The forest was lush and filled with life. Touko had settled down at the base of a large tree and Cheren leaned against it. Pokabu and Mijumaru were out of their monster balls.
"The forest is beautiful today, isn't it Touko-chan?"
She looked up from her Pokabu that was snuffling at her feet. "What was that Cheren?"
"I said the forest is beautiful today."
"Why yes it is," she said beaming up at him.
He blushed. He turned away from her to allow the color of his face to return to normal.
"We've been friends for forever, huh?" he said once he could speak properly again.
She giggled, "For as long as I can remember." She reached a hand down and was absently petting Pokabu. He smiled his cute smile up at her. "Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?"
He was looking down at her as she spoke. When her question registered, he blushed again.
" Um, well," Great now I'm stammering, good one Cheren.
Touko stood and faced him, a quizzical look on her face.
"Cheren, you can tell me anything, you know that," she took a concerned step towards him.
He couldn't turn to face her.
"I like you," he said, his voice barely audible.
"Hmm?" she reached out a hand to him hesitantly, afraid to startle him for some reason.
"I like you," he blurted out, as he stared at the ground as if to bore a hole in it. If his face could have gotten any redder, it would have.
It was Touko's turn to blush.
"Oh," her blue eyes widened greatly, seemingly taking up her entire face.
With her response he deflated a bit. That wasn't really the reaction he was hoping for. He turned to face her, cheeks flushed, eyes swelling.
She stepped forward, closing the small gap between them. She wrapped her arms around his slender frame. He stood in her embrace, unmoving.
"Oh Cheren, I like you, too."
It was with that he moved, pushing her away enough to look at her face. His smile went from ear to ear.
"Really?"
"Really."