He spent the whole day looking only at her. Walking hand-in-hand on the sun-drenched campus streets, he still couldn't believe it was real. She is someone who makes the world brighter whenever she laughs. Having such a person by his side, holding his hand, and calling his name made him feel exceptionally close to her today.

Now they are in front of her house. The night air was at an ambiguous temperature, neither cold nor warm. The streetlight quietly illuminated the space between them, and the city noise felt strangely distant. He smiled awkwardly, not knowing what to say. Then, she looked into his eyes. That look was different from usual. That single gaze made his heart feel heavy. He became cautious even about breathing. She took a step closer. He felt as if he could hear his heart thumping down into his stomach.

She was close. Really, too close. Her hair swayed as if to touch his shoulder, and her warm breath brushed his cheek. In an instant, his mind went blank. Before he could even think 'What's happening?', his heart pounded crazily. His head understood, but his body wouldn't follow. His fingertips trembled, and his toes felt frozen. Then, almost reflexively and without realizing it, he pulled back slightly. That brief moment felt so long to him. He felt breathless, as if the world had stopped.

W-wait a second...

His heart pounded as if it would burst his eardrums, but no words came out of his mouth. He didn't have the courage to meet her eyes. He didn't even know why he did that. His mind was in total chaos. Was a first kiss supposed to be this difficult? He didn't know he would be this clumsy.

That... I-I'm sorry... I'm not... ready yet...