Yoshiro had been a little reckless when he first handed the planetarium ticket into Alessia’s hand.

Six months as her boyfriend should have made it easier, but asking her on a real date still tied his stomach in knots. Somehow, it almost felt harder than finding the first sentence for his writing assignments.

But Alessia had looked down at the ticket in awe, as if the small slip of paper carried something magical within it. Her silver-gray hair caught the light as she leaned over it, her eyes shining with the kind of wonder that made Yoshiro’s hesitation melt away.

Unconsciously, Yoshiro scratched the back of his head, though there was no itch. His hand seemed to move on its own, trying to ease the flutter of nerves inside him.

“Not much, but… would you mind accompanying me?” he asked, a small apologetic grin tugging at his lips.

Yoshiro’s gaze flitted nervously in every direction, but he caught Alessia beaming like a star at his invitation.

“I would love to…!” she replied, her enthusiasm spilling out, innocent and bright, like a little puppy trying not to leap in joy.

He blinked, a little surprised by the charming enthusiasm in her response. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as she glanced back at the ticket in her hand, checking the date.

“Ah, mmm, I’m free on this day, so I’m all yours,” she said. Her smile was honest and bright, lighting up the space between them.

For a few fleeting seconds, Alessia’s smile reminded Yoshiro of a warm spring breeze, gentle as a blooming flower.

There it is—the innocent, adorable reaction, he murmured to himself behind his closed lips.

A gentle smile spread across Yoshiro’s face, looking more natural and at ease than at the beginning of their conversation.

“Great,” he said. “It’s a date, then.”

“Sure!” Alessia answered, her smile soft and radiant. Her cheeks glimmered with a rosy glow, full of excitement, as though she were holding herself back from nodding again and again while her heart beat faster.

Golly, please don’t look all too giddy in front of him, she told herself, trying to stay composed.

Alessia carefully placed the ticket Yoshiro had given her onto her notebook case. She wasn’t sure if it was because of her feelings, but the planetarium ticket seemed to belong there. The pale-slightly browned slip of paper filled a small-empty space between the pages as if it had always been meant to.

Quietly, Yoshiro watched Alessia.

She looks delighted. Guess all’s sailing smoothly, he thought.

Alessia glanced back at him. Her eyes filled with gentle curiosity. “Is there something on my face?”

“Nah, no… just your usual adorable self.” He grinned. His voice regained its calm, as if all the tension in his body had melted away, leaving him entirely himself. A soft smile lingered on his lips.