena said, unconvinced. “And yet, you brought him to a group dinner as your plus-one. He even got along with everyone! Don’t tell me you didn’t notice how natural you two looked together.”

  Airi hesitated. “Okay, maybe he’s not as unbearable as I thought. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

  Athena smirked. “You’re in denial, my dear friend. But don’t worry, I’ll be here when you’re ready to admit it.”

  Airi groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Why do I even talk to you about this?”

  “Because you know I’m right,” Athena said with a wink.

  Meanwhile, Izuna was at a flower shop, carefully selecting a bouquet. He looked uncharacteristically focused as he inspected each flower.

  “These should do,” he said to himself, satisfied with his choice.

  He paid for the bouquet and left, heading to a quiet part of the city. He arrived at a small cemetery and stopped in front of a well-maintained gravestone.

  “Hey, Mom,” he said softly, placing the flowers on the grave. “Sorry I haven’t visited in a while.”

  He stood there for a while, talking about his life, his job, and even Airi. “She’s… interesting,” he admitted with a small smile. “Bossy, stubborn, but… she’s got a good heart.”

  As the sun began to set, Izuna left the cemetery, feeling a mix of peace and lingering sadness.

  When he returned to the apartment, Airi was waiting for him in the living room, a curious look on her face.

  “You were gone all day,” she said. “What were you up to?”

  “Just some personal stuff,” Izuna replied, brushing past her.

  Airi frowned. “You’re not going to tell me?”

  “It’s nothing important,” he said with a shrug.

  Airi crossed her arms. “You’re terrible at hiding things, you know.”

  Izuna sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to let it go. “Fine. I went to visit my mom’s grave. Happy now?”

  Airi blinked, caught off guard. “Oh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “It’s fine,” Izuna said, giving her a reassuring smile. “It was something I needed to do.”

  Airi hesitated before saying, “If you ever want to talk about it… I’m here.”

  Izuna looked at her, surprised by her sincerity. “Thanks, Airi. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  The two sat in silence for a moment, a new sense of understanding between them.

  The following day, Airi and Izuna were back to their usual routine, though the atmosphere between them felt lighter. Airi couldn’t help but notice the subtle shift in Izuna’s demeanor—he seemed more at ease, even smiling more often.

  At the office, Athena was quick to pounce on Airi during their lunch break.

  “So, what’s the update?” Athena asked, practically bouncing in her seat.

  “What update?” Airi replied, feigning ignorance.

  “Oh, don’t play dumb with me. You and Izuna. Something definitely happened. Spill it.”

  Airi sighed, knowing there was no escaping Athena’s curiosity. “He told me about visiting his mom’s grave yesterday. It was… unexpected.”

  Athena’s playful expression softened. “Wow. That’s a big deal for him to share something so personal. Did you say anything to him?”

  “I just told him I was there if he ever wanted to talk,” Airi said, looking down at her sandwich.

  “And how did he respond?”

  Airi hesitated, then smiled faintly. “He actually smiled. A genuine smile.”

  Athena beamed. “See? Progress! You two are getting closer.”

  “It’s not like that,” Airi insisted, though her cheeks turned slightly pink.

  Meanwhile, Izuna found himself cornered by Tamaki and Hikaru at the break room.

  “So, what’s this we hear about you and Airi going to dinner together?” Tamaki asked, leaning against the counter with a sly grin.

  Izuna raised an eyebrow. “How do you guys even know about that?”

  Hikaru smirked. “Athena’s been talking. Apparently, you two were the center of attention at the table.”

  “Not true,” Izuna said quickly. “It was just a dinner. Nothing more.”

  “Uh-huh,” Tamaki said, clearly unconvinced. “And here I thought you were a lone wolf. Looks like Airi is breaking down your walls.”

  Izuna scoffed. “You guys are reading too much into this.”

  “Are we?” Hikaru said, his grin widening. “Because from where we’re standing, it looks like something’s brewing.”

  Izuna rolled his eyes and grabbed his coffee. “You guys need better hobbies.”

  As he walked away, Tamaki called out, “Just admit it when you’re ready, Romeo!”

  Later that evening, Izuna and Airi found themselves on the couch, both silently scrolling through their phones. The comfortable silence was interrupted when Airi suddenly spoke.

  “So… about yesterday,” she began, her voice hesitant.

  Izuna looked up, surprised. “What about it?”

  “I just wanted to say… thanks for trusting me enough to tell me about your mom,” Airi said, her tone sincere.

  Izuna leaned back, his expression softening. “You didn’t make it weird, so… thanks for that.”

  Airi smiled. “I can be tactful, you know.”

  “Could’ve fooled me,” Izuna teased, earning a light smack on the arm from Airi.

  As they laughed, the distance between them seemed to shrink a little more. They were slowly learning to navigate their relationship, one small step at a time.

  The weekend arrived, and with it, a rare opportunity for everyone to relax. Airi had planned to spend the day catching up on her favorite drama series, while Izuna decided to tackle a few freelance projects. However, their peaceful day was interrupted by a knock at the door.

  Izuna opened it to find Tamaki, Hikaru, and Athena standing there, grinning like mischievous kids.

  “Why are you guys here?” Izuna asked, already suspicious.

  “We’re here for a surprise outing!” Athena announced, pushing past him and into the apartment.

  “What kind of outing?” Airi asked, peeking out from the kitchen.

  “Just a casual day out,” Tamaki replied. “We figured you two could use some fresh air. Plus, we’re all going. It’ll be fun.”

  Izuna sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was kind of busy—”

  “Nope! No excuses,” Athena interrupted. “You’ve been holed up in here too long. Both of you.”

  Before Izuna and Airi could protest, the group had already started making plans.

  An hour later, the group found themselves at a local amusement park. The bright lights, lively music, and delicious smells created an infectious energy that even Izuna couldn’t resist.

  “Alright, what should we do first?” Athena asked, clutching a map of the park.

  “Roller coaster!” Hikaru said immediately.

  “Food stalls!” Tamaki countered, his stomach growling audibly.

  “Maybe something less intense to start,” Airi suggested, glancing at the towering roller coaster with a nervous expression.

  “Let’s go on the Ferris wheel,” Athena said. “It’s a good way to ease into the fun.”

  The group agreed, and soon they were stepping into the Ferris wheel cabins. Izuna and Airi ended up sharing one, much to the amusement of their friends.

  As the cabin rose higher, Airi looked out at the sprawling cityscape. “The view is amazing,” she said, her voice filled with awe.

  Izuna nodded, his gaze also focused on the horizon. “Yeah, it is.”

  A moment of comfortable silence passed before Airi turned to him. “So… how do you feel about today? I know you’re not really a fan of big group outings.”

  Izuna shrugged. “It’s not bad. It’s nice to hang out with everyone once in a while.”

  Airi smiled, leaning back in her seat. “It’s good to see you relaxing for a change.”

  “Same goes for you,” Izuna said, glancing at her. “You’ve been working pretty hard lately.”

  Airi laughed softly. “Well, someone has to keep things organized around here.”

  Izuna smirked. “Guess it’s a good thing I have you around, then.”

  The cabin reached the top of the Ferris wheel, and they both fell silent, taking in the stunning view. For a brief moment, it felt like they were in their own little world, far away from their usual chaos.

  When the ride ended, the group reconvened, and Athena immediately pounced on Airi.

  “How was it? Did you two finally have a romantic moment?” she teased.

  “Of course not!” Airi said, her cheeks turning pink.

  Izuna rolled his eyes. “You’re imagining things, Athena.”

  Athena pouted. “You two are so boring. I was hoping for some juicy gossip.”

  As the group moved on to the next attraction, Airi and Izuna shared a brief glance, their unspoken connection stronger than ever.

  As the sun began to set, the group found themselves at the park’s central plaza, where a vibrant light show was about to begin. The anticipation in the air was palpable, with crowds gathering and music swelling in the background.

  “This is supposed to be the highlight of the park,” Athena said, bouncing on her heels. “They say it’s breath-taking!”

  Airi nodded, excited. “I read about it online. The lights are synchronized with music, and they even project patterns in the sky!”

  Izuna crossed his arms, looking unconvinced. “It’s just lights. How special can it really be?”

  “Someone’s always a critic,” Tamaki quipped, nudging Izuna playfully.

  The group found a spot near the fountain, which was said to be the centrepiece of the show. The moment the first light flickered to life, the crowd let out a collective gasp.

  The display was stunning, with intricate patterns of light dancing across the sky, accompanied by a harmonious blend of music and water jets from the fountain. Airi watched in awe, her eyes sparkling as the colours reflected off her face.

  Izuna glanced at her, unable to resist a small smile. Seeing her so captivated by the display made him forget his earlier skepticism.

  “This is amazing,” Airi whispered, her voice filled with wonder.

  “It’s not bad,” Izuna admitted, his tone softer than usual.

  Airi turned to him, her gaze lingering. “Thanks for coming today. I know group outings aren’t really your thing.”

  Izuna shrugged, his eyes fixed on the lights. “It wasn’t so bad. You seemed to enjoy it, so… that’s what matters.”

  Airi blinked, caught off guard by his unexpected sincerity. She opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by Athena, who suddenly appeared between them.

  “What are you two whispering about over here?” she asked, grinning mischievously.

  “Nothing,” Airi said quickly, her cheeks reddening.

  “Uh-huh, sure,” Athena teased, winking at Izuna. “You’re lucky I didn’t bring a camera for this moment.”

  As the light show concluded, the group decided to end the day with one final ride: the carousel.

  “This feels like such a classic way to wrap things up,” Airi said as she climbed onto a white horse with golden accents.

  “Classic or cliché?” Izuna asked, taking the horse beside hers.

  “Maybe both,” Airi replied, laughing.

  The carousel began to spin, its cheerful music filling the air. For a moment, it felt like they had stepped into a storybook, their worries and responsibilities fading into the background.

  As they left the park, the group chatted animatedly about their favorite moments from the day.

  “That Ferris wheel ride was the best,” Athena said, smirking at Airi and Izuna. “I can only imagine what kind of deep conversations you two had up there.”

  “Nothing you’d find interesting,” Izuna replied, his tone flat but his expression faintly amused.

  Airi sighed, deciding not to rise to Athena’s bait. “I think the light show was the best part. It was absolutely beautiful.”

  “I agree,” Tamaki said. “Though the food stalls were a close second.”

  Hikaru laughed. “You would think that.”

  As they reached the exit, Athena turned to Airi and Izuna. “Well, I’d say today was a success. We should do this again sometime!”

  Izuna groaned. “Let’s not make it a habit.”

  Airi smiled, nudging him lightly. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you survive next time.”

  Despite his grumbling, Izuna couldn’t deny that he’d enjoyed the day more than he expected. And as they walked home under the stars, he felt a little closer to the people around him—especially Airi.

  The evening settled into a quiet calm as the group made their way back to the apartment. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, the air cool against their skin. Everyone seemed tired but content, their spirits lifted by the day of fun and laughter.

  Izuna and Airi walked a few steps behind the others, both of them caught in a comfortable silence. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly as they strolled side by side, the world around them seeming a little brighter, a little softer.

  “Today was actually pretty fun,” Airi said, breaking the silence. She smiled at Izuna, her voice light and easy. “Thank you for coming with me.”

  Izuna glanced at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yeah, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be.”

  Airi grinned, her eyes twinkling. “I knew you’d have a good time.”

  Izuna gave her a sidelong glance, his voice teasing. “You just wanted me to have fun so you could rub it in my face later, didn’t you?”

  Airi laughed. “Maybe just a little. But honestly, I think you needed it.”

  Izuna raised an eyebrow. “Needed what? A day off from my usual routine?”

  “Yeah,” Airi said, her tone softening. “You’ve been working really hard lately. You deserve to enjoy things, too.”

  For a brief moment, Izuna hesitated. He wasn’t used to being this open about his feelings, but something about Airi’s sincerity made him want to share a little more.

  “I suppose... you’re right.” He paused, his voice growing quieter. “I don’t always take time for myself. But today... I don’t know, it felt different.”

  Airi’s smile deepened, her heart fluttering at his words. She reached over and gently bumped his shoulder with hers. “See? I knew you’d enjoy yourself if you just let go for a while.”

  Izuna smiled in return, the expression rare but genuine. “Maybe I’ll have to trust you more often, then.”

  As they reached the entrance of the apartment, the others had already gone inside, leaving Airi and Izuna alone for a moment longer.

  “Well,” Airi said, breaking the silence, “I guess this is where we part ways for the night.”

  Izuna nodded, feeling the sudden weight of the quiet settle around them. “Yeah. Thanks again, Airi. For today.”

  Airi’s smile softened, and she nodded in return. “You’re welcome.” She hesitated for a second, then added, “Goodnight, Izuna.”

  “Goodnight, Airi.”

  They exchanged a brief but meaningful look before Airi turned and entered the building, her heart still a little lighter than before.

  Izuna lingered for a moment longer, watching her go. A part of him felt like he hadn’t quite figured things out yet, but another part—one that he didn’t like to acknowledge—felt content, knowing that he was starting to understand what it meant to truly let go, if only for a day.

  Inside, the others were in the living room, already discussing their next group outing.

  “Can we just relax next time?” Tamaki said, reclining on the couch. “I’m all for adventure, but I think my legs are going to give out after today.”

  “Hey, you wanted to go on the roller coasters!” Hikaru teased, tossing a pillow at him.

  “Exactly why I’m saying no more thrill rides,” Tamaki groaned.

  As Izuna entered, they all turned to him with grins. “So, how was your date?” Athena asked with a mischievous glint in her eye.

  Izuna sighed but couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. “It was fine. Not as bad as I expected.”

  Airi appeared in the doorway behind him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Actually, we had a great time,” she added, before slipping past Izuna to join the group.

  Athena raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So there was a romantic moment, after all?”

  “Don’t listen to her,” Airi said quickly, her face flushing slightly. “It was just a fun day. Nothing too serious.”

  Izuna sat down on the couch, his arms crossed. “I don’t know why you’re all so obsessed with turning everything into some dramatic love story.”

  “Because it’s fun to watch!” Athena declared, plopping down beside him.

  Airi joined in with a laugh, and soon the whole group was talking, teasing, and laughing about the day’s events. The conversation eventually shifted to their plans for the next outing, but a sense of contentment hung in the air.

  Izuna glanced at Airi, who was chatting animatedly with Athena. He didn’t have all the answers yet, but one thing was clear: things were changing. And maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t such a bad thing.