Before anything else, Serena steppeed forward and asked "Otaku, can you lean down a bit?"
"Sure," he replied, bending slightly.
Serena gently moved her hair to one side and kissed him on the cheek. She pulled back immediately, her face flushed red. Otaku stood frozen, completely unprepared for what had just happened. His mind struggled to catch up.
"I... I like you," she said quickly.
At that moment, Iris and the owner stepped in, clapping. They both looked at them, startled.
"You can come in now," Iris said.
Abhi entered right after, rubbing his hands together. "Whoo, it's pretty cold out there," he said, before glancing at the two of them. With a small smile he said while moving towards them "Thank God you took initiative today". He patted his shoulder.
Iris gestured towards him. "Come here."
Abhi joined them. "Why did you come here without your gloves?" Iris asked him while fixing his collar. "Ah, leave it. You wouldn't understand," he replied.
Iris then puts her head on his shoulder while pouting.
Serena turns to Otaku, "I am so sorry, but I have to return to work."
Otaku nodded. After a pause, he said "Can I-"
Serena was already holding out her phone.
They then exchanged contact details, then gave each other hugs. "Sorry to disturb you both but we need to leave soon buddy. All of us have work to do". Abhi asks him. Otaku agreed, hesitatingly.
They stepped outside together. The snowfall had stopped, and the sun peeked through the clouds, casting a soft glow over the quiet street.