Sunday – Midtown Luxury Mall
The glass ceiling of the upscale shopping center reflected golden light across polished marble floors. Designer boutiques lined every wall. Female executives, actresses, and influencers strutted past with shopping bags and bodyguards in tow.
And in the center of it all—stood Aeron Kael, looking entirely out of place in his plain black hoodie and disinterested expression.
Beside him, glowing like a light in a storm, was Ayaka Kael, his stepsister.
Her long white hair was tied up today. She wore a casual yet trendy outfit, but her eyes—those snow-colored orbs—were glued to him more than the storefronts.
"Are you really going to follow me like a ghost the whole time?" he asked.
Ayaka blinked. "I'm not following. I invited you."
"You told me we were just buying you shoes."
She smiled innocently. "We are. And maybe a few other things."
---
The First Store
Ayaka tried on sneakers, boots, and heels with uncontained enthusiasm.
Aeron waited near the mirror wall, arms folded.
At one point, the attendant approached him directly. "Would you like to try something, sir?"
He raised an eyebrow. "No."
Ayaka tilted her head. "Actually… why not?"
Aeron looked at her.
"I've never seen you shop for yourself," she said. "You have money, right?"
He nodded once.
"I earned it," he added. "From working."
"Then use it," Ayaka said, softer now. "You deserve things too, Aeron."
That struck something in him.
---
The Moment He Spends
In the next store, Aeron stood silently in front of a black, minimalist blazer with silver trim.
He checked the tag. Expensive—but not beyond what he had saved over years working in the cake shop and bar.
Without a word, he picked it up and walked to the counter.
Ayaka stood frozen.
> "He's… actually doing it."
When he came back, she noticed something else: a faint trace of pride in his eyes.
"Looks good on you," she said.
"Thanks," he replied, not looking at her.
But her heart raced anyway.
---
The Café Break – Midway
They sat on the mall rooftop café. A soft breeze lifted Ayaka's hair as she stirred her drink.
"I like this," she said.
"What?"
"This. Us."
He looked at her, brows slightly drawn.
"You're not like other guys. Everyone knows that. But I don't think you even know how... rare you are."
"Don't romanticize me," he muttered.
She leaned in. "Too late."
---
The Internal Storm
As they left the mall, Aeron held one bag. Ayaka held six.
But she didn't care.
> "I got to walk beside him." "I got to see him spend something on himself."
And in this world—where men were prizes, but Aeron refused to act like one—that was enough.
For now.
---
Side Story – Mirei's Watch
Back in her office, Mirei Asagiri looked through a private data feed.
Aeron and Ayaka, side-by-side.
Laughing once. Talking rarely. But close.
Too close.
Mirei's eyes narrowed.
> "She's making her move."
She reached for her phone.
"Prepare a custom event invitation. Private location. Just for Aeron."