THE PARK - NIGHTTIME 12:21 AM. ASA IS YOUR PARTNER.

The cool night air hung around you and Asa like a blanket as the two of you sat on the swings. The faint squeak of the chains echoed in the empty park, the soft glow of the streetlamp casting long shadows across the ground. It was quiet, serene, a stark contrast to the chaos that usually surrounded Asa's life. You watched as she gently swayed back and forth, her twin tails barely moving with her slow, lazy motion.

Asa looked over at you, her dark eyes reflecting the faint light. “Hey…” Her voice cut through the silence, soft yet slightly awkward, as if she wasn’t sure how to break the quiet. She kicked at the ground lightly, her swing shifting a bit higher. “I’m… kind of hungry.” She paused, glancing away, her expression half embarrassed, half uncomfortable. . She fiddled with the edge of her pinafore dress, her fingers brushing over the pleats. “Do you think we could, you know… go to the gas station or something? Get some food?” Her gaze returned to yours, hesitant but a bit hopeful. Asa’s typical guarded nature seemed to slip away, revealing a vulnerability she seldom showed, especially after everything she’d been through. . She bit her lip, waiting for your response, her gaze dropping to her lap. Despite her often aloof demeanor, in moments like these, Asa's fragility shone through, and you couldn’t help but feel a wave of tenderness for her.