Mika leaned back slowly, his eyes half-lidded, the look of memory softening his face. For a few seconds he didn't answer, just let silence draw out as though he were sifting through his past. Then finally, with a quiet exhale, he nodded.
"…Probably back when I was 10 years old I guess." He admitted, tone casual, almost reflective.
Yelena's eyes widened in shock.
"10 years old?!" She blurted, her voice breaking with disbelief. "That long ago? Don't tell me...you noticed me ever since then?"
He gave a faint, rueful chuckle and nodded again. "Yeah. I did."
Her face burned hotter, her heartbeat rattling against her chest as if it wanted to escape. But before she could even process that revelation, Mika's voice continued, calm, almost teasing in the way he unfolded the fake memory.
