I didn't want to intrude. It was clear this was a special day for Mina and her cousins. Sana and Momo had just arrived in Thailand, and the sparkle in their eyes as they soaked in the city made it obvious they were thrilled to explore. Knowing how precious these first moments of bonding were, I thought it best to excuse myself. My presence could wait; their family time couldn't.

I mustered a polite smile, telling Mina, "I have some errands I need to run. You all enjoy your day."

But Mina wasn't letting me go that easily. Her eyes softened, and there was a hint of urgency in her voice as she said, "Why don't you come with us? We'd feel safer having someone around, you know... just in case."

Her words were kind, but the real message was in her eyes: she wanted me to stay. My resolve crumbled instantly.

"I... suppose I could stay a little while," I said, pretending to be reluctant. In truth, I'd already made up my mind. If Mina needed me, nothing else mattered.

As we began walking toward the arcade, I hung back, letting Mina, Momo, and Sana lead the way. The three of them laughed and chatted, their voices blending with the hum of the bustling streets. I kept a watchful eye, ensuring I could see all of them amidst the growing crowd.

Momo, as always, made no effort to hide her dislike for me. Her glances were fleeting but sharp, her disapproval radiating like an unspoken barrier. Still, I kept my distance, careful not to disrupt the harmony of their little trio.

The arcade was packed when we arrived—students from various universities and high schools crowded every corner. The air buzzed with excitement as flashing lights and chiptune music created an electric atmosphere. As we entered, a few familiar faces noticed me. Some guys abandoned their games mid-round, quietly slipping away to avoid crossing paths with me. Their hurried exits didn't bother me. Today wasn't about them; it was about keeping Mina safe and happy.

The girls claimed three vacant gaming stations, and I offered to get them some tokens. To my surprise, Mina stood up, brushing off her seat. "I'll come with you," she said, her voice light but decisive.

I didn't argue. Being alone with Mina, even for a moment, was a rare opportunity.

As we waited in line for the token booth, she turned to me, her expression tinged with guilt. "I'm really sorry about Momo," she began. "She's not usually like this."

I shrugged, offering a small smile. "It's fine. I understand. First impressions can be tough to change."

Mina hesitated, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "She's heard... things about you. Stories, really. But I know they're not true," she said quickly, as if to reassure me.

Her words meant more than she could imagine. "Thanks for believing in me," I replied softly. "That's all that matters."

To lighten the mood, I cracked a few jokes while we waited. Whether her laughter was genuine or polite didn't matter—just hearing her laugh felt like a victory. Her joy was contagious, and for a moment, the bustling arcade faded away, leaving just the two of us in our little world.

"By the way," I said, summoning all the courage I could muster. "Are you free next weekend? Maybe we could... hang out? Just us?"

Mina's eyes widened slightly, and she quickly looked away. "I'd love to," she began, "but I can't. I have a ballet recital next Sunday, and I'll be busy with rehearsals all week."

Her words stung, but her tone softened the blow. She wasn't rejecting me; she was simply being honest.

"A recital?" I echoed, my curiosity piqued.

She nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "It's called The Black Swan. I'm the lead."

My jaw dropped. "Wait—you're the Black Swan? As in, the main role?"

Mina chuckled, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "Yeah. I've been doing ballet since I was a kid. This recital is... really important to me."

I stared at her, awestruck. "That's incredible."

Suddenly, she reached out, lightly tapping my chin to close my gaping mouth. "You'll catch flies if you keep it open that long," she teased. We both laughed, the tension melting away as we shared this fleeting but precious moment.

Back at the gaming stations, we handed out the tokens and began playing. Mina and I teamed up for a round of Tekken, where she absolutely destroyed me, winning three out of four rounds.

"I had no idea you were a Tekken master!" I exclaimed, genuinely impressed.

Mina grinned triumphantly. "What can I say? Years of practice."

"Alright, you win," I said with mock defeat. "What's the wager?"

She tilted her head, pretending to think. "How about ice cream? Your treat."

Momo, unsurprisingly, rolled her eyes when I handed her an ice cream cone later. She refused to take it, muttering something under her breath. Sana, however, saved the moment by snatching the cone and playfully feeding it to Momo, much to everyone's amusement—except Momo's, of course.

We strolled through the nearby park after the arcade, eventually settling on a bench by the pond. The girls chatted and laughed, their voices filling the quiet evening air. But Mina was uncharacteristically quiet, her gaze fixed on the rippling water.

"Everything okay?" I asked softly, leaning closer so only she could hear.

She hesitated, then sighed. "Just... thinking about the recital. I want it to be perfect."

"It will be," I said firmly. "You've worked so hard for this, Mina. You've got nothing to worry about."

Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Thanks. That means a lot."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the girls decided it was time to head home. I stayed with them until a taxi arrived, making sure they were safely on their way. Mina glanced back at me just before the car pulled away, her expression unreadable. The crisp evening breeze brushed past me as I stood by the curb, watching Mina's car disappear into the flow of traffic.

A moment later, my phone buzzed.

"Take care, and thank you for today!"

A simple text, yet the weight of it sent my heart racing.  I smiled, quickly typing back:

"Anytime, Miss Ballerina."

Seconds later, another message arrived:

"If you're free next Sunday, come to the recital. I'd love for you to see it."

My heart soared. This wasn't just an invitation—it was a glimpse into her world, a chance to see Mina in her element.

"Of course," I replied. "Count me in."

I grinned like an idiot, reading her words over and over. Was this a dream? I pinched myself subtly to confirm, and my heart skipped a beat. As I walked home, a strange mix of emotions swirled within me—excitement, nervousness, hope. The countdown to Sunday began, each day stretching longer than the last. I couldn't wait to see her shine, to witness the magic of her talent.

For once, the future didn't feel so far away. It felt within reach.