"Sweet uncertainty"

21 years old, huh...

He smiles to himself, and when he finally looks up, a mixture of amazement and pride in his eyes, a hint of joy flickers in his expression.

HAWKS

"Well, you had me fooled, so..." He leans towards her, smiling that flirtatious look he used to flaunt in front of the cameras when he had his wings, but which, at this moment, was only for her. "21 years old?" He lets out a soft chuckle, bringing a hand to his forehead and laughing heartily. "I don't think I've remembered what it felt like to make such a basic technical mistake since I was a kid. What's happening to me?" He smiles warmly, letting his hand fall onto the seat. "It must be this language thing!" he jokes awkwardly.

KANRI

When he started laughing like that, talking to me even though I couldn't understand him, my heart started racing without warning. Why did he have to get so close? Did he want to give me a heart attack?

The heat in my cheeks burned my fingers when I touched them!

I tried to control myself, giving him a confused but warm smile. No matter what he said, this moment was simply perfect for me.

HAWKS

He types what he wants to tell me, then places a hand on my shoulder, handing me his phone:

"Kanri, 21? What do you mean, 21? You're quite an interesting case. I've been taking care of you for a whole week like you were a child, and it turns out you're an adult! What a surprise! I guess I won't have to worry about your parents' signature anymore!" He leans closer to her again, with that curious smile that melts anyone's heart.

KANRI

"Seriously, you didn't know?" I laugh as I type back. "Wow, I guess living in different countries has its pros and cons!" I glance at him, thinking, while typing quickly. "Hey... you're not going to change, are you?" I mean... -I pouted a little- I liked how we got along! Now that you know... tell me, what do you think of me?

As I handed him my phone, I let my hand brush against his. I felt so calm by his side; I knew... he was a safe place.

HAWKS

-What can I say? I feel strangely comfortable. Now I know things are easier to handle, and that takes a weight off my shoulders after all this mess.

You took me by surprise, yes! But I like it. We're on equal footing, Kanri, I like that!

KANRI

My eyes, bright with anxiety, softened a little. We both felt relieved, and that was all I needed, for now...

-It's a weight off my shoulders too, Hawks! It's reassuring to see you that way!

I peered out the window, carefully observing the road. I took the device in my hands, typing something I'd been meaning to confess to him since the moment we met. I know I'm an enigma, one that only I understand, yet I struggle to decipher... Sometimes I panic or feel anxious, but paradoxically, I can also be as calm and tranquil as I am now, with the weight of my past on my shoulders; full of bitter secrets that reluctantly come out, but which, in the yearning for freedom, find peace. I know I've taken my time, but I was waiting for the right moment for this conversation, where no one could hear or disturb us.

Those golden headlights met mine, their gaze defying the dark sea within my eyes, which looked away with a certain sadness. Hawks was silent for a couple of seconds, processing the magnitude of my words, before giving me a slight nod. His expression turned somber upon receiving this information; It seemed to have affected her a little, or perhaps too much... I told the taxi driver where we were going, and we stopped at a shopping mall very close to my house. The cold was the main feature; it had been predicted that this winter would be twice as intense as the last.

The sun's rays were beginning to fade, highlighting the young Kanri's gaze. The light transformed her eyes, creating a new color that bordered on the coldness of a clear, purplish blue, a secret reflection of her emotions. Hawks got out of the car, staring at her as his eyes widened slightly. That purplish blue caught his attention, but he immediately looked away, trying to appear professional and serious, because the situation warranted it.

Walking toward the mall, an orange butterfly landed on my chest. My eyes turned orange too, and Hawks leaned toward me to look at me. He was slightly startled by the new color of my eyes. "Again? Do his eyes change because of his quirk or what?" he thought, astonished, while I stood frozen, focused solely on that butterfly. He snapped his fingers gently, making it fly away, and then let out a light, ironic laugh.

HAWKS

"Well, well, it seems you're afraid of a butterfly, but you weren't afraid when you saved me! You're very interesting, Kanri Rui..." he smiled casually, resting his hands in the pockets of his bluish-black jacket.

KANRI

I laughed a little nervously. I didn't understand what he had said, but that flirtatious look he gave me when he shooed away the poor butterfly and the tone of his voice said it all.

I looked toward the stalls. The noise of the neighborhood was almost nonexistent; there wasn't a soul around. Suddenly, I felt the soft touch of his fingers on my arm, making me react instantly with a small start. There it was: he was showing me the real-time translator.

TEXT ON SCREEN

"Choose what you want, you're the one who speaks Spanish! Make it easy for me, last time it was such a hassle to make just one purchase!" He gave me a teasing little smile, almost like a child or teenager who doesn't want to do their homework. "Was he being childish with me?" I thought.

I couldn't help it; he made me laugh. I slowly picked up the phone, staring at it for a few seconds longer than necessary, like someone gauging the other person's behavior and playfully judging it. We were already comfortable with each other!

I typed quickly, ordering two very sweet coffees with croissants; a McDonald's classic! When the order arrived, we went to sit down.

Hawks poured the sugar packets into his coffee. He stared into space, until his gaze met mine in a slow blink, filled with overwhelming intensity.

HAWKS

—So... who's threatening you?

To be continued...

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