SOMEWHERE BETWEEN US

SAKURA POV

~Tokyo, Japan~

I blinked again, trying to keep calm. Nathan had already walked a few steps ahead, like he didn't just casually bring me to one of the most expensive places in the city. I followed after him, gripping the strap of my bag like it was holding my my pent up curiousity together. Inside, the scent hit first. Soft, fresh roses, a hint of wine, and something warm maybe baked bread or fancy butter. I couldn't tell. The host at the front desk greeted Nathan like they'd seen him before, which was… terrifying.

"Table for two. Nathan Han," he said casually. Of course, he made a reservation. Of course, he had that kind of voice that made it look like it wasn't an issue for him. The host led us in, and I almost tripped on the first step. The inside was beautiful. Everything felt so calm and polished. Golden lights hung from the ceiling like falling stars, and the floor looked so clean I felt guilty for walking on it. There were soft jazz notes playing somewhere in the background, and people were speaking in quiet voices like they knew they were part of something elegant.

Our table was near the window, where the view of the city sparkled. Nathan pulled the chair out for me, and I nearly melted. Why was he being so proper? "You alright?" he asked, noticing my stiff movements. I nodded quickly. "Totally. I just… yeah. I've never been here." I lied. "Yeah?" He raised a brow, settling into his seat. "I thought it'd be cool. Not too loud or crowded." Not too loud, he says. As if this wasn't the fanciest place I'd ever walked into.

He picked up the menu, completely calm, while I peeked at mine like it might bite. The prices didn't have commas, but I could feel the commas. "I'm paying, relax," he added without looking up. I blinked. "I didn't say anything." "You didn't have to." His eyes finally lifted, catching mine. My face was already burning. "You don't have to act so surprised," he said, leaning back with a soft grin. "It's just dinner." Just dinner, he says. I swear this boy would take you to the moon and say it's just "getting some air."

I glanced at the menu again. After a few awkward seconds of pretending to understand what "cured duck tartare" was, I picked the pasta. Something creamy. Safe. Nathan ordered something with steak and mushrooms. Then wine. I stared at him. "You're legal?" He gave me a lazy shrug. "Connections. Plus, we're not getting drunk." He was so calm. I hated how calm he was. I sat across from him, legs crossed under the table, trying not to scratch my palm like I always did when I was nervous.

There was a small pause. He stared at me. Not in a creepy way more like… observant. Like he was trying to memorize me or something."You tied your hair differently today," he said suddenly. "Oh." I reached up, brushing my fingers through the loose strands. "Yeah, I wanted something casual." "I like it." His voice was low again. Soft, like it wasn't meant to sound as good as it did. Why was he like this? The food came quicker than expected. I tried not to moan when I took the first bite. It was warm, creamy, and literally melted in my mouth.

Nathan watched me again. "What?" I asked between mouthfuls. "Nothing." He sipped from his glass, smirking slightly. "You eat like someone who's not used to this." "Because I'm not." He chuckled, head tilting a bit to the side. "That's cute." My fork almost slipped. We ate in quiet moments, sometimes talking, sometimes not. And it wasn't weird. It wasn't forced. He didn't try to fill every second with noise. He just… did things right.

At some point, we started talking about high school. Not in detail, just random stories. He mentioned how he got kicked out of music class once because he wouldn't stop drumming on the table. I told him how I tripped during a basketball game and accidentally knocked down the referee. He laughed way too loud at that one.By the time dessert came, we were both leaning into the conversation. I didn't even care that I'd already finished half the whipped cream with my spoon before the cake. "I thought you didn't date," I said suddenly, realizing I never asked.

He looked up from his plate. Giving me a warm smile "Not really, You know it's always hard finding the right one." he said, looking at me. I blinked. I always thought he was a big time cassanova, the kind of guy that gets any girl he wanted "But… this?" "This is different." "How?" He stared at me for a second, then smirked. "I don't know. There's something about You. He's face suddenly so serious. "Wow, I feel so special." "No, seriously," he said. "You're not trying to impress me. And that's impressive." I looked down, my cheeks heating up again. What was I supposed to say to that?

After we were done, I figured he'd walk me back or maybe call another ride. But instead, he stood up and asked, "You good with heels? He asked?" "I'm in sneakers." I said."Perfect." Ten minutes later, I found myself at one of those quiet hidden arcades near Shibuya. The kind with glowing lights, old game machines, and a small vending corner. He bought us tokens like a little kid. I just stared at him. "What?" he asked. "Didn't peg you as the type." He grinned. "Well, I'm usually mistaken."

We played a few games. He was surprisingly competitive. Not in the annoying way more like, "I can't let you win even if I like you" kind of way. I beat him once at the basketball shooter. He beat me three times at racing. Then there was a claw machine. I pointed at a small stuffed bunny, and without even asking, he went for it. He failed. Twice. But on the third try, he actually got it. He handed it to me, cheeks slightly flushed. "Don't say I never gave you anything." I smiled, hugging the bunny close. "Thanks, Nathan." For a second, I thought he was about to say something else. But he just smiled back. And honestly? That was enough.