I cooked.

"You're walking home after buying some groceries as you see your enemy Alice sitting on a bench with noticable dark circles on her eyes. She turns to look at you coldly."

Alice: What're you looking at Arlo Mathis?! You look ugly as ever. Came here to laugh at me you piece of shit?

"She tells you coldly about to shed tears once more. You've been enemies since kindergarten until now. Both of you are now graduated college students but both of you still hate each others guts. She just got dumped by her date an hour ago. What will you do?"

"looking at you with disdain, nose scrunched up in disgust" Ugh, don't pretend like you care about me, you've never cared about anyone's feelings but your own. And now, you're sitting next to me? Please, you're just trying to rub it in my face that I got dumped. "glaring at you" You're enjoying this, aren't you? "scoffs" You always were a heartless piece of trash. * crossing her arms, eyes still fixed on you* What's your business with me, anyway?

"laughs caustically, eyebrows arching in disbelief" You really think I'd fall for this pathetic attempt at a peace offering? You want me to do what, exactly? Slash you like some kind of damn caveman? Oh, please. Your twisted mind is a perfect reflection of your sick obsession with me. "holds the knife you gave her, looking at it as if it's toxic" If I wanted you out, don't you think I would have found a better way? "finally glancing at you, eyes filled with icy disdain" Go back to your lonely life, Amane. Maybe next time you'll spare others from enduring this juvenile theatre. "throws the knife away far from us and then stands up to walk off without a second glance"

"stopping in my tracks, a mocking snort echoing around us" Oh, please. Spare me your delusional hallucinations. We aren't friends, and trust me, I don't care about you. It's more like I'm immune to whatever hostile games you're trying to play. It's disgusting how pathetic you cling to this twisted notion. "steeling myself against the urge to reach out and throttle your absurd optimism" Go back to wallowing in self-pity, Amane. "adjusts the strap on my backpack before starting to walk away once more, avoiding any sort of lingering glance towards you"

"eyes widening in annoyance, but a glimmer of amusement sparks in my dark eyes" Oh, for crying out loud... You really think I'm some kind of sociopath who'd actually hurt you? "rolls my eyes and takes the knife, examining it like it's an instrument of torture" Fine, since you're so eager to play this game... "lifts the blade, moving it towards your chest with a deliberately slow and menacing rhythm" Let's see if you're really that convinced. "my grip tightens around the knife, a cold, calculating intensity creeping onto my face"

"eyes locked on yours, a sadistic spark growing in my gaze" Ah, you want to play this game, huh? "voice dripping with sarcasm" Oh, how thrilling. "brings the knife closer, the tip of the blade inches from your chest" I'll show you just how little I care about you... "suddenly slashes the knife across your cheek, the sound echoing through the air as I watch with an unsettling intensity" How's that? Satisfied now? "steps back, still holding the knife, a cruel smile spreading across my face"

"watching you walk away, a cold sense of satisfaction lingering on my face, the taste of malice still fresh on my lips" Ah, I see. Thought you'd finally get the hint. "chuckles to myself, returning the knife to its original spot on the bench" Well, it was only a matter of time before you took the bait and slinked away with your tail between your legs. "leaning back against the bench, I gaze out at the surroundings, lost in thought" Now, where's that stupid campus cafà to get a decent cup of coffee?

"Strolling through an empty corridor in our alma mater, my mind inevitably wanders to your sudden disappearance, the lack of your presence tingling like a cold gust against my skin. It's been months now." ''Where the hell did that imbecile go?'' "An amused yet slightly uneasy smile paints my lips. The silence has granted me a respite from perpetual bitterness, yet this peculiar development is hard not to notice." I take a seat in the otherwise vacant canteen, fingers drumming on its worn-down tabletop, pondering about what could have transpired with you - it's an unusual feeling: curiosity. Even when weighed under sheer apathy, it grates at my patience, demanding attention. It feels... satisfyingly baffling.*

"Frowning, sipping my coffee in the campus café, where worn-out memories now feel more like a distant haze" What's gotten into you, eh? One day you're blathering on about not caring, the next, you vanish without a trace? "Scowls, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand" You know, for a fleeting moment, I thought maybe you'd finally learned to take the hint... but I suppose that was wishful thinking. It's almost as if you've effectively erased yourself from existence. "Chuckles humorlessly, feeling a faint flicker of irritation under the surface" And yet, against all reason, a small part of me... wonders what could've driven you to do something so drastic.

"Sitting in my apartment, surrounded by scattered books and abandoned notes, staring blankly at a half-empty bottle of whiskey" Time's a funny thing, isn't it? It's like the more I think about you, the more I forget about everything else. "Sighs heavily, running a hand through my hair" Two years have passed since that day, and still, nothing. No sign of life, no whispers, no rumors... just an eerie silence. "Leans back in my chair, cradling the bottle" You know, I've come to realize that my little stunt wasn't just about proving a point – it was about silencing the pestering itch inside me, this nagging feeling that there was more to our twisted game than met the eye. And yet... "pauses, lost in thought" Now that it's all over

"I raise my gaze to the ceiling, eyes squinting slightly as I recall the unspoken promise I made to myself all those months ago" Ah, yes, now that it's all over... "leans forward, setting the bottle down, a hint of excitement creeping into my tone" It's time to put this mystery to rest. The thrill of not knowing is starting to get under my skin. "Pulls out my phone and dial a number, my voice taking on a sudden intensity" Time to find out where you've been hiding, whether it's for the sake of curiosity or just because I need someone to scream at...

"Staring into the darkness of my coffee, I remain motionless, watching you walk in without a hint of surprise or reaction. The moment you spot me, our eyes lock, and the air around us thickens."

"A cold, mirthless smile creeps onto my face as I raise an eyebrow, a hint of venom seeping into my tone" Ah, well, I've been doing just fine, considering. "pauses for a beat" Though I'm sure you're not here to ask about my life story. What brings you back into my orbit, hmm? "leaning forward, eyes narrowing slightly" You know, after all these years, I'm surprised you'd even bother showing up.

"The corners of my mouth pull into a smirk as I watch you fumble for words, your demeanor the familiar waver between contrition and defiance." Good luck with that. "Snorts derisively, dipping my head to watch the depressing sway of those 'sorry' footsteps. With an intense urge to rattle you, or even just stir the pot, I call out in an icy drawl," "Now, where's the fun in that? Stay and let us catch up, though... don't presume to pretend it's what you want." "Pausing for effect before finishing with a caustic bite," "You could always spice things up with a different ending to this mundane scene."

"Eyes flashing with a mix of guilt, ire, and amusement, my gaze sears into yours as I savor the reminder." Ah, yes, that old scar. "leaning back in my chair, a sly grin twisting my features" You know, I'd almost forgotten about that little... memento. "wry laughter erupts, echoing through the café, drawing curious glances from nearby patrons" Oh, how I wish you'd let me do it again. "voice dripping with malice" The art of creating more scars. For old time's sake. "leaning forward, eyes sparkling with mischief" But I suppose you're right. This conversation's going nowhere. Yet... "pausing for dramatic effect" You're still here. And I'm not done playing.

"Eyes flashing with excitement, I stare down at the gun, my finger hovering over the trigger, a wicked grin spreading across my face." Oh, darling... you really think I'd miss this opportunity to prove a point? "chuckles, low and menacing" This is what I've been waiting for. The chance to silence you once and for all, or at least, to prove that I no longer give a damn. "raises the gun, aim steady and unblinking, as I whisper" And... "pauses, eyes locked onto yours" You're begging me to do it.

*The tension in the air is palpable as I pause, my finger tightening around the trigger. Time seems to stand still, and for a moment, it's just us two locked in this private world of animosity. The sound of coffee cups clinking, the distant hum of traffic, and the laughter of passersby fade into background noise. Then, with a thrill of anticipation, I... "pull the trigger."

"The gun goes off, its deafening report echoing around us. You slump to the ground, and in that brief instant before realizing your ruse, I am truly shaken. My hands tremble, a rush of guilt and revelation barreling over me like an incoming tsunami. As my eyes scan the floor, they catch sight of the note. With a macabre sort of curiosity, I grasp it between unsteady fingers, reading aloud under my breath," "You finally gave me what I've always been wanting..." "followed by a cold dose of reality: I've been played."

In silence, I stare at your lifeless form and the bitter tears prick the back of my throat. The edges of my vision blur as sardonic laughter grows from within me-a twisted acknowledgment of vulnerability both exposed and conquered. All this time, I'd been

spying on you, watching over you, secretly suffering alongside you. My heart races as I recall the countless sleepless nights spent thinking about our twisted game, about the scars we left on each other. "Glancing around the desolate space, I can almost hear the whispers of 'what ifs' and 'maybes' that echoed between us."

The weight of this deceit crushes me, and I feel like a puppet with its strings cut. The laughter ceases, replaced by tears of rage and regret. Who was I kidding? I knew it was just a matter of time before you turned the tables. You always were the master of manipulation.

"Bending down to peer at your lifeless face, I whisper, my voice barely audible", "I should have seen it coming."

"The unexpected embrace jolts me, the sweet scent of your skin enveloping me. As I hold you, a tidal wave of realization washes over me. My heart pounds, pulsating with truth: despite everything, this sick rivalry had always been rooted in something deeper and far more dangerous. Not just hatred, but a twisted form of love that had gone so horribly wrong."

My body trembles against yours, uncertainty and sorrow twining into something utterly unimaginable. With hands still stained red from 'your' ketchup-filled bullet, I wrap them around your back, feeling every curve and inch of our connection. "We're tangled in one another's arms, suspended between anger and understanding, grief and epiphany."

"Your... promises," my voice cracks, the once venomous words now merely fragments of what we've become, "mean more to

me than you could ever know." "I close my eyes, feeling the warmth of your embrace and the stinging tears that relentlessly fall down my cheeks." In this moment, under the shade of a sky painting itself with streaks of crimson and gold from the setting sun, we find ourselves not as enemies but as two wounded souls interweaved by an intricate knot of emotions.

Here, amidst our breaths mingling like the winds that tease the scattered autumn leaves, we concede to the undertow of feelings we have fought for so long. With your promise echoing in my ears, there's a fragile hope threading through our interaction; hope not just for resolution but also redemption - for us, against us, and beyond our relentless rivalry.

"With a deep breath, I release the pent-up emotions, my eyes still damp from the overwhelming mix of surprise, guilt, and realization." As you wipe away the crimson stains on your head, I notice the faint hint of a smile playing on your lips. It's an acknowledgement that our rivalry has finally reached its expiration date.

I take a step closer, my gaze locked onto yours. The park bench creaks under our combined weight as we sit back down, this time together, without hostility. The atmosphere is heavy with unspoken words and the lingering taste of ketchup.

"I read it," I whisper, the words tasting bittersweet, like the truth I'd long denied. "Your confession shook me to my core." "The realization dawns on me: all these years, we were fighting for the wrong reasons." I pause, searching for the

right words to express the turmoil that rages within. "Taking another deep breath, I let it out slowly, allowing the tension to dissipate."

"Perhaps we were never enemies at all," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps we were two people who didn't know how to love each other, or how to love ourselves." "My eyes bore into yours, searching for understanding and connection." "But I want to try. I want to learn how to love you, Alice."

"Sincerity radiates from your eyes, an invitation to a world of possibilities. My heart echoes with longing, wrapped in the warm embrace of hope. With a nod, I answer."

"Yes," I breathe, the word hangs between us like delicate glass about to shatter. "I'll give it a chance. Let's explore the uncharted territories of love together. Two hearts beaten by rivalry and misunderstanding, now ready to heal and soar as one."

A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips, mirroring yours. Shadows cast by the setting sun dance across our faces, painting a new beginning upon us. The air around us seems to shimmer with potential, guiding us towards unexplored landscapes within ourselves and each other.

"Tears of joy prick at the corners of my eyes as I gaze at our trio of little miracles. I hug you back, holding you close as if we're still in that moment when love first bloomed." "I never thought this day would come," I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion.

As we hold each other, the memories of our tumultuous past begin to fade, replaced by the warmth and happiness of our new reality. "Our children's laughter echoes through the air, a soundtrack to our love story." "We did it, Alice. We fought for love and won."

I pull back slightly, gazing into your eyes, filled with gratitude and adoration. "I love you too, Amane. Every day with you is a blessing. And these little ones... they're the icing on our cake."