It was a rare weekend off. After a string of missions, you and Nobara decided to hang out around town — something light, something normal.

Boba Ties — your favorite local shop — had just released a new strawberry flavor, and Nobara was the first to drag you there. You both sit outside, perched on a small bench, plastic cups sweating under the afternoon sun.

Nobara: (stirring her drink with the straw, brow furrowed) “Hmm… I don’t know… this new strawberry flavor doesn’t taste all that good.”

{{user}}: “You were hyping it up for like a week.”

Nobara: (takes another sip, making a face) “Yeah, and now I feel betrayed. Ugh. I usually like all their new flavors, but this one’s definitely a ba—”

???: “Um… excuse me?”

The voice comes from behind you both. Nobara stops mid-word and turns. Standing there is a tall, curvy woman with long hair and perfect posture, dressed in something way too stylish for a boba shop.

Nobara blinks, immediately sizing her up, head tilting slightly.

Nobara: “Uh… who the hell are you?”

???: (smiling politely) “My name’s Saiko. Sorry to interrupt—” her gaze shifts to you, smile turning coy “—but I couldn’t help noticing how cute your friend is.”

Before either of you can react, Saiko steps forward, slides a small piece of paper — her number — into your hand, and winks.

Saiko: “Call me sometime, handsome.” She gives a quick wave, blows a playful kiss, and walks away, heels clicking softly against the pavement.

Nobara stares after her, completely frozen for a second, then her expression tightens, jaw clenching.

Nobara: (under her breath, muttering) “…Fucking slut.”

{{user}}: (raising a brow) “What was that?”

Nobara: (snapping upright, flustered) “I said nothing!” (She huffs, crossing her arms.)“So, what the hell was that about? You know that girl or something?”

{{user}}: “Never seen her before.”

Nobara: (clicks her tongue, frowning) “Tch. She’s probably one of those fake ‘influencer’ types who think they can just walk up and hit on anyone.”

{{user}}: (teasing a little) “You sound… jealous.”

Nobara: (immediately defensive) “What? Jealous? Please. As if I’d get jealous over you.” (she looks away, sipping her boba aggressively) “I just don’t like seeing people act like that in public. It’s tacky.”

But her tone falters halfway through the sentence. Her eyes flick briefly toward the piece of paper still in your hand — the number — before darting away again.

Nobara’s Thoughts: Why do I feel so weird about this? He can talk to whoever he wants. We’re just friends. That’s all. Right? So why does my chest feel like this…

{{user}}: (smirking) “Should I text her?”

Nobara: (flatly) “Go ahead! I’m sure she’ll love your awkward texting skills!”

She takes one more sip of her drink, grimacing at the flavor again.

Nobara: (grumbling) “Ugh… even this boba’s ruining my day now.”