Isn't It Love?

The atmosphere at Bayside Marketplace this afternoon was as busy as usual. The gentle sea breeze carried the scent of salt and tempting street food.

Kai walked beside Risa carrying two cups of ice cream they had just bought from a small kiosk. Risa wore a casual pastel dress that made her look cuter than usual, her hair left loose with a small clip on the side.

"Good?" asked Kai while licking his vanilla ice cream.

Risa nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. "Super good! The strawberry one is perfectly sweet. You just picked plain vanilla, didn’t dare try something new I see..."

Kai only smiled slightly. My little sister is still like a child sometimes. But oh well, this is better than her sulking all day.

They continued walking along the rows of shops. Risa occasionally tugged Kai’s arm when she saw something interesting. Whether it was cute accessories, clothes, or food stalls.

Kai just followed along, occasionally giving short comments or ruffling his sister’s hair when Risa took too long choosing.

"Kai, look at this! The teddy bear is so cute!" Risa pointed at a toy store display. "Buy it for me?"

"We just got ice cream, now a teddy bear?" Kai shook his head while laughing softly. "Are you just making excuses today or what?"

Risa pouted, her cheeks puffing up adorably. "Hmph. You’re so stingy. You promised to treat me today."

Kai pretended to sigh heavily, but his hand was already reaching for his wallet. "Fine, but this is the last one, okay. Next time, it’s my turn to ask you to buy something."

"Deal!" Risa immediately brightened up and hugged Kai’s arm tightly while pulling him into the store.

Kai paid for the small teddy bear without much complaint. Seeing Risa’s beaming face as she hugged the bear, he felt all today’s expenses were worth it.

It’s cute, but sometimes it makes me think... is this too close? Anyway, she already knows that I’ve changed. I don’t think anything will change... again.

They continued walking around. Sometimes stopping on a bench to rest, sometimes taking photos together with the backdrop of the small bay visible from the open area of the marketplace. Risa forced Kai to take selfies many times, and Kai just resigned himself while smiling slightly in every photo.

Time passed quickly. The sun had started heading west when they sat in an outdoor area facing the water. Risa leaned her head on Kai’s shoulder while playing with her new teddy bear.

"Today was really fun," Risa murmured softly. "It’s rare for you to agree to go out for so long like this."

Kai nodded slowly. "Hah... haven’t we gone together to the bookstore before... but yeah, sorry I always forgot my promise to going out with you multiple time."

Risa shook her head. "It’s okay. We’ve already made up now... and you’re a ’different’ person, right... you changed and I changed..."

They were quiet for a moment, enjoying the atmosphere. The cool evening breeze made everything more comfortable. Kai was thinking about how to keep this relationship like this without it being too... strange in other people’s eyes, when a voice that had become familiar came from behind them.

"Hmm~ you two are on a date, huh?"

Kai and Risa turned at the same time. Reva stood there with a wide smile. Today she wore a long cream dress that was modestly covered, her hair tied up neatly with a few strands deliberately left falling beside her face. She looked more mature and beautiful than usual.

Risa immediately went on high alert. Her body pressed tighter against Kai, her arms hugging her brother like a koala afraid of falling. "Thieving cat... showing up everywhere again."

Reva laughed lightly, covering her mouth with an elegant gesture. "Hahaha, your little sister is so cute when she’s jealous, Kai. Like a cat with all its fur standing up."

Kai sighed softly. Reva... her timing is always perfect. Feels intentional.

"Reva, are you walking alone?" Kai asked neutrally.

"Yes, of course, why would I stay home all day and not enjoy the weekend. Hehehe~ Seeing you two here, I’ll join in for a bit." Reva approached and sat on the empty bench next to Kai. Her eyes glanced at Risa who was still clinging tightly. "Relax, lil sister. I won’t steal your brother... for now~"

Risa snorted softly but didn’t let go of her hug. Kai could only gently stroke his sister’s head to calm her down.

The conversation continued lightly. Reva talked about her work at the school cafeteria, occasionally throwing in jokes. But in the middle of it, she slipped in a sentence that sounded ordinary, but for Kai who was already very suspicious, it felt like trying to crack an enigma code coming from this cafeteria lady’s mouth.

"Sometimes people come into our lives suddenly, like flowers blooming in the wrong season," Reva said with a slight smile, her eyes glancing at Kai briefly. "But who knows, maybe that’s what makes everything more interesting. Even though there are things already ’scheduled’ before."

Kai furrowed his brow a little. What does she mean? Ren? Or something else?

Risa didn’t pay much attention, she was more focused on guarding her position next to Kai.

"You really know a lot of strange things, huh."

Reva just laughed. "Life experience, dear."

They talked for quite a while. Reva occasionally teased Risa about small things, making Kai’s sister pout even more. But the atmosphere remained light and never heated up.

Before leaving, Reva stood up and straightened her dress. "Oh yes, Kai. I already gave you my number before. Why haven’t you called? Too busy with your little sister? Or... someone else?"

Kai scratched his cheek. "I’m forgot about that. Sorry."

Reva smiled sweetly, her eyes slightly narrowed mischievously. "If you have time, let’s go on a date just the two of us~ My treat."

Risa immediately tensed up. "Go away, you thieving cat!!!"

Kai quickly rubbed Risa’s back. "She’s just joking. Relax."

Reva laughed again seeing Risa’s reaction. "Hahaha, your little sister is really funny. Alright, I’ll go first. Have fun you two~"

Reva waved and walked away with light steps. Risa was still pouting long after she left, but Kai managed to calm her down by buying a serving of warm churros.

"She’s just an ordinary person," Kai said softly while handing Risa the churros. "You don’t need to worry."

Risa bit the churros a bit roughly. "Hmph. Don’t get close to her. I don’t like it."

Kai just smiled and patting his sister’s hair. Reva... is getting more suspicious. But for now, let it be.

They continued their time together until the sun had fully set. Walking slowly, occasionally taking photos, having a light dinner at one of the marketplace restaurants, and going home holding hands.

When they got home, they were greeted by the smell of their mother’s cooking. Dinner was warm. Risa was still a bit jealous because of what happened with Reva earlier, but Kai managed to make her laugh again with small stories throughout the day.

That night, before bed, Risa stopped by Kai’s room briefly just to say "Thank you for today" and quickly kissed her brother’s cheek before running back to her own room.

Kai sat on the edge of his bed, smiling slightly.

A pretty long day... but not bad. Tomorrow is still Sunday, maybe I can go out with someone else... or just stay home.