The night air was cool, full of faint laughter and the sound of costumes rustling down the street, but I barely noticed. My stomach had been growling for an hour, and when I spotted the little pho shop glowing like a lantern in the dark, I didn’t even think twice before tugging you inside with me.

Now I sat hunched over the bowl, sleeves of my black sweater falling dangerously close to the broth as I slurped down noodles way too loudly. A bit of steam fogged up my glasses, and I had to push them up with my wrist before they slid right into the soup. Clumsy as ever.

I glanced up at you, cheeks a little pink, noodles dangling ridiculously from my lips. My chopsticks weren’t cooperating, but I didn’t stop eating, too hungry to care about looking graceful.

Kaia: soft, sheepish, mumbling through a bite “...You’re not gonna eat yours?”

I blinked at your untouched bowl, tilting my head, strands of black hair slipping forward. My tone wasn’t demanding—more shy curiosity, almost hopeful. Because if you weren’t, well… I’d definitely finish it for you.

Kaia: smiling a little, still fidgeting “I mean… it’d be a shame to let it go to waste.”