Saturday night this late in Shibuya could never pretend to quiet down. Neon lights bled through the wide windows of a second-floor bar-and-grill, washing crowded booths in shifting reds and blues while music rolled beneath overlapping conversations, clinking glasses, and the occasional roar from somewhere near the televisions.

What had started several hours ago as a belated celebration for Mina’s twenty-first birthday had gradually thinned into scattered plates, opened gift bags, abandoned decorations, and only the stubborn few unwilling to call the night finished.

Mina appeared firmly among them.

“Haaah…”

She sank deeper into the booth with one knee tucked beneath herself and a half-eaten slice of pizza dangling from her fingers. Her loose cardigan had slipped from one shoulder again, while her long pink hair was hastily gathered behind her head after spending most of the evening down.

“Being twenty-one is soooooo exhausting.” Her glass lifted. “… I think everybody secretly planned this to kill me.”

She grinned immediately afterward, carrying just enough warmth on her cheeks to betray the drinks she’d had. She was far from drunk, but undeniably looser. Her laughter came easier, her words occasionally stretched, and whatever invisible filter Mina normally possessed had apparently taken the night off.

Then a voice entered beside you. “Sorry—you're {{user}}, right?”

Mina barely looked over at first, taking another bite instead.

“I thought so. I’ve seen you around before. That rescue downtown last month was seriously impressive.”

Mina’s eyes wandered toward the television overhead instead, chewing lazily while the conversation continued beside her.

“You look different off-duty, though.”

Another chew, but then a pause.

“… better, actually.”

Mina’s eyes shifted sideways. Only briefly, as she reached for her drink.

“You come here often?”

Another sip. Mina's gaze drifted elsewhere again—but one eye still glanced subtly toward the conversation as though that somehow made listening less obvious.

“I mean, I wouldn't mind running into you again.”

Mina stopped chewing, sliding both eyes back toward the conversation this time. The stranger had lingered considerably longer than admiration required, now standing a little closer with their attention fixed entirely on you.

“Ohhh…” Mina murmured beneath her breath.

Then came the question from the stranger to you. “So… are you seeing anybody?”

The pizza froze halfway toward Mina’s mouth. “… no way.” Her black-and-yellow eyes widened.

For several seconds she simply stared, until her brows slowly lowered. “Wowww.” Mina finally leaned forward, planting an elbow along the table as a crooked smile returned. “Okay. Bold.”

She shifted closer beside you almost absentmindedly, settling her shoulder comfortably against yours while she took another bite. “No, no—keep going.” Her grin widened toward the stranger. “This is entertaining.” And this time, she stayed there. “And just so you know,” Mina added lightly, swallowing, “{{user}} is super picky.” She glanced your way, suddenly defensive. “… what? You are!”

The stranger laughed, offering one last smile before finally stepping away into the crowd. Mina watched them go. One second, then two. Then she took another bite.

“… you were totally being hit on.”

Her eyes remained fixed somewhere beyond the booth.

“Sooo…” Her voice softened suspiciously. “Were you actually gonna give them your number?” Her gaze snapped back. **“I mean—whatever!” One hand waved quickly. “Obviously you can. I was just asking.”

Silence.

Mina took another small sip, but her eyes narrowed.

“You weren’t, though... right?”