The next day at lunchtime, the trio—Aurora, Fiora, and Amber—gathered again at K's usual lunch spot on the rooftop.
Aurora munched her lunch angrily, cheeks puffed and pouty like a sulking cat.
Fiora sat beside her, glance downcast, fidgeting nervously.
Amber, on the other hand, blinked between them, utterly lost.
Leaning closer to Aurora's ear, Amber whispered, "Did something happen?"
"Nah, nothing," Aurora said flatly, munching her rice with her chopsticks like it personally offended her.
Amber turned to Fiora. "Fiora? Did something—"
But Fiora was miles away in thought, silent.
Amber sighed. "Geez! Can someone just tell me what's going on? I'm the only one here with zero context!"
Right then, the rooftop door creaked open. The handle barely turned before K stepped out, looking as grumpy as ever.
"Yo!" Amber waved with a grin.
K didn't even glance at her. "Why are you all invading my private spot again? If you want to use it, at least ask first!" His tone snapped like a lightning bolt.
"Don't be selfish," Amber retorted. "We even left your favorite seat open. That's hospitality!"
K sighed dramatically and took his seat. As he tore open his bread packet, Aurora turned her face away, clearly refusing to acknowledge him.
He squinted. "What now?"
Aurora said nothing.
Amber raised a brow. "Oh, I think I get it now…" she murmured under her breath.
Fiora fidgeted, then called softly, "Wait… K-senpai."
"Hm?" K looked at her.
"Just like I said before… here." Fiora shyly handed over a lunch box, her voice trembling but firming up as she closed her eyes.
"I don't know if you'll like it, but I tried really hard, so… please accept it!"
Aurora and Amber froze, eyes darting between the two.
K blinked, confused. "A lunchbox? Why?"
"I told you before that I'd make one for you… so…" Fiora's voice dwindled nervously.
K rubbed his neck, thinking hard. "Thanks, but… if I take this, it'd feel unfair. After yesterday evening, it'd be selfish of me."
"After yesterday?" Amber blinked, glancing from K to Fiora. Fiora's face fell instantly. Aurora's, however, twisted in visible fury.
"I don't mind, K-senpai," Fiora said quickly, forcing a smile. "It was selfish of me to rush things."
Aurora slammed her chopsticks down. "Fiora, you don't have to make excuses for that walking rude machine."
K's eyebrow twitched. "Oi! Did you just call me a walking rude machine?"
"Hmph!" Aurora turned away again, arms crossed.
Fiora clung to K's sleeve nervously. "K-senpai, please calm down!"
Amber held Aurora back with one arm. "Girl, please, it's just bread! Don't start World War Lunch."
K clicked his tongue, stuffed his hands in his pockets, and stood. "Whatever. Do what you want." He walked off toward the exit.
Amber sighed. "Aurora, that was definitely rude."
Fiora's eyes dimmed with concern.
Amber crossed her arms. "At least tell me what happened yesterday."
Aurora exhaled deeply, then explained: yesterday evening, after shopping, she saw K and Fiora together—right when K coldly rejected Fiora. That moment still burned in Aurora's mind.
Amber nodded slowly. "So that's why you're mad at him."
Fiora lowered her head. "Aurora-senpai… thank you for worrying about me. But… it was my fault. I didn't consider K-senpai's feelings."
"Don't say that," Aurora replied softly. "It's not your fault. Sure, K can be cold, but he could've rejected you more politely."
"Hm…" Fiora agreed quietly.
After a moment of silence, Amber asked, "Sooo?"
"Sooo what?" Aurora frowned.
"How are you going to patch things up with him?" Amber asked innocently.
Aurora snapped, "Why would I patch up with him?"
Fiora tried to reason gently. "Aurora-senpai… K-senpai may act rude, but he actually tries not to make things awkward. That's his way of being kind."
Amber leaned back with a sigh. "Yeah, and if you're waiting for K to apologize, forget it. That guy's allergic to emotional responsibility."
Aurora stood suddenly, raising her voice. "I don't want to talk about this! And I will never apologize for something that wasn't wrong!"
With that, she stormed off the rooftop, the door slamming behind her.
Fiora looked worried. "Amber-senpai…?"
Amber scratched her head, forcing a small laugh. "Well… maybe we just wait and see what happens next."