Chapter 19: Snowfall and Secret Moments

The first heavy snowfall of the year turned the town into a winter wonderland. Mahiru and I decided to take a walk through the park, the crunch of fresh snow beneath our boots echoing in the silent evening.

She suddenly reached out, catching a falling snowflake on her fingertip. "It's beautiful," she murmured.

"You are too," I blurted before I could stop myself.

Mahiru's cheeks turned a deep shade of pink as she looked up at me. "You've really gotten too smooth."

I grinned. "I blame you. You've made me more confident."

She shook her head with a small laugh before leaning against my side. "That's not a bad thing."

We stood there, enjoying the quiet serenity of the snowfall, wrapped in warmth neither of us wanted to let go of.