Author note: I just checked, this story has been going on since 2015 :) Isn't it kinda crazy?

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They went to the museum for their first date. Ophiuchus has planned this date for so long, and he finally has the chance to go for it.

Aquarius tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she walked beside Ophiuchus, her steps echoing softly through the wide, marble-floored halls of the campus museum. She glanced up at the tall windows, sunlight filtering through them, casting warm patches of light across the polished floor. The calm stillness of the museum, with its whispers of history and art, made her feel at ease. It was the perfect place for her—a quiet haven, filled with inspiration but free from the buzz of crowds.

Ophiuchus walked beside her, close but not too close, his hands in his pockets as he admired the pieces around them. Every now and then, he'd glance over at her, his gaze lingering just a second longer than necessary. Aquarius felt the weight of those looks, and each time she caught his eye, she had to fight the heat rising to her cheeks.

They stopped in front of a large abstract painting, a mess of swirls and jagged lines, its meaning hidden somewhere beneath layers of chaotic brushstrokes.

"Think you could recreate that?" Aquarius teased, tilting her head toward Ophiuchus with a sly grin.

He laughed softly, leaning a little closer as if sharing a secret. "Give me a couple of years. Maybe."

Aquarius chuckled, nudging his arm playfully. "I don't think I can wait that long."

Her words hung in the air, light but with a deeper undertone that neither of them could ignore. Ophiuchus glanced at her, his smile softening, and for a moment, the museum faded away. They stood there, in the middle of swirling art and gentle silence, connected by something unspoken.

As they moved through the exhibits, Aquarius felt herself relax even more. Ophiuchus was easy to be around—he wasn't the type to push or pry, which made their quiet moments feel natural. Yet, there was a spark between them she couldn't deny. She caught herself stealing glances at him, wondering if he felt it too.

When they finally stepped outside, the afternoon sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting everything in a golden glow. Ophiuchus suggested they take a walk to the nearby park, and Aquarius agreed, feeling like the day had been a perfect escape so far. The world outside was soft and peaceful, and as they strolled along the tree-lined path, Aquarius found herself speaking more freely.

"You know," she began, her voice thoughtful, "I wasn't sure about joining that club at first. I mean, I liked keeping to myself. But... you made it hard to say no."

Ophiuchus gave her a sidelong glance, curiosity in his eyes. "Hard to say no? Is that a good thing?"

Aquarius smiled, a hint of cheekiness in her expression. "I guess I'm saying you're a little too good at getting what you want."

He laughed again, the sound warm and genuine. "I'll take that as a compliment."

They wandered through the park, the conversation flowing easily between them. Aquarius felt herself opening up, not just about photography but about her thoughts, her ideas, and even her uncertainties. Ophiuchus listened attentively, as if every word mattered, and she found comfort in that. For once, it didn't feel like she was performing or trying to prove herself—he just got her.

As they neared a bench shaded by a large oak tree, Ophiuchus slowed his pace and gestured for them to sit. They settled down, side by side, the world quieting around them. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The soft rustle of leaves overhead and the distant hum of life around them filled the silence.

Aquarius leaned back, closing her eyes briefly, letting the moment settle in. She felt the warmth of his presence beside her, the calmness of the day, and the tension she'd been carrying for months seemed to unravel. She opened her eyes and glanced at him.

"You know," she started, a little more serious now, "I didn't really want to be in a relationship when we first met."

Ophiuchus turned to look at her, his expression calm but curious.

"I've been used to being on my own for a long time," she continued. "But you... you're different."

He didn't say anything, just waited, his attention fully on her.

"Different in a good way," she added softly, her lips curving into a smile. "Very good."

Ophiuchus's heart skipped a beat. He felt the moment building, the closeness between them undeniable. His hand brushed against hers on the bench, the touch light, but it sent a jolt through him. He'd been patient, giving her space, respecting her boundaries—but now, sitting here, he couldn't hold back anymore.

He turned to face her fully, his voice low and a little hesitant. "Aquarius, I've been waiting for the right moment, but I don't want to wait anymore."

Her eyes widened slightly, curiosity flickering in their depths.

He took a deep breath, his heart pounding. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

The question hung in the air between them, and for a split second, Ophiuchus wondered if he'd misread everything. But then Aquarius's expression softened, a quiet surprise lighting her face. She blinked, then smiled—small at first, then growing, her cheeks warming with that familiar blush.

"You really couldn't wait, huh?" she teased, her voice light.

Ophiuchus chuckled, relief washing over him. "I figured if I didn't ask, you might make me wait forever."

Aquarius laughed softly, a sound that made his chest tighten in the best way. "Maybe... but I think I'm done waiting too."

Her words hit him like a wave of pure happiness. Without thinking, Ophiuchus leaned in, his hand cupping her cheek as he pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was soft at first, sweet and tentative, like testing the waters of something new but long-awaited. Then, as she kissed him back, a warmth spread through both of them, the weight of all those unsaid feelings melting away in the shared moment.

When they finally pulled back, their foreheads rested against each other, breaths mingling in the quiet. Ophiuchus couldn't stop smiling, his heart full in a way it hadn't been in a long time.

"I'm glad I asked," he murmured.

Aquarius laughed softly, her fingers tracing the edge of his jaw. "I'm glad you did too."

They sat there for a while longer, hand in hand, no words needed to fill the space between them. The day had been perfect, but this—this was the start of something even better.
—-

"So you're telling me you made him wait for a whole year with no hint or flirting, and then just gave him the chance on a random day?" Chloe raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a grin. "And y'all start dating on the same day?"

Aquarius blinked, caught off guard by Chloe's directness. They sat under a large tree, the warm summer breeze making the moment feel relaxed and intimate. Marco lay sprawled out on the picnic mat, his head resting next to the untouched sandwiches, while Yuuki fidgeted with his camera, focused on finishing the last few shots of his film roll. Ophiuchus and Taka had wandered off to explore the riverbank, but their absence didn't stop the conversation.

"I mean, it wasn't exactly like that," Aquarius started, but Lila leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Oh, come on! We've been dying to know!" Lila said excitedly. "I've been tracking this forever now, and things exploded when Ophiuchus changed his profile picture to a girl silhouette. Now we can confidentally say it's you!"

Aquarius hesitated, her cheeks warming at the mention of Ophiuchus's subtle display. She hadn't realized anyone noticed or cared that much. "I didn't think anyone would—"

"Of course we noticed!" Chloe interjected, waving her hand. "Ophiuchus is like this mysterious artist dude, and he's always getting girls flirting with him online. That post was clearly his way of saying 'I'm taken!'"

Lila nodded in agreement. "He's been avoiding attention ever since he met you. It's not surprising."

Aquarius felt a soft smile forming. Ophiuchus's efforts hadn't gone unnoticed by her either. "Yeah, he did make me feel safe... in his quiet way. That's why, when I was ready, I gave him the signal."

The girls exchanged knowing looks, their excitement bubbling over. The photography club had always been a friendly and welcoming space, but outside of their shared passion, no one really delved into each other's personal lives. Today, though, as the girls huddled together, giggling and trading stories, Aquarius realized just how fun it was to have a proper girl talk—a first for their group. For a fleeting moment, some painful memories tried to resurface, but Aquarius quickly pushed them down, choosing instead to immerse herself in the lighthearted chatter. The warmth of their laughter and the easy bond forming between them was something she hadn't realized she needed.

Suddenly, Chloe dropped a bombshell. "Speaking of love stories... I've kind of been into Taka for a while."

Lila's eyes widened. "Wait, Taka? Serious, traditional Taka?"

"But what about Marco?" Aquarius asked, glancing over at him sprawled lazily on the picnic mat. "Everyone thought he'd win you over!"

Chloe chuckled, her eyes drifting to where Marco lay, oblivious. "Marco's fun, but Taka's... I don't know, he's got that serious, dependable thing going on. Plus, have you seen the way he photographs architecture? It's like he sees the world in a totally different way."

Lila gasped dramatically. "This trip just got way more interesting!"

Soon after, Ophiuchus and Taka returned, both looking relaxed and carrying a few scenic shots on their cameras. The group gathered around the picnic area, snacking on sandwiches, fruit, and chips while sharing their shots from the day. With the relationship between Aquarius and Ophiuchus clearly out in the open, everyone felt free to tease them. Marco even pretended to shed a fake tear, jokingly lamenting that he was one girl short in his harem plan. Laughter erupted, and the atmosphere grew lighter and more comfortable as the day went on.

As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Yuuki piped up, his voice quiet but enthusiastic. "What about an amusement park for our next trip? We could capture the action, the colors, all the excitement!"

Chloe nudged him playfully, a grin on her face. "Look at you, getting the club spirit going already! But are we sure the school is going to fund a trip to an amusement park?"

Everyone in the club was aware that their 'training' had always felt more like fun outings than serious skill-building sessions. Often, their suggested locations made no logical sense, but that was part of their charm. With Yuuki catching on, he seemed to grow more confident in sharing his ideas.

Ophiuchus smiled, shaking his head. "We all know the school's budget is ridiculously big. They'll approve it."

Laughter rippled through the group, the teasing light-hearted. Yuuki beamed, feeling more included with each passing moment. It was clear he was adapting well to the club's dynamic, already feeling like one of them.

The group spent the rest of the evening enjoying the view, closer than they'd ever been, sharing stories, snacks, and dreams for their next adventure.

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Author note, again: shouls I post character ranking list? Is yes, choose what you want to see first: cooking skill, sport, stamina level, introvert->extrovert,mental stability. Okay thank you and please please vote <3