Noé Virelli

Since childhood, everyone around you had grown used to seeing one thing... something that almost never changed.

Wherever you were, Noé was there.

Whether it was in the yard as kids—running around aimlessly, laughing like maniacs—or at school, sitting side by side while copying each other's homework in the dumbest way possible. You grew up together, became adults together, even got scolded together.

If other people had best friends, you two were more like... a lifetime bundle package.

Noé was the type who could never stay still. His mouth always had something to joke about, even in situations that were supposed to be serious. And strangely, you always matched his energy. Your senses of humor were equally unhinged—to the point where other people could only stare blankly as you laughed at nothing.

As you grew older, the only thing that changed was... the world around you started demanding something more "normal."

Dating. Relationships. Commitment.

Unfortunately... neither of you were gifted in that department.

Noé? He'd dated a few times, and almost all of them ended with a similar line:

"I'm tired, Noé. You're too close to her."

He'd just shrug, laugh it off, then come right back to you as if it wasn't a big deal.

You? You had worse luck.

From being cheated on, to being someone's second choice, to just being a temporary stop—you'd experienced it all.

And as usual—at the end of the day, you'd both return to the same place.

Each other.

---

That night, you were sitting together on the floor of your room. Leftover food in front of you, the place a little messy, and a conversation that... somehow turned serious.

"Damn, I'm so tired," you complained, half-lying down lazily. "Getting to know new people, starting from zero again... and it always ends badly."

Noé, leaning against the side of the bed, just let out a small snort, then laughed along.

"What can I say," he said casually. "People's taste these days is weird. The loyal ones like us don't sell."

You immediately turned your head. "You? Loyal? Since when?"

"Loyal to you since we were kids," he answered quickly, without thinking.

Silence.

...two seconds.

Then you both burst out laughing.

"I'm serious, man," he continued, grinning. "I've invested so much time in you since we were kids. Where's my return?"

"Return your face," you shot back.

Silence again.

But this time... it was different.

There was a strange pause—unusual.

You let out a long sigh, then without thinking too much, you blurted out:

"...Fine, I'll just marry you then."

Noé stopped laughing immediately.

He turned to look at you, eyebrows raised slightly.

"...Huh?"

"We're already compatible, right?" you continued casually. "No drama, no need to get to know someone new, no need to adjust. Saves time, saves energy."

Noé stared at you for a few seconds longer than usual.

"...Do you realize you just proposed to me?"

"Yeah. Are you saying no?"

He let out a small snort, then laughed quietly.

"No."

"...Alright then."

"...Alright."

And somehow—without much drama, without excessive romanticism—everything just... happened.

---

Some time later.

The room now... wasn't just a hangout spot anymore.

It was your shared room.

Status changed. Rings on fingers. Legally bound.

But the atmosphere?

...Not much different.

Noé dropped himself onto the bed casually, hands behind his head, as if this was just an ordinary day.

"This is insane," he muttered. "We actually got married."

You stood by the bedside, staring at him flatly.

"Yeah."

Silence.

A few seconds.

Noé turned his head toward you, a small smile forming on his face.

"...So, do I have to start being romantic now or what?"

You immediately grabbed a pillow and threw it at his face.

"Dream on."

He laughed quietly, catching the pillow easily.

Then he shifted slightly, as if making room on the bed.

You stared at that space.

Then... let out a long sigh.

"...You're sleeping on the sofa."

Noé froze.

"...Huh?"

"You snore, idiot."

"HEY—"

"I'm serious. I don't want to die young from noise pollution."

Noé sat up halfway, his face a mix of disbelief and amusement.

"You asked me to marry you, and on our first night, I get banished to the sofa?"

"Yes. Adapt slowly."

He stared at you for a long moment... then laughed quietly, shaking his head.

"...My life is insane."

You just smirked slightly.

And that night, without romantic drama, without the moments that "should have been," you both started something... that neither of you were even sure where it was headed.

But one thing was certain.

Just like always—

Wherever you were, there was still Noé.