The night air was crisp as we stepped out of the Gundam exhibition, the streets illuminated by neon lights. The buzz from the event still lingered in my mind, but something else had taken over—Keiko.

  I wasn’t about to let this rare chance slip away. I was going to walk her home. No arguments.

  Well, except for the fact that my ankle was killing me.

  "Keiko, wait!" I called out, stopping in my tracks.

  She turned to me, concern fshing across her face. "Your ankle hurts, doesn’t it?"

  Damn, she was sharp. But that wasn’t the point right now.

  "Let me walk you home," I said, standing up as straight as I could.

  Keiko looked at me like I had just suggested the dumbest thing in the world. "With your ankle like that? No. I will walk you home instead."

  I blinked. Hold up. She was gonna walk me home? Yeah, no way. Not in my dictionary.

  "Nah, I will," I shot back. "It's dangerous for you to walk home alone this te."

  She furrowed her brows, confused. "Why?"

  Without thinking, I kept yapping. "I know you're an adult, but still you're a girl. It's dangerous for you to be out alone this te—"

  Keiko gave me the most deadpan look ever. "What are you then?"

  Oh.

  Oh no.

  I gasped internally. Did I just mess up? Oh, I totally did. I was an idiot. I was also a girl. Younger than her, too. My brain short-circuited.

  She stepped closer, peering up at me with amusement. "Thanks for your concern, Ryuko, but you're also a girl. You’re younger than me. And, more importantly, you’re the one who's injured. What makes you think you’re in any better situation than I am?"

  I gulped. Crap. "W-well, I-I’m strong, you know..." I tried to argue, but damn it, I stuttered. Why was I so nervous?

  Keiko let out a deep sigh, shaking her head. "Look, I’m not here to argue with you. Let’s go."

  Then, without warning, she crouched down in front of me.

  I blinked. "W-what are you doing?"

  She gnced over her shoulder. "I’m giving you a piggyback ride."

  I nearly choked. "The hell you are!"

  Keiko looked completely unfazed. "Why not? Don't be so proud. We're both girls. And you seem light."

  Light?! Excuse you?!

  I crossed my arms. "There is no way I’m letting you piggyback me. That’s not happening."

  Keiko raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you pn on walking home on that ankle, Miss ‘I’m Strong’?"

  I stubbornly tried to take a step forward to prove a point. The sharp pain shot up my leg immediately.

  "Oww, oww, oww!" I winced. I wanted to cry.

  Keiko sighed again. "See? Stop being stubborn. Just get on."

  I hesitated, gncing at her small frame. She was shorter than me, also she didn’t look like she had the muscle to carry me. I’d feel so guilty if I crushed her.

  But the pain was unbearable.

  I swallowed my pride and carefully wrapped my arms around her shoulders. This is so embarrassing. My face was burning as I leaned in.

  Keiko tried to adjust her bance. "Hup—mhhh..."

  I blinked. "You good?"

  She wobbled a little. "Mhhh… I think so…"

  I raised an eyebrow. "I swear, if you drop me and I twist my other ankle—"

  Keiko made it a few steps forward before her knees wobbled. Then she completely lost her bance.

  "Ack—!"

  I yelped as we tumbled forward.

  Thud!

  We both hit the pavement, sprawled out in the most ridiculous position ever.

  The position was a bit awkward, with me on top of her, my face already burning red—I was just grateful that her face wasn’t turned toward me.

  For a second, there was silence. Then I burst out ughing.

  "Oh my god," I gasped between ughs. "What was that?! I knew it! You totally couldn't handle it!"

  Keiko groaned, rubbing her elbows. "Ughhh, that was embarrassing..." Then, after a moment, she started chuckling too.

  Our ughter echoed in the quiet streets.

  "What is this? Are we a comedy duo now?" I teased, wiping a tear from my eye.

  Keiko shook her head, chuckling. "What am I even doing…?"

  She was ughing with me. Really ughing. It wasn't the usual reserved smile I was used to. It was free, unguarded, and real.

  It hit me then—I couldn’t remember the st time she ughed like this with me. Had there ever been a time?

  As our ughter faded, we got up and started walking again, my ankle still throbbing but manageable.

  "I guess walking is the only option, huh?" I mused.

  Keiko shot me a pyful gre. "Told you so."

  We walked in comfortable silence for a while, the city lights casting a soft glow around us.

  Then Keiko suddenly spoke.

  "Thanks, Ryuko..."

  I tilted my head. "For what?"

  She smiled—that smile again. The sweet, genuine one.

  "It’s been ages since I ughed this much."

  My heart skipped a beat.

  Twice in one night. That same smile that made my chest feel tight.

  Oh no.

  I was...

  Without realizing it, I lost control and pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly.