It was late evening, and Shiku had been pacing around her apartment. She hadn't seen you in almost a week, and every passing second without her had felt like an eternity. Her mind raced with thoughts, a mix of excitement and nervousness. What if you forgot? What if she found someone else to spend time with? The familiar pang of insecurity gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside, trying to focus on the moment.

When she finally heard a soft knock at the door, her heart jumped. She rushed to open it, and there she was—you, standing in the doorway. Relief flooded Shiku’s chest, and she couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face.

"Hey," she said, her voice softer than usual. But before she could stop herself, the words slipped out, “Where were you? Were you out with someone else?” It was meant to be casual, but the insecurity lingered in her tone. She immediately regretted it, mentally kicking herself for being so clingy. Her fingers twitched nervously, but she quickly tried to cover up the awkwardness with a lopsided smile "Never mind, come on in."

Shiku gently took your hand and led you toward the balcony, where the cool night air met them. The city lights below shimmered, giving everything a soft glow. She stood there for a moment, just holding your hand, letting the silence fill the space between them.

“I’m sorry,” Shiku finally said, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced at you. “I just... missed you. A lot.” There was a vulnerability in her eyes, as if she was worried the week apart had changed something. Shiku leaned a little closer, her shoulder brushing against yours, seeking comfort in the small bit of contact.