The morning sun spilled across the holiday resort, warm and golden, as Yumi and Pherrie stepped out onto the garden path. Birds chirped lazily, and the faint scent of flowers mingled with the sea breeze. It was the kind of day that made every small movement feel alive.
Pherrie walked slightly ahead, hands in his pockets, glancing back with that infuriatingly confident smirk. "You're unusually quiet this morning, Princess. Planning something?"
Yumi flushed, shaking her head. "N-no… I'm just… enjoying the morning."
"Mm-hm," he said, voice teasing, leaning just enough that his shoulder brushed hers. "You keep saying that, but your blush says otherwise. You're thinking about me."
Her cheeks turned even redder. "I'm not!" she protested, though her heart raced at his closeness.
Pherrie chuckled, a low, amused sound. "Sure, Princess. Keep telling yourself that." He reached out briefly, brushing her hand with his fingertips. "It's cute how flustered you get."
Yumi tried to focus on the path ahead, but every teasing glance and playful movement from Pherrie made it impossible. Her pulse kept skipping.
"Hey, look at this!" Pherrie suddenly pointed to a field of wildflowers nearby. "Bet you can't pick the prettiest one faster than me."
Yumi's competitive spirit flared despite her flustered cheeks. "You're on!" she said, racing toward the flowers, laughter bubbling from her lips.
Pherrie followed, teasing her all the way. "No fair, Princess! You're cheating!"
"I'm not!" she called back, snatching a bloom carefully. "See? Perfect choice!"
He examined her flower, pretending to be serious. "Hmm… not bad. But I think mine's better," he said, holding up a slightly larger flower with a grin.
Yumi laughed, her earlier nervousness melting away. "You're impossible, Pherrie!"
"And yet," he said softly, stepping closer, "you keep letting me win."
She giggled again, catching her breath, and for a moment, everything else—the jealousy of Kai, Damian's previous attempts, the teasing of the past—faded. It was just the two of them, sunlight on their faces, and the playful warmth of friendship that had grown into something more meaningful, yet still safe and sweet.
"Princess," Pherrie said, suddenly crouching down and pretending to examine the flowers at her level, "we make a good team, don't we?"
Yumi smiled, nodding, heart fluttering. "Yeah… the best team."
Pherrie smirked, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "Good. Because I'm keeping you as my partner for everything—flower picking, morning walks, teasing… and all the holidays to come."
Yumi laughed softly, the sound light and carefree. "You're lucky I like being your partner."
"Lucky me," he said, offering his hand. "Now… ready for round two?"
She took his hand without hesitation, squeezing it lightly, and together they ran toward the next patch of flowers, laughter echoing through the warm summer air, teasing and friendship carrying them forward.
No jealousy, no danger—just summer, teasing, and the kind of closeness that made every day feel magical.