Jane's POV
The café buzzed softly with conversation and the low hum of an espresso machine. Warm light spilled through the windows, painting Yuri in gold as he slid my drink across the table.
"Caramel latte," he said with a little grin. "Extra foam. You look like someone who likes extra foam."
I raised a brow. "Are you saying I look high-maintenance?"
He chuckled, stirring his own cup. "No. Just worth the extra effort."
The heat catching my cheeks had nothing to do with the coffee.
We sat there, the air between us easy but electric. He told me about the new song he was writing for class, how he always gets stuck halfway through. I teased that maybe he needed a muse. He gave me that look again — quiet and knowing — before saying, "Maybe I already found one."
The words hung there, soft but heavy.
Outside, rain began to fall — gentle at first, then steady. Yuri reached over, brushing his thumb over my hand. "Looks like we're stuck here for a while," he said.
"Guess we'll need another round," I replied, smiling.
And when he smiled back — that slow, disarming one that started in his eyes — I realized I wouldn't mind being stuck here forever.
The rain finally let up, leaving the city shining and soft around the café windows. When we stepped outside, the air smelled clean, like something new had started. Yuri tucked his hands into his jacket pockets, glancing at me with that lopsided grin that always felt like a secret.
"C'mon," he said. "I know a place."
We walked through narrow streets and puddles that caught the dying light. The park wasn't far—just a small patch of green with benches that faced the river. Everything glowed from the rain, the grass glistening, the trees shimmering like they'd just woken up.
"It's beautiful," I murmured.
"Yeah," he said quietly, eyes not on the view but on me.
We sat down, shoulders brushing. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The only sound was the city in the distance and a few birds shaking off rain from their wings.
He leaned back, turning toward me. "You ever notice how everything slows down after rain?"
I smiled. "Maybe it's the world catching its breath."
"Or maybe it's giving us time," he said, voice softer now.
My heart skipped. "Time for what?"
He didn't answer. He just leaned closer, watching my eyes like he was asking permission with every inch. And when his lips met mine, it was gentle—warm, a little uncertain, but real. The kind of kiss that makes everything else fade into background noise.
When we finally pulled apart, both of us laughing quietly, I saw movement behind one of the big oak trees. Two very familiar faces peeking out—Jay and C-in.
"Oh my god," I whispered. "They're spying on us."
Yuri blinked, amused. "Should we… wave?"
I elbowed him, trying not to laugh, but it was too late—he waved anyway. Jay ducked so fast she almost fell over, and C-in tried to grab her, muttering something under his breath.
"They're hopeless," I said, shaking my head.
"Guess we're giving them something to talk about," Yuri teased.
"Great," I groaned. "Tomorrow at school's going to be fun."
He squeezed my hand, smile softening. "Then let's make the rumor worth it."
And just like that, under the post-rain glow, he kissed me again—no rush, no hiding, just us and a story we hadn't even begun to tell.
A/N check comments