Getting to know Nicole better wasn't a bad thing at all.
Besides, Nicole had opened up so willingly—why ruin the mood by brushing her off?
Hearing Zane's response, Nicole clearly brightened. It was rare to have a friend who was genuinely willing to listen.
She turned toward the car and said softly,
"Zane, don't take it too seriously. Just think of it as a story."
"After all... I don't really care about it anymore."
The withered rose in her memories had long faded. With Nicole's nature, she would never let that bit of shadow dim her current warmth.
"Now, where should I begin...?"
As her voice drifted in the air, Zane blinked and suggested,
"Start at the beginning."
"I want to know everything about you."
Nicole paused, slightly surprised, then smiled and looked off toward the sky.
"I'm an orphan—you probably already knew that. But to be honest, it never made me particularly sad or upset. I honestly didn't care."
"Truly, not at all."
"Because I never met them, had no memories or thoughts about them—there was nothing to feel emotional about."
"I've been at the orphanage for as long as I can remember. The director told me he found me at the doorstep on a dark, windy night."
She glanced at Zane and grinned.
"Found on a dark, stormy night—how's that for a dramatic backstory? Feels like something straight out of a movie, right?"
"Pretty impressive, huh?"
Zane pulled out two shopping bags from the car, handed one to Nicole, and chuckled.
"Everyone's the protagonist of their own story. And you're no different. The fact you made it this far from that kind of beginning... honestly, I think you're more impressive than any movie character."
"Hmph. Nekomata told me you were good at sweet-talking—turns out it's true. But I like it…"
"You're smooth."
Nicole laughed, covering her mouth with one hand while holding the bag with the other.
Zane's expression darkened a little and he half-jokingly warned,
"Nicole, keep teasing me and you'll have to deal with the consequences."
He was just being honest, but in Nicole's mouth it sounded like empty flattery.
"Okay, okay, my bad. You're the gracious one here, aren't you?"
She noticed his look and awkwardly waved her hand.
"Ahem. Back on topic."
"Life at the orphanage got simpler after that, but it was never entirely peaceful. Life always has its ups and downs..."
As Nicole's tone softened, Zane gradually came to understand the vivid tapestry of her past.
...
By late morning, the orphanage courtyard was teeming with kids and cats.
In one corner, the black cat was scolding a kitten who wouldn't let it be petted, while a little girl stood nearby pleading on the kitten's behalf.
Clearly, the black cat wasn't going to let things slide. As the leader and on a mission, it had to set the tone.
Eventually, once the kitten relented, the black cat backed off and resumed its graceful patrol around the yard.
Under the crooked tree, Zane and Nicole sat side by side on a bench. The bare branches cast dappled shadows, like a faint ink painting.
"You've been through a lot, Nicole. And to still have this kind of attitude after everything... that's really something."
Zane's gaze toward her was a bit somber. He frowned and let out a quiet sigh.
"Zane, what's with that expression?"
Nicole sensed something off and quickly said,
"I told you, just treat it as a story. Don't take it to heart. Look at you now—this won't do at all..."
In her head, she imagined all sorts of scenarios. If something fun happened between them again and Zane just backed down with that pitiful look...
That would be way too awkward!
"No way. Zane, we agreed—we're friends. You can't look at me with those kinds of feelings!"
"Promise me!"
Nicole stared at him seriously. She wasn't having it.
Zane understood what she meant. He rested his chin in one hand and sighed.
"Nicole, aren't you giving me a little too much credit? I'm not that softhearted."
"I was just thinking your story was kind of interesting, that's all. I don't pity you. If anything, I'm being nice by not making fun of you..."
"What?! You want to make fun of me?"
Nicole couldn't hold back anymore—her quiet, reflective mood was instantly gone.
Seeing her ready to "settle the score," Zane chuckled softly. Of course he'd never pity her—that wouldn't be respectful at all.
Nicole had fought through so much and come out strong. Her pride was nothing to scoff at.
There's a saying: the best way to treat a friend with struggles is to treat them like anyone else—not with pity, not with special treatment, but just normally.
Nicole wasn't even someone who needed that kind of consideration. But the principle still held.
Suddenly, Zane's expression turned serious, catching Nicole off guard. Then he said,
"Nicole, remember back in the Cretan Hollow? You owed me a favor, right?"
Nicole nodded instinctively. Of course she remembered—she'd lost several million Dennies on that trip...
Seeing her nod, Zane's expression relaxed and he grinned.
"In that case, how about paying back a little now? After all this talking, I'm kind of thirsty. Go get me some water."
Nicole blinked.
Water? And with that commanding tone?
"What? Don't want to?"
"Nicole, you're the 'boss' around here. With all these kids watching, don't you think you should set a good example...?"
"Fine! I'll go!"
Nicole got up and shot Zane a glare.
Honestly, she was the one who should be thirsty—she'd been doing all the talking. Zane barely said anything!
But... a debt's a debt. She'd let it slide—for now.
A moment later...
"Here."
"Shouldn't you be a little more polite to your creditor?"
Hearing that, Nicole's head twitched with irritation. She looked at Zane's smug expression and knew he was doing it on purpose.
"Please... drink your water."
Zane laughed and took the cup, sipping it calmly.
With that bit of silliness, the earlier heavy topic faded away.
Let the past stay in the past, buried with time. What mattered was that things were good now.
Morning blossoms, evening bloom—what she held in her hands wasn't something withered.
"Nicole! Look!"
A few children suddenly ran up to her, the boy in the middle proudly raising his hands like he was holding a precious treasure.
It was an origami cat head.
"Sis Siena taught us how to make it! I was the first one to finish!"