A/N: Hello, readers! I don't have much experience doing this sort of thing but would absolutely love to make this a multi-chapter fic. i'd appreciate some constructive criticism if you are liking or maybe disliking this story so far as it would really help me with my writing skills in the future! Enjoy reading!

"Sakura?" Nozaki called from within his kitchen. Sakura looked up from the page she was currently working to find Nozaki staring at her.

"Yes, Nozaki-kun?" She said, a bit nervously, under his intense gaze. He seemed to be thinking as he turned around and reached for two mugs off the counter. "Coffee?" he asked, simply. She smiled, brightly, and took the steaming cup with both hands.

"Thank you!" She took a sip and sighed in delight. She had been inking for a good hour and a half now so the caffeine was just what she needed to give her the extra boost to finish the last page.

With a triumphant nod, Sakura set down her utensils and reached for her coffee. Her heart leaped out of her chest as she choked on her cold drink, finding Nozaki's stare, unrelenting, across the table.

"I have a question." he asked, seemingly unaware of her sputtering and slight blush coloring her cheeks. "Have you ever been camping before, Sakura?" She gave him an inquisitive look at the odd question. Well it wasn't too unusual, she thought. Just a bit disconcerting he was waiting until after she was done with her inking to ask such a simple thing. Especially with those eyes observing her reactions so intently.

"Once, when I was little." She turned her head in thought. "I don't remember it well, but I recall it being mom's idea. We spent a couple of days by a lake and we had to go home earlier than expected because of storms. It was actually quite fun, I think." Nozaki nodded, regarding her.

"Would you like to go again?" he asked, abnormally eager. "Kashima asked Mikoshiba, who texted me about it an hour ago. Something about it being an exciting adventure before the start of school." he seemed a bit indifferent about the trip itself, most likely fantasizing about taking pictures, while gaining ideas for the next chapter of his Let's Fall in Love manga. While a bit aggravating at times, Nozaki's passion for his Manga was contagious making Sakura especially excited about the idea.

"I'd love to go with you!" said Sakura, clapping her hands in delight. "Um, and the others." She finished, remember her other friends who would also be coming. Of course, she would have to get the OK from her parents, who would probably be a bit apprehensive about the thought of their little girl being so far away for a day or two. A little urging and reassurance would just have to do the trick, she decided. "Um, Nozaki-kun?" she waved, noting his now hyper-daydreaming. Wow. He must really be excited for this.

"Huh?" He murmured, still a bit lost in thought.

"I'd like to go" Sakura repeated, grinning at his goofy expression.

"Oh. Alright." He said, taking their empty coffee cups and heading towards his small kitchen. "Would texting you the details be fine?" He asked as she started to put away her pens and carefully set the inked pages out separately to dry on the table.

"Yep. That's fine." She confirmed, picking her bag off the ground and putting it over her shoulder. "Say, Nozaki-kun? What exactly do you have in mind for the manga that involves a camping trip? Will you be taking pictures for reference?" She asked, curiously, while going for her shoes. The idea for a camping trip never really crossed her mind when it came to the manga, but now that she thought about it, this could be rather romantic for Mamiko and Susuki. It would be late at night after a full day of activities. They would both be exhausted. Laying on a comfortable blanket, they would be staring up at the stars as the sounds of night surround them. Slowly. Ever so slowly their hands would reach for each others, and their focus drifting from the sky to instead gaze into each others eyes.

"Eh?" Nozaki said, interrupting her thoughts. "Who said anything about the manga? I only wanted to spend time with you and our friends before school." He tapped his chin in thought. "But that is a great idea, Sakura. I will bring the camera just in case." He said, considering it. Sakura could have smacked herself she felt so stupid. Was it so weird for the man to want to spend time with his friends? She felt mean for thinking him so single-minded.

"I'm sorry, Nozaki-kun. I didn't mean to assume." She looked ashamed but he just tilted his head in confusion.

"I'm not offended, Sakura" he said, seriously. "Why would I be?"

"Oh um…" she stammered, not knowing how to respond. "I just thought maybe I had-"

"Are you going home, then?" He asked, interrupting her sputtering. Maybe he had sensed her lack of direction with her unnecessary apology or perhaps trying to stop her from her inevitable embarrassment. She couldn't decide which.

"Mmhm." She nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak yet. Nozaki moved the few inches there was to the door and opened it for her.

"Have a safe walk home." he shifted to the side, allowing her to walk through. "I'll text you later after I've cleaned up here a bit."

"See you later, Nozaki-kun." She smiled, brightly, waving.

"Goodbye." He gave a short wave, closing the door behind her.

Sakura, promptly, started to giggle at his unknowingly gentlemanly action.

After she returned home and ate dinner, it was only around 7:00, so she had a couple hours for relaxation. Putting on her pajamas, she thought about getting on her computer to catch up on an anime Yuzuki had suggested, but opted against it. She ignored the computer on her desk, Instead grabbing a book off the shelf and sitting by the window where the sun was beginning to set. She brought her knees close to her chest, intent on finishing where she had left off yesterday when there was two buzzes that sounded from across the room.

Setting the book down, Sakura rose from her comfy spot and picked up her phone. In bright letters flashed Nozaki's name across her phone, along with a little message symbol. The message was brief and to the point, much like the man himself. It only stated how Mikoshiba's mother offered to drive them there and from their camping site over the weekend and when she'd be picking them up. After that there was a short message about already having two tents and to bring a swimming suit because they'd be camping near a lake.

A new form of enthusiasm settled in her stomach. She had already brought the subject up with her parents, and like she presumed, with a little convincing they agreed to let her go with her friends for the three day period. It occurred to her the weekend was only a day after tomorrow. She'd be able to spend a great deal of time with her friends and maybe, just maybe, be able to get a little closer to Nozaki as well. She gave a little whoop gesture in the air before calming herself. If she got too excited she wouldn't be able focus on the next chapter of her book.

Three hours later lead to Sakura now being three fourths into her book, an amount she had not really been expecting to finish that night. Although it was only 10:30, she was trying to get back into a regular schedule which accounted for her constant yawning as she crawled into bed and pulled the string to her bedside lamp.

Pulling the covers over her head, she had an abrupt thought. If not for the manga, then why had he been so deep in daydreaming when asking her if she wanted to come? Hadn't he seemed a bit hesitant as well, gauging her reactions like that? Perhaps she was just being a little over analytical. Her father always told her she had a sort of habit of over thinking. Not that it was a bad thing, he once reassured her. It just sometimes led to unnecessary worrying. She turned over on her side and told herself she wouldn't ponder it anymore. At least not tonight. She yawned once more, before falling into a tranquil sleep