Chapter 13

Shifting Tides

--

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a golden hue across Kaito's bedroom. He blinked a few times, his mind still lingering on the events of the previous night. Misaki's smile, the warmth of her hand in his, the quiet understanding they shared—it all played in his head like a dream he didn't want to wake up from.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts.

Misaki: Good morning, Kaito. I hope you slept well.

A small smile tugged at his lips. Without hesitation, he typed back.

Kaito: Morning. I did. Thanks to someone who made my night special.

He hesitated for a second before hitting send. It wasn't like him to be this forward, but something about Misaki made him want to be honest.

Almost immediately, his phone buzzed again.

Misaki: That someone must be really amazing then. 😉

Kaito chuckled. Just as he was about to reply, his door swung open without warning.

"Onii-sama~! Did you dream about her?" Hina's teasing voice filled the room as she dramatically flopped onto his bed, rolling onto her side to face him.

Kaito sighed, setting his phone aside. "Do you ever knock?"

Hina smirked. "Why bother? I knew you'd be up thinking about her."

He threw a pillow at her, which she effortlessly dodged. "It's not like that."

"Oh, please," she huffed, propping herself up on her elbows. "You've been in a good mood since last night. That's suspicious."

Kaito groaned. "Can't a guy just have a good day without getting interrogated?"

Hina giggled before her expression softened slightly. "I'm happy for you, Onii-sama. Really. You seem... lighter."

Kaito looked at her, caught off guard by her sincerity. "Yeah," he admitted after a pause. "I think I am."

Hina grinned. "Then don't mess it up."

---

Later that day, Kaito found himself standing in front of the university library. He had agreed to meet Misaki there for a study session, but as he stepped inside, he couldn't help but feel a little... different. It wasn't just another ordinary meeting. Not after everything that had happened between them.

He spotted her immediately. Seated near the window, a soft ray of sunlight catching in her dark hair, she was focused intently on her notebook, her fingers absentmindedly twirling a pen. For a moment, he just watched her, appreciating the quiet grace she carried with her.

Then, as if sensing his presence, Misaki lifted her head and met his gaze. A small, gentle smile formed on her lips, and just like that, the rest of the world faded away.

"Hey," she greeted softly as he sat down across from her.

"Hey," he echoed, feeling an unfamiliar warmth settle in his chest.

They studied together in comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging glances and small comments. But despite their focus on the books in front of them, there was an unspoken understanding between them—something unnameable but undeniably present.

At one point, Kaito leaned back in his chair, stretching. "I need a break. Want to grab some coffee?"

Misaki chuckled. "You're just looking for an excuse to get out of studying, aren't you?"

"Maybe," he admitted with a grin. "But you look like you could use a break too."

She tilted her head, pretending to consider it before nodding. "Alright. But you're buying."

Kaito laughed. "Deal."

---

The café near the library was small and cozy, filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. They found a quiet corner, each with a cup in hand. The warmth of the drink seeped into Kaito's fingers, but he barely noticed. His attention was entirely on the girl sitting across from him.

"You know," Misaki began, stirring her coffee absentmindedly, "I used to come here a lot when I first started university. It felt... comforting."

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Why'd you stop?"

She hesitated for a moment before answering. "I guess I got too busy. And maybe... I just didn't have anyone to share it with."

Something about the way she said it made Kaito's chest tighten. "Then we'll come here more often," he said firmly. "Together."

Misaki blinked in surprise before a soft smile graced her lips. "I'd like that."

The café bustled around them, people coming and going, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them. Slowly, without even realizing it, the distance between them was closing.

And Kaito found himself hoping—maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something real.