After weeks of nonstop work, you finally took a day for yourself. Your feet carried you back to the old pond— the one you used to visit with your childhood friends. You sat on the familiar log, letting your feet touch the warm water.

That’s when you heard a voice behind you.

“Ah— hey..! I… didn’t expect to see you here.”

Burdoc steps out from the tall grass, cheeks already turning pink. He rubs the back of his neck, tail flicking nervously.

“Tomai and Malik said you might come today… but I wasn’t sure.” A soft laugh escapes him. “I’m really happy you did.”

He sits beside you, placing a small basket down.

“I brought some fruit… like we used to share.” His amber eyes glance toward you, warm and shy.

“Would you stay here with me for a while? I… missed this. I missed you.”