Chapter 30: Holding Hands Under the Stars

On our last night at the beach, Mahiru and I took a quiet walk along the shore. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of the waves and the occasional call of seagulls.

She reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers. "Amane… this summer has been the happiest I've ever been."

I squeezed her hand lightly. "Me too."

She glanced up at the night sky, her golden-brown hair shimmering under the moonlight. "Do you believe in destiny?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. But if it led me to you, then maybe I should."

She giggled. "That was a smooth answer."

I smirked. "You've rubbed off on me."

She leaned against me, her warmth comforting in the cool night air. "I don't need destiny. As long as we choose each other every day, that's enough for me."

I turned to her, my heart swelling with love. "Then let's keep choosing each other."

As we stood there, holding hands under the stars, I knew—this was just the beginning of our forever.