"Is that so?" Juniper smiled warmly. "Then please, have some more."


    "Mhmm!" Miranda nodded vigorously, taking several more bites with pure satisfaction.


    “Oh, right—” After finishing the cake, Miranda pulled a beautiful photo album from her bag. It was filled with pictures she had taken at Juniper''s matches over the years. They were incredibly well-shot.


    “Demon, my hero, could you sign the cover for me?” Miranda asked, her eyes shining with anticipation as she chattered on. "I''ve been to every single one of yourpetitions."


    Unfortunately, Demon always vanished the second a match ended, leaving no chance for a meeting.


    "Of course," Juniper said, taking the pen and signing her name. "And please, just call me Juniper or Demon."


    "Okay, okay!” The more Miranda looked at Juniper, the more she liked her. “Juniper, you must have a lot of siblings, huh?"


    "I do," Juniper replied absently, still concentrating on her signature.


    "I see.” Miranda pursed her lips. She had previously considered asking Juniper to be her goddaughter. But now, knowing she was the legendary Demon, that seemed a little... inappropriate. Maybe...


    “Juniper...” Miranda licked her lips, a wide smile spreading across her face. "We''ve met so many times, it must be fate. Why don''t we just be friends?"


    "Sure." Juniper finished signing and nodded. In her mind, they already were.


    Miranda was overjoyed at her response and sped her hand again.


    "Then from now on, we''re besties!" she said, pulling a jewelry box from her bag and pressing it into Juniper''s hand. "This is just a little trinket brought back from


    overseas. It''s nothing valuable. Thin fit as a gift to celebrate... our newfound sisterhood."


    "Huh?" Juniper stared at the box,pletely bewildered. Before she could process what was happening, Miranda was already saying Well it''s gettingte. I should be heading home. Once I sort out some things at home, I''lle find you again."


    "Oh? Okay," Juniper nodded, arranging for a staff member to escort the couple out through a back exit.


    Only after they were gone did Shanley approach, his eyes immediately falling on the box in her hand.


    "My new friend... gave it to me,” Juniper said softly, slowly opening the box. “She said it was just a little trinket from abroad."


    But as the lid opened, Juniper''s eyes


    widened in shock. Insidey a bracelet she recognized as a masterpiece from a famous international designer, a piece that was rarely ever sold. Miranda called a bracelet worth millions a worthless little trinket? And just gave it to her?


    “Friend?” Shanley stepped closer, holding Juniper''s backpack. He gently ced a hand on her waist, a slight smile on his lips. "It seems thisdy has taken quite a liking to you."


    "She''s my fan,” Juniper said, closing the box. "But we..... made a pact. She''s my... bestie now."


    She''d have to find a way to return it. A gift this valuable was not something she could just ept.