It's been over a month since Kristina started joining Elio and me on our walks home. She even tags along during weekends to hang out with us.
Too bad the two of them are busy today. Even though it's a Saturday... Meanwhile I'm stuck here washing dishes...
Woe is me...
Still, they did promise to hangout next time, so I'm pretty excited about that.
"What's with that grin on your face?"
Mr. Brok asked me from the couch, drinking a can of cola while watching TV.
He looked at me with his brow raised.
"Uh... What do you mean by that?" I said, putting a plate down, also raising a brow.
"I'm just saying..." He said, briefly pausing to burp. "These days you've been grinning so much, your face might get stuck like that."
"Hey, what's wrong with a little happiness?"
"If only your smile weren't so creepy. You're freaking me out, kid."
"You—"
"I'm kidding." He raised his hands. "Anyways, what's got you in a bubbly mood these days? Found a girlfriend?"
"It's nothing like that y'know..."
"Hah! Of course it isn't!"
"Shut up, atleast I'm not single at 70..."
"Hey! I'm only 53!!!"
"Doesn't seem like it to me!"
Brok scoffed and reached for a handful of chips. "Kids these days. No respect for the elderly."
"Start acting like one, then!"
"NEVER! I'M FOREVER YOUNG."
"You just contradicted yourself!"
Brok shoved a handful of chips into his mouth like a defiant toddler. "You'll see. One day, you'll hit fifty and realize it's not that old."
I grabbed a towel and started drying the dishes. "By that logic, you're saying you're not old?"
"Exactly! I'm in my prime, kid. Peak physical form."
"You pulled a muscle reaching for the remote yesterday."
"Touché…" he grumbled, shaking his head. "Anyways, we're out of ingredients. Head over to the grocery store. I'll give you a list."
"Wait—I have to go right now?"
He looked at me like I'd asked for his life savings. "Unless you want to eat the leftovers from last night."
"I wouldn't mind. The stew you made was pretty good."
"Too bad, we're out of that too."
"Oh c'mon..."
"You want to chew on an empty pot, be my guest." He gestured lazily toward the kitchen. "Otherwise, get your butt to the grocery."
"You really know how to motivate a guy."
"Comes with experience for raising a brat like you."
With a long sigh, I wiped my hands on the dish towel and trudged toward the door.
"Wait," Brok called out. "List."
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a folded scrap of paper and tossed it at me.
I caught it mid-air. "Is this paper or an old camdy wrapper?"
"Just read it."
I unfolded it.
– Carrots
– Eggs
– Beef
– Tomato sauce ("The one with the green cap!!") — underlined three times.
"…You're oddly passionate about condiments."
"I don't play games when it comes to flavor. Unlike a certain someone who can't cook..."
"That was definitely a jab at me..."
"Gee, we've got a wise guy over here."
He smirked as I grabbed the list and headed toward the door, grabbing my bag on the way.
"I'll be back soon."
"Yep, be careful."
The door shut behind me with a soft thud.
Outside, the sunlight was thick and golden, blanketing the streets like a lazy afternoon nap. I took a deep breath, letting the warmth settle into my skin as I started walking.
I was planning on just lazing around all day. Maybe play a few games then take a nap.
But I guess this is a good thing. I probably needed some sunlight anyway. Heck, maybe I'll window shop a bit. Stretch my legs, soak in the weekend, pretend I'm a functioning member of society.
The streets were alive with the usual weekend rhythm—cars moving past, neighbors chatting, the occasional bark of a dog. A gentle breeze danced through the trees, carrying the faint smell of grilled meat and pastries from the food stalls nearby.
After a short walk, I reached the grocery store and stepped inside, grabbing a basket by the door. The cool air hit me immediately, a welcome contrast to the streets outside.
Alright, I thought, pulling out the crumpled list. Carrots, eggs, beef... Okay, got it.
I moved through the aisles, weaving past other shoppers as I ticked items off one by one. The store was bustling, but in a calm, unhurried way—mothers comparing brands, kids sneaking snacks into carts, a bored cashier flipping through a magazine at the express lane.
As I reached for a bag of carrots, I caught my reflection in the fridge door's glass.
Tired eyes and messy hair.
"Wow, maybe Elio was right. I'll sleep earlier. Maybe get a haircut one of these days."
Just one aisle away from me, I heard the voice of someone familiar. In fact, there were two familiar voices.
"Nope, you've been eating way too many sugary snacks lately, so you can't have this!" A girl's voice sternly said.
"But big sis!" A child's voice protested.
Their voices echoed through the store as the girl tried to shush the child.
I'm not usually someone who involves myself, but this voice sounded like...
I walked to the source of the voices.
"Kristina!"
I called out, but only to see a girl with messy hair, wearing pajamas.
The girl stared at me, along with the little boy beside her who I'm assuming to be her little brother.
He was holding a chocolate bar. That must be why they were arguing earlier.
Realizing my mistake, I scratched my head. The girl infront of me had a completely different vibe from Kristina.
It's not uncommon to meet a person with a similar voice to someone you know.
"...Sorry, wrong person." I nervously said before turning around.
But behind me, the little boy pointed his finger and gasped.
"Hey! I remember you!"
Surprised, I turned around to look at him while his sister tried to cover his mouth.
"Mmmph!! Mmmph!"
"Uh... Can I help you?" I asked the boy.
"O-oh, It's nothing! My brother gets a little weird sometimes!"
Shaking his head, her little brother freed his mouth before talking.
"I do know him! Hey you!" He pointed at me again. "I still haven't forgotten about that promise you made with me!"
"Eh?"
"Don't 'eh?' me! You promised you'll give me your keychain if I got good grades!"
Wait... Did I make a promise like that?
I honestly couldn't remember. I tried to search through my memories, but no luck.
That was until I took another glance at the little boy.
"Oh yeah! I did promise you!"
Seeing that I remember, the boy's face lit up.
"See? I knew I was right!"
Everything was starting to come back now.
It's the kid that tried to run across the street. It's been a while since I've seen him. Maybe two or three months now...?
Interrupting my thoughts, the rambunctious boy asked me something.
"So? Where's the keychain you promised?"
I raised my hands.
"Oh sorry, I don't have it..."
"Huh?! After I waited all this time?!" He angrily said.
"Hey, I didn't expect to meet you while getting groceries. I promise, I'll give it to you. I just don't have it at the moment..." I defended.
"Then how am I supposed to get it? I don't know when we'll meet again!"
"Yeah... Good point..."
I rub my chin to think before noticing his big sister who was silent the entire time start to tremble.
"H-h-how..."
"Hm?"
"How do you two know each other...?"
She pointed at me looking nervous.
"Oh uh, sorry it must be strange to you." I cleared my throat. "Hello, my name is Aran. I ran into your brother and mother a few months ago. And as you can see, one thing led to another, and I made a promise with him..."
The girl didn't respond right away.
She stared at me with an unreadable expression—like her mind was running through a hundred questions at once, trying to make sense of something.
"Hm? Big si—"
Curious, her brother tried to ask if she was okay, only for her to immediately slap a hand over his mouth.
"Ahahaha...! Is that so? I-see! Well, we've got a lot of items on our list right now, so I'm afraid we'll have to continue this conversation another time!"
She fired the words out in rapid succession like her brain hit a panic button and decided to flee the scene.
"Huh?"
"Well, toodooloo!~" She waved hastily, snatching her shopping cart and dragging her brother along, his shoes squeaking as his shoes dragged on the tiled floor.
"Hey, big sis! I wasn't done talking to him!"
"Shush!" she hissed.
And that's when another familiar figure entered the aisle.
"Goodness, I was only gone for a bit, and you two have already gotten this loud!"
It was the boy's mother.
"I know it's hard, but please keep your brother under control, Kristina!" She sighed.
"Eh...?" I blurted out.
Everything stopped.
The girl froze mid-step, her soul visibly leaving her body.
My eyes widened.
Looking at the girl, she didn't give out a flashy vibe. In fact, she felt homey for the lack of a better word.
It was unlikely that she was the social butterfly Kristina I knew, but let's just take a shot at the dark here...
"Um, excuse me... She just called you Kristina. So uh, could your full name be Kristina Glacia?"
I asked her.
Slowly, painfully, she turned around—face pale, eyes hollow.
Then, she dropped to her knees as if she had lost the will to live.
"My image...!"
________________________________________
Once I was done getting everything on my list, I immediately went outside the store before Kristina's mother invited me to walk with her.
It's been a few minutes now, and Kristina still hasn't said a word.
She walked a few steps behind her mother and little brother, completely silent. Her arms were stiff at her sides, her expression blank—as if her very existence had been shattered.
I glanced her way, trying not to laugh. She looked like someone going through all five stages of grief at once.
"My, it really is nice to see you again." Kristina's mother told me.
"Same here ma'am. I didn't expect to see you guys here..." I replied.
"Well, we were visiting some friends and decided to get ingredients for dinner."
"Oh, same here. I'm doing an errand right now."
"My, what a kind child you are. My daughter here could learn a thing or two from you." She giggled.
"Is that so...~"
I looked at Kristina with an evil grin
Kristina didn't even flinch.
She just kept walking, eyes dead, soul long gone.
"I think I broke her," I muttered under my breath.
Her mom blinked. "Oh dear. Did something happen between you two?"
I raised my hands. "No-no, nothing like that. I just… happened to learn something very precious today."
Kristina suddenly halted. Slowly—mechanically—she turned her head toward me. Her face was calm.
A little TOO calm... Like a serial killer who's looking at her next victim.
I can already imagine her trapping me in a corner and saying 'no witnesses'.
But I'm not afraid, because this situation is too hilarious.
"If you value your kneecaps, Aran, you will forget what you saw today."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"...good." she calmly sighed before I ruined it.
"mY iMaGE!"
Kristina's eye twitched so hard it looked like she was buffering.
Kristina's mother tilted her head while I barely contained my laughter.
"Hm?"
Kristina slowly turned toward me—again—like a broken security camera locking onto its target.
"I swear to every god in the sky, Aran—"
I closed my eyes and smiled, trying not to laugh.
Her mom covered her mouth with a giggle. "Oh my. You two really get along, don't you?"
"I guess so, we're in the same class and hangout often." I said.
"Huh?! A-as if! don't get along with clowns..." Kristina muttered.
Her little brother laughed at her reaction.
"Your face looks so red! Maybe you're the clown!"
Kristina quickly pinched both of his cheeks.
"Ow ow ow ow!"
"Shut up, Maxy!"
"Maxy, huh? That's your name?"
I asked him.
Kristina tilted her head, confused.
"Huh? Don't you already know his name?"
"Nope. First time I'm hearing it."
"It's a nickname!" Maxy said "My name's Maxwell!"
"I see." I nodded before an idea popped into my head, making me grin.
"Does Kristina have a nickname too?" Maybe I can get some extra ammo to counter Kristina's usual teasing.
Maxwell's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Yup! She—"
He didn't even get to finish.
Kristina lunged at him like a panther, clamping a hand over his mouth. "Maxwell," she said sweetly, through gritted teeth, "don't you dare."
"For my own safety, I can't say it." He said in a robotic voice out of survival.
________________________________________
Another few minutes go by and Kristina's mother stops infront of us after seeing a bakery.
A few minutes passed. We wandered in step, the atmosphere easing into something weirdly… cozy. That was, until Kristina's mom suddenly stopped in front of a warm, glassy storefront.
"Ooh! Look at that bakery," she said, clasping her hands. "Let's drop by and get some bread for dinner. Maybe something sweet, too."
Kristina tilted her head. "You're still making the creamy soup, right?"
Her mom gave a firm nod. "Of course. Which means crusty bread and dessert are non-negotiable."
Maxwell immediately perked up. "Dessert?! Can we get those chocolate cream puffs again?! The ones that explode in your mouth!"
"They don't explode," Kristina said with a sigh. "They just have a lot of filling."
"That's what makes them explode!"
"I'll get whatever they have left, alright?" her mom said with a small laugh, already making her way inside. "Oh, and Kristina, you can stay outside."
"Huh? Why?"
"To keep Aran company of course!"
Kristina blinked. "What—why do I have to—?!"
But her mom was already gone, slipping into the bakery with a hum and a wave. The glass door closed behind her with a soft jingle.
Kristina stared at the door. Then at me. Then at the door again.
Maxwell snorted. "Oooh, I get it. It's because you li—"
Kristina spun around and slapped a hand over his mouth again, dragging him closer like a mafioso whispering a threat.
"Maxwell. Do you want to live to see dessert?"
He nodded furiously, muffling a terrified "mhm!"
She released him with a sigh, then turned to face me. Her expression was unreadable—an odd mixture of resigned and mildly panicked.
"…Sorry about her," she muttered, avoiding my gaze.
"It's alright." I told her.
The two of us stood silently at the corner of the street, not saying anything before I tried to break the ice.
"So uh... I didn't expect you to react like that earlier..."
Kristina tensed ever so slightly, her eyes flicking toward me before settling on the sidewalk.
"Yeah…" She scratched her cheek, visibly flustered. "Must be dissapointed, huh?"
She asked.
I tilted my head from confusion.
"Disappointed?" I echoed. "Why would I be?"
Kristina kept her eyes down, arms folding loosely across her chest. "I'm guessing you didn't expect to see me like this... I usually put on make up and try to be fashionable at school, but as you can see, I'm the complete opposite when I'm not. Must be surprising. I mean, you didn't even recognize me earlier."
"Yeah, that's true..." I agreed.
She sighed. "Well, this is who I am. I hope you don't tell anyone about this. And maybe you can also forget about what I look like right now..."
"And why would I do that?"
"Because I look terrible" She said. "I didn't want anyone at school to see me like this, especially you! I look so lame."
Her cheeks were flushed as she pouted.
I immediately responded, imitating the sound of a buzzer.
"Eeeennnggg! Wrong!"
"What?" She looked at me confused.
"The Kristina that I know from school is someone sociable and is good at getting along with people! Not to mention she's also incredibly strong! I admire her a lot!"
Kristina's face became even more flushed after hearing the endless praise.
"H-hey... Stop that..." She hid her face with her hair.
"But..."
"But...?"
"The Kristina in front of me gives off the complete opposite vibes, like she's a different person or something!"
I said in a surprised, mocking tone.
Her flushed face instantly turned sour as I felt a wave of killing intent directed at me.
"You picking a fight with me?!"
I chuckled, holding up my hands.
"Sorry, you're usually the one teasing me. I guess I got carried away."
Kristina's hands trembled slightly in frustration.
"I knew it. You think this version of me is weird..."
As she said that, regret started to creep in.
My smile faded, and guilt gripped my chest like a tightening coil.
I had no right to tease her about this. I should've been honest from the start.
"Whatever, just be quiet until my mom comes back...!"
She turned away, sulking.
"Sorry, that's not what I meant..."
I said, trying to reach out to her.
"..."
She didn't say anything.
"What I wanted to say is..."
I hesitated, heart pounding.
"You might seem different at school, but that doesn't mean I don't like seeing you like this."
She tensed. I noticed her fingers curl around the hem of her hoodie.
Still silence. But I felt like I needed to tell her how I felt or I'll regret it.
I took a deep breath.
"The bubbly and social Kristina at school and the quieter Kristina standing in front of me right now—I like both of them. They're you. You're not lame in the slightest."
My own face was starting to heat up.
I could feel my heartbeat pounding harder with every word.
"You don't have to walk on eggshells around me."
I swallowed, then looked at her.
"If it's you… I'll accept it. No matter what."
A silence settled between us.
Kristina's shoulders trembled, but she didn't say anything at first.
Instead, she slowly turned her head, just enough for me to see the corner of her eye peeking through her bangs.
"…You idiot."
"Eh?"
I approached her, trying to look her in the eyes before—
"Blrrrghh!"
Several snowballs started hitting my face, barely giving any breathing time.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Huh?! Why not?!"
"Because my heart can't handle it!"
"What does that even mean?!— Blurgh!"
"Dummy dummy dummy dummy!"
Several pedestrians smiled at us as they walked by.
Some with flushed faces, and some trying to hold their laughter.
An elderly couple passed by, muttering the words "Ah, to be young..."
________________________________________
I wiped the snow from my face, grinning despite the cold stinging my cheeks. "That was uncalled for…"
Kristina stood a few steps away, arms crossed, hoodie puffed up, cheeks blazing red. "Then don't say stuff like that out of nowhere!"
"I was just being honest," I said with a shrug.
She groaned. "That's the problem!"
"You'd rather I lie?"
"No! I just—" She stomped once on the sidewalk. "Ugh! You're so annoying when you say nice things!"
"You two are adorable~"
Both of us froze.
Kristina jerked away from me like I was on fire, eyes wide with horror. "M-Mom?!"
"O-oh! Hello, Mrs. Glacia! Done getting some dessert, I see."
Kristina's mom gave a theatrical curtsy, balancing a paper bag in one hand. "Why yes, I've returned—with chocolate stuffed miguelitos~ And just in time to catch the live soap opera on my doorstep."
"It's not like that!" Kristina said, curling up and melting into the pavement.
"Mhm! Sure, sweetie. And Aran, my daughter might be a handful, but please take care of her! You've got my approval!" Kristina's mom said with a wink.
"What?!"
________________________________________