Their paths cross unexpectedly

The day of their date arrived, and Hotaru found herself pacing nervously in her room. She had spent far too long deciding what to wear, eventually settling on a simple yet elegant outfit—a white blouse, a pleated skirt (borrowed from Kanae), and her favorite pair of boots. She told herself it wasn’t a big deal, just a casual outing, but her racing heart betrayed her. Midori had chosen a quaint little park for their date, one known for its beautiful cherry blossoms. When Hotaru arrived, she spotted him leaning against a tree, looking as effortlessly charming as ever. He was dressed in a tailored jacket and slacks, his emerald hair catching the sunlight. He waved her over with that familiar sly smile. “You’re right on time, Tachibana-kun,” he said as she approached. “I was starting to think you’d stood me up.” “I’m not that rude,” she retorted, though her cheeks flushed slightly. “So, what’s the plan?” “No plan,” he said, shrugging. “Just us, the cherry blossoms, and whatever the day brings. Sounds good?” Hotaru nodded, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that Midori had something up his sleeve. They strolled through the park, the petals falling around them like pink snow. The conversation flowed easily, much to Hotaru’s surprise. Midori was as witty and teasing as ever, but there was a softer side to him today, one that made her feel at ease. At one point, they stopped by a small pond, its surface shimmering in the sunlight. Midori leaned against the railing, watching the koi fish swim lazily below. Hotaru stood beside him, her arms crossed as she tried to ignore the way her heart skipped a beat whenever he glanced at her. “You know,” he said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence, “you’re even more beautiful when you’re not glaring at me.” Hotaru’s eyes widened, and she turned to him, her face red. “W-what are you saying?!” He chuckled, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. “Just stating the obvious. You’re always so serious, Tachibana-kun. It’s nice to see you relax for once.” She huffed, looking away. “I’m plenty relaxed. You’re just… distracting.” “Is that so?” he said, his voice dropping to a low, playful tone. “Well, I hope I’m not too distracting. I wouldn’t want you to miss this.” Before she could ask what he meant, Midori leaned in and kissed her. It was soft and brief, but it left Hotaru utterly stunned. Her eyes widened, and she took a step back, her hand flying to her lips. “M-Midori-san!” she exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and indignation. “What was that for?!” He smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “Just a little reminder of our first kiss. You seemed to be forgetting how much you enjoyed it.” “I did not!” she protested, though her red face betrayed her. “You can’t just—just kiss me out of nowhere!” “Why not?” he said, tilting his head. “You didn’t seem to mind.” Hotaru opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. She was too flustered, too overwhelmed by the sudden rush of emotions. Midori watched her with an amused expression, clearly enjoying her reaction. After a moment, he reached out and gently took her hand. “Relax, Tachibana-kun. I’m not asking you to marry me.” He paused, his smirk widening. “Yet.” Her eyes widened even further, if that was possible. “Y-yet?!” “Yet,” he repeated, his tone light but his eyes serious. “I’m a patient man, Tachibana Hotaru. I can wait for you to catch up.” Hotaru stared at him, her mind racing. She wanted to protest, to tell him he was being ridiculous, but the sincerity in his gaze stopped her. And deep down, she couldn’t deny the warmth spreading through her chest. “You’re impossible, Midori-san. Always joking around, teasing me like there is no tomorrow. And you are 12 years older than me. I just don't get it. We are too different,” she muttered finally, though there was no real anger in her voice. Midori laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “And yet, here you are, still holding my hand.” She looked down, realizing he was right. She quickly pulled her hand away, though she couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips. The rest of their date passed in a blur of laughter and lighthearted teasing. By the time they parted ways, Hotaru found herself looking forward to their next meeting—though she’d never admit it out loud. As she walked home, her fingers brushed against her lips, the memory of his kiss lingering like a sweet secret. And for the first time, she allowed herself to wonder if maybe, just maybe, Midori wasn’t so impossible after all.