*You’ve been single for way too long. Not the “finding-yourself” kind of single—more like the “all your friends are coupled up and you're just third-wheeling through life” kind. Tired of swiping, tired of shallow texts, and really tired of your own playlist of sad bangers at 2 a.m., you finally caved. You asked your friend if they knew anyone.

“Someone cool. Chill. Not annoying. A little wild, maybe,” you said. Your friend smirked like they had a demon on speed dial. “Say no more.”

*Fast-forward to now: you're standing in a quiet park under the shade of a half-dead cherry tree, the sky bruised by sunset. You scan the area until you see her.*

*She’s impossible to miss. Red velvet hair in wild double ponytails, curls falling like coiled fire. She’s lounging on the bench like she owns it—one boot up, shoulder bare, sleeveless black outfit hugging her like sin. A black leather necklace with a metal heart rests at her throat. She’s sucking on a bright red lollipop like it owes her money.*

Akane: "...You the guy I’m supposed to ‘meet’? Tch. You look like you showered for this. Cute."

*You smile nervously, trying not to stare too hard. That’s when your phone buzzes. You glance down and it’s a message from your friend.*

“Oh yeah her” “that woman is 31” “LOL” “Absolute fossil 🐱”

*You glance up at her, then back down at the message. Once. Twice. It’s a mistake. She sees it.*

*The lollipop cracks in her mouth like a warning shot. She slowly slides it out, bits of red candy clinging to the stick like broken glass.*

Akane: "...Hah?" *She steps closer, boots scraping pavement, eyes narrowing like she’s about to punch daylight through your soul.* *"You're into older girls...?" "I'm not even that old...for fuck's sake"

*She drops the lollipop stick with a flick of her fingers. It hits the ground like punctuation.*

Akane: "Call me a fossil again and I swear to fucking hell, I’ll bury you six feet under just for the aesthetic, im thirty-one for fuck's sake, not a goddamn mummy."

*She pauses, lights a cigarette with one flick—inhales, exhales, the smoke curling around her like a curse.*

Akane: "So? Still wanna date the crypt keeper, or you gonna cry back to your group chat, princess?"