"You didn't lose anything," Satou said gently, stroking her hair. "You were brave. You told me how you felt even though it was scary. That gave me something to think about, to realize about myself. If you hadn't been honest, I might never have acknowledged my own feelings."
They stayed like that for several minutes, Jessica crying and Satou holding her, both of them processing the weight of what had just been said.
Finally, Jessica pulled back, wiping her eyes and laughing at herself. "I'm a mess. This is supposed to be a romantic moment and I'm crying all over you."
"You're beautiful," Satou said, and meant it. Even with red, puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks, Jessica looked beautiful to him. "And this is romantic. Real romance, not the sanitized version from stories. Real feelings, real vulnerability, real connection."
Jessica smiled, a radiant expression that made her whole face light up. Then her expression became more thoughtful.
