In the evening.
Aurora sauntered down the street, humming happily, her arms weighed down by plastic bags crammed with snacks.
The setting sun painted everything in gold, and life felt light, almost like a song.
She barely glanced at the park—until the sight of K and Fiora facing each other snapped her into alert curiosity.
The air between them looked tense, the kind of hush that makes even the street sounds fade.
"What's up with them?" Aurora wondered. "Should I butt in or just..."
She shrugged, that good mood bubbling beneath the surface, and called out anyway.
"Fioooo—!"
The sound froze on her lips. Fiora spun away, hands clapped to her face, and sprinted off into the distance, leaving K behind—a lone, stunned figure.
K caught sight of Aurora and his eyes widened. Like a startled cat, he bolted, not even hesitating.
"Oi! Wait!" Aurora shouted, more puzzled than ever.
Her curiosity, now peaking, wouldn't let this drop, and she took off after him.
K zigzagged through side streets, ducked, weaved, and even tried a sudden stop beside a convenience store—but it was hopeless.
Aurora had track club roots, and she matched him stride for stride, bags bouncing at her hips.
"What's your problem? Why are you running away from me?!" K yelled over his shoulder, exasperated.
Aurora huffed, only a few steps behind. "What did you do to Fiora? She was crying! Did you say something mean again?"
"Why do you care?! If you're so curious, why not ask her instead of chasing me?" K shot back, glancing backward.
"Because, with your big mouth, you probably made her cry!" Aurora's tone shifted—blunt, but tinged with real concern.
"That's Rude!" K grumbled.
After a marathon-worthy chase, the two gave out near the riverside, collapsing onto the cool grass, catching their breath in quiet gasps.
The late evening breeze brushed across their faces.
"Huff—huff—why—are you—so stubborn?" K wheezed. "If I said ask her, then just ask her."
"Pant… But she's way too shy! If I asked, she'd deny everything and pretend nothing happened…" Aurora shot back, determined and slightly breathless.
K pulled a face. "What, am I not nice then?"
Aurora side-eyed him. "Don't dodge the question. Just tell me what you did."
K noticed how her worry for Fiora lingered in her expression; he gave in with a sigh heavy enough to ruffle the grass.
"She confessed to me," he finally admitted, looking more annoyed than shocked.
"What? Again? Was someone making her do it?" Aurora's jaw dropped, memory flashing to previous chaos.
K shook his head. "No, that mess is dealt with. This was for real. Her eyes… she was serious."
Aurora blinked, then rallied. "And? Why didn't you just say yes? You know how much she cares for you! She's honest, sweet, and has been through so much. If anyone deserves your kindness—"
K cut her off with a snort. "Stop it. Why would I accept if I can't return her feelings? She's only thinking this as love because I helped her—that'll soon fade."
Aurora threw up her hands. "You talk like you're an expert on feelings! You could have been gentler, at least!"
K pulled a face. "Of course I was polite. What do you take me for?"
Aurora's eyes narrowed in sharp suspicion. "So, what exactly did you say after she confessed?"
K groaned internally, but began his explanation.
---
**Half an hour earlier**
Fiora shuffled beside K, cheeks glowing pink, sneaking glances when she thought he wasn't looking.
"You really don't want the rest?" He held out half his bread, mid-bite.
"I'm fine, Senpai. I'm… not really hungry," she managed quietly.
They walked on; K noticed they'd passed Fiora's street.
"Hey. You do remember where you live, right?" K pointed.
Fiora flushed. "Ah—sorry! Lost in thought, I guess." She fiddled with her sleeves, then bowed slightly. "Thank you… for helping me with the bullying, K-senpai."
He scowled, caught off guard. "There's nothing to thank me for. I just did what anyone would—"
Fiora shook her head. "No, you were the only one who stood up for me, even after I told you a lie. It meant a lot."
She led him into the park, her steps small, heart pounding.
"K-senpai…I don't know whether it is okay for me to say or not but I like you. Can we—could we try being together, for real not like the fake ?"
The words tumbled out, eyes squeezed shut, face red as a tomato.
K's bravado faltered seeing her seriousness. He gently flicked her forehead.
"Confessing even though you know it won't work won't make things better, Fiora," he said softly, frustration creeping in.
"I told you—I don't like you that way, not now, not ever as far I know Myself it won't work and also now I think there might not be a reason for now us to talk."
He looked up—and saw her silent tears.
Before he could find more words, she turned and ran, sobs muffled behind trembling hands.
---
**Back to the present**
"And that's it," K finished with a shrug. "I don't see the big deal."
Aurora sat up fast, dropped her bags, leaned into his ear, and bellowed:
"ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT?!"
K jerked back, covering his ears.
"Do you know how cruel that sounded?! Even a guy would cry if you told him there's no reason to talk anymore! You basically said her existence annoyed you!" Aurora fumed.
K straightened. "Well, it's not a lie! What's wrong with honesty?"
Aurora stared, dumfounded.
"When have I ever said I like talking to any of you? I always tell you to leave me alone, but nobody listens—you just keep bugging me,"
K grumbled, the frustration resurfacing.
Aurora gave him a huffy look, snatching up her bags. "Fine, if it bothers you so much, I'll stop. I hope you're happy!"
She stomped off, leaving K blinking after her.
"Geez… what a pain. Maybe now they'll finally leave me alone."
He stood and shook off the grass.
"Anyway… think I'll cook something good tonight."