It was summer, with brilliant sunshine and a faint floral scent carried on the breeze.
She arrived first and stood gazing up at the green leaves on the trees, lost in thought, dressed in white.
The breeze gently lifted the hem of her dress, revealing her fair ankles. Her long hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her mature, refined beauty seemed to paint her into the scenery.
Louis approached briskly, his steps faltering for a moment when his gaze fell on her.
Her white dress was understated yet especially lovely. Standing quietly there, she exuded an effortless ease.
Though they were still far apart, her keen senses seemed to put them on the same wavelength. She tilted her upturned face slightly, and her eyes met his.
Aside from the sleeve with finger loops he still wore on his right hand, Louis had abandoned his usual black outfit for a clean, pale blue short-sleeved T-shirt and light-colored shorts. He had even styled his hair to expose his forehead, giving him a fresh, breezy look.
They saw surprise in each other's eyes, then both smiled softly.
"You look... especially sunny today." Irimi's voice was warm and gentle as she took a moment to choose her words.
"This is the first time I've seen you in a white dress. You look even prettier than I imagined." Louis's eyes crinkled with his smile, and his lazy heart stirred for once.
A light breeze brushed past, stirring her white dress. In that moment, the first flutter of summer romance quietly took hold.
"The air reeks of rot..." Sakuragi Aoi grumbled. Since it was the weekend, she had a rare chance to return to the café and help out.
Irimi looked after her, so she had learned about this before the others.
"Rot?" Touka