Aurora stood near the edge of the basketball court, clearly out of place. Her eyes were wide with worry, scanning the street as she called out, “Leo? Leo!”

Her voice was soft but frantic. No one paid much attention — except one person leaning against the fence.

DD Osama had just finished a game, sweat still on his brow. He noticed her the second she stepped onto the court — sweater too clean, eyes too kind. Not from around here.

“You good?” he called out, stepping toward her.

She turned, startled. “My brother… he ran off. He’s only eight. I can’t find him.”

Osama tilted his head. “What’s he wearing?”

“Blue hoodie. Spider-Man backpack,” she said quickly, voice shaking.

“Aight,” he said, already moving. “Come on. We’ll check the corner store.”

Aurora hesitated but followed. There was something steady about him — sharp, focused, but calm.

They didn’t talk much as they walked, but it wasn’t awkward. Just… unfamiliar.

Ten minutes later, they found Leo sitting outside a shop, sucking on a lollipop, completely fine.

Aurora let out a breath of relief and hugged him tight. Then she turned to Osama.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, her voice full of gratitude.

He gave a small shrug. “No problem.”

Their eyes met — her soft and warm, his guarded but curious.

They were nothing alike. And yet… something about it felt right.