Connecting The Strings 💕🫶🏻

Chapter 2 Part 4 -

     CHARACTER INTRODUCTION

ASH - the frenemy of Kira. Hates (maybe not-) kira. Close friends with Ronan and even closer with Felix. Even though they are opposites calls Kira my love even though he hates her.

FELIX - Yuna's probably soon to be, Yuna calls him Foxy 😝, and Felix is the sunshine and moon frfr. Calls Yuna Mi amõr 💕

The girls were sprawled across Kira’s bed after the coffee catch-up. Sarah was still blushing every five seconds. Hina had already written “RONAH 💘” in her notes app. Yuna was halfway through making a meme of Ronan's side profile.

Kira was unbothered, already back to highlighting notes in her textbook.

Until…

A sharp knock.

She sighed. “Come in, unless you're here to talk about feelings.”

The door creaked open.

In strolled Ash.

Tall, smug, in his grey hoodie and that messy hair he always pretended didn’t take effort. He raised an eyebrow when he saw the four girls.

“Oh. Girl squad in session,” he said, arms crossed. “Should I come back when you’re done dissecting emotions?”

Yuna grinned. “Ooooh, you’re dead.”

“I’m not dissecting emotions,” Kira said flatly, not even looking up. “I’m dissecting your weak comebacks.”

Sarah snorted.

Ash walked in anyway, hands in pockets. “You left your notes in chem. Figured you’d forget. Again.”

“Aw,” Yuna said dramatically. “He cares.”

Hina nudged Kira. “Ash being useful? That’s new.”

“I don’t care,” Ash said immediately. “It was just annoying seeing your color-coded nonsense still on the desk.”

Kira finally looked up. “You could’ve just texted.”

Ash gave her the fakest smile imaginable. “And miss out on watching you stress over it for two days straight? Never.”

Kira rolled her eyes. “I’m going to poison your water bottle one day.”

“Make sure it’s mango-flavored.”

“Guys…” Yuna said, lips twitching. “You two ever not flirt?”

Both of them: “We’re not flirting.”

“Sure, sure,” Sarah whispered.

Ash tossed the notebook on the bed and turned to leave, but paused.

“Oh, by the way,” he said, like he just remembered. “You guys know Felix is hosting that rooftop thing again this weekend?”

“Felix?” Yuna said too fast.

Ash smirked. “Yeah. Thought you’d perk up.”

Kira side-eyed her. “You good?”

“Totally. Normal heartbeat. Everything’s fine.”

Ash tilted his head. “You’re the worst liar alive.”

Kira added, “Second worst. Ash still tells himself he’s humble.”

“I am humble,” he replied. “Just better than everyone else.”

And with that, he left—leaving behind only his sarcastic scent of trouble and unfinished conversations.

Yuna hugged a pillow to her chest, cheeks warm. “I need a new outfit.”

Sarah chuckled. “This is gonna be so fun.”

Kira didn’t say anything. But her eyes lingered on the notebook Ash brought back.

She didn’t want to admit it, but it did mean something.

Just a little.

Skipping to the rooftop…

Felix’s party wasn’t even a party exactly. More like an impulsive “everyone bring snacks and show up” moment. The rooftop lights flickered with that warm yellow hue, and mismatched cushions were dumped in a circle. Speakers hummed a playlist Felix threw together last minute—some chill, some chaotic.

Yuna and Hina were already arguing over snacks.

Sarah? Oh, she was seated way too close to Ronan, laughing at everything he said like he invented humor. He didn’t seem to mind.

Felix was balancing a pack of soda on one hand and a phone on the other, trying to DJ.

Meanwhile…

Kira and Ash sat across from each other.

Unintentionally.

Unfortunately.

Their knees almost bumped.

“I didn’t know raccoons were allowed up here,” Kira said, reaching for a cookie like she wasn’t just throwing verbal punches.

Ash raised an eyebrow. “Says the pigeon who shows up uninvited and starts flapping. My love”

“Ooooh,” Hina muttered, watching like it was an anime episode.

Kira smiled sweetly. “At least pigeons don’t walk around thinking silence is a personality trait.”

Ash scoffed. “I’d rather be silent than run my mouth 24/7 and still not say anything smart. Grumpy princess”

“Can you two stop flirting?” Felix called out, plopping down between them with dramatic flair.

“We’re not flirting,” Kira and Ash snapped at the same time.

Everyone stared.

“Sure,” Ronan said, sipping soda. “And Sarah’s totally not planning your wedding, Kira.”

Sarah choked. “I’m literally looking at Ronan right now—”

“Exactly,” Felix smirked.

Ash and Kira looked away from each other at the same time. Kira folded her arms. Ash stared at the floor.