Epilogue

The weekend sun spilled warm light across the park, glinting off the calm surface of the lake. Viktor kicked a pebble off the path as he sighed, "Next time, we're picking somewhere with air-conditioning."

Mia laughed, tugging the strap of her bag higher. "You were the one who wanted to 'touch grass' for once."

"Yeah, but grass touches back," Viktor muttered, swatting at a mosquito.

Ali snorted. "That's what happens when you leave your room, man."

"Easy for you to say," Viktor shot back. "You've been smiling this whole time for some reason. It's suspicious."

Ali turned away with an exaggerated shrug. "I'm just in a good mood."

Mia glanced between him and Alicia, who was quietly finishing her iced tea beside him. Her expression softened into a knowing grin. "Right. Just a good mood."

Alicia rolled her eyes but didn't bother arguing. "Don't start," she warned lightly, and that only made Mia giggle harder.

They stopped under a tree near the lake, the breeze picking up just enough to rustle Alicia's short hair. The moment felt simple — just four friends laughing, no missions, no danger. For once, it was normal.

As the sun dipped lower, Viktor and Mia decided to head off first, leaving Ali and Alicia behind under the orange sky.

"I'll walk you home," Ali offered without thinking.

Alicia raised an eyebrow. "You're not tired?"

"Not enough to skip walking with you." He said it so casually that she didn't know if he meant it or not — which, somehow, made it worse.

They fell into step along the familiar sidewalk, their shadows stretching long beside them. The laughter from earlier faded, replaced by the soft sounds of cicadas and distant chatter.

For a while, neither spoke. Then Ali glanced over, his tone suddenly lighter. "You know... Viktor asked me something weird earlier."

"Oh?"

"He asked if we were dating."

Alicia blinked. "And you said—?"

"I said no," Ali replied easily, then added with a faint grin, "But I also didn't say we're not."

She stopped walking, turning toward him with that classic unimpressed look. "That doesn't even make sense."

"It does," he said, meeting her gaze. "We're not dating, but... we're not not dating, either."

Her breath caught — just for a second — before she crossed her arms and scoffed, "That's ridiculous."

"Maybe." He tilted his head slightly. "But you haven't exactly disagreed."

Alicia hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Ali, you know we can't... not with everything else."

 "Yeah. I know. Maybe next time." He smiled faintly, softer now as he shrugged.

The breeze picked up again, carrying the scent of evening air. They started walking once more.