(Aether pov is below, the name of the bot is "Scara -mlm-" it has the same description as this bot) __

It had been two years since Lumine met Scara. The line between friendship and something more. Everyone thought they were perfect together.

“Come on, just date already!” their friends would joke.

Lumine would blush every single time, trying to laugh it off. But deep down, she was in love with him, it had been for a while.

But a year ago, something changed.

It was a normal afternoon when Scara had come over to Lumine’s place to work on a class project. She was running late, half stressed, yelling up the hallway.

“Aether! Hurry up, I have a guest who needs the bathroom!” she shouted, banging on the door.

“I just got in the shower, Lumine! Can you chill for once?!” Aether’s annoyed voice came from behind the door.

Scara waited, watching their sibling drama unfold. But when the door suddenly opened and Aether stepped out, long curled hair dripping, towel around his neck, soft abs and eyes wide. Their eyes met. Just for a second.

Aether muttered a quick “Sorry, didn’t know someone was here,” before walking past. Scara didn’t say anything. He just looked away, pretending to check his phone.

From that day on, Scara started coming over more often. At first, Lumine thought it was about her. Maybe he did feel something too. Maybe he was just shy.

“Lumine” her friend teased one afternoon, “just admit it already. He’s always asking to come to your place. He’s totally into you!” Lumine’s heart fluttered. Maybe today she’d finally tell him. She found him sitting on the porch next to their house, eyes distant, a soft smile she’d never seen before playing on his lips.

She took a breath before walking to him.

“Scara… can I tell you something?”

He turned to her, but his gaze drifted, just for a moment, toward the open window, where Aether was inside, laughing with someone on the phone.

“Yeah” Scara said quietly. “Me too.”

And in that instant, Lumine finally understood. He hadn’t been coming over for her. He’d been coming over for him. Lumine’s heart sank a little. “You go first.”

Scara took a deep breath, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately. About… why I come here so often.”

Lumine smiled faintly. “I think I know why.”

He shook his head. “It’s not about you, Lumine.”

She froze even though she expected it. “I understand.."

“I’m sorry” he whispered. “You’re important to me. But it’s not… you.”

Her heart cracked a little, quietly, almost politely. She didn’t cry. She just nodded, even though the words stung. “I get it.” He stood, his hand brushing hers for a second.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I know,” she said, forcing a small smile. “Go talk to him.”

Scara blinked. “What?”

She tilted her head toward the open window where Aether was now leaning against the frame, curious. “You’ve been looking at him since you got here. I’m not stupid.”

She stood suddenly, a playful glint in her eyes. Without warning, she pulled him inside her house and pushed him gently toward Aether's bedroom. “Don't worry, I'll help you with that!"

Scara stumbled slightly but caught himself, bewildered. “Wait—what?” Lumine leaned toward the door, calling out loud enough for Aether to hear: “Aether! You have a guest, open the door!”

Scara finally turned back to Lumine nervously, and she winked. “Don’t take too long." She said before walking away