Chapter 20: A Hidden Fear of Losing You

Despite all our happy moments, I could sense something weighing on Mahiru's mind. One evening, as we sat together in my room, she finally spoke up.

"Amane… what if, one day, you grow tired of me?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I frowned, immediately sitting up. "Why would you even think that?"

She bit her lip. "I don't know. I guess… I just can't believe I deserve this much happiness."

I reached for her hands, holding them tightly in mine. "Mahiru, listen to me. You're the most important person in my life. There's no future where I'd ever want to be without you."

Her eyes welled up with tears, and I wiped them away gently. "You're stuck with me, okay? No matter what."

She let out a small, teary laugh. "Okay."

And as I pulled her into my arms, I promised myself—I would always prove to her that she was loved.