The day had finally arrived. Nagase stood in front of the airport terminal, checking his watch, his heart pounding in anticipation. It felt as if time itself had slowed. After six long months of calls, messages, and longing glances across a thousand miles, today was the day he would finally hold Makoto Takamiya in his arms again.

The moment her flight landed, he rushed to baggage claim, his eyes scanning the crowd until they finally landed on her—Makoto, walking toward him, her face glowing with excitement and something more. She's deadly beautiful.

Nagase wave his hands enthusatically to her

She smiled brightly, her eyes locking with his.

Before he could even take another step, she was in his arms, her hands gripping his shirt tightly as if to make sure this moment was real. Her warmth, her scent, the feel of her against him—it was all so familiar, so perfect.

"I've missed you," she whispered, burying her face in his neck.

Nagase tightened his hold, not wanting to let go. "I've missed you more than you'll ever know." His voice was thick with emotion, his heart racing.

They held each other like that for a long moment, surrounded by the bustle of the airport, but in their own little world. Nothing else mattered.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they pulled back slightly, but their hands remained intertwined. Makoto looked up at him, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"You're not going to let go, are you?" she asked softly.

"No," he replied, his voice low and earnest. "Not until I have you back for good."

She smiled at that, then nodded toward the exit. "Then let's go home."

--

The drive back to Nagase's apartment was filled with easy laughter and the warmth of their shared presence. Every word, every smile felt like something they had been waiting for. When they finally arrived at his place, he opened the door, and she stepped inside.

Makoto looked around, taking in the familiar surroundings. The place was just as it had been before, but something felt different—warmer, somehow. She noticed the little things first—the mug on the coffee table with the bear logo, the photo on the wall of the two of them from their trip together.

Takamiya smiled softly, walking over to the photo, her fingers brushing lightly against the frame. "You still have these?" she asked, her voice full of wonder.

Nagase followed her, his heart swelling. "Of course, I do. I've kept them. Everything about us is still here."

Her eyes softened, a quiet understanding in them. She turned to him, a slight smirk on her lips. "So, you've been keeping these here... just in case I came back?"

Nagase stepped closer to her, his hand gently touching her cheek. "I never stopped hoping that one day you would."

Her breath hitched at his words. She looked at him, the weight of everything they had been through settling in her chest. "Hiromi…"

Before she could say more, he leaned down and kissed her softly, gently, as if he was savoring the very essence of her. The kiss deepened, slowly at first, then with more urgency, as if both of them were trying to make up for all the lost time. Takamiya's hands moved to his neck, pulling him closer, and Nagase's arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against him.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other.

"I can't believe you're really here," Nagase murmured, his hands gently stroking her back.

Makoto smiled, her heart racing. "Believe it. I'm not going anywhere now."

She kissed him again, this time with a sense of certainty, a promise that this time, they would make it work. They were no longer just holding on to memories—they were building a future.

Nagase pulled back slightly, his hands framing her face. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."

Makoto smiled, her thumb brushing his lips. "I think I have a pretty good idea." Then, with a playful glint in her eyes, she leaned in, kissing him again. This time, her kiss was soft, almost like a whisper, as if she was reminding him just how much they had missed each other.

Nagase and Takamiya were caught in the warmth of their reunion, their kisses growing deeper, full of longing and unspoken promises. Takamiya's hands clung to Nagase's shoulders as his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her as though she might disappear. The moment was perfect—until her phone buzzed loudly, shattering the intimacy.

Takamiya: "Ah! It's my dad..." (She picks it up, holding a finger to her lips to hush Nagase.)

Nagase: (Murmurs with a teasing grin) "Great timing."

Takamiya shoots him a glare, her cheeks tinged pink, and answers the call.

Her father's familiar, cheerful voice greeted her. "Makoto! I was worried you hadn't landed yet. Are you alright? Where are you staying? I was thinking we could have lunch today."

Makoto glanced at Nagase, feeling the sudden awkwardness of the situation. She, of course, couldn't tell her father she was staying at Nagase's place. She didn't want to get caught up in anymore question. So, she hesitated for a moment before answering "I'm not sure yet" she said carefully, glancing around as if looking for inspiration. "I might stay at hotel in town for now. But, I'm not sure where yet. I'll let you know when I decide. Actually, I'm with Hiromi now. We're... still on the way from the airport."

Nagase raises an eyebrow but wisely keeps quiet, though the corners of his mouth twitch in amusement.

Takamiya's Dad: "Oh, Nagase's with you? That's good. Listen, why don't we have lunch? Let's meet at the usual restaurant."

Takamiya stiffens, darting a panicked look at Nagase.

Takamiya: "Lunch? All of us?"

Takamiya's Dad (chuckles): "Of course! It'll be nice to catch up with the both of you."

Takamiya: "Uh... sure, Dad. That sounds perfect."

She hangs up, groaning softly as she leans back into the couch.

Nagase (grinning): "So, we're meeting your dad for lunch? Together?"

Takamiya: "Don't look so smug! This is all your fault for insisting I stay here."

Nagase (teasing): "Hey, I didn't know I'd have to win over your dad during our reunion."

Takamiya: (throws a pillow at him) "Just... don't be weird, okay?"

Nagase (catching the pillow effortlessly): "Define weird."

Their laughter fills the room as they prepare themselves for what promises to be an unexpectedly eventful lunch.