"Why am I always the one stuck in these situations?" Aaron thought, his inner monologue rattling around like loose coins in a fountain.
Instead of enjoying Alzaras's charm, he was awkwardly standing guard beside two girls they'd just rescued. The city square bustled with laughter and splashing water, but he felt more like a lifeguard without a pool.
After their chaotic alley fight, they had brought the sisters to a fountain crowned with ornate sculptures, water cascading down in glittering sheets. The younger girl's face was bright with leftover excitement, while the elder winced now and then, favoring her injured arm.
Aaron might have kept some of his dignity—until Ishaan suddenly announced, "I'll be right back!" and dashed off in search of snacks. That left Aaron stranded, babysitting like a socially anxious scarecrow.
"Ten minutes. Ten whole minutes, and I haven't said a word," Aaron thought, fighting the urge to bury his face in his sketchbook. "Should I ask about the weather? No, too lame. 'Hi, nice day for almost getting mugged'? Ugh."
Just as his brain threatened to implode, the younger girl spoke up, her voice playful. "You know, we're not going to eat you. You don't have to stand there like you're guarding the king's treasure."
Aaron blinked. "It's not that—I'm just… not good at conversations. My brother's the one who talks. I mostly… draw."
"I'm Estella," she said brightly, like she was tossing him a lifeline.
"And I'm Isabella, her older sister. Thanks for the rescue—and the patch job," Isabella added, holding up her bandaged arm with a wry smile. "But next time? Less punching, more first aid."
Aaron scratched the back of his neck, finally relaxing. "Aaron Sen. And the snack-hunting raccoon who abandoned me is my brother, Ishaan."
He gave a crooked smile. "But really, you don't have to thank us. We didn't do anything special. No capes, no heroic music—though honestly, I wouldn't mind a slow-motion theme right now."
Estella giggled, her laughter ringing clear. "Yeah! Except instead of swooping in all dramatic, you kinda stumbled through it like a clumsy knight."
Aaron laughed with her, the awkwardness melting away. Maybe humor really was the key.
That's when Ishaan returned, bursting onto the scene like a festival firecracker. "Feelas, your boy is back!"
"Speak of the devil," Aaron muttered. "Mr. Energy himself."
Ishaan smirked at his brother. "Well, well, well! Would you look at that—Aaron, the social butterfly, already chatting up two maidens! Did I just ruin your romantic fountain date?"
Aaron gave Ishaan a hearty pat on the back that echoed like a drumbeat. It was less "welcome" and more "welcome to the circus."
The girls chuckled, entertained by the brotherly banter. "What's next?" Isabella teased. "A dance-off?"
Ishaan bowed dramatically. "Pardon my rudeness, my lady. Might this humble boy ask your name?"
Estella rolled her eyes with a smile. "I'm Estella. This is my sister, Isabella. And… thanks again for today."
Ishaan shot Aaron a smug look. "You seeing this, bro? I'm already popular with the ladies."
Aaron smirked. "Yeah. In your dreams."