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Mira, Abby, Rumi, Jinu, Mystery, and Zoey go on a triple date and meet up at the park For some fun kite flying. Zoey's trying to impress Mystery with her kite flying skills. Rumi and Jinu are competing on which kite of theirs can fly the highest while they flirt and can't take their hands off each other. Abby is patiently helping Mira learn how to fly a kite.
The park was drenched in late afternoon sunlight, the kind that made everything look softer and warmer than usual, like the world had turned the saturation up just for them. The grass stretched wide and green under a pale blue sky streaked with slow, drifting clouds—perfect kite weather, according to Zoey, who had announced that fact at least six times since they’d arrived. Children ran past in bursts of laughter, dogs barked happily at nothing in particular, and the breeze carried just enough strength to tug at loose hair and fabric. It was the ideal setting for a triple date, even if none of them had explicitly labeled it that.
Zoey was the first to sprint toward the open field, her bright yellow kite clutched dramatically in one hand as if she were charging into battle. “Witness greatness!” she declared, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she shot a pointed look at Mystery.
Mystery, standing calmly with his sleek midnight-blue kite resting against his shoulder, raised one eyebrow in quiet amusement. “I am witnessing,” he replied evenly.
She grinned, clearly pleased that he was paying attention. “I’ve been training for this moment.”
“You’ve flown a kite twice,” Mira muttered from behind her.
“Training,” Zoey insisted.
Meanwhile, a few steps away, Rumi and Jinu were already in their own world. Rumi held a bright pink kite shaped like a butterfly, and Jinu had chosen a deep red one with sharp angular patterns that made it look almost dramatic in comparison. They stood far too close together for people supposedly competing.
“Mine’s going higher,” Rumi said confidently, squinting up at the sky.
Jinu leaned closer, brushing his knuckles against hers intentionally as he adjusted the spool. “You underestimate my superior technique.”
“You’re just tall,” she shot back. “That’s cheating.”
“Height is a gift,” he replied smoothly, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her cheek. “One I use wisely.”
She turned pink instantly but refused to back down. “You’re distracting me on purpose.”
“It’s working,” he said, grinning.
She swatted his arm lightly, though her fingers lingered. “Focus on your kite, not me.”
“I can do both.”
And he absolutely was trying to.
A few yards away, Abby stood patiently beside Mira, holding the string of their shared green kite while Mira attempted to figure out how not to trip over it. The breeze tugged playfully at her hair as she narrowed her eyes at the sky in determination.
“Okay,” Abby said gently, stepping closer to guide her hands. “Don’t fight the wind. Let it carry it.”
“I’m not fighting it,” Mira protested, though she absolutely was.
He smiled softly. “You’re very competitive for someone who claims she doesn’t care.”
“I don’t care,” she insisted, her voice pitching up slightly.
He laughed quietly, his fingers brushing hers as he adjusted her grip. The contact lingered a beat too long, and both of them froze for half a second before quickly pretending it hadn’t happened.
Across the field, Zoey had successfully launched her kite into the air and was grinning like she’d conquered a kingdom. “Look at that control!” she called dramatically.
Mystery released his own kite with smooth precision, letting it rise effortlessly into the sky. He didn’t rush. He didn’t strain. He simply guided the line with small, deliberate movements. His kite climbed steadily, cutting clean lines through the air.
Zoey glanced over and narrowed her eyes. “Are you showing off?”
“Not intentionally,” he replied.
She puffed out her cheeks. “You’re supposed to be impressed.”
“I am,” he said calmly. “You’re very enthusiastic.”
“That’s not the same thing!”
He stepped closer, his shoulder brushing hers as he studied her kite. “You don’t need to impress me.”
Her expression faltered slightly, surprise softening her bravado. “I don’t?”
“No,” he said simply. “I already like you.”
The wind nearly stole the breath from her lungs. She turned bright red, fumbling her spool slightly before regaining control. “Oh.”
He smiled faintly, clearly unbothered by her chaotic energy. If anything, he seemed grounded by it.
Back with Rumi and Jinu, the competition had escalated into playful chaos.
“Higher!” Rumi insisted, tugging her string slightly.
“Careful,” Jinu warned, though he was laughing. “You’ll snap it.”
“Are you doubting my butterfly?”
“I would never doubt you,” he said smoothly, stepping behind her and wrapping one arm around her waist to “help” guide her movements.
She immediately leaned back into him. “You’re cheating again.”
“I’m strategizing.”
“You just want to hold me.”
“That too.”
She turned her head slightly to glare at him, but he kissed her before she could finish the expression. It was quick but warm, the kind of kiss that made Mira glance over and visibly cringe.
“Do you two ever take breaks?” Mira called out.
“From breathing?” Jinu replied.
“From each other!”
Rumi grinned unapologetically. “No.”
As if on cue, their kites suddenly jerked in the wind and collided midair, strings twisting together in a colorful, chaotic knot.
Mira blinked at the tangled mess overhead and then burst into laughter. “Wow. That’s the most accurate representation of your relationship I’ve ever seen.”
Rumi gasped in mock offense. “We are not tangled.”
Jinu looked up at the spiraling strings. “We absolutely are.”
She tried to maintain her indignation but failed, laughing as she leaned into him. “Okay, maybe a little.”
“A lot,” Mira corrected.
Abby chuckled softly beside her, squeezing her hand without realizing he was doing it. When he noticed, he froze but she didn’t pull away.
Instead, she glanced at him shyly. “Thanks for helping me,” she murmured.
“Always,” he replied gently.
Her cheeks flushed again, and before she could overthink it, she leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. It was soft and slightly awkward, their timing just a fraction off, but sweet in its sincerity.
Abby blinked in surprise, then smiled slow and warm and completely smitten.
Meanwhile, Zoey had somehow managed to keep her kite airborne despite her dramatic movements. Mystery stepped closer, studying her with quiet admiration.
“You’re having fun,” he observed.
“Of course I am,” she said proudly. “This is peak romance.”
“Kite flying?”
“With you,” she clarified quickly.
He leaned down and kissed her cheek—once, then again, soft and unhurried. “You don’t need stunts to impress me.”
Her entire body short-circuited. “I—okay.”
Across the field, Rumi and Jinu had given up on untangling their kites immediately and were instead arguing playfully about who caused the collision.
“You drifted left,” Rumi insisted.
“You pulled too hard,” he countered.
“You distracted me.”
“You distract yourself.”
She gasped and pushed his shoulder lightly. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love it.”
She tried to deny it but failed miserably, grabbing his collar and kissing him properly this time. He melted into it instantly, hands sliding to her waist as if he couldn’t resist her gravity.
Mira groaned loudly. “I’m going to throw a kite at them.”
Zoey sidled up beside her. “We should absolutely tease you later, by the way.”
Mira blinked. “Why me?”
Zoey smirked. “Because you kissed Abby first.”
Mira turned scarlet. “It was a thank you!”
“Sure,” Zoey said knowingly.
Rumi overheard and grinned wickedly. “Oh, we’re absolutely teasing her later.”
Jinu nodded. “It’s our duty.”
Mira threw her hands up. “You’re all insufferable.”
Abby laughed softly. “I don’t mind.”
She glanced at him, heart doing a ridiculous flip again. “You’re enjoying this?”
“A little,” he admitted.
She shook her head, though she couldn’t stop smiling.
Eventually, Jinu and Rumi worked together to untangle their strings, their fingers brushing constantly, their foreheads bumping at one point in a shared laugh. They were ridiculous and hopeless and completely obsessed with each other and they didn’t care who knew it.
As the sun dipped lower and painted the sky in streaks of pink and gold, all three kites—well, five, technically—soared overhead, dancing against the wind.
Jinu slipped his arm around Rumi again, pressing a kiss into her hair. Abby stood close to Mira, their shoulders touching comfortably now. Mystery adjusted Zoey’s grip with calm patience while she narrated her own performance dramatically.
And in the middle of a breezy park under a wide open sky, laughter carried freely, affection flowed easily, and every couple whether tangled like kites or just learning to fly had felt exactly where they were meant to be.