For the rest of the way, Shin and Maja walked hand in hand. Neither of them mentioned it, not even once. It was impossible to tell whether they were too embarrassed to bring it up or if… neither of them actually wanted to let go.

Shin occasionally glanced at Maja, and whenever their eyes met, they both immediately looked away, their cheeks turning pink.

Eventually, they arrived at the girl's house.

• "Well… this is me," Shin murmured, stopping in front of the entrance.

Maja glanced at their intertwined hands for a moment before reluctantly letting go of his hand.

• "T-thank you for today… and for protecting me," she said softly.

• "You don't have to thank me. I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

An awkward silence followed. Maja nervously played with the end of her sleeve, gathering her courage. Finally, she looked up at him.

• "S-Shin…?"

• "Hm?"

• "D-do you… have a girlfriend?"

Shin blinked in surprise.

• "What? N-no. I don't."

Maja felt her heart begin to race. Before she could lose her courage, she rose onto her tiptoes and quickly kissed him along his jawline.

• "G-goodnight!"

She immediately turned around and ran inside, not even giving him a chance to respond.

Shin stood completely motionless on the sidewalk. His eyes widened, and his face turned an intense shade of red.

• "W-what… just happened…?"

Meanwhile, as soon as Maja closed her bedroom door, she threw herself onto her bed and buried her face in her pillow.

• "AAAAAH… WHAT DID I JUST DO?!" she squealed, kicking her feet lightly against the mattress.

Her entire face was bright red, and she couldn't stop smiling.

At the same time, Shin was already standing at the train station, waiting for his train. He gently touched the spot along his jaw where Maja had kissed him.

She… actually kissed me…

He covered his face with one hand, trying to calm down his burning cheeks.

It seemed that neither of them would be falling asleep anytime soon.