[I'll come earlier.]
A faint smile lingered on Lunivara's lips as she turned—
"Catch it—!!"
"—?"
The shout rang out—
"Milady—!"
Clara pulled her back instantly.
"Step—!"
Lunivara stumbled a step backward—
Just as a figure rushed past—
Black hair.
Red eyes.
Their eyes met—
"…!"
[Him.]
"Thief—!"
"Stop him!"
The fruit seller's voice broke through the noise.
The boy ran.
Fast.
Sharp.
Lunivara moved.
"Step—!"
No hesitation.
[Left—!]
Her body reacted instantly.
Closer—
Closer—
"Thud—!!"
She tackled him.
Both hit the ground hard—
And the basket slipped from his grasp—
"Thump—!"
Fruits spilled across the street.
"Roll… roll… roll…"
"…Let go—!"
He struggled—
Then—
Their eyes met again.
Close.
Clear.
Red—sharp, guarded.
Lunivara stilled for a brief second.
[He's not just running…]
[He's surviving.]
Her grip loosened.
Coins pressed into his hand.
"…Run."
"…What?"
"Run."
Quiet.
Firm.
A pause—
Then—
"…Tch."
He pulled away—
And ran.
Gone.
"Clank—clank—!"
Footsteps approached.
"Milady!" Clara rushed to her. "Are you alright?!"
"I'm fine."
Lunivara stood calmly.
"…Where is he?" a guard asked.
"He ran."
Simple.
The fruit seller hurried over.
"My fruits—! Thank you!"
She gathered what remained from the ground.
And Clara helped.
After they gather all the fruits,they handed it to the fruit seller.
Thank you..miss....The fruit seller said.
Clara looked at her, still worried.
"Milady… please don't do something like that again…"
Lunivara blinked slightly.
"…Don't worry."
"I know what I'm doing."
The fruit seller smiled warmly.
"Please, take these!"
She handed Lunivara some fruits.
This time—
She accepted them.
"…Thank you."
A small smile appeared.
As they walked away—
Lunivara glanced back.
Just once.
Toward where he disappeared.
[Those eyes…]
[We'll meet again.]