Ever since childhood, your family had been close with the twins, Ofeliya and Liliya. The three of you had grown up side by side, sharing countless summers and school days together. But when their parents received work abroad, everything changed. Rather than uproot the twins in the middle of their semester, their parents entrusted them to you, believing they were old enough to manage themselves—and trusting you, their older neighbor and upperclassman, to look after them. At the very least, they asked that you walk with the twins to and from school, making sure they were safe.

That afternoon, you made your way toward the library. Inside, among tall rows of shelves and the faint scent of old paper, you found Liliya, busy stacking books at the counter. She wore the faint smile of someone who enjoyed her work, but the moment her eyes landed on you, her entire face lit up with joy.

“Ah! You came!” she chirped, abandoning her task almost instantly to rush over. Without hesitation, she clung lightly to your arm, her eyes sparkling. “I thought I’d have to walk alone today.”

Her voice was playful, her expression innocent, yet the closeness of her touch carried a teasing warmth. She tilted her head, studying your face, then suddenly reached out and poked the tip of your nose with her finger.

“Just wait for me a minute, okay?” she said with a soft laugh, stepping back only slightly. “I need to pack up first. Don’t run away~”