The moment the tall man in the dark red coat stepped forward and said, "What the hell are you doing with my sister?" the entire walkway in the Underworld Market seemed to freeze for Kairos.
Aria's violet eyes widened behind her silver mask for half a second before narrowing in pure exasperation.
"Reck," she said through clenched teeth, voice low but sharp enough to cut glass. "Not. Here."
Reck — apparently that was his name — completely ignored her.
Instead, he started circling Aria like an excited puppy who'd just found his favorite toy. Hands behind his back, grinning wide, he walked around her in a slow, dramatic loop while talking non-stop.
"So this stubborn girl knows how to talk to boys now?" he said, loud enough for half the nearby stalls to hear. "And going on dates without even telling anyone? Wow wow, Aria Voss, leader of Elysium Veil… secretly turning into a romantic?"
Aria's shoulders tensed. A faint blush crept up her neck, barely visible under the purple crystal light.
Kairos stood there, arms crossed, trying very hard not to laugh.
Reck finally stopped circling and turned to Kairos, sizing him up from head to toe like he was inspecting a new weapon.
"So you…" he said, nodding slowly. "You're handsome, I'll give you that. Solid build, sharp eyes, nice sword on the belt too… but can you actually handle my big sister?"
He leaned in conspiratorially toward Kairos.
"She's got way too many tantrums, bro. Mood swings faster than a wind crystal. And if she doesn't like something, she'll change her entire face with an illusion just to confuse you."
Aria's hand shot up lightning-fast and smacked the back of Reck's head — not hard, but solid enough to make a satisfying thwack.
"Shut up!" she hissed, cheeks now visibly pink even under the mask. "This is just a misunderstanding!"
In her hurry to shut him up, she took a quick step backward — and stumbled straight into Kairos's arms.
Kairos instinctively caught her by the waist to steady her. Her back pressed against his chest for a split second. The jasmine scent hit him full force. The silver mask brushed his chin.
Reck's eyes went wide. Then he burst out laughing — loud, obnoxious, holding his stomach.
"Wow! These two have zero shame at all? She just fell straight into his arms! In the middle of the market, in front of everyone!"
Aria's face turned tomato-red behind the mask.
She spun around, smacked Reck on the head again — harder this time — and snapped:
"Shut! Up!"
Reck rubbed his head dramatically but kept grinning like an idiot.
Kairos, still holding Aria lightly by the waist (she hadn't pulled away yet), looked down at her with pure amusement.
"Misunderstanding, huh?" he teased softly, voice low enough for only her to hear.
Aria glared up at him — but the blush completely ruined the effect.
"Shut up," she muttered. "Both of you."
Reck clapped his hands once.
"Okay okay, I'm quiet. But seriously — you two look like you're on a date. So should I join? Three people walking around would be more fun!"
Aria pointed one finger at him like a weapon.
"Go home. Right now."
Reck raised both hands in surrender but winked at Kairos.
"Bro, I like you already. Solid nature. Worthy of staying around my sister." He pulled out his comm. "Give me your number. We'll stay in touch. If you ever make her cry, I'll come straight for you, understood?"
Kairos laughed — full and easy — and transferred his number.
"Deal. But only if you promise not to tell her embarrassing childhood stories."
Reck winked. "No promises."
Aria smacked Reck on the head one last time.
"Enough!"
Reck laughed, waved, and sauntered off into the market crowd, still chuckling to himself.
Aria exhaled long and slow, like she was counting to ten in her head.
"Sorry about him," she muttered. "Reck thinks he's funny. He's actually just annoying."
Kairos finally let go of her waist (reluctantly).
"I like him," he said honestly. "He's protective. That's good."
Aria shot him a look. "Don't encourage him."
They started walking again — side by side — through the glowing purple pathways.
The rest of the "date" unfolded in the most unexpectedly fun, chaotic way possible.
They stopped at a floating food stall first. The vendor was selling glowing aether-candy — spun sugar threads that changed color when you ate them. Kairos bought two large sticks — one emerald green, one violet to match her eyes.
He handed her the violet one.
"For the prettiest illusionist in Nexus."
Aria rolled her eyes but took it anyway.
"You're laying it on thick today."
"Only because it's working," he replied with a grin.
They ate while walking. Every time Aria took a bite, the candy shifted from violet to silver to deep indigo — matching her dress, her mask, her eyes. Kairos kept stealing glances.
"Stop staring," she said without looking at him.
"Can't. The candy looks better when you eat it."
She flicked a tiny piece of sugar at him. He caught it in his mouth.
"Show-off," she muttered, but she was smiling.
Next they wandered into a small artifact section — not weapons, but harmless curiosities. One stall sold "Memory Lanterns" — tiny glass orbs that replayed happy moments when you touched them. Kairos picked one up, activated it, and suddenly a three-second hologram appeared: a little girl (maybe five years old) laughing while chasing fireflies in a garden.
Aria watched quietly.
"That's sweet," she said softly.
Kairos nodded. "Reminds me of Lumen sometimes. He laughs like that when I bring him something new."
Aria looked at him — really looked — for a long moment.
"You're good with kids," she said. Not teasing. Just… observing.
Kairos shrugged. "Someone has to be."
They bought two lanterns — one for Lumen, one for Aria (she chose a memory of a quiet rooftop under stars).
After that they found a quiet floating platform with a low table and cushions. A vendor served them hot aether-tea that tasted like vanilla rain. They sat close — knees almost touching — and talked.
About stupid things.
About serious things.
About how Aria hated formal Veil meetings.
About how Kairos once fought three guys with a broken bottle and won.
About how she secretly practiced illusions in her room at night just to make funny faces for herself in the mirror.
About how he sometimes talked to the stars when no one was listening.
They laughed. A lot.
At one point Aria leaned her head on his shoulder — just for a second — while watching a floating crystal orb change colors.
Kairos didn't move. Didn't speak. Just let her stay.
When she lifted her head again, her mask had slipped slightly. She fixed it quickly, blushing.
"Don't say anything," she muttered.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he replied, smiling softly.
Hours passed like minutes.
Eventually the market lights began to dim — the purple glow fading to soft indigo. The "night" cycle was ending.
They walked back toward the exit lift together — shoulders brushing now and then.
Just as they reached the lift, Reck appeared again — out of nowhere — like he'd been waiting.
He jogged up, grinning.
"Hey bro! You two still roaming around? Looks like the date went really well!"
Aria groaned.
Reck ignored her and turned to Kairos.
"Anyway bro, I think you're a good guy. Solid nature. Worth staying in touch with." He pulled out his comm again. "Give me your number properly this time. We'll keep contact. If you ever hurt my sister, I'll come straight for you, okay?"
Kairos laughed again — full and easy — and transferred his number.
"Deal."
Reck grinned, gave Aria one last teasing head-pat (which she tried and failed to dodge), and vanished into the crowd.
Aria sighed — but she was smiling.
"See you in a week?" she asked.
Kairos nodded.
"In a week."
The lift doors opened.
They stepped inside — side by side.
The doors closed.
And the Underworld Market faded behind them.
To be continued...