That night, after everything that had happened, Luna finally reached home. She placed her coat on the stand, tied her hair loosely, and sank into the couch. Her mind was still stormy with Alex's words, but her heart was oddly light too. She tried to distract herself by scrolling through her phone.
Just then, her screen lit up. A message.
Alex: "I want to talk to you… something important. And, well, we can consider it a date 😏. Please come sharp at 7 tomorrow. Outside your apartment."
Luna's heart skipped. She stared at the message, reading it again and again.
"A date? Seriously?" she whispered to herself, shaking her head. But despite her doubts, her lips curved into a small smile.
The next evening, Luna found herself standing near her apartment entrance at 6:59 sharp. She wore a soft cream dress paired with a thin cardigan, her hair left free for once. She kept telling herself, It's not a date. Just a talk. Just a talk.
Then Alex appeared. He wore a simple black shirt, sleeves rolled up, a watch glinting on his wrist. And in his hand—one single white rose.
"Wow," Alex said, slowing his steps as his eyes lit up at her. "I thought angels only lived in the sky. Turns out one lives right outside her apartment."
Luna rolled her eyes, trying not to blush. "You and your cheesy lines."
"But you smiled," Alex teased, handing her the rose.
She took it, unable to hide her small laugh. "You're impossible."
"Good," Alex grinned. "Shall we go, then?"
They went to a rooftop restaurant first, the city lights spread like diamonds beneath them. Alex pulled Luna's chair out for her, and she raised her brow.
"What's with the gentleman act?" she teased.
Alex smirked. "Maybe I'm trying to impress someone."
Their dinner was filled with laughter. Alex kept making silly impressions of the waiter, and when dessert came, he purposely smeared cream on his cheek.
"Oops," he said innocently.
Luna sighed, leaning forward to wipe it with her napkin. "You're such a child sometimes."
He caught her hand gently. "Only with you."
Her breath hitched. She quickly pulled her hand back, but her cheeks betrayed her.
After dinner, they walked along the riverside. The night was cool, scented with flowers, and the reflection of lights sparkled across the water. Alex bought two cones of ice cream.
"Strawberry for you," he said, handing it over.
"You still remember?" Luna asked softly.
"Of course," Alex said. "Some things stay forever."
They sat on a bench, laughing and sharing stories. Luna leaned her head lightly against his shoulder without realizing. When she noticed, Alex whispered, "Comfortable?"
"Don't make it awkward," she muttered, but stayed right there.
Alex smiled to himself.
Then suddenly, Alex disappeared into a small shop nearby.
"Alex?" Luna called, confused.
Moments later, he returned, holding a bunch of glowing balloons lit with tiny fairy lights inside.
Her eyes widened. "What… is this?"
He handed them to her. "You once said stars are too far. So, I brought some closer to you."
Luna's eyes shimmered. She touched the glowing balloons, smiling despite herself. "You're unbelievable."
"No," Alex said softly, stepping closer. "I'm just a man hopelessly in love with you."
The silence that followed wasn't heavy—it was warm. Luna looked at him, her heart racing. For the first time in years, the walls between them began to melt
Luna held the glowing balloons close, her eyes sparkling as they lit up the riverside. "So these are the stars," she said softly. Then she turned toward Alex with a teasing smirk. "But where is the moon?"
Alex stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Here."
He pointed gently at her. "The most beautiful moon I've ever seen. Luna means moon… and you are the most beautiful moon this world could ever have."
Luna froze, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. "Alex…" she whispered, trying to hide her smile.
Alex grinned mischievously. "Careful, Luna. If you smile like that again, I might just fall all over again… harder than before."
She rolled her eyes, but her lips betrayed her with another smile. "You and your cheesy lines."
"Cheesy? No," Alex said, leaning closer, his eyes locked with hers. "Honest."
There was a silence. The only sound was the gentle flow of the river and the pounding of their hearts. Slowly, as if time itself wanted to pause for them, Alex leaned forward.
Luna's breath caught. Her eyes fluttered shut.
Their lips met.
The kiss was slow, gentle, and warm—like a promise whispered under the stars. Alex's hand cupped her cheek lightly, while Luna held the glowing balloons tighter, as though afraid the moment would slip away.
When they finally pulled apart, Luna's face was crimson. She quickly looked away, trying to hide her blush.
"I… I should go," she murmured, her voice trembling with shyness.
Alex chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving her. "Goodnight, my moon."
She blushed harder, clutching the balloons as she hurried back into her apartment.
Alex watched her disappear, a wide smile spreading across his face. Then, with his heart lighter than ever, he turned and walked toward his home.