My Adorable Little Rascal

Sunny tilts her head and asks: "So what now? Little Angle's officially homeless?"

"I'll be staying at that guy's place," Skylar replies casually.

"HUUUUH?!" Sunny nearly chokes on her own breath. "YOU'RE MOVING IN WITH HIM?!"

"Think this through, Little Angle…" she adds, clearly in disbelief.

Julian raises his chin, the corners of his mouth lifting just slightly. His voice is calm but firm: "What? Don't trust me?"

"Nope," Sunny replies bluntly: "She's still a kid. What if you bully her?"

"You know who I am," he shrugs: "Besides, we have an agreement. I'll take care of her. No need for you to worry."

Sunny's eyes narrow into slits. She leans in like a detective: "Agreement? What kind of secret deal are you hiding from me?!"

"Hoan Hoan, it's just between the two of us," Skylar chimes in, trying to ease the tension.

Sunny turns away with crossed arms: "Hmph! Fine. But if I see Little Angle cry because of you, I'll snap your neck—even if you're some rich heir!"

"Noted, Mother Sunny," Julian bows politely, almost too politely.

Skylar blinks at his behavior: "Didn't expect that from the Jiang family's golden boy."

Julian pauses. Then shrugs: "Just because I'm a young master doesn't mean I can't act like a regular dumb high school guy."

"But your family isn't exactly 'regular,'" Sunny mutters.

"True…" Skylar nods rapidly, soaking it all in.

"What about rent?" she asks.

"I said no rent. Just be my personal maid," Julian says flatly.

"WHAT?! YOU'RE KIDDING ME!" Skylar and Sunny shout in sync.

Sunny recoils, trembling: "L-L-Little Angle's your… maid?"

Julian beams: "Exactly."

Skylar pauses, then nods: "Fine… I'll do my best."

Julian replies gently: "No need. Just treat me normally. That's more than enough."

Sunny sighs: "Ugh… What else are you two hiding from me?"

Skylar giggles: "Nothing!"

"Liar."

"Really!" Skylar's eyes are suspiciously honest.

"…I believe you," Sunny says seriously after a moment.

Julian squints: "Sky Baby."

"Hm?"

"If there's anything you don't get when we arrive, just ask the butler."

"Got it." Skylar winks.

Sunny, now standing between them like a gossip columnist, sighs dramatically: "Talking to everyone else, you're a robot. With her, it's like you've finally bloomed."

"Cough—" Skylar turns away.

Julian covers his face: "I talk to you the same way?!"

Sunny waves him off: "Hehe… I get it. I get it. Don't explain. Also, I don't want it."

"YOU UNDERSTAND NOTHING!" Julian explodes.

"Ehehehehe…" Sunny giggles.

"My tummy's growling…"

"I'm hungry too," Skylar agrees.

Julian checks his watch.

"OMG, it's already 2:15!"

"Right, now that you mention it…"

"Let's grab food. I'll drop off Sunny Hoan first, then we go home," Julian says with a nod.

"Deal!" Sunny cheers.

Skylar glances around the narrow front yard, her fingers brushing against the peeling wall of the house she's called home for years. The old flower pot by the doorstep is still cracked the way it was last winter. A small weed even sprouts from it—defiant and alive.

Her backpack feels heavier than usual. Not because of the weight, but because of what it symbolizes. Leaving isn't just about changing addresses. It's about saying goodbye to the girl she's been in this tiny house.

Julian stands quietly near the car, not rushing her. His hands rest in his pockets, posture casual—but his gaze is steady. Watchful. Almost… respectful.

Skylar takes one last look at the house, then steps back and locks the gate with a loud click. The metallic sound echoes more than she expects.

Sunny tiptoes over, giving her arm a light squeeze: "You okay?"

Skylar offers a small smile: "Yeah. Just… closing a chapter."

The three walk toward the car together. Skylar's steps are steady, but each one feels like it presses into something soft—like snow, or memory.

Julian catches the gesture, but says nothing. He simply walks past her and opens the car door with an ease that suggests this isn't just his car—it's his world.

"Come on, Sky Baby. This restaurant has no spicy food. You'll survive."

"Better be right," she murmurs, stepping in.

Sunny slides into the backseat and leans forward between the front seats: "I swear, the day Little Angle starts liking spicy food is the day Julian cries in public."

"Not happening," Julian says, deadpan.

The driver—a man in his forties with dark glasses—nods at them through the mirror. "Master Jiang. Miss Trinh. Miss Hoan."

"Thanks, Uncle Tako."

The car begins to move.

For a while, no one speaks.

Through the tinted windows, the city slowly rolls by—old buildings stacked beside bright new ones, scooters weaving past them like fish in a river. The world outside is buzzing with life, but inside the car, it is quiet. Not awkward—just calm.

Skylar leans her head against the glass, eyes drifting to the flickering shapes of sunlight between tree branches. Her fingers absentmindedly trace the stitching on her bag.

Julian sits beside her, arms crossed, one leg bouncing slightly. He isn't used to this kind of silence. Usually, silence means someone is angry or plotting something. But this... this just feels peaceful.

He glances sideways, stealing a look at Skylar.She isn't crying.She isn't smiling either.She is simply… existing.

That, somehow, makes him feel strangely grounded.

Skylar looks back just once. The house stands still under the sun—quiet, distant.

She whispers something only the car window can hear:

"Bye... old life."

Julian doesn't turn. But his hand, resting on his knee, curls into a loose fist.

Sunny flops back into her seat, arms crossed: "So, we're going to this mysterious non-spicy restaurant. Little Angle has moved out. And Julian might be hiding something."

"Might?" Skylar raises an eyebrow.

"Definitely."

Julian sighs: "I regret everything."

But there's a faint smile tugging at his lips.

The car turns at the corner, light filtering through the trees. The sun casts broken shadows across their faces.

For a moment, no one speaks.

Just three teenagers.

A quiet car.

And the beginning... of something new.