having himself settled on a table for two by the window of a newly-established bakery, marius hummed a small tune as his lips visibly formed a smile, waiting for someone to arrive.

he didn't know what he was excited about, truthfully. there's nothing but bickering that's happening towards him and his companion, so why would he even feel ecstatic? even he asks himself this question at times, but he doesn't really bother to answer it, not knowing the answer.

just as when the purple-haired male was about to complain about y/n's tardiness, the wind chime by the door rang, revealing marius' painting inspiration that he has been waiting for. however, instead of greeting her, marius' eyes were stuck on her the moment she entered the building.

he didn't know what was the reason. was it her dress? her hair? or her light make-up she put on? or maybe all of them. marius just thought that she was... beautiful.

'luh, si y/n 'to?' he asked himself inside his head, visibly confused when y/n appeared. it wasn't only until the latter finally sat down across his seat did he snap out of his thoughts.

immediately, he was greeted by y/n's calm demeanor, taking marius aback as it was unusual for him to hear it. "hi, marius." she smiled as she set her sling bag aside, which caused marius to internally combust.

'omg tinawag niya 'kong marius.'

clearing the invisible lump on his throat with a fake cough, marius replied. "hello, ate. late mo, ah. siguro may kabit ka na."

y/n raised an eyebrow towards the male, completely disappointed by what he just said. she attempted to leave, but marius immediately asked for forgiveness before she was even able to stand up from her chair. "joke lang, e!"

"edi wow, von hagen." she rolled her eyes and paused on speaking, but she instantly continued, remembering what she was here for. "so, ano'ng naging problema sa paper?"

the moment she asked this question, marius' hands started to sweat, not sure what answer to give her. luckily for him, he remembered a few faults that were spotted on their research paper, discussing them together.

with both arms crossed, y/n nods her head. "sige, i-revise ko nalang mamayang kauwi. thank you, marius." she said, smiling slightly towards the male, and oh boy did that make marius want to scream his heart out. 'hello!? ang ganda niya talaga!'

meanwhile, y/n smirked in her imagination. she knew that she was playing her cards right. she's not dumb to not notice marius' pretty little actions towards her. he was head over heels and she knows it. it wasn't even an assumption at this point.

"so, von hagen." she started another conversation as their food arrived, giving the waitress the time to put down what they ordered before speaking another set of words. "buti panay lapit ka sa'kin lately? it's not like you, alam mo yun?"

marius gulped his own saliva down due to the question he received. "a-ah, ano..." he hesitated, eyes averting with a small blush on his cheeks. "secret ko na muna yon, bleh." he resumed, which caused the female to groan.

'ano'ng klaseng sagot 'yan, von hagen?' y/n thought to herself before slowly stuffing her face with her dessert, eyes focused on anything but marius.

one would question why she was acting this way, but marius didn't. in fact, it was his chance to sneak a glance of her for painting purposes, and heck, no matter how many times he looks at her lately, he just can't help but admire her.

"beautiful."

"sino, ako?"

"hindi, kadiri ka naman."

"pakyu."