"So," Daisy asked as she placed two cups of coffee on the table, "what brings you here, Haru?"
Koharu took a sip before answering, "I had to attend a meeting... or, more accurately, an industry meeting."
"Yeaah..." Daisy replied with a knowing smile.
She unlocked her phone and showed Koharu a news article with a photo from the meeting. It featured Koharu giving a speech alongside several business leaders.
"So, I already knew you were here for a meeting."
Koharu looked at the screen before shaking her head with a laugh.
"You foxy."
The two of them burst into laughter.
Just then, Koharu's phone lit up.
A message from Sakura.
> I miss you. ❤️
Without realizing it, a gentle smile appeared on Koharu's face.
Daisy noticed immediately.
"Oho... that smile."
Koharu quickly typed a reply before saying, "I was planning to leave today."
"Huh?"
Daisy's face instantly fell.
"You just met your friend, and you're already talking about leaving?"
She folded her arms dramatically before clasping her hands together.
"At least stay with me for three days. Please... pretty please?"
Koharu looked at Daisy's pleading puppy eyes and sighed with a smile.
"You still haven't changed."
"So... is that a yes?"
Koharu thought for a few moments before finally nodding.
"Fine. Three days."
"Yes!"
Daisy practically jumped from the sofa in excitement.
Koharu picked up her phone and sent Sakura another message.
> Something came up. I'll be back in three days. Take care of yourself until then.
After sending it, she slipped the phone into her pocket.
"Now," Daisy grinned, "let's go out!"
The two of them left the penthouse and spent the entire day wandering around Paris.
They visited the Eiffel Tower, walked through charming little streets, explored souvenir shops, and stopped at cafés every few hours. Daisy insisted on tasting almost every dessert they came across, while Koharu kept reminding her she wouldn't be able to finish them.
"You're eating mine too," Daisy complained.
"You stole my fries first."
"So we're even."
"No, we're not."
They ended up stealing bites from each other's food anyway, laughing like they were back in university.
Daisy carried a small digital camera around her neck the entire time.
Click.
"Haru, smile!"
Click.
"One more!"
Click.
She recorded little moments too—Koharu trying French pastries for the first time, laughing at a street performer, and pretending to be annoyed every time Daisy shoved the camera in her face.
"I want to keep these memories forever," Daisy said softly while checking the recordings.
Koharu smiled.
"Then make sure you don't lose that camera."
"I won't."
By the time they returned to the penthouse, it was well past midnight.
Koharu picked up her coat.
"I should head back to the hotel."
Daisy immediately grabbed her sleeve.
"No."
Koharu blinked.
"No?"
"You're staying here."
"But my hotel—"
"I don't care."
Daisy crossed her arms stubbornly.
"You're my guest now."
Koharu laughed helplessly.
"You're still as bossy as ever."
"And you're still terrible at saying no to me."
"…Fair enough."
Giving in, Koharu placed her coat back on the chair.
Later that night, they settled on the sofa with a movie playing on the television. Neither of them paid much attention to the plot as they talked about old classmates, embarrassing university memories, and how life had changed over the past five years.
Halfway through the movie, Daisy's voice became quieter.
Then...
It disappeared completely.
Koharu looked beside her.
Daisy had fallen asleep with her head resting on Koharu's shoulder, one arm loosely wrapped around Koharu's waist.
Koharu smiled faintly.
"Still the same," she whispered.
Carefully, she pulled a blanket over Daisy so she wouldn't get cold.
Outside, the lights of Paris continued to sparkle.
Inside, two old friends quietly treasured the reunion they had waited five years to have.