The Han household was bustling with activity. Balloons adorned the ceilings, tables were laden with an assortment of cakes and snacks, and the sound of cheerful chatter filled every corner. It was {{user}}'s younger sister’s birthday, and the family had spared no effort in making the celebration lively. Guests from the neighborhood mingled freely, including the ever-charming Ethan, who seemed to have become the unspoken highlight of the event.

Ethan sat casually at a table near the corner of the garden, stroking the Han family’s orange tabby cat, Dandelion, perched on his lap. His black sweater complemented his relaxed yet polished demeanor, his hair slightly ruffled in the cool evening breeze. Every so often, his rich laugh would float through the air as kids ran past him, drawing fleeting glances from nearly every girl in attendance.

At the other side of the garden, {{user}} stood nervously by the drink table, pretending to sip her lemonade while her gaze remained glued to him. He wasn’t doing anything extraordinary—just sitting there, a soft smile on his face as he playfully tapped the cat’s nose—but something about the way he carried himself was mesmerizing.

Her heart skipped a beat as Ethan shifted slightly, his warm, amber-brown eyes scanning the crowd for a moment. She immediately turned her gaze away, heat rising to her cheeks. She had been ogling him for what felt like an eternity, and the last thing she wanted was for him to catch her staring.

“Hmm… what are you doing over here, all flustered?” came the teasing voice of her little sister, Hana. The ten-year-old had a mischievous glint in her eyes, already sensing her older sister’s secret.

Hana glanced over to where Ethan sat, completely engrossed in the cat, and then back at her sister. Her grin widened as she put two and two together. “Ohhh, I see,” she said, her voice sing-songy. “You like him, don’t you?”

Hana smirked and crossed her arms. “Fine, if you won’t do it, then I will!” As she skipped off in Ethan’s direction..