It was evening.
The sky was slowly turning orange as the sun began to set.
Arin found Aaika standing alone.
He walked up to her, his expression serious.
"Aaika," he said,
"what happened at the ice cream parlour today… was that really you?"
Aaika looked at him calmly.
"Yes."
Arin frowned slightly.
"You're the same girl who gets scared of a lizard… and today you took down armed goons like it was nothing?"
Aaika didn't react.
Instead, she said in a steady voice,
"A lizard doesn't attack without reason."
Arin looked confused.
"But those men did," she continued. "They provoked me. So I ended it."
There was no fear in her tone.
No hesitation.
Just… cold clarity.
Arin stared at her for a moment.
Something didn't add up.
"You're not telling me everything," he said.
Aaika's eyes met his.
"And what exactly do you think I'm hiding?"
Arin didn't answer immediately.
He stepped a little closer.
"I don't know," he admitted. "But something feels… different."
Aaika let out a small breath.
"You're overthinking."
Arin shook his head.
"No. I saw the way those men were beaten. That wasn't normal."
For a second—
Aaika's expression almost changed.
But she controlled it instantly.
Inside her mind, thoughts clashed—
He's getting suspicious.
You need to be careful.
Don't let him get closer to the truth.
Outwardly, she just smiled faintly.
"Maybe you're underestimating me," she said.
Arin narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Or maybe I never really knew you."
That line—
Hit deeper than expected.
For a moment, Aaika said nothing.
Wish, invisible beside her, whispered softly,
"He's getting closer… you need to act now."
Aaika looked back at Arin.
Her voice softened this time.
"You know me enough," she said.
"Or at least… enough to trust me."
Arin hesitated.
That word again—
Trust.
He looked into her eyes, trying to find something real.
But all he found was mystery.
"I do trust you," he said slowly.
"But I don't understand you."
Aaika replied quietly,
"Then maybe… you don't need to understand everything."
A silence fell between them.
Not empty—
But heavy.
Arin finally stepped back.
"Just… be careful," he said.
But this time, his tone had changed.
It wasn't just concern anymore.
It carried doubt.
Aaika watched him walk away.
Her expression faded.
And slowly…
The calm mask disappeared.
"He's starting to question everything," she whispered.
Wish appeared beside her.
"Good," she said. "That means he's emotionally involved. Now you just need to pull him closer."
Aaika closed her eyes for a moment.
"This isn't getting easier…"
Her voice was barely audible.
Because now—
Every lie she told him…
Felt heavier than before.
Time was passing quickly.
Each day brought Aaika closer to the fourteen-day deadline.
That evening, she turned to Wish, her voice slightly restless.
"Now tell me your plan."
Wish looked at her and said casually,
"You need to say I love you to him."
Aaika's eyes widened instantly.
"If you say that again, I'll kill you," she snapped. "I can't even hear those words, let alone say them."
Wish rolled her eyes.
"I didn't say you have to mean it."
Aaika frowned.
"Then?"
Wish smirked.
"Tell him about a diary. A secret one… where you write your feelings."
Aaika looked confused.
"Why?"
Wish crossed her arms.
"Just do what I say. That's enough."
Later, Aaika met Arin.
He seemed… distant.
A little cold.
Aaika noticed immediately.
"What happened?" she asked softly.
"Nothing," Arin replied.
Then after a pause, he added,
"Just that you don't tell me everything."
That hit her.
Aaika's expression hardened slightly.
"What am I hiding?"
Arin looked straight at her.
"Everything. The way you fought those men… that's not normal."
Aaika replied quickly,
"I've practiced self-defense."
Arin narrowed his eyes.
"Are you sure you're not hiding anything from me?"
Aaika held his gaze.
"No."
Then she changed the topic.
"Let's talk about something else."
Arin sighed lightly.
"Fine. You tell me."
Aaika hesitated for a moment.
Then she said,
"You know… I have a secret diary."
Arin looked surprised.
"Oh? And why are you telling me that?"
Aaika replied softly,
"Because we're friends… and you're my first friend."
Beside her, Wish whispered,
"Excuse me? I was first."
Aaika muttered under her breath,
"Be quiet."
Arin looked confused.
"What?"
"Nothing," Aaika said quickly.
Arin smiled faintly.
"Okay… that's interesting."
After a short silence, Aaika said,
"Let's go somewhere."
Arin shook his head.
"Not now. I have some work. Maybe after three days."
Aaika paused.
"Three days later… it's my birthday."
Arin looked genuinely surprised.
"Really? You never told me."
Aaika replied lightly,
"You never asked."
They both smiled a little.
After talking for a while, Aaika said,
"Come to my house that day. My parents are out, so I'll celebrate with friends."
Arin nodded.
"I'll come. Promise."
As he walked away—
Aaika stood still.
Something felt strange again.
This wasn't just a plan anymore.
It was becoming… something else.
Wish appeared beside her.
"Good," she said. "Now the next step begins."
Aaika didn't respond.
Because deep inside—
She wasn't sure anymore
Whether she was trapping him…
Or getting trapped herself.
To be continued…