"Woah, this is beautiful, just..... beautiful".
Tokyo's late afternoon breeze carried a strange kind of loneliness—quiet, invisible, yet heavy. Miku stood on the sidewalk, clutching her bag a little tighter, unaware that a single glance was about to change everything.
Rio's eyes locked onto hers, and for an instant, Miku felt like she was drowning in the depths of his gaze. The cool wind threading through her long, dark brown hair only added to the unease fluttering in her chest. His stare was piercing—like he could see right through to her soul.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Rio said, crouching to gather the files scattered across the pavement. His voice was deep and smooth, like honey dripped over warmth. Something in it eased Miku's nerves, even though they'd just met.
She knelt to help him. Their hands brushed once—twice—and she quickly looked away. Her heart skipped, betraying her calm expression.
As Rio straightened up, he stole a glance at her. Miku's hair danced in the wind, catching the golden light. There was something graceful about her presence—unpolished, real, and oddly comforting. He hadn't expected to find peace in something so simple. But he did.
A heavy silence settled between them, stretching thin like a held breath. Neither knew what to say, yet it wasn't awkward. It was still. Quiet. Something sacred wrapped in the moment.
"Um… I guess I'll see you later," Rio finally said, checking his watch—and his eyes widened. "The bus is about to arrive!"
Miku blinked. "Oh? You live around here?" she asked, tilting her head with mild curiosity.
Rio laughed unexpectedly, and the sound caught her off guard. It wasn't mocking—it was soft, amused, and warm. Like sunlight through the clouds.
Miku found herself smiling, unable to resist.
"I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em," Rio said, grinning. "Hey, why don't we look around together? I'm new here—could use some company."
Miku blinked, surprised. "But... isn't your bus about to leave?"
He shrugged, hands in his pockets. "Nah. It can wait. I'll just catch another one. So... you coming?"
Silence returned—but it was lighter now, like air after rain.
She hesitated. Something told her this was random. Unplanned. But sometimes, the most unexpected meetings meant the most.
"…Yeah," Miku said softly. "Let's do it."
Rio's face lit up, and he tried—poorly—to hide the grin that tugged at his lips.
The city bloomed around them with every step they took. The chatter of people, the blur of neon signs, the sound of passing bicycles, and the scent of roasted sweet potatoes from a nearby stall—it all wrapped around them like a living, breathing heartbeat.
They walked along the beach, letting the waves brush their ankles. They browsed quirky shops, laughing at ridiculous souvenirs. They stumbled upon a hidden shrine tucked quietly between buildings, where the air was thick with incense and silence.
Time slipped past, unnoticed. The sun began to melt behind buildings, casting orange and violet hues across the sky.
Eventually, they found themselves back at the bus stop. The wind had returned—gentler now.
Rio turned to Miku, eyes glowing with quiet sincerity.
"Thanks for today. Really," he said. "I didn't think… I'd feel this okay again. But I do. I'm glad I met you."
Miku felt something stir inside—a warmth she hadn't expected. She smiled, soft and genuine, and gave a small wave as he boarded the bus.
She watched until it vanished down the street, headlights fading into the dusk.
As she turned to walk away, the breeze brushed her cheek like a whisper.
And she caught herself thinking:
"I hope I'll see you again."