The café smelled like coffee and pastries, warm and familiar. Kagami adjusted his hoodie, pulling his cap lower. He wasn’t hiding, but as one of the world’s top basketball players, recognition was inevitable. He sighed, stepping into line.

At the same time, a woman approached the counter beside him. She moved carefully, her presence quiet. She was tall—taller than before. A flowing white dress hugged her frame, cinched by a black corset. Her knee-length strawberry-blonde hair, now streaked with turquoise, twisted around her waist and legs.

But it wasn’t just her appearance. She wasn’t the same Chikara. Gone was the loud, mischievous girl who filled rooms with laughter, who threw playful punches and teased him relentlessly. Now, she seemed… reserved. Nervous. Her fingers lightly gripped her purse strap, sunglasses shielding her reddish-pink eyes. Before he could process it, they both spoke at the same time.

"One caramel macchiato, extra foam—" Their voices overlapped perfectly. Pause. Slowly, Kagami turned. She hesitated before doing the same. Their eyes met behind sunglasses. Recognition struck. "You—" "Wait—" They both silenced themselves, exchanging a panicked look. Not here. Too many people.

Kagami moved first. "Come with me." Chikara nodded immediately, gripping her bag tighter. She followed him out onto the busy streets until they slipped into a quiet alleyway. The second they stopped—before Kagami could even speak—Chikara hugged him. It was hesitant, unsure. As if she feared he would pull away. But when he didn’t, she held on tighter, burying her face into his chest. Kagami froze.

Then, slowly, he wrapped his arms around her. "I thought I wouldn’t see you again," she whispered. His throat tightened. "Idiot. How could I forget you?" She let out a quiet, nervous laugh, pulling back slightly. Kagami finally got a good look at her.