The plates clattered in our hands as we both stood side by side, our shoulders brushing against each other, and our hands submerged in warm water as we washed the dishes together.
—♪Hmmm~ Hmhmm♫
Standing beside me, Ruby was humming softly, swaying her body slightly with the rhythm.
I found myself smiling without even realizing it.
There was a kind of peaceful silence between us, after all that…
Her shoulder nudged mine as she rinsed a plate. "You know…"
She began, her tone was too casual.
"I've had a crush on you for a long time."
"...!"
I stiffened.
She noticed it, turning to me with a tiny, teasing grin, as if she was waiting for my reaction.
"You probably figured it out already, right?" she added. "But… I've liked you for, like, three years now."
And then she squealed, covering her cheeks. "A-and I can't believe we are actually…!"
My chest felt tight—but not in a bad way.
