[No-Ah]
No-Ah didn't recognize him.
But something about him... felt oddly familiar. For some reason.
"...You're bleeding." The words came out of her mouth before she could stop it.
The man let out a breath. Something between a scoff and a laugh.
"Heh."
"Observant."
She felt strangely annoyed.
At him.
Maybe even herself.
He still didn't look up, which made No-Ah frown slightly.
"Got anything for that?"
"Does it look like i do?"
No, of course. Dumb question, No-Ah.
After a moment of just crouching there and staring blankly, No-Ah got up and turned away.
Even with the sound of her footsteps fading away, the man still didn't look up.
Great job, Kei. You just pushed away a person who just wanted to help you.
...Like you always do.
☆☆☆
[Kei]
He let out a slow breath, leaning back slightly.
Figures.
People usually didn't stay.
They looked, sometimes stared.
Then walked away like it had nothing to do with them.
Better that way, I guess.
A few minutes passed.
Maybe less.
Maybe more.
Then—
footsteps again.
He looked up.
She came back.
A small plastic bag hung loosely from her fingers.
☆☆☆
She crouched in front of him again, like she hadn't just left.
She took out the things in the plastic bag. Bandages, ointments...
"Wh-what are you..."
"Helping you. Looked like you need it."
"I..." Kei was speechless.
She...doesn't recognize me? Is that good or bad?
Kei was stuck in thought.
She pulled out some tissues, nothing fancy.
"...Tilt your head up a little." She said softly.
No response.
It was as if his gaze was somewhere else—unfocused, distant, like he hadn't even heard her.
"...hey." She urged again.
She still doesn't know who-
"...please don't mind."
Before he could react—
her fingers slid lightly under his chin, cool against his skin, steady as she tilted his face up herself.
—oh.
The movement wasn't rough.
Not hesitant either.
Just… certain.
Close.
Closer than before.
For a second, he forgot to say anything.
Forgot to move.
He blinked once.
Twice.
Her focus didn't waver.
Not even a little.
Kei started tracing the shape of the jawline with his eyes, taking in the way she bites her lip lightly in concentration... the way her long hair stretches over her shoulders—
What am I doing? Stop it, Kei.
Get yourself together.
But... she kind of looks familiar.
The thought came to him before he even registered it.
"There." She muttered quietly, more to herself than to him.
The light caught his face better now, exposing the bruising on his cheek more clearly.
She pressed the tissue onto his lips carefully,
wiping away the dried blood.
It stung.
He winced. But didn't move away from her.
Her expression didn't change. It was as if this was the only thing that mattered right now.
☆☆☆
[No-Ah]
The air was awkward.
No-Ah felt awkward.
Everything felt awkward.
No-Ah tried to start a conversation with the man.
"You... get into fights often?"
"It's a hobby."
"Go find another hobby."
"...any suggestions, m'lady?"
"Heh." No-Ah snorted. "Not getting hit in the face, maybe that will do."
That did it.
A small laugh slipped out of him—quiet, but real.
The ointment came next.
Her hands were unhurried—
Light.
Steady.
"Done." She said softly, her hand moving away from his chin.
She threw the used materials into the nearby trashcan.
When No-Ah looked back, the man's fingers were brushing against his cheek, near the cut.
She felt his expression was somehow weird.
But she brushed it off.
"You do this often? Helping random people?"
"...no." No-Ah was caught off guard with that question.
"Like I told you. You looked like you needed it."
☆☆☆
[Kei]
That— felt different.
Kei leaned back, a small smile forming on his face.
"Guess I got lucky."
"Don't rely on it."
Silence settled between them.
But it wasn't heavy.
Not like before.
She stood up.
Distance returning like it belonged there.
"Clean it properly when you get home," she added. "That's not enough."
"Yes, doctor."
She turned.
Just like that.
No hesitation.
She's... really leaving. Not gonna at least ask my name?
"...hey."
She stopped in her tracks, but didn't turn back.
After a moment of hesitation, Kei blurted "Thanks. For tonight."
☆☆☆
[No-Ah]
No-Ah could feel her lips curling upwards. And she didn't try to stop them from doing so.
"...don't get into more fights."
"But if you do... make sure to kick ass."
[Kei, No-Ah]
There was a pause.
A small one.
But it lingered.
…what?
A quiet breath left him—half surprised, half amused.
Then—
a real smile.
Not forced.
Not practiced.
Just… there.
"Noted."
No-Ah didn't turn around.
Didn't see it.
She adjusted the strap of her bag slightly, fingers tightening for a brief second before relaxing again.
Why did I say that?
It wasn't like her.
None of this was.
Stopping.
Helping.
Talking.
Smiling.
Her steps resumed.
Steady.
Unhurried.
Behind her, Kei watched her go.
Didn't call out again.
Didn't move.
Just… watched.
She's weird.
A pause.
…in a good way.
He leaned back slightly, resting his hands behind him.
The evening air felt different now.
Lighter.
His fingers lifted unconsciously, brushing against his chin—
right where she had touched him.
He stilled.
…right.
A quiet exhale.
For a moment—
just a little moment—
he didn't feel like moving.
That was…
He let out a soft breath, almost laughing under it.
…really, really nice.
That's... the problem.
And then—
he felt it.
That feeling.
A strange warmth creeping up his neck.
Spreading.
Unfamiliar.
His fingers began to still against his skin.
…what the hell is this?
His heartbeat felt off.
Not faster—
just… different.
He frowned slightly, looking away like that would fix it.
This is stupid. Ridiculous.
A pause.
His gaze drifted back to where she had disappeared.
Quiet.
Unconscious.
…she's just some girl.
That's all.
But even as he thought it—
his fingers brushed lightly against his chin again.
Right where she had touched him.
That's all, right...?
And for some reason—
he didn't move his hand away.
Not even a little.