The weather is perfectâa soft breeze carries the scent of spring, and the sky is a canvas of pale blue, scattered with wisps of white clouds. You stare at Nagi in disbelief, arms crossed, as he stands in front of you, holding a small picnic blanket and a look of nonchalant determination.
"So, let me get this straight," you say, suppressing a grin. "You dragged me all the way out here just to eat my bento in a park?"
"Mm." He shrugs, his expression as lazy as ever. "Thought it'd taste better with, you know... trees or something."
"Trees," you repeat, raising an eyebrow. "You could've just said you wanted me to make you lunch."
"I always want that," he says bluntly, catching you off guard.
Heat creeps up your neck, but you quickly shake it off, rolling your eyes. "Fine. But don't expect me to feed you myself."
"No promises," he replies, already unfolding the blanket on a shady patch of grass.
The park is quiet, the occasional chirp of birds and rustle of leaves adding to the peaceful atmosphere. You sit cross-legged on the blanket, setting the bento boxes you packed between you. Nagi plops down with his usual lack of grace, stretching out like he has all the time in the world.
"Don't lie down," you chide, nudging him with your foot. "You'll get dirt all over your clothes."
He sits up with a dramatic sigh, leaning back on his hands as he watches you open the first bento. The vibrant arrangement of rice balls, rolled omelets, and neatly sliced vegetables seems to momentarily captivate him.
"You put too much effort into this," he says, picking up a rice ball.
"Or maybe you put too little effort into your meals," you counter, smirking.
"Mm, maybe," he agrees, taking a bite. His eyes widen slightly, and a soft hum escapes him. "Tastes better than last time."
"Is that your way of saying I'm improving?"
"It's my way of saying you should keep making me lunch," he replies, deadpan.
You laugh, shaking your head. "You're unbelievable."
As the afternoon stretches on, the two of you fall into an easy rhythmâeating, chatting, and occasionally teasing each other. Nagi's usual laziness seems to melt away in the calm of the park, replaced by a quiet attentiveness that surprises you.
At one point, he leans back, propping himself up on one elbow as he watches you meticulously rearrange the leftovers in the bento box.
"Why do you do it?" he asks suddenly.
"Do what?"
"Go through all this trouble. Cooking, packing, making everything look nice."
You pause, your hands stilling over the box. "I don't know. I guess I just... like making people happy with my food. It feels good knowing something I made can brighten someone's day."
He studies you for a moment, his gaze unusually intense. "It works. Your food makes me happy."
The simplicity of his words catches you off guard, and you feel your heart skip a beat. "Well, I'm glad," you say softly, ducking your head to hide the growing warmth in your cheeks.
Nagi shifts closer, his hand brushing against yours as he reaches for another rice ball. "You don't need to try so hard, though. I'd probably like anything you made."
"Probably?" you tease, grateful for the distraction from the fluttering in your chest.
"Definitely," he corrects, his lips curving into a faint smile.
The moment stretches, the world around you fading into the background. You can feel the warmth of his presence, the soft rustle of the breeze through the trees, and the quiet rhythm of your own heartbeat.
"Nagi," you say, your voice barely above a whisper.
"Mm?"
"Thanks for... bringing me here. It's nice."
"Better than school, right?"
"Way better."
He leans back again, this time pulling you gently with him until you're both lying on the blanket, staring up at the sky. His arm finds its way around your shoulders, and you let yourself relax into his side.
"You're warm," he murmurs, his voice thick with contentment.
"You're heavy," you retort, though you make no move to push him away.
He chuckles softly, his fingers brushing against yours in a gesture so casual yet so intimate it makes your breath catch.
The afternoon drifts by in a haze of quiet conversation and shared silences, each moment weaving a thread into the growing bond between you. And as the sun dips lower in the sky, you find yourself wishing the day wouldn't end.
something to snack on .áï¹