✯Riverlight✯

Futaba Riverside Park - Friday, April 8, 6:07 p.m.

Kazama's POVThe air cooled fast once the sun dipped. I rubbed my palms together, listening to the river lap against the stone embankment. Shinchan still lay sprawled on the grass, unbothered by the chill, his shirt untucked and hair lifting in the breeze.

"You'll catch a cold," I said, though it came out softer than intended.

He cracked one eye open. "Worried about me already?"Typical. He always turned concern into a tease.

"I'm worried you'll make me sick when you inevitably get a fever," I replied, but the corner of my mouth betrayed a smile.

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Shinchan's POVKazama's smile flickered like the streetlamps across the river-quick, but enough to light everything.

"Come on," I said, springing up. "If we head to Nakamura Street we can beat the line for takoyaki."I slung my bag over one shoulder and offered him a hand. He hesitated, then took it. His fingers were warm against mine, careful like he was testing a puzzle piece.

For a second, neither of us let go.

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Kazama's POVThe walk to Nakamura Street stretched longer than usual. Maybe it was the quiet-Shinchan, for once, didn't fill it with endless chatter. Instead he matched my pace, our shoulders brushing every few steps.

Lanterns glowed along the shopping arcade when we arrived. The smell of grilled octopus and sweet soy sauce thickened the air. Shinchan's eyes lit up like he was five years old again.

"One order, extra sauce!" he told the vendor before I could speak.

I rolled my eyes but paid anyway, handing over coins while he leaned close enough for his sleeve to brush mine again. My heart beat like it was keeping time with the sizzling pan.

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Shinchan's POVWe found a spot on the low stone wall outside the shop, paper tray warm in my hands. I offered him a skewer."You're too polite to steal the first bite," I teased.

He accepted, careful not to drip sauce. "It's good," he admitted after the first mouthful.

I watched him chew, the glow from the lanterns outlining the straight line of his jaw. For reasons I didn't want to name, I wanted this night to stretch forever-just the two of us and the hiss of the grill behind us.

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Kazama's POVBy 7:12 p.m., the street had thinned, leaving only distant laughter and the faint sound of a busker's guitar. Shinchan swung his legs against the stone wall like a restless kid.

"Hey, Kazama?""Hm?""Thanks for coming out. I know you'd rather be buried in chemistry notes."

I glanced at him. His eyes held the reflections of every lantern, every passing headlight."I... don't mind," I said, and meant it more than I expected.

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Shinchan's POVThe night felt like a secret only we knew. I wanted to keep it.

"Next time," I said, "you pick the place. But no libraries."

He actually laughed-a soft, low sound that made the street feel suddenly small and warm.

I stored that sound somewhere safe.

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Kazama's POVAt 7:45 p.m., we finally started back toward the river. The sky had turned deep navy, stars faint above the city haze. Shinchan walked beside me, uncharacteristically quiet.

Every step felt measured, like something unspoken lingered between us.I didn't name it. Not yet.

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End of Chapter 2

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Author's note (◕ᴗ◕✿)Sorry guys for the late chapter, it's short but I hope you'll will love it. Thankyou my dear readers 💓