Mine | LenaMiu (English Version)
Chap 23
Six in the evening. Bangkok darkened quickly, streetlights stretching across car windows like long, meaningless streaks of light.
Lena stopped the car in front of Miu's studio right on time, precise enough to make it feel as though she had already been waiting. Miu came out, her hair slightly messy from rushing, her eyes bright but edged with tension.
"Have you been waiting long?" Miu asked, adjusting the strap of her crossbody bag.
"I just arrived," Lena replied, though Miu knew that was an understatement.
Miu slid into the passenger seat. The door closed, sealing them inside a space that held only the two of them and the faint, lingering scent of the carrot cake Lena still had not thrown away.
"Are you hungry?" Lena asked.
"A little..."
"Then let's eat first."
Lena's voice was calm, yet Miu felt as if every word carried a quiet undercurrent, making her heart rise and dip without warning.
⸻
The restaurant Lena chose was tucked inside a quiet alley, bathed in warm yellow light, piano music drifting softly like air. It was not luxurious enough to feel distant, nor casual enough to be noisy. Exactly the kind of place Lena would choose to make Miu feel less self conscious, but not less close.
Once seated, Miu finally let out a small breath.
"What would you like to drink?" Lena asked.
"Hot cocoa... is that okay?"
Lena nodded, set the menu aside, then looked directly at her.
"Miu."
Her voice was so light it seemed almost weightless, yet Miu straightened immediately.
"Yes?"
"If you have questions about last night, ask them now."
Miu clasped her hands together.
"I... it feels like you already knew."
"Knew what?"
"About the two families wanting to... connect." Miu's voice grew softer.
"That the meeting was because of... that."
Lena looked at her for a long moment.
No avoidance.
No hesitation.
No change in her gaze.
"I knew," she said.
Miu stopped breathing.
"Then why didn't you tell me beforehand?"
"Because I wanted you to come naturally," Lena replied.
"No preparation. No fear. No overthinking."
"But I... I was confused."
"I know."
"You knew and still let me be confused?" Miu's eyes widened.
"Yes."
They widened even more.
"Because you only feel confused when it matters to you," Lena added.
Heat spread across Miu's cheeks, as if someone had placed a hand there.
"I don't know..." Miu's voice trembled.
"I don't know what I'm feeling exactly."
"You don't need to know yet," Lena said.
"I can wait."
⸻
The food arrived. Miu lowered her head, focusing on cutting her meat into small pieces like a kitten avoiding its owner's gaze.
Lena ate slowly. Drank slowly. Watched Miu just as slowly.
And never looked away.
"Are you afraid of me?" Lena asked while Miu was picking at her salad.
"No!" Miu reacted so quickly she nearly stood up.
"I just... you're too clear."
"Clear?"
"You know what you want. You know what you think. You don't... waver."
Lena tilted her head slightly.
"Do you hate that?"
Miu shook her head immediately.
"No! It's just... you're too strong. Standing next to you makes me feel like I'm being... pulled."
Lena set her fork down and looked at Miu long enough that she had to turn away.
"You think I'm pulling you?" she asked softly.
Miu pressed her lips together. "...It feels like it."
"But you don't want to avoid it."
Silence. Even the sound of cutlery at another table became clear.
"You said you're confused," Lena continued.
"But you still want to see me."
"Because... if I don't see you, I feel even more confused," Miu said honestly.
Lena's eyes narrowed slightly, as if holding back something Miu could not read.
"That's good," Lena said.
"What is?"
"You chose to come closer instead of running away."
Miu's dimple appeared, shy and unmistakable.
"I'm not running..."
"Yes," Lena's voice dropped.
"I know."
⸻
After dinner, Lena drove Miu along the river. Night lights shimmered across the water like scattered glitter. The breeze carried the damp scent of leaves and soil.
Miu watched the view and spoke quietly.
"Today... feels less confusing than yesterday."
"Why?"
"Because you explained."
Lena glanced at her.
"You trust me?"
Miu nodded.
"I do."
"To what extent?"
"Well..." Miu held up two fingers.
"...a little more than yesterday."
Lena let out a soft laugh, a sound so beautiful Miu turned to look at her.
"You're smiling," Miu whispered.
"Is that strange?"
"No. It's just... I don't see you smile often."
Lena did not respond. But her grip on the steering wheel loosened, and the corner of her mouth softened.
Miu rested her elbow against the window, tilting her head.
"Lena."
"Yes?"
"I still don't know what I'm feeling. But when you said those things... my heart stopped listening to me."
Lena slowly pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to look at Miu.
No smile.
No teasing.
Only eyes so deep that Miu forgot to breathe.
"Let your heart get used to it," Lena said quietly.
"I'm not in a hurry. But I won't let you drift away."
Miu looked down at her hands, her palms warm and trembling.
"I know," she whispered.
"...I can feel it."
⸻
That was the first moment Miu realized it was not only Lena moving closer.
She was moving toward her as well.
Very slowly.
Still afraid.
But not retreating.
Not at all.
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