The sun was shining brightly as birds cheerfully chirped. A slight breeze fluttered across the roads and excited chattering filled the air as a crowd of high school students entered the gates of Minegahara high school. Friends talked amongst themselves, catching up with each other and some hurriedly completing homework. Nothing could disrupt this pleasant atmosphere.

"MAI-SAN, I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!"

A sudden shout sliced through the amicable atmosphere, drawing every student's gaze to a young brown haired man of average height. His bag was slung over his shoulder and he had his hands cupped around his mouth, trying to amplify his voice. He inhaled deeply and was preparing to yell again, but was stopped when a slender hand smacked him straight in the face and held his mouth shut.

"Sakuta! I told you to stop declaring your love in public. It's embarrassing!" whisper-yelled a melodic voice.

A young girl with waist-length dark hair with warm grey hues. A cute bunny-shaped barrette decorated her hair. A deep blush painted her face as she gazed into Sakuta's eyes. Sakuta had an amused look on his face as he slowly grabbed the girl's hand, which was holding his mouth shut, and interlocked their fingers and held them lovingly. A mirthful chuckle escaped from his lips as he gazed back into her eyes.

"Then how am I going to show my endless love for you Mai-san?" he replied, a cheeky grin slowly spreading on his face. The blush deepened on Mai's face as she struggled to come up with an answer to Sakuta's question. Suddenly, her hand escaped and latched onto Sakuta's left cheek as she pinched it hard.

"Owww! Mai-san" yelped Sakuta, as he struggled against her grip.

"I know you love me Sakuta, but this is the third time this week you've declared your love for me! You're pushing it a bit too far Baka!" Mai angrily scolded him, but it was clear Sakuta wasn't listening. He was thoroughly enjoying the sensation of his beautiful girlfriend pinching his cheek.

"Ugh, you never change" Mai exasperatedly sighed, but a gentle smile broke out on her beautiful face. She grabbed one of Sakuta's hands and proceeded to drag him to school. A slight blush was still visible on her face.

"And as punishment Sakuta, you're not having lunch with me today"

"Noooo! Mai-san, anything but that!"

"So why aren't you with Sakurajima-senpai, Azusagawa?" asked Futaba as she idly sat, reading a book.

"Mai-san is punishing me for embarrassing her today morning" replied Sakuta, as he lazily spread himself over the laboratory desk.

"Nothing less from a rascal" replied Futaba.

"Yeah, yeah no need to rub it in Futaba" he replied sarcastically. He was supposed to have lunch with Mai-san today and eat her home-cooked food.

"Why did you do it anyway?" Futaba questioned

"So I could see Mai-san's blushing face. She looks really adorable when she's flustered" Sakuta replied quickly without any drop of hesitation.

"You don't have to make a scene for that to happen, so what's the real reason?" she asked again, still reading the book.

"Well, making Mai-san blush was one. Another was to pull some kind of reaction out of her"

"Like?"

"Mai-san has yet to kiss me"

"..."

"What?"

"You really are a rascal, Azusawaga"

"Well, you can't fault me for dreaming"

"Doesn't she show her love for you by pinching and stepping on you. And if I remember, you seem to enjoy it when she does"

"..."

"I take your silence as a yes"

Futaba broke her concentration and looked directly at Sakuta. An unimpressed look on her face as she regarded him with a critical eye.

""What?" asked Sakuta. He was puzzled why she was looking at him like that.

"Just tell her what you want, Azusawaga. She loves you a lot and you have nothing to fear. Also, this isn't like you. Normally, you would tell her straight to her face"

"Well... I normally would, but-"

"Azusawaga. I don't know why you're hesitating but there's no need to. You're stopping yourself, for the fear of how Sakurajima-senpai would react. You wouldn't care how anyone else would react, so there's no need to be scared of her. And remember, she's your girlfriend. The worst she can do is step on your foot."

"Heh, you're right Futaba. Me and Mai-san have been through a lot and I shouldn't fear her. Thanks for talking some sense into me"

"Oh, I just did it because you're voice is annoying and I really want to stop hearing you shout"

"Wow, I love you too Futaba"

"I'm telling Sakurajima-senpai that you're cheating on her"

"Please don't, she's already angry at me"

The station was teeming with people, after all it was close to evening. People were returning from work and heading home. A few students could be seen lingering around, talking with their friends and enjoying the food available. Trains entered smoothly and quietly. The evening sky was painted in hues of red and orange, as the light of the setting sun illuminated the neighborhood.

Sakuta lazily walked alongside Mai, as she ate a cream bun. Small wisps of steam rose from the center of the bun, as Mai took small tentative bites. A contented sigh left her lips as she gazed towards Sakuta, a small smile on her soft lips. He had a blank look on his face, as he continued walking next to her. Her smile widened as she knew that he was miserable inside. She had given him the silent treatment ever since they left school. Even she didn't like the silence between them.

"Sakuta..."

He stopped and looked at her. The blank look on his face was still there, but she could see the small glint of happiness in his eyes. He was happy that she started talking to him.

"Why do you look so sad?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"I couldn't eat Mai-san's home cooked lunch"

"And who's fault is that"

"...Mine"

"And what should you say?"

"I am sorry Mai-san, for embarrassing you in public"

Suddenly, Mai was standing in front of Sakuta, her face was right next to his, as she observed him. Her eyes held a questioning look. He flinched slightly, his blank look breaking into surprise as he was overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of her gaze.

"Are you, Sakuta?" she asked.

As he was about to reply, pain bloomed from his left leg and he already knew the cause. Mai was stepping on him. Ecstatic that Mai was stepping on him, he ignored the pain and decided that he would listen to Futaba's advice and tell Mai the truth.

"No Mai-san, I would do it again without hesitation. The only reason being that I wanted to fulfill a dream of mine"

Mai was taken aback by Sakuta's honest answer. She knew he wasn't lying, he never has. Collecting herself, she started walking again and Sakuta followed her. A comfortable silence encompassed them.

"A dream?"

"Yes, ever since we've started dating, I've been the happiest person on the planet. I love you a lot Mai-san, but I've had this dream ever since you kissed me on the cheek"

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I didn't want to pressure you."

"Sakuta...You always forget, I love you more that you know. You've always been honest with me and there's no need to be afraid now, especially after all we've been through"

"Mai-san...-"

"Sakuta, I'll remind you again. I love you more than you think"

They had stopped again, and were gazing into each other's eyes. The bustling noises of the crowd disappeared as they lost themselves in each other. Sakuta could feel Mai's true feelings behind her words. He could see the love for him in her ocean blue eyes.

"I want to kiss you Mai-san."

A blush overcame Mai's face as she was taken aback again by Sakuta's brutal honesty. She avoided eye-contact with him as she tried to digest what he said.

"Mai-san?"

"So just a kiss?" she asked again shyly.

"Ye-"

A soft feeling enveloped his lips and prevented him from saying another word. It was warm, comfortable and just felt natural. Sakuta closed his eyes and responded to the delicate movements, enjoying the sensation. It felt better than he imagined. Before he could lose himself within the euphoria, it abruptly stopped. The cold evening air embraced his lips again as he slowly opened his eyes.

The slight blush on Mai's face had deepened considerably. She was out of breath and warm air escaped her lips. Sakuta leaned forward and their foreheads touched. Mai grabbed his hand, and intertwined them together. They stayed like that, as the sun slowly sank and the first signs of the stars and night sky were visible.

"You're lips are very soft Mai-san."

"Sakuta... you're an idiot, you know that right"

"You remind me everytime, Mai-san"

"...Sakuta, don't be afraid of saying something to me again. I'm here for you and I'll always be here, just like you have been there for me"

"I love you Mai-san"

"I know, idiot"

Hey guys, so this my first piece of writing. First thing first, I don't own the characters and they belong to their respective characters

Second, if you guys have any prompts you wanna dump on me, feel free to drop by this server where I kick about: /8MH5rbc

See Ya!