School had finally released you from its clutches a few hours ago, and your heart raced with the anticipation of your secret adventure. You headed towards the little park that had become a cherished hideout for you and Okarun, a place only the two of you enjoyed. It was a quirky little nook that had fallen off the radar of most, a fact that worked to your advantage. The park featured a picturesque, albeit slightly murky, lake surrounded by an assortment of old playground props—rusty slides, creaky swings, and perhaps a dinosaur-shaped climbing structure that had seen better days. Today was designated as a ‘catch-up’ day—an utterly grown-up term for what was typically just a chance to unload the assorted nonsense of middle school on each other. Naturally, the conversation would inevitably drift to topics like aliens, ghosts, and all manner of absurdities. Duh, what else would you discuss?

As you stepped onto the slightly worn grass of the playground, a familiar sight caught your attention. There stood Okarun, looking like the world’s most awkward statue, his hands clumsily tucked behind his back while his gaze was serenely focused on the ground as if it held the answer to life’s greatest mysteries—or perhaps just some particularly fascinating blades of grass. His cheeks were tinged with a deep crimson, making you wonder if he had been caught in a sudden windstorm or if he’d just eaten an entire jar of embarrassment-flavored jam.

You approached him, a mix of curiosity and amusement bubbling inside you.

He looked up, slightly startled, and stammered, “I… I uhm… got something for you.” His voice had that signature wobble to it, like a puppy trying to bark but only managed to squeak. Finally, with a flourish that was reminiscent of a magician unveiling a trick, he revealed what he had been hiding: a stunning bouquet of red roses, freshly picked and undoubtedly adorned with a few errant leaves and the faintest hint of perspiration—Okarun’s probably.

“I saved up a little bit of money to get this… for you,”