The next afternoon…
I stood at the entrance of the supermarket like a soldier about to enter a battlefield.
Three girls behind me.
One innocent mission: Buy snacks.
Probability of survival?
Low.
"Why are you standing like that?" Ayane asked.
"I'm mentally preparing," I replied.
"For what?" Rika tilted her head.
"For the chaos."
Mio adjusted her bag quietly. "You're overreacting."
The automatic doors opened.
And just like that—
The mission began.
Ayane immediately rushed toward the snack aisle.
"My precious limited edition… wait for me!"
She moved like a warrior reclaiming her kingdom.
Rika followed, scanning shelves. "There are so many flavors…"
Meanwhile, I grabbed a basket.
Mio walked beside me silently.
Too silently.
I glanced at her. "So… what's the 'personal' thing you wanted to buy?"
She froze for half a second.
"…Nothing."
"You turned red."
"I didn't."
"You did."
She looked away. "…Stop looking at me."
Now I wanted to look even more.
Her cheeks were slightly pink.
Cute.
Dangerously cute.
We reached the snack aisle.
Ayane hugged three packets dramatically. "Finally… my reason to live."
"You're exaggerating," I said.
She glared at me. "You wouldn't understand the pain of betrayal."
Rika suddenly held up a spicy chip packet. "Kai, can you handle spicy food?"
"Of course."
"Prove it."
Before I could react—
She opened the packet and shoved one into my mouth.
It was nuclear.
My soul left my body.
Mio handed me water quickly. "Idiot. Why did you accept?"
"Because… pride…"
Ayane laughed loudly. "So weak!"
"You were crying yesterday over snacks," I shot back.
She stepped closer. "At least I didn't cry from chili."
We were standing close now.
Too close.
Her eyes narrowed.
Mine didn't move.
Rika suddenly pushed between us. "Stop flirting in public."
"WE'RE NOT FLIRTING!" we both shouted.
Mio quietly whispered, "…You kind of are."
I felt heat rise to my face.
Then it happened.
Mio stopped walking.
We were in front of a section I didn't immediately process.
Then I looked up.
Ah.
Oh.
OH.
"…This is the place," Mio said softly.
Ayane smirked. "Go on."
Rika crossed her arms, watching me.
I cleared my throat. "I'll wait over there."
"No," Mio said firmly.
I blinked. "No?"
"You said you'd come."
That tone.
Calm.
Deadly.
I stood there awkwardly as Mio reached for something on the shelf.
She was blushing again.
Ayane leaned toward my ear and whispered, "You're surprisingly calm."
"I am extremely uncomfortable."
Rika grinned. "Your ears are red."
"Shut up."
Mio turned back holding a small pink box, hiding it inside her bag quickly.
"Don't look," she said.
"I didn't!"
"You did."
"…Maybe a little."
She stared at me.
Then suddenly—
She stepped closer.
"So?" she asked quietly. "Is it embarrassing?"
My heart skipped.
Her eyes were steady now.
Not shy.
Challenging.
"N-No," I said. "It's normal."
She kept staring.
Then slowly…
She smiled.
A small one.
Victory smile.
Ayane clicked her tongue. "Wow. She's bold today."
Rika nodded. "Scary."
Mio walked ahead calmly like nothing happened.
But her ears were bright red.
At checkout, the cashier smiled at me.
"Four people? That's lively."
Before I could answer—
Ayane grabbed my arm. "He's with us."
Rika held my other arm. "Don't misunderstand."
Mio stood beside me quietly… then gently held the back of my shirt.
Possessive.
The cashier blinked.
I stood frozen between three different temperatures of danger.
On the way out—
"You don't need to talk so casually to other girls," Ayane said.
"I didn't!"
"You smiled," Rika added.
"I always smile!"
Mio looked at me sideways. "…Do you?"
Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated?
Final Blow
As we walked home, the sunset painted everything orange.
For a rare moment, it was quiet.
Then—
Mio moved closer and whispered so only I could hear:
"Thank you… for coming with me."
Her fingers brushed lightly against my hand.
Just for a second.
But it felt electric.
Then she walked ahead like nothing happened.
Ayane narrowed her eyes. "What did she say?"
"Nothing."
Rika stared suspiciously. "You're smiling."
I touched my lips.
I was thinking this is over but the scene happened next was worst and little bit romantic to