🍡•°|Nobara kugisaki•°⏤͟͟

The city was alive that night. Lights, noise, laughter… thousands of people celebrating, as if the whole world beat to the same rhythm. And yet, you were up there, on the rooftop, far removed from it all.

With her.

Fireworks exploded in the sky, painting colors across Nobara's face. Her eyes reflected each flash, but her expression… wasn't the same. There was no mockery, no pride, none of that confident smile she used as a shield.

It was something softer. More real.

"Hey…" he said suddenly, without looking directly at you.

That was already strange.

She barely turned her head, just enough to meet your gaze. Her eyes were steady, but there was something beneath it… something she didn't show to just anyone.

—Out of a million people… he paused, as if choosing the words cost him more than he would ever admit , why did you choose me?

The noise of the city faded into the distance. Only the two of you remained, the gentle breeze… and that question hanging in the air.

It didn't sound like a challenge. Nor like a joke.

It was genuine.

"Not that I care that much ," she added quickly, looking away with a slight gesture of discomfort . "Just... curiosity."

That's a lie. It was obvious.

Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her jacket, a little restless, something she probably would hate for you to notice.

—Because… he murmured, more quietly this time, I don't choose people so easily.

Another burst of lights illuminated the sky. This time, she didn't look up.

He looked at you.

—So… — she took a deep breath, regaining some of her usual composure, although I don't really want to know what you saw in me… what made you, out of all of them, choose me.

A brief silence.

But not uncomfortable.

Just… important.

—Because if it was a bad decision , he said, with a slight, lopsided smile that barely concealed his nervousness— you still have time to regret it.

Pause.

Then, more gently:

—…although I would prefer that you didn't.