The Fading Moon Chapter 10: The Days We Borrowed

Read chapter 10 of The Fading Moon by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

After the confession, everything changed. And yet... Nothing changed at all. Jessika was still annoying. Mike was still grumpy. They still argued over stupid things. Still teased each other endlessly. Still spent hours together talking about absolutely nothing. The only difference was that now neither of them had to hide. The invisible wall between them had disappeared. For the first time, they could simply be honest. And that made every moment together feel even more precious. Three days after their confession, Mike found himself standing outside Jessika's school. He checked the time. Five minutes early. Which annoyed him. Because he never waited for anyone. Ever. Yet here he was. Waiting. Like some teenager on his first date. The realization made him groan. A few nearby students glanced at him strangely. Mike immediately looked away. Then he heard a familiar voice. "Someone's excited." Mike turned. Jessika stood there smiling. Her school bag rested over one shoulder. The late afternoon sunlight illuminated her hair. And for a moment, Mike forgot how to speak. Jessika noticed. Immediately. Her smile widened. "You stared again." Mike sighed. "You always notice." "Of course." "Why?" Jessika stepped closer. Then smiled mischievously. "Because you're my boyfriend." Mike nearly choked. The word hit him like a truck. Boyfriend. The reality still felt unreal. Jessika laughed. "Your face is red." "It is not." "It absolutely is." Mike looked away. Jessika seemed incredibly pleased with herself. They spent the evening wandering through Tokyo. No destination. No plans. Just walking. Talking. Enjoying each other's company. Something Mike never thought he'd say. At one point they stopped at a small café. The same café they had visited months ago. The place where Jessika had asked about his dreams. The place where she first challenged him to stop giving up. As they sat near the window, Jessika suddenly smiled. "Remember this place?" Mike nodded. "Unfortunately." "You were even grumpier back then." "I wasn't." "You were." Mike sighed. "Maybe." Jessika laughed. For a while they simply watched people passing outside. The city moved endlessly around them. Yet somehow their small corner felt separate from everything else. Peaceful. Safe. Then Jessika spoke. "Mike." "Hm?" "What was the exact moment you fell in love with me?" Mike immediately regretted coming here. "What kind of question is that?" "A very important one." "No." "Yes." Mike groaned. Jessika leaned forward. Waiting. Demanding an answer. And unfortunately... He already knew. "I think..." He paused. Trying to find the words. Jessika watched him carefully. "I think it was the festival." "The fireworks?" Mike nodded. "When you cried." For a brief moment, Jessika became quiet. Completely quiet. Then she smiled softly. "Really?" Mike nodded. "You looked so strong all the time." His voice grew quieter. "Then suddenly you looked scared." Jessika looked down. The smile on her face became fragile. "And I wanted to protect you." The confession surprised even him. Because it was true. That moment had changed everything. Jessika looked away quickly. As if trying to hide the emotion in her eyes. "You really are unfair." "What?" "How am I supposed to compete with that?" Mike laughed. "You asked." "I regret asking." Neither of them stopped smiling. As evening approached, they headed toward the river. The same river where they had once made their promise. The same river where countless memories had been created. The sky slowly darkened above them. Orange became pink. Pink became purple. Purple became blue. And eventually, night arrived. Jessika leaned against the railing. The cool wind moved through her hair. Mike stood beside her. For a while neither spoke. Then Jessika suddenly reached for his hand. A simple gesture. Yet it made his heart race every time. "Mike." "Hm?" "Are you afraid?" The question surprised him. "Of what?" Her smile faded slightly. "The future." Mike didn't answer immediately. B