They parted from the kiss, both breathing a little harder.
Shoko couldn't help laughing at the sight of him. She reached out and poked his tense forearm:
"Qingxiao, how did one kiss get you this flustered?"
He stiffened even more. After struggling for a long while, he finally managed a muffled reply:
"...My first time."
His own words left him terribly embarrassed. He pulled her a little closer into his arms and rested his chin on top of her head:
"I'll get better at it."
Shoko buried her face in his chest and laughed, her shoulders trembling slightly, without saying a word.
Her eyes were still red, but a hint of a smile touched their corners:
"What are you standing there for?"
Qingxiao blinked, taking a long moment to come back to his senses.
An immense joy welled up inside him. He drew her closer, holding her very gently.
His chin rested on top of her head, his muffled voice carrying a delight he hadn't even noticed himself: "...Mm."
The wind swept petals onto their shoulders. A few calls from birds returning late sounded in the distance, and it was quiet enough for them to hear each other's heartbeats.
In the bushes nearby, the two spectators were ecstatic.
"Oh, you're so brave! You finally said it!"
Satoru Gojo clicked away furiously with a small camera, nearly laughing out loud:
"I told you it'd work! These photos will get me a year's worth of daifuku!"
Suguru Geto tugged at him and lowered his voice:
"Come on, let's go. They'll spot us if we keep watching."
By the time the moon rose, the two of them finally began walking slowly toward the dorms.
Qingxiao held Shoko's hand the entire way, the corners of his mouth never once lowering.
He was already