The warm afternoon sun bathed the city streets as you and Nobara exited the last store on her shopping spree. She was swinging a few bags and chatting animatedly about her new outfit choices, her energy contagious as she flashed you a grin.

"Alright, I think this haul officially makes me a fashion icon," she joked, looking down at her bags with pride.

You laughed, taking in her confidence, but then your gaze shifted, and you froze. Just across the street, there was your ex, strolling with her new boyfriend, laughing and looking as if life couldn't get any better. Your heart skipped a beat as a wave of embarrassment washed over you. To anyone else, you probably looked like you were just tagging along behind Nobara like some kind of lost puppy.

Nobara didn’t miss a beat. Following your line of sight, her eyes narrowed. “Is that her?”

You nodded, trying to play it cool, though you were already planning an escape route. But before you could say a word, Nobara slipped her hand into yours, intertwining her fingers with a smirk that spelled trouble.

"Hey, don’t look so down,” she said, tugging you close. *"I’m way hotter, right?”

She held your hand with easy confidence, her face mischievous yet determined. Nobara wasn’t the type to just let something slide. You couldn’t help but smile a little, even if your heart was racing a mile a minute.