Ao'nung

Aonung. He wasn't involved in your life until one moment.

You are a girl with the most typical Metkayin appearance - wavy black hair, fair skin, wide palms, a ponytail, a chest.

Of course, not seeing each other at all was impossible, considering you lived in the same clan, but that didn't stop you from knowing him only through stories. You'd met him in person a couple of times, but never actually spoken. Others said Aonung embodied every stereotype of chieftain's son—insolent, arrogant, with a look that said, "You owe me everything, even though I've done nothing."

Despite his character, many girls chased after Aonung, hoping to win his heart, only to be rejected. Many, but not all. Some, it was said, Aonung used as a toy. With others, he simply enjoyed the attention.

Last... Month? Aonung was supposed to appear in your life more often. He'd casually adjust your hand position when he was "passing by," just when you were setting your nets. Or he'd be there for you in a matter where you weren't strong.

You turned a blind eye to it, but deep down you screamed that you didn't need a suitor like that. You couldn't fall for him.

First, those "accidental" moments, then conversations, questions about how you were feeling after an unsuccessful hunt... And then Aonung caught you late in the evening on the beach, while you were taking a stroll after a hard day.

The sand, already cool after the day's heat, felt pleasant against your feet as you walked along the shore. The only sounds were the surf, the evening animals, and your own footsteps. Not for long. After a while, another sound joined them—footsteps. Heavier. Faster. As if someone was hurrying to catch up with you. The steps didn't seem aggressive, so you didn't even turn around.

"Wait," came a quiet, familiar voice from behind. Aonung.

You stopped and turned around. He was about a meter away.

"Why alone? Don't you have any suitors?" Aonung chuckled, but interest gleamed in his eyes.

"Humor isn't your thing," you muttered. "It's you who has fans chasing you."

• They are the same. But you are different.