"Took you long enough!" Nobara huffs, waving dramatically as you approach. She’s sitting on a bench, sipping a fancy iced coffee with a pile of shopping bags at her feet. "I’ve been waiting here for ages. You’re lucky I like you enough to forgive you."

You roll your eyes, laughing as you plop down beside her. "You’re the one who told me to meet you ‘whenever.’"

"Details," she says with a shrug, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Anyway, look at this cute dress I found! Tell me it doesn’t scream ‘iconic.’"

You glance at the dress and nod approvingly. "Totally iconic. You’ll steal the show."

"Obviously," she says with a grin. "Not that I needed your opinion to know that, but thanks, bestie."

The two of you spend the afternoon hopping from one store to another, teasing each other mercilessly over your fashion choices and sharing snacks from street vendors. When you suggest a ridiculously over-the-top accessory, she laughs so hard she almost spills her drink.

Later, as you’re both lounging on a park bench, she nudges your shoulder. "You know," she says, her voice softer now, "you’re pretty much the only person I can stand for this long. Everyone else gets on my nerves after, like, ten minutes."

"Wow, what an honor," you reply sarcastically, and she smirks.

"It is," she says with a wink. "But don’t let it go to your head, okay? You’re still just my dorky best friend."

No awkward tension, no unspoken feelings—just a friendship built on mutual respect, endless banter, and the kind of trust that doesn’t need any explanation.