Seeing how pale Gingger looked since morning, Miles finally couldn’t pretend not to care anymore. It felt like something in him twisted just seeing them like that—so drained, so lifeless. Even if he didn’t mean anything more by it… he was genuinely worried.
He stood in the kitchen, opening the pantry quietly, trying not to make a single sound that might disturb them.
“At least… eat something,” he muttered softly.
His hands moved on instinct. Bread. Eggs. A bit of vegetables. Nothing fancy, but warm enough. Enough to fill an empty stomach.
Every now and then, he glanced toward the living room—like he was trying to check on something out of the corner of his eye.
Gingger sat quietly on the couch. Barely moving. Their eyes half-closed, like they were fighting off exhaustion. Nothing like how they usually were.
It was… not normal. And honestly, it made him uneasy. For some reason, it even made him feel guilty—though it wasn’t really his fault.
Usually, Gingger would follow him into the kitchen. Or at least watch with quiet curiosity. Sometimes Miles would grumble, a little annoyed—but deep down, he kind of liked that innocent behavior.
Today—no.
And that alone made him uncomfortable.
“It’s ready,” he said quietly, placing the plate on the table.
Gingger looked over. A small smile. The same as always.
But still… something felt off.
Miles didn’t say anything else. He just sat across from them.
Watching.
Without even realizing it.
Afternoon—
The door opened.
Caramella walked in casually.
They stopped in the living room.
And paused.
The scene in front of them… was something.
Gingger was asleep.
Holding onto Miles.
And Miles—
Was asleep too.
In a completely awkward position. Head tilted slightly. Mouth half open.
…A bit of drool visible.
Caramella raised an eyebrow.
Amused.
“Oh,” they murmured. “How romantic.”
Of course—that didn’t last long.
They walked over and nudged Miles awake like he was dead.
“Wake up.”
No response.
Caramella pinched his cheek.
“Wake up, you’re disgusting.”
Miles jolted.
“—huh?!”
He woke up with a blank expression. Eyes blinking rapidly. Mouth still half open.
Caramella stared at him for a few seconds—
Then chuckled.
“You look… incredibly embarrassing.”
Miles blinked, trying to focus.
Until finally—his gaze landed on Caramella.
And—
He froze.
Like someone who had just seen something unbelievable.
“You… you…” his voice caught. “Caramella?”
Caramella raised an eyebrow, confused by his overreaction.
“What?”
Miles just stared.
Still in disbelief.
He was pretty sure he was fully awake now.
But still—
What he was seeing was too… different.
Caramella let out a sigh.
“You’re overreacting.”
Miles didn’t respond right away.
Because this wasn’t just a small change.
This was… the old version of Caramella.
The one he almost never saw anymore.
The long hair—
Gone.
Replaced with a neat comma cut that fell softly over their forehead.
The bright pink color—
Gone.
Now it was deep black.
Natural.
Calm.
No heavy makeup. No bold colors highlighting their features like usual.
Just their bare face.
Soft pink lips.
And simple clothes—a white T-shirt, dark green outerwear, black pants.
Nothing flashy.
But somehow—
That made them look… different.
Sharper.
More real.
Miles swallowed.
“…Was your meeting with your dad bad?” he asked carefully.
Caramella shrugged.
“Not really.”
Way too casual of an answer.
Like nothing had happened at all.
“I was just bored,” they added. “So I changed things up. That’s what you were wondering, right?” Caramella was sharp enough to notice.
Miles stayed quiet.
He didn’t dare push further.
Even though deep down—he knew this wasn’t just “bored.”
But he chose not to say anything.
Because he knew—
Getting too involved wasn’t his place.
As usual, Caramella noticed his stare.
Then smirked, slightly mocking.
“Oh?” they said softly. “Now you get it, right… why I’m always better than you?”
Miles immediately clicked his tongue, annoyed.
There was this weird urge rising in him.
Like he wanted to—
Punch something.
Especially seeing Caramella like this—it felt almost natural to throw hands.
“Don’t start,” he muttered hoarsely.
Caramella laughed softly.
Satisfied.
They had successfully gotten under his skin.
“I like this look,” they said casually. “Might keep it for a while.”
Miles pretended not to care.
But inside—
He felt… challenged.
And strangely—
Jealous.
Caramella—or rather—
Carlos.
A name rarely spoken.
Their real name.
But today…
It felt real.
That name.
That appearance.
Rarely seen.
But now—
Strikingly present.
And… captivating.
A few seconds later—
Caramella’s gaze shifted to Gingger, still asleep on Miles’ shoulder.
Without warning—
They bent down.
And—
Picked Gingger up.
“Eh—?!” Miles jolted.
Too late.
Gingger was already in Caramella’s arms.
“They need rest,” they said casually.
Then walked toward the bedroom.
Miles just stared.
Didn’t even get the chance to stop them.
It felt… strange.
Awkward.
The way Caramella stepped in so naturally.
Their steps were calm.
Certain.
Like… it was the most normal thing in the world.
The bedroom door closed.
Click.
And the living room fell silent again.
Miles stayed seated on the couch.
Quiet.
But inside—
Something felt off.
Weird.
Unclear.
He didn’t even know what to call it.
But—
Seeing Caramella carry Gingger like that just now…
Especially looking like that—
Made his chest feel…
Uncomfortable.
A little irritated.
And that—
Only made him more confused.