Soren and Regina are walking down the street, hand in hand, looking like a real couple. Regina is talking about this and that while Soren is spacing out, confused about what is going on.

“Are you even listening?” Regina asks sternly.

Soren jumps. “S-sorry, I was spacing out.” 

“Geeze, now I have to repeat myself. I saaaid I-” Regina stops mid sentence, noticing something is off with Soren. “What’s up with you?”

Soren hesitates but decides it’s best to speak up. “What’s going on here?”

Regina tilts her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Why did you choose me? It makes zero sense. I mean, we haven’t had a real conversation in years, and with the weirdness between you and Soph, there’s just so many reasons why you should have chosen literally anyone else to be your boyfriend.”

Regina falls silent for a few moments then shouts, “Why did YOU apply to be my boyfriend!?”

Soren jumps, startled by the sudden loudness in Regina's voice. 

“Yeah, I’m not stupid, Soren! I know something is up! You and Sophia are planning something aren’t you! That’s why you applied to be my boyfriend! You two are trying to pull a fast one on me!”

“No… no Regina, that’s not it at all! I promise, that is way off. I would never.”

“Ha, like I would ever believe you.” Regina steps away from Soren. “You and that sister of yours wanna see my downfall.”

“Regina, I have nothing against you. Honestly, I like you, I really do. I think you’re cool. Just listen to me, let me tell you the real reason why I applied, please.”

Regina looks at Soren for a moment, and hesitantly says, “Okay… tell me…”

“Gilbert… he and I, well…”

“Spit it out!”

“We made a bet!”

“... a bet?” Regina frowns.

“I know! It’s not much better… I know… but he bet that I wouldn’t be chosen because… well… I’m… me… and well… you’re… you… so I turned in the application, not really thinking you would choose me either… I’m sorry…”

Regina is quiet for a moment, the silence is deafening. Soren looks towards the ground, feeling like he needs to apologize again when he hears laughing. 

“Hehehe.”

“Huh?” Soren looks up at Regina and sees that she’s laughing, face red, eyes teary. 

“That’s it? A stupid bet? You’ve gotta be kidding me! And here I was, thinking you and your dumb sister were trying to get a joke pulled on me or something!” Regina keeps laughing.

“Yeahhhhh…. Please don’t call my sister dumb…” Soren half laughs.

“Alright alright.” Regina sighs. “Look, I’m willing to give this a shot if you are.”

“Wait, like actually date?” Soren looks at Regina puzzled.

“Yup, like actually date.” Regina puts her hand out for Soren to shake. “What do you say?”

Soren thinks for a second and pulls his hand out from his side. “Sure, let’s give this a go.” And they shake hands.