A Wednesday morning.
The atmosphere inside Kentarou's house felt strangely different today.
Not noisy.
Not chaotic.
But somehow—
Everyone looked more prepared than usual.
Especially one person.
—
Kentarou stood in front of the mirror inside his room.
Silent
Carefully looking at himself.
"…This should be fine."
He adjusted the collar of his shirt slightly.
A clean white oversized t-shirt.
Black jacket.
Dark jeans.
Simple clothes.
But unusually well-chosen for someone like him.
He looked at himself one last time.
Then sighed quietly.
"…Why am I nervous…"
From the side—
Rockie tilted his head while sitting on the stand near the window.
"Keeen~ Keeen~"
"…Don't start."
The cocktail parrot flapped its wings lightly as if it understood everything.
Kentarou grabbed his phone from the table and walked downstairs.
—
The smell of breakfast filled the house.
His mother noticed him immediately.
"…Ara?"
Kentarou stopped.
"What?"
"You look surprisingly decent today."
"…What does that even mean?"
His father laughed quietly while drinking coffee.
"It means you actually dressed up."
"I always dress normally."
"No," Kenta interrupted while eating. "You usually look like you just woke up and gave up on life."
"…You want to die?"
Kenta immediately hid behind their mother dramatically.
"Mom! Brother's threatening me!"
"You started it."
His mother sighed while smiling.
"Alright, enough. They'll arrive soon."
And just like that—
Kentarou's heartbeat became slightly faster again.
"…Right."
Today.
The Kubo family was coming.
And they would all go out together.
—
Time passed slowly.
Too slowly for Kentarou.
He sat in the living room pretending to scroll through his phone—
But he had been staring at the same screen for almost five minutes.
"…Relax…"
He muttered quietly.
But relaxing was impossible.
Every small sound from outside made him look toward the door.
Then—
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
"…!"
Kenta immediately stood up.
"They're here!"
Before anyone else could move—
Kenta ran toward the door.
Kentarou followed behind him.
Trying to stay calm.
Trying to look normal.
Kenta opened the door widely.
"Welcome!"
And there they were.
Mr. Kubo.
Mrs. Kubo.
Violet's younger sister.
And—
Violet.
Kentarou froze for half a second.
Today—
She looked different.
A soft beige dress reached just below her knees.
A light cardigan covered her shoulders.
Her hair moved gently with the morning breeze.
Simple.
Elegant.
Cute.
Dangerously cute.
"…!"
Kentarou's mind completely stopped working.
What is this…
He stared without realizing it.
Then—
Violet looked at him.
Directly.
Their eyes met instantly.
And just like always—
She didn't look away.
Instead—
She gave a small smile.
"…Good morning."
Her voice was soft.
Calm.
Beautiful.
Kentarou's brain almost shut down.
"…M-Morning."
A rare stutter.
Kenta slowly looked up at him.
Then smirked.
"…Brother's finished."
"…Shut up."
Too late.
His expression had already betrayed him.
—
"Please come inside," Kentarou's mother said warmly.
The Kubo family entered the house.
The atmosphere quickly became lively again.
Adults started talking immediately.
Kenta and Violet's younger sister began chatting as well.
Meanwhile—
Kentarou quietly stood near the sofa.
Trying not to look at Violet too much.
But every few seconds—
His eyes drifted toward her automatically.
And somehow—
Every single time—
She caught him.
"…This is bad…"
He looked away again.
His heartbeat refused to calm down.
—
"So," Mr. Kubo smiled, "where should we go today?"
"That's true," Kentarou's father nodded. "We haven't decided yet."
Kenta suddenly raised his hand dramatically.
"Amusement park!"
"Noisy," Kentarou replied immediately.
"Boring," Kenta shot back.
"It's crowded."
"You're crowded."
"What does that even mean?"
The adults laughed softly.
Then Mrs. Kubo spoke.
"What about Han River Park?"
Everyone paused.
"Oh," Kentarou's mother smiled.
"That sounds nice."
Mr. Kubo nodded.
"It's peaceful there. And the weather is perfect today."
Kenta crossed his arms dramatically.
"…Can I still get snacks?"
"Yes."
"Then I agree."
"That was fast," Violet's younger sister laughed.
Meanwhile—
Kentarou quietly processed the destination.
Han River Park.
One of the most famous places in Seoul.
Beautiful river views.
Walking paths.
Food stalls.
Bike rides.
Cherry blossoms during spring.
And thankfully—
Not too crowded today.
"…That sounds good," Kentarou finally said.
His father looked slightly surprised.
"You agreed quickly."
"…It's fine."
But inside—
He was thinking something completely different.
Walking with Violet there…
This might actually kill me.
—
Soon—
Everyone prepared to leave.
Shoes were worn.
Bags picked up.
Kenta rushed outside first.
"Last one outside is old!"
"You're literally twelve," Kentarou replied.
"And you're mentally forty!"
"…I'm deleting your games."
"WAIT."
—
Outside—
The morning air felt fresh.
Bright sunlight reflected softly across the street.
The adults walked ahead while talking.
Kenta and Violet's younger sister followed behind them.
And somehow—
Without planning it—
Kentarou ended up walking beside Violet.
"…!"
His body immediately became stiff.
"…Nice weather," Violet said softly.
"…Yeah."
Great response.
Amazing conversation skills.
Kentarou mentally criticized himself.
But Violet didn't seem bothered.
She looked ahead calmly.
Holding the books he had lent her earlier inside her bag.
"…I started reading them," she suddenly said.
Kentarou blinked.
"…Really?"
She nodded gently.
"I liked them."
A small pause.
Then—
"…Especially the romance one."
"…!"
Critical damage.
Kentarou looked away immediately.
"…I see."
His ears felt slightly warm.
Meanwhile—
Violet secretly smiled a little while looking ahead.
Because his reactions—
Were surprisingly easy to understand.
—
As they continued walking together—
Kentarou quietly glanced at her again.
The sunlight reflected softly through her hair.
The gentle wind moved the edge of her cardigan slightly.
And for a moment—
Everything around him felt quieter.
Slower.
Like the world itself had softened.
"…Beautiful…"
The thought escaped naturally inside his mind.
Then he immediately looked away again.
Calm down.
Seriously calm down.
But deep inside—
He already knew.
Today—
Was going to become another unforgettable memory for him.
Han River Park was lively.
The sound of people talking.
Children running around.
The soft breeze flowing near the river.
Everything felt peaceful.
Bright.
Comfortable.
—
Kenta was the first one to run ahead.
"FOOD!"
"You were waiting for this, weren't you?" Kentarou's father sighed.
"Obviously."
Violet's younger sister immediately followed him.
"Wait for me!"
Meanwhile—
The adults slowly walked together while talking.
Leaving Kentarou and Violet behind for a moment.
An awkward silence formed between them.
Not uncomfortable—
Just quiet.
The kind of silence that strangely felt natural.
—
"So…"
Kentarou finally spoke.
"…Do you come here often?"
Violet shook her head gently.
"Not really."
"…I see."
Another brilliant conversation by Kentarou.
He mentally sighed.
But Violet didn't seem bothered at all.
Instead—
She quietly looked around the park.
"The atmosphere is nice," she said softly.
Kentarou nodded.
"…Yeah."
And somehow—
That small conversation alone made his heartbeat calmer.
—
A few minutes later—
Everyone gathered near a row of food stalls.
The smell of street food filled the air.
"Tteokbokki!"
"Hotteok!"
"Fish cake!"
Kenta looked ready to spend all his future savings there.
"You can't buy everything," Kentarou's mother warned him.
"Then why did we even come?"
"No idea."
"You're the worst family."
Meanwhile—
Mr. Kubo laughed loudly while buying snacks for everyone.
Soon—
The group sat together near the riverside.
Paper cups.
Small food trays.
Warm sunlight.
Kenta was eating faster than humanly possible.
"…Slow down," Kentarou said.
"I can't. The food is too good."
"You said that about instant noodles yesterday."
"Because they were good too."
—
Kentarou quietly stood up after finishing his food.
"…Where are you going?" Violet asked.
"…Coffee."
She blinked slightly.
Then slowly stood up too.
"…I'll come."
"…!"
Kentarou tried his best not to react.
"…Okay."
—
The small coffee stand near the river was crowded.
Kentarou ordered calmly.
"One iced coffee."
The worker nodded.
Then Violet quietly looked at the menu.
"…The same one."
Kentarou looked at her.
"…You drink coffee?"
"…Sometimes."
She looked strangely confident while saying it.
—
A few moments later—
They sat near the river again.
Cold breeze.
Soft sunlight.
The city reflected beautifully across the water.
Kentarou opened his coffee calmly and took a sip.
Meanwhile—
Violet carefully copied him.
She slowly raised the cup.
Took one sip.
And immediately froze.
"…!"
Kentarou noticed instantly.
"…What happened?"
Violet tried to maintain her calm expression.
But failed slightly.
"…It's bitter."
Kentarou stared at her for a second.
Then—
He laughed.
A real laugh.
Not just a small smile.
A genuine laugh escaped him naturally.
"…You hate coffee?"
Violet looked away slightly.
"…A little."
"You ordered the same thing as me."
"…I thought it would taste good."
Kentarou laughed again quietly.
And for the first time—
Violet looked slightly embarrassed.
"…Don't laugh."
"I'm trying not to."
"You're failing."
"…True."
A small silence followed.
Then suddenly—
Violet smiled too.
A soft little smile while holding the coffee she clearly regretted buying.
And somehow—
That small moment felt strangely precious.
—
Meanwhile—
Kenta noticed them from afar.
"…Whoa."
Violet's younger sister looked at him.
"What?"
"…Nothing."
He grinned suspiciously.
"…Interesting."
—
Time passed peacefully.
The sun slowly shifted.
And eventually—
The families decided to move again.
—
Later—
They arrived at a large shopping mall nearby.
Bright lights reflected across the polished floor.
Stores everywhere.
Clothes.
Accessories.
Books.
Electronics.
Kenta immediately ran toward the gaming section.
"WAIT FOR ME!" Violet's younger sister shouted while chasing after him.
The adults slowly moved toward another section.
Leaving Kentarou and Violet walking together once again.
"…This feels dangerous…"
Kentarou thought quietly.
Because somehow—
Without realizing it—
He had started enjoying today far more than he expected.
The shopping mall was crowded.
Bright lights reflected from every direction.
People walked past them constantly.
Yet somehow—
Kentarou only noticed the person beside him.
Violet quietly walked next to him while looking around the different stores.
Calm.
Elegant.
And every now and then—
Her hair moved slightly whenever the cool air from the mall passed by.
"…This really is dangerous…"
Kentarou thought again.
Because the more time he spent near her—
The harder it became to stay calm.
—
Suddenly—
Violet stopped walking.
"…?"
Kentarou looked at her.
She had entered a small accessories shop.
Necklaces.
Bracelets.
Rings.
Small decorations displayed neatly under bright lights.
Violet slowly walked near one section and quietly looked at a silver locket.
A simple design.
But beautiful.
Kentarou looked at it too.
Then—
His eyes shifted toward the price tag.
"…Oh."
Affordable.
Not too expensive.
Something he could actually buy if he wanted to.
For a moment—
He imagined it.
Giving it to her.
Violet receiving it.
Smiling.
Then immediately—
No no no no.
He mentally stopped himself.
What am I even thinking?!
Meanwhile—
Violet was still quietly observing the locket.
Her eyes reflected softly under the light.
"…Do you like it?" Kentarou asked before thinking.
Violet looked at him.
Then at the locket again.
"…It's pretty."
A simple answer.
But somehow—
That alone made Kentarou remember the design completely.
—
After leaving the shop—
They continued walking together.
And eventually—
Kentarou suddenly stopped near another store.
A bookstore.
"…You like books that much?" Violet asked softly.
"…Maybe."
He entered the store.
Violet followed him naturally.
The quiet atmosphere inside immediately felt comfortable.
Rows of mangas.
Light novels.
Magazines.
The smell of paper filled the air.
Kentarou slowly looked through different genres.
Romance.
Mystery.
Horror.
Fantasy.
Violet quietly watched him from nearby.
"…You really read a lot," she said.
"…Probably."
He picked up one manga.
Looked at it.
Put it back.
Then another.
Then another.
Until eventually—
He stopped near the stationery section.
Violet tilted her head slightly.
Kentarou picked up a dark-colored diary.
Simple cover.
Nothing fancy.
But clean.
Neat.
He looked at it silently for a few seconds.
Then bought it.
After leaving the counter—
Violet finally asked.
"…Why did you buy a diary?"
Kentarou looked ahead while walking.
"…Just because."
"…That's not a real answer."
"…Maybe it is."
Violet looked at him quietly for a moment.
Then smiled faintly.
"…You're mysterious."
"…Not really."
But somehow—
Hearing that from her felt strangely nice.
—
Evening slowly arrived.
The sky outside turned orange.
Soft sunset light covered the city beautifully.
The group eventually left the mall together.
Kenta was carrying too many snacks.
Violet's younger sister had bought small accessories.
The adults talked while walking slowly ahead.
And Kentarou quietly walked beside Violet again.
Neither of them spoke much anymore.
But strangely—
The silence no longer felt awkward.
—
Later that evening—
Everyone arrived back at Kentarou's house.
The atmosphere inside felt warmer now.
More familiar.
As if the two families had already known each other for years.
Then suddenly—
"Keeen~!"
Rockie's voice echoed from upstairs.
Violet blinked.
"…What was that?"
Kenta grinned proudly.
"Our genius bird."
"…It's not a genius," Kentarou replied immediately.
"Yes it is."
"No."
"It can literally sing."
"Only because you taught him badly."
—
A few moments later—
Kentarou carefully brought Rockie downstairs.
The cocktail parrot immediately looked around curiously.
Violet's younger sister's eyes sparkled.
"So cute!"
Violet also stepped slightly closer.
Rockie tilted his head while looking at her.
Then suddenly—
Flap.
"…!"
The bird flew directly toward Violet.
And landed perfectly on her shoulder.
Silence.
Everyone looked surprised.
"…Rockie?" Kentarou blinked.
The bird calmly stayed there like it already knew her.
Violet looked slightly surprised too.
But then—
She smiled softly.
Carefully petting Rockie gently.
The parrot happily rubbed its head against her cheek.
"…Traitor," Kentarou muttered quietly.
Kenta immediately laughed.
"He likes her more than you now."
"…Impossible."
Meanwhile—
The image in front of him suddenly felt too perfect to ignore.
Without thinking—
Kentarou took out his phone.
Click.
The moment was captured.
Violet.
Smiling softly.
Rockie on her shoulder.
Warm evening light entering from the window.
A beautiful memory.
One Kentarou already knew—
He would never delete.
—
Night.
The house had become quiet again.
Everyone had gone home.
Kentarou sat alone inside his room.
The new diary rested on his desk.
He opened it slowly.
Then began writing.
About today.
Han River Park.
The coffee.
The mall.
The bookstore.
Rockie sitting on Violet's shoulder.
Every small detail.
Every feeling.
His pen moved quietly across the pages.
Because he didn't want to forget any of it.
Not even one moment.
—
After finishing—
He picked up his phone.
And sent all the photos he had taken throughout the day to Mrs. Kubo.
A few seconds later—
A reply came.
"Thank you for today."
Kentarou looked at the message quietly.
Then slowly placed the phone beside him.
Turned off the light.
And lay down on his bed.
His eyes closed slowly.
And before sleep finally took him—
Only one thought remained inside his mind.
"…Today was fun."