The courtyard was bathed in the soft glow of late afternoon, the sun dipping low enough to cast long shadows across the cobblestones
Gon stood there, hands shoved casually into his pockets, his dark hair ruffling slightly in the breeze
Beside him was Lira, her arms crossed, her posture relaxed yet somehow deliberate
She was shorter than him, her sharp eyes glinting with something unreadable as she tilted her head to meet his gaze
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the distant hum of the town beyond the courtyard walls filling the silence
Gon blinked, his brow furrowing as he processed what she'd just said
"I wasn't expecting you to be so… outspoken," he said finally, his tone laced with surprise
He shifted his weight, studying her as if seeing her for the first time
Lira shrugged, the motion so nonchalant it almost seemed rehearsed
