A surprising gift

After their meal, they continued their peaceful walk through the quiet streets. The city around them seemed to slow down as they strolled side by side, the soft glow of streetlights illuminating their path. The air was cool, but the warmth between them kept both their hearts racing.

"I'm glad we did this," Sam said, his voice full of contentment. "It's been... perfect."

Mahiru smiled at him, her eyes glimmering in the night. "Yeah, me too. This feels right."

They both slowed as they approached the train station, reluctant for the night to end. There was a small pit in Sam's stomach, a dull ache that reminded him how much he didn't want the evening to slip away just yet. But even as the inevitable goodbyes loomed, the weight of the moment lingered between them.

When they finally reached the platform, Sam felt his heart flutter, but he didn't know why. He stood next to her, unsure of how to say goodbye. His mind was still racing, filled with thoughts of their time together.

"Well, I guess this is it," Sam said, looking at her, his voice soft. "I'll see you soon?"

Mahiru nodded, her gaze lingering on him. There was something different in her eyes tonight—a quiet intensity that made Sam's heart beat faster.

"Yeah. I'll see you soon," she said, her voice gentle but holding an emotion Sam couldn't quite decipher.

For a moment, neither of them moved, the air thick with the unspoken words hanging between them. Sam wanted to say something—anything—to keep the night going, but his mind was blank. All he could think about was how beautiful she looked under the moonlight, how her presence made everything around him feel brighter.

Suddenly, Sam felt something soft against his cheek. A quick, fleeting touch—warm and tender. His breath caught in his throat. Before he could process it, Mahiru had already turned, stepping toward the train, her cheeks flushed with a soft pink hue as she hurried up the stairs.

"Goodnight, Sam!" she called over her shoulder, her voice filled with both tenderness and a hint of mischief.

Sam stood frozen, his hand instinctively going to the spot where her lips had brushed his cheek. His heart was pounding, his mind in complete shock. He couldn't believe it—Mahiru had just kissed him on the cheek.

He stood there for a moment, unable to move, still feeling the lingering warmth of her touch. Then, as if his body couldn't contain the overwhelming happiness, he leaned back against the station wall, his grin spreading uncontrollably across his face. He hadn't expected this—couldn't have even imagined it.

Still stunned, he sank slowly to his knees on the platform, his heart soaring.

"She kissed me... she kissed me....she just kissed me, " he whispered to himself, his chest tight with joy, his smile too wide for words.

Sam stayed there for a few more moments, still in disbelief, before he slowly stood up, his grin never faded . The night had been perfect. And now, this... this was something he'd never forget.

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