We went the next afternoon.
That was deliberate.
Enough time to think.Not enough time to hesitate.
Ha-rin stood near the door, mask already on, the cap resting in her hand. She stared at it like it was something she disliked but understood.
"…I really hate this," she muttered.
"The cap," I said.
She nodded. "It feels like I'm hiding."
"It's temporary," I replied.
She sighed, then put it on herself.
"…I know."
My mother opened the door before either of us could say anything else.
"Let's go," she said. "Before you both start overthinking."
The dealership was quieter than I expected.
Clean.Neutral.Forgettable.
Good.
Ha-rin stayed close to me—not touching, but close enough that I noticed when her steps slowed.
"…This place feels strange," she whispered.
"Because it's public," I replied. "But controlled."
She glanced at me. "…You planned that too."
"Yes."
Cars were lined up under white lights, all polished and attention-seeking.
Ha-rin squinted.
"…They all look like they want to be noticed."
"We are not choosing those," I said.
She relaxed a little.
We stopped in front of a dark-colored sedan.
Plain.Unremarkable.Safe.
"…This one," she said slowly.
"Yes."
"…Why does it feel less scary."
"Because no one would remember it," I replied.
She walked around it, then opened the back door and sat down.
The moment she did, her shoulders dropped.
"…It's quiet," she said.
"Yes."
"…I could sit here and not feel watched."
"That matters."
She looked at me.
"…You really decided this because of that taxi, didn't you."
"Yes."
"…And because of me."
"Yes."
Her ears turned red.
"…You say things too directly."
"I try to be accurate."
A salesman approached, cautious and polite.
"Would you like to look at specifications or—"
"We're deciding," I said calmly.
Ha-rin turned toward me.
"…Deciding?"
"Yes."
"…Already?"
She searched my face.
"You don't look unsure."
"I am not."
She looked back at the car.
"…You didn't ask me."
"I am now," I said. "Is this acceptable."
She nodded.
"…Yes."
That was enough.
As we walked toward the exit, she tugged lightly at my sleeve.
"…One more thing," she said.
"Yes?"
"…Who's paying."
I answered without hesitation.
"Of course me."
She stopped walking.
"…What."
"I decided to buy the car," I said calmly. "So I will pay."
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"…We'll talk about that."
"Yes," I replied.
"…Soon."
"Yes."
She let go of my sleeve, clearly annoyed.
"…You're too confident."
"That is intentional."
She looked away, cheeks faintly red.
"…This isn't over."
"I know."