EXT. SCHOOL GATE – EVENING
It was the first time Oriel would be sleeping over at Azure's house.
They were both visibly excited—talking too fast, laughing too loudly, walking a little closer than usual as they made their way out of the school gate.
A few meters ahead, their conversation continued without pause.
"Let's watch this one!" Azure said, holding up her phone so Oriel could see the screen.
Oriel's eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded over and over. "Yes! That one looks fun."
"And let's try the new release too—what was it called again?" Oriel tilted her head, trying to remember.
They took a few more steps.
Then Oriel stopped.
Just ahead, leaning casually against their usual lamppost, was DJ.
"Why are you here?" Oriel asked, genuinely confused. "I told you I'm sleeping over at Azure's house."
DJ pushed himself off the post, expression calm. "Yeah. I know."
Azure slowed, watching them from a step behind.
"Then why are you here?" Oriel pressed. "You should've gone home already. You wasted your time waiting."
"Nah," DJ said easily. "I'm walking you."
Azure's gaze moved between them, quietly following the exchange.
"I'm not twelve," Oriel pouted, rolling her eyes. "You don't need to walk us home."
"Don't care," DJ replied, arms crossed. "Do you know how many people get harassed on the streets?"
"You're making that up!"
"Azure," DJ called suddenly.
Her heart jumped—more from surprise than anything else.
"Y-Yes?" she answered, stepping forward a little too stiffly.
"Let's go," DJ said, motioning ahead. "Miss 'I'm mature now' can complain all she wants. I'm still walking you both."
Azure hesitated for half a second, then nodded. She still thought of him as an older-brother type—firm, but dependable.
They started walking.
DJ naturally took the front, setting an easy pace. Oriel followed behind him, clearly sulking.
"Sorry about that," DJ whispered to Azure with a small smile. "She's been in her 'I'm an adult' phase lately."
Azure smiled back. It wasn't anything special—just a casual moment—but she found herself thinking how reliable he seemed.
Then DJ stopped abruptly.
Azure almost ran into him.
Behind her, Oriel bumped lightly into DJ's back.
"DJ! Why did you stop?" Oriel protested.
"Ori," DJ said, his tone suddenly serious.
Oriel blinked. "Wh—what?"
DJ leaned in slightly, one hand braced beside her ear, and whispered something.
Oriel's face went completely red.
The next second, she punched his arm. "DJ! Shut up!"
She grabbed Azure's hand and started walking faster, muttering under her breath. "Stupid. Stupid."
Azure blinked, confused, glancing back at DJ—who was already following again, keeping a careful distance.
"How could he even ask that…?" Oriel muttered, her red face slowly fading into pink.
"Ask what?" Azure finally asked.
Oriel bit her lip, clearly embarrassed. "…Pads."
"Pads?"
She nodded. "I used to forget my period a lot. And pads. He's had to buy them for me before."
"But just a few times! Just once or twice!"
Her face burned again. "But why bring it up now? We're in senior high! I'm an adult!"
"Oh," Azure said, honestly surprised. "That's… thoughtful."
"It's not!" Oriel snapped. "It's annoying."
Azure laughed softly. "So you don't have any right now, do you?"
Oriel avoided her gaze, hands fidgeting behind her back.
Azure tilted her head, watching Oriel's eyes dart away. After a moment, she stepped forward and quietly blocked her path.
Oriel bit her lips and said "…Just now. I forgot."
Azure chuckled, suppressing her laugh.
Behind them, DJ jogged up, slightly out of breath, holding a paper bag.
"Hey," he said. "I got some. Just in case." His face was the same, always unbothered by Oriel's words.
"I said I have!" Oriel protested.
Azure gently took the bag and peeked inside.
The exact brand.
She smiled, impressed—not by the gesture itself, but by how easily he remembered. "I'll hold onto it for her."
"Azure!" Oriel groaned.
"See?" DJ said with a grin. "Azure's mature."
They continued walking.
They arrived safely at Azure's house not long after. DJ waved goodbye with an easy smile before heading back.
Later, as they set up for their movie night, Azure spoke casually.
"He really looks after you."
Oriel scoffed. "He's irritating."
"I mean, I'd love it if someone looked after me like that," she said lightly, half-teasing.
DJ was gentle. Thoughtful. Kind in a way that felt effortless, like a guardian angel she often teased Oriel about. Oriel would always wave it off, muttering, If we could switch places, I would.
Azure smiled at the memory.
Still… she thought, that would be nice.