𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙩 & 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚| 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙭 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a bright, warm glow over the bustling streets of the city. The shops were alive with people moving in and out, carrying bags and chatting with one another. It was a perfect day for a little break from everything—the perfect day for shopping.
Y/N had been spending so much time with Boothill lately that she hadn't had much of a chance to hang out with her friends. So, when March and Himeko had invited her out for a girls' day, she couldn't resist. It was a welcome distraction, and honestly, she missed their lively energy.
"You're sure you want to join us today?" Himeko had teased earlier, winking as she adjusted her scarf. "I know you've been spending a lot of time with Boothill. We wouldn't want to intrude on your romantic time."
Y/N had laughed it off, brushing her hair behind her ear. "It's not like that. I could use a break, too. Plus, I think Boothill is okay on his own for a day."
And so, here they were, strolling down the street, the three of them laughing and chatting as they window-shopped and made plans to visit various stores. March was always the most energetic, practically bouncing from one shop to the next, her eyes scanning every display like she was looking for treasure.
"Look, look!" March squealed, stopping abruptly in front of a boutique. "How cute is this? I have to get this!"
Himeko raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "March, you've said that about three different stores already. Are you planning on buying the whole market?"
March grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling. "Hey, you can never have too many cute outfits! You should try some of these, Y/N," she added, nudging her playfully. "You'd look adorable in one of these dresses."
Y/N glanced at the colorful dresses on display, the fabric flowing elegantly in the breeze. She smiled but shook her head. "I don't know... I'm not much of a dress person, honestly."
"Oh, come on!" March insisted, practically dragging her toward the entrance. "Just try one on! I promise, you'll feel fabulous!"
Laughing, Y/N gave in and followed her inside, Himeko trailing behind them with a bemused smile. As they browsed through the racks, March pulled out a few dresses she thought Y/N would look great in, all the while chatting excitedly about everything under the sun.
"So, Y/N," Himeko started, her tone a little teasing, "we've all noticed that you've been spending a lot of time with a certain someone lately." She raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her own words.
Y/N felt her cheeks flush slightly, but she tried to keep her cool. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, you know," Himeko continued, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Boothill. You two seem to have... clicked recently."
March immediately stopped flipping through the dresses, her eyes wide with interest. "Ooh, tell us everything! Are you two official now?"
Y/N paused for a moment, the question catching her off guard. It was still so new—still so delicate—but there was something in her chest that made her smile softly when she thought of him. "It's still... complicated," she said, her voice quieter now. "But yes, we've been spending a lot of time together. It feels nice, though. Being with him."
March grinned from ear to ear. "Aww, that's so sweet! I'm glad for you, Y/N. Honestly, Boothill seems like a good guy, even if he's a little... rough around the edges."
Y/N laughed, feeling a little lighter with the conversation. "He's definitely... different. But I think that's what makes it work."
Himeko nodded thoughtfully. "I get that. Sometimes the people you least expect can surprise you."
March's eyes sparkled as she picked out a dress for herself and held it up in front of her. "Y/N's got herself a mysterious, brooding guy. Meanwhile, I've got..." She trailed off dramatically, her grin widening. "A certain mysterious guy who has the cutest habit of avoiding me."
Y/N raised an eyebrow, catching on. "Wait... Dan Heng?"
March's cheeks turned a shade of pink that wasn't exactly subtle. "Shh! Don't say it so loudly!" she hissed, glancing around as if worried someone might overhear. "He's not avoiding me! He's just... very focused on his work. But it's been so hard to catch him alone lately! I swear, every time I try, it's like he has a sixth sense. He knows when I'm nearby and somehow disappears."
Himeko chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the teasing. "March, you're the one who's been practically chasing him around. It's no surprise he's been keeping his distance."
"I'm not chasing him!" March protested, puffing out her cheeks. "I just think he's... really cute. And mysterious. And he's always so serious, it's kind of hard to get him to lighten up."
Y/N couldn't help but laugh. "Sounds like someone's got a little crush."
March's face went from pink to red in an instant, and she glared at Y/N playfully. "I do not have a crush! It's just... I think he'd be fun to spend more time with! That's all!"
Himeko smirked. "Sure, March. Whatever you say."
"Okay, okay," March huffed, rolling her eyes. "Enough about me. Let's focus on you two. I'm sure you've got plenty of good stories to tell." She wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.
Y/N chuckled and glanced over at Himeko, who gave her a knowing look. "Well," Y/N said, a playful smile on her lips, "I'll tell you, it's still a work in progress. But I think things are going in a good direction."
The three of them continued to chat and laugh, their conversation flowing easily from one topic to the next. It was a rare moment of normalcy, of comfort, and it felt like everything had settled into place. There was no pressure, no tension—just good friends, spending a day together, enjoying the simple joys of life.
As the afternoon wore on, March and Himeko encouraged Y/N to try on a couple of dresses, much to her amusement, and by the end of it, they had a small pile of items to try on. The afternoon was spent in light-hearted fun, teasing, and, of course, gossip.
March, still clearly thinking about Dan Heng, kept casting sidelong glances around the shop, as if hoping to spot him. Himeko caught her eye and smirked, nudging her gently. "You never know, maybe today's the day he'll surprise you."
March shot Himeko a playful glare. "If only he could actually see me first. Or, you know, not vanish every time I'm within ten feet of him."
Y/N laughed, feeling the easy camaraderie of her friends surround her. The tension with Boothill, while still present, seemed far away in moments like this. Here, surrounded by friends and laughter, life felt simple.
For now, that was enough.