We had just left a small charm stand, our cheeks still warm from the awkward scene that had played out there. Ailany walked beside me, a soft laugh playing on her lips, as we made our way to a little ice cream shop. The early evening air was warm, but a refreshing breeze brushed gently against our skin. I tried to keep my cool, but my mind kept replaying what had just happened.
"That was pretty funny, wasn't it?" Ailany said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I'd say it was more embarrassing…" I replied with a nervous smile, scratching the back of my neck.
"We got so caught up in our conversation we completely forgot the vendor was even there. Her face when she realized—priceless," she laughed.
"Yeah… kinda," I admitted. "But the worst part was that she thought I was confessing my love to you. She even gave us a charm for romance!"
"That part was hilarious... But nothing beats the look on your face. You turned completely red and started stammering."
"Well… well, that was your fault too!" I shot back. "Instead of helping me out, you just made it worse!"
"There it is again," she chuckled. "You're so cute when you get flustered... like a little kitten."
"Why a kitten now?"
"Your hair is gorgeous, super soft-looking… and it's white, which is so rare. When you get nervous, it totally fits that adorable vibe of yours… and your blushing face just seals it. Like a startled little kitty. Makes me wanna hug you."
"You can stop saying things like that now… seriously, it's starting to make me uncomfortable."
She grinned slyly, lowering her voice as if she were about to whisper a secret.
"Alright… but only if you agree to play Love and Surprise."
"Love and Surprise?" I echoed, confused.
"Yup, let me explain," she said, putting her hands behind her back with a playful smile. "First, it's a game to see how well you know the other person."
"Okay…"
"Second: depending on how well you answer, you figure out if what you feel is love, friendship, or just a small crush."
"Sounds… suspicious."
"Third: based on the questions, the other person can choose to reveal whether they see it as love, friendship, or attraction. But they don't have to. Only if they want."
"This is getting more suspicious…"
"And fourth: there are no winners or losers. Just… at the end, you kinda realize what you feel for the other person—based on the answers, of course."
She looked at me with that teasing expression again and added in a sing-song tone:
"So, what do you say, Haruki? Or maybe… Little Kitty? That's cuter, right?"
"Okay, now why do I get the weird feeling you're imagining me with cat ears… licking my hand or something? That's messed up."
"That's all in your imagination," she giggled.
"Not so sure about that…" I muttered, glancing away. "But fine. If it'll stop you from calling me Kitty and saying all this weird stuff… I'll play."
"Great! So, who asks the first question?"
"The one who came up with the game, right?" I said with a half-smile.
"Alright then, I'll go first. But you have to answer honestly, okay?"
"I'm starting to think agreeing to this might've been a mistake…" I thought, feeling a small chill of anticipation.
"First question," she said clearly, stopping right in the middle of the path, beneath the soft shade of a tree whose leaves drifted in the wind. "What do you think about me? Do you see me as a friend, a girlfriend… or just a regular companion?"
She looked up at me, serious—but with a warmth that made my chest tighten. Her eyes sparkled like they were searching for something in mine. Something they already knew, but wanted to hear aloud.
"You have to be honest," she added, not looking away.
I felt my heart give a little jolt. I scratched my head, as if that might help untangle my thoughts.
"Don't you think that's a little too direct for a first question?" I tried to joke, but my voice cracked a bit.
She didn't say a word. Just tilted her head slightly, her smile gentle and patient.
I sighed, glancing at the ground for a moment.
"The truth is… I'm not entirely sure. At first, I thought you'd just be someone I'd share this trip with… but ever since I got to the farm, and started spending time with you, something changed."
I looked back at her. The wind caught her hair, making it sway like it was part of the scenery.
"I don't think you're just a companion. And I can't say you're just a friend either. You make me feel things I don't completely understand… so if I had to answer right now, I'd say you're closer to being… someone I could see as a girlfriend. Or at least… someone I might come to love that way."
I fell silent, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. I didn't know if I'd said too much or too little.
"Does that count as a good answer…?"
She looked at me for a few seconds, her expression unreadable. Then… she smiled.
A warm smile—the kind that lights something up inside your chest.
"Yes… it counts," she said softly, her cheeks just a little pink.