Patches of blue sky could be seen through the emerald leaves of the trees.

(Ahh-- the weather is so nice today!)

I had left the bustling town to find a quiet place to read and I stretched my arms to the sky.

(Even though I came here to read, this would be a comfortable spot for a nap.)

Just as I was thinking that--

[Alice]: "Uh oh!"

As I was walking and looking to the sky, I had tripped on something and had fallen.

(Ouch! What the--?)

As I slowly got up, I realized that someone was sitting in front of me.

Zero: "[Alice]?"

It was Zero and his back was resting on a tree.

Zero: "I'm sorry, are you alright?"

It seemed that I had tripped over Zero's leg.

[Alice]: "No, it's my fault, l'm sorry! What are you doing here, Zero?"

Zero: "Today's my day off and the weather is nice so I thought l'd go for a stroll."

[Alice]: "And then?"

Zero: "And then I found this comfortable place to rest and fell asleep."

(I had thought this would be a good napping spot too, but--)

[Alice]: "It doesn't seem like you to take a nap, Zero."

Zero: "Perhaps that is true. I've been so busy I haven't been able to sleep well lately."

As Zero yawned, I noticed he had dark circles under his eyes.

(He does look pretty tired.)

I started to feel guilty for accidentally waking up Zero.

Zero: "Well I guess l'd better get back soon. See you around."

Just as Zero turned to leave, I stood up too and grasped the back of his shirt.

Zero: "What's the matter?"

His clear eyes opened wide as he looked at me.

[Alice]: "Umm, what if you rested for a bit longer?"

Zero: "Why would I do that?"

[Alice]: "Because you seem tired and you should sleep when you can."

Zero: "I wish that I could but I'm afraid if I tried to sleep again I wouldn't wake up until the evening."

[Alice]: "Okay, what if I wake you up before then?"

Zero: "Hmm, you really want me to sleep, don't you?"

[Alice]: "Don't take it the wrong way! I just thought it's a nice place to take a nap too…”

Zero grinned and gradually sat down again.

Zero: "Alright, will you wake me up in 30 minutes?"

[Alice]: "Y-Yes, of course!"

I nodded in agreement and sat down next to Zero on the grass.

Zero must have been exhausted because he fell asleep immediately.

I stopped reading my book for a moment and stared at Zero's peacefully dozing face.

The sunlight filtering through the leaves danced on his jet black and gold hair.

(I really enjoy time passing at a leisurely pace like this.)

As I closed my eyes and listened to the gentle rustling of leaves--

[Alice]: "Oh--"

Suddenly Zero had shifted his body to rest against my shoulder.

[Alice]: "Z-Zero?"

I could feel his rhythmic deep breathing, indicating that he was still in a deep sleep.

(W-what should I do? If I move, he'll probably wake up...)

I glanced at his sleeping face resting near my shoulder and my heart skipped a beat.

(I have only known the stoic Ace of Hearts but seeing his sleeping face made him seem so innocent.)

As my pulse sped up, so did the time, and after looking at my watch, I realized 30 minutes had passed.

[Alice]: "It's time to wake up, Zero."

I whispered gently so as not to startle him, but he immediately opened his eyes.

Zero: "Oh, did I--?"

After realizing he was so close to me, he quickly moved away and looked down.

Zero: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--"

[Alice]: "It's okay, did you sleep well?"

Zero: "Yes, thank you. I'm heading back to headquarters now."

Zero stood up and brushed the grass off his clothes.

[Alice]: "I guess you have to go back..."

I spoke my thoughts aloud with loneliness in my voice.

(What am I saying?!)

Zero held out his hand toward me.

Zero: "Let's go part of the way together."

Zero's gentle smile was so bright I had to squint.

[Alice]: "Okay!"

I took his hand and felt my heart beat faster again.

(I should have waited a bit longer to wake him...)

I wasn't sure why I was feeling that way but…

Being with Zero was very comfortable.

So much so that I wished every day could be like this--

He accepted the questioning look thrown his way, and began to talk.

Zero: "I don't really know what exactly defines something as a date, but--"

Zero: "But there's certainly a lot of things l'd like to do together with her."

It was my day off, and I woke up early, the sunshine through my bedroom window dazzlingly bright.

[Alice] and I were lying sprawled across my bed together, talking quietly.

[Alice]: "Today's your day off, right? What do you want to do today?"

Zero: "That's a good question."

I reached out towards my bedside table, not bothering to look as I fumbled to find my notebook.

It was filled with all sorts of notes and ideas about things I wanted to do together with her.

It even included things like 'go sight-seeing in Central', 'revisit that delicious cake shop', and 'go star-gazing in the mountains'.

[Alice]: "Yay, I always get excited when I see your notebook! You really have a lot of ideas for what you want to do!"

Zero: "This is still only some of them. If I were to take the time to write them all down, l'd need a notebook the size of a dictionary."

[Alice]: "Really?"

She burst out laughing, her eyes bright with wonder and excitement, and my heart began to pound.

(I wonder if it's okay to keep your smile all to myself today.)

[Alice]: "But honestly, there's so many ideas in here that it's really hard to choose just one."

I'd written most of my ideas in neat lists, and I watched as her eyes travelled up and down the page.

[Alice]: "Hmm? The next page looks like it has something in really big letters written on it. Is it okay for me to look?"

Zero: "Ahh, that's--!"

(Dammit. I wasn't thinking!)

I reached hurriedly for the notebook, and [Alice] lifted her gaze from it at once, smiling gently at me.

[Alice]: "Don't worry. If you don't want me to, I won't look."

Zero: “…Sorry."

(It's not that I don't want you to, it's just...)

[Alice]: "Seriously, don't worry about it! More importantly, I found something we can do right now."

Zero: "What?"

[Alice]: "This one right here. It says 'make breakfast together and then eat it together'!"

She grinned at me, and I grinned back at her, and I wondered if any day could possibly start off more perfect than that.

The dining hall was filled with the delicious scent of the pancakes we'd made together.

[Alice]: "These came up so well!"

Zero: "They did. You really are a good cook."

[Alice]: "Only because you were so helpful."

The syrup was sweet enough to begin with, but eating the pancakes together with her made them taste even sweeter

than usual.

[Alice]: "What do you want to do after this?"

Zero: "Let's see..."

I'd brought my notebook with me from my bedroom, and we leaned over it together, our faces practically touching.

(The weather's perfect outside. It would be a waste to stay indoors.)

Zero: "It's a really nice day today. Let's go on a picnic."

[Alice]: "Okay!"

We cleared away our plates, and soon we were heading outside into the bright sunshine.

[Alice]: "Ahh, it's such a beautiful day! Going on a picnic was the best idea!"

Zero: "I agree."

She turned to face me as we walked, walking backwards along the road as she talked to me.

Zero: "You should probably watch where you're going."

[Alice]: "I'm fine, I'm-- waah!"

Zero: "[Alice]!"

I grabbed her hand, wrapped my arms around her as we fell, and the soft, thick grass cushioned our landing.

[Alice]: "Ahh, I'm so sorry, Zero!"

Zero: "You're not hurt, are you?"

[Alice]: "No, l'm fine. Because you saved me."

Zero: "Well, that's all that matters, then."

I lay back against the grass, breathing a sigh of relief, and the bright, blue sky seemed to fill my vision until it was all I could see.

[Alice] was still cradled in my arms, her head a comforting weight against my shoulder.

(It's such a nice, calm day. I almost want to take a nap right here.)

[Alice]: "You know, the sun feels so nice and warm I'm actually getting a bit sleepy."

Zero: "I was just thinking the same thing."

[Alice]: "Really?"

[Alice] lifted her head, turning to look at me, and her hair tickled my cheek.

(Your hair is so soft.)

It was such a little thing, and yet it made me so happy, and I smiled at her.

Zero: "Thank you for spending today with me, [Alice].

[Alice]: "Oh--"

I brushed her hair back from her face as I leaned forward to kiss her forehead.

[Alice]: "I think that's my line, really. Thank you for being here with me, Zero."

Zero: "You're welcome."

(Just being with you is enough to make me happy. And I love that you feel the same way.)

[Alice]: "This has been a really great day so far."

Zero: "I agree. But we've been doing what I want all morning. Is there anything you want to do?"

[Alice]: "Me?"

Zero: "Yes. I mean... that's what I wrote in big letters on the page I didn't want to show you this morning."

(It's kind of hard for me to say this while we're staring into each other's eyes.)

But I still wanted to say it all the same, so I looked up at the blue sky instead.

Zero: "I wrote 'I want to do whatever [Alice] wants to do'."

[Alice]: "Oh, Zero..."

Zero: "So what do you want to do?"

[Alice]: "Well, there's one thing, but I feel kind of awkward saying it."

(What sort of thing could possibly make you feel that awkward?)

Zero: "I don't mind what it is. I want you to tell me. And if it's something I can do, I want to do it for you."

[Alice]: "I want to snuggle up close to you."

Zero: "What? Is that it?"

I rolled onto my side and reached out, pulling her into my arms and cuddling her right up against me.

[Alice]: "You're so nice and warm."

Zero: "So are you."

(And it's not just a physical warmth. It's like you warm my heart as well.)

(But now I want to do more than just hold you. Is that too greedy of me?)

[Alice]: "Zero... there's one more thing I want to do, if you don't mind me asking."

Zero: "You don't need to ask."

[Alice]: "What?"

Zero: "I think you're thinking the same thing ! am again."

I smiled at her, and she smiled back at me, and a moment later our lips met in a kiss.

(It may be quiet and uneventful, but to me this is a very special day.)

(I love the joy that I get from being with the woman I love--and I'll do whatever it takes to protect it.)

It was a completely normal day, and I couldn't help wondering if it felt as special to her as it did to me.

But I wasn't to find out the answer to that until a little while later...