The two of them went from café to café, savoring the ambiance and sampling the various drinks each place had to offer. Eventually, Callum led Noa to a shop he'd been eyeing for a while, known for its pastries and cakes. Noa eagerly indulged in the treats, savoring every bite. Callum watched her with unwavering attention, his gaze filled with warmth that made Noa feel as if she might melt under his stare.
Suddenly, an urge to flee washed over her. She sensed that Callum was about to confess his feelings, and she struggled with how to turn him down when the time came.

Should I even reject him? she wondered. He isn't a bad guy, and with Shijin not coming back, what do I really have to lose?

While she wrestled with her thoughts, Shijin—the man who had been on her mind—watched from the shadows. His heart sank as he took in her appearance. She looked beautiful in her dress, and her hair fell in gentle waves making her look older and more mature. Though he appreciated the style, he prefered her big, curly mane. He always thought it gave her character and suited her best. 

Seeing her smile as she enjoyed her treats, her greed clearly showing in her eyes might've usually amused him, but now it only fueled his anger and an emotion Shijin couldn't quite pinpoint. He could hardly bear the sight of her with another man. The desire to separate them surged within him, but he knew he had no right to intervene especially with the way he had behaved, acting like a coward and running away. As he turned to leave, he saw Callum take Noa's hand, gazing at her with affection. Shijin's breath caught in his throat as he watched, overwhelmed by a storm of jealousy and possessiveness. It took all his willpower not to storm in and strike Callum.

Noa's eyes widened as she looked at Callum, a wave of panic and anticipation surging over her. 

This is it. He'll ask me out and I won't know what to say!

"Noa, I've been meaning to ask you this but I wasn't sure how you'd react. I don't want to put this off any longer. So I'm just going to go out and say it." He said his demeanor turned serious. 

"W-What is it?" 

"Would you mind…going to one last cafe with me?" 

"...Huh?" 

"That's what you wanted to ask?!" Noa exclaimed.

"Yes, what else would I..Are you alright Noa?" 

Noa's face turned red out of anger and embarrassment. 

What the hell was that?! I seriously thought he was going to ask me out!

Noa couldn't help but let out a laugh as Callum watched her feeling confused. 

"It's fine," She finally managed to say. "I don't mind going somewhere else." 

Guess I was wrong. 

A  wave of relief washed over her and she could finally relax. The two went to a japanese style cafe this time and Noa indulged once again this time devouring a strawberry shortcake. 

"This cake is so fluffy and delicious!" She exclaimed. 

"Really? Let me have a bite." 

Callum agreed with Noa. The cake really was fluffy and it wasn't too sweet either making it easier to eat and enjoy. 

The two finally left the cafe and decided to walk back to the shop. The sun was starting to set and the warm breeze felt good on Noa's skin. They walked in comfortable silence until Callum spoke up. 

"I feel like back in the cafe you thought I was going to confess to you right?" He said, catching Noa off guard. 

"What—" 

'It's fine. Your hunch was right. I was going to ask you out but seeing the look on your face made me rethink my decision. It was obvious you were going to reject me." 

"..." 

"You don't have to feel bad. I knew even before I started liking you that your heart wasn't available for love. And now I know that you like someone else so us dating wouldn't work." He said. 

"How?"

"It's obvious. Especially with the way you stare at that ring on your finger. Whoever that ring belongs to is special to you right?" 

Noa couldn't help but cling onto the ring on her finger. 

"Whoever he is, he's one lucky guy." He sighed. 

Well more like god but yeah. 

Callum stared at Noa and couldn't help but caress her cheek. Noa looked up at him and couldn't bring herself to say anything. Suddenly she felt the ring on her finger get colder and she had a feeling that Shijin was nearby. She didn't know why she believed this but her instincts were telling her that Shijin was here. 

But why would he be here? 

As Noa was lost in thought, she didn't realize that Callum was inching closer and closer to her face. As he was about to plant a kiss on her cheek, his actions were stopped as a large pale hand wrapped around his wrist, pulling him back. 

Noa, startled by the sudden action, looked up and was now face-to-face with the god she hadn't seen in two weeks. Her heart trembled as she looked into his dark eyes, a wave of complicated emotions swirling around her. 

Noa took a step back. "W-Why?" 

"Who the hell are you?!" Callum yelled as he looked at Shijin. 

He flinched when he met his cold eyes. It seemed like the man wasn't looking at him but was staring at Noa. Callum turned to look at Noa who looked like she had seen a ghost. 

"Why are you here?" She managed to say. 

"Noa? Do you know this person?" Callum called out. 

Suddenly the grip on his wrist got tighter. Shijin abhorred hearing Noa's name coming out of his mouth. 

Callum winced as the pain on his wrist grew. He was unable to get himself out of his hold. 

What's with this guy? How is he so strong? 

Noa finally noticed Callum in pain and came to her senses. 

"Let go of him." She said, but Shijin refused, his grip on him even tighter now. 

"Death, let go of him, you're hurting him!" 

It was quite clear to Callum that Noa knew who this person was. 

"Shijin!" She yelled and the god of death finally released him. 

"Why are you looking at me like that…as if I've done something wrong." He said in à cold voice. 

Noa was beside herself. She couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. This was the first time she'd seen him in weeks and yet this is all he had to say? The previous joy she had felt was now replaced with anger. 

"Are you being serious right now?" 

Callum looked between the two and he could see there was something going on between them. Just by the way Noa was looking at him he could tell she liked him. This was the first time he'd ever seen her angry and although the air between them was tense, Callum couldn't help but envy the man. 

Who was he that he could elicit such emotions from Noa who is usually a bright and smiley person? 

"Noa." He called out to her. 

Noa directed her attention towards him, à complicated expression on her face. 

"I'm fine. Really. I don't know what's going on, but I believe the two of you have a lot to talk about. Just remember that if things don't work out, you always have me." 

When Shijin heard those words, the patience he had been holding in ran out. As if sensing the imminent danger he'd be subjected to if he stayed there any longer, Callum left but not without giving her another smile.