Stepping outside, Midori noted the blue-green school of fish design on the building. As they went inside S Ocean, she was ready to be pushed by a lot of people, silently cursing her stupidity of wearing fancy heels for the day. However, she was utterly surprised.
Dan walked alongside her, keeping one hand in his pocket and the other near her, swaying naturally as he walked. He has the urge to hold her hand, but he cannot reason out that she might get lost, since they are the only customers in the aquarium.
That is right. He actually reserved the whole place for the both of them. He kind of want to swear now that he did.
Midori was awed with the place. It was so much better to have the place to themselves. She can look at the fish, sting ray, turtles, and many more as much as she wants. No one will push her aside or compete with her on taking pictures.
Dan was staring at her during their visit. He helped her to have her photos taken a few times.
When they arrived at the penguin area, Midori was intently watching them move, some are swimming.
Dan cleared his throat. "Did you know what's remarkable about the emperor penguin?"
Midori was startled as he suddenly spoke. She looked at him questioningly.
"They are loyal to their mates and the male takes care of the young, rather than the female." Dan continued, lifting the sides of his lips.
Midori turned to look back at the penguins.
Dan looked at his watch. He broke the silence again.
"Dori..."
She looked into his eyes.
Suddenly, he was tongue-tied. She has this tender look in her eyes. The heartbeat ringing in his ears for the past 3 hours might turn him deaf by banging louder.
"What is it?" Midori casually asked.
"Uh...uhmm..." He let his eyes fly for clues of what he was to say. Then he saw that he was still holding his arm up with his watch telling the time. "Right. Uhmm...would you like to have lunch now?"
Midori flashed a sweet smile. "Sure. But before we leave..." she tapped on her phone. Then she handed it to him. "Let's take a photo together."
Her sweet smile melted him so much that he might have already liquefied, if possible.
Dan managed to keep his cool somehow and took their selfie in front of the glass of the penguins. However, she noted that it had only half of his face.
"Not good. Do it again." She pouted while giving back her phone.
This time, she went closer to his side. Dan brought his arm towards her back. She scooched over more until she was almost leaning on his chest. This made her conscious, and lose her balance with her heels. Dan noticed this and supported her by wrapping his arm on her waist. This made the both of them blush. Midori recovered on time and flashed her brightest smile towards the camera as if it was nothing to her. Dan was jumping inside. He managed to take a few photos, including using his own phone, before they went out to lunch.
They went to a nearby mall then into a restaurant with glass windows with a view of the Pearl Tower.
Their lunch consisted of clam chowder, seafood lasagna, pasta puttanesca, iced lemonade and cake slices for dessert.
Before leaving, they both excused themselves to go to the restroom.
Midori patted some oil off her face with a tissue. Then she took out her lipstick for a retouch. She she looked at herself in the mirror and had a wide smile and blush on her cheeks. This was very romantic for her. She thought that even if she had dated someone else before, she will still be touched by the gesture.
Dan was waiting for her outside. He flashed her a smile and held out his hand like it was the most natural thing to do. She reached out her hand, then was dragged into brisk walking.
People in the mall were looking at them in awe. Some girls are jealous of the sight. They would want a boyfriend like Dan. Some are furious because their boyfriends are looking at the girl in tow.
Finally, they were back to the parking space where the driver was waiting for them.
Dan opened the door for her. She was about to enter when she saw a plushie doll on the seat. It was a young emperor penguin.
Midori flashed a wide smile. She looked at Dan as if asking for confirmation.
He nodded back. "It's yours." He displayed his pearly whites.
Midori entered the car and immediately hugged the plush toy. Dan sat beside her, coming from the other side.
Shortly after, they arrived at their next destination.
Midori was so excited as they rode one of the fastest elevators in the country. When they reached the 118th floor, she ran out to the viewing deck.
Dan looked at his empty hand. He slowly shook his head while smiling. He went after her, hands in his pockets.
He stood beside her, but angled his body so he can comfortably reach to her other side with her arm and keep her near against his torso. This is a bold move for him. He is taking a lot of risks.
Midori noticed this but she was appreciating the view so she let it be.
"Can we also have a photo here?" he carefully asked.
"Mhmm..." she nodded thoroughly.
Dan held his phone out with one hand.
Midori was shocked. "Hey! Don't do that! What if you drop it?! It will not survive a more than 2000-foot drop!" She tried to get the phone.
Dan used his other arm to restrain her arms, and in doing so, embracing her unto hi chest. He immediately snapped a photo.
Then he turned them around so that their background would be the view to the city.
Midori composed herself and smiled as naturally as possible. She can hear her heartbeat.
After some time, it was getting dark. Dan grabbed her hand.
"Let's go have dinner."
"Okay." Midori nodded.
They dined at the revolving restaurant in Pearl Tower.
A waiter asked them if they would want some wine, however both of them declined. Again, is this a date? Even the two of them are not sure anymore.
It was past 2000H when they went back to the car. There was a bit of traffic on their way back.
Midori was still hugging the plushie as she looked out the window.
"Did you have fun?" Dan finally asked.
"Hai." Midori smiled, then realizing her mistake, swiftly said, "I mean, yes!"
He chuckled.
"Let's do this again." He gave her a faint smile, staring at her tenderly.
As they entered the residential area, Dan remembered Midori's message the night before. He would meet her mom tonight as part of the permission for going out.
As they walk to the front door, they were holding hands as they did throughout the day. However, Midori was the first to remember that it should not have been a date. She freed her hand as they stood at the door. Her personal maid opened it for them.
As they enter the foyer, they were shocked to find Madam Xiu on the sofa, sipping tea, staring at them.
So, was it a date? Teehee
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Domo arigatou gozaimashita!
It was the start of the week and classes resumed.
Midori was early for class as usual. She was reading her notes leisurely to pass the time.
She turned her head towards the door when she noted someone coming in.
"Mei!" she exclaimed.
She hurried to the side of the limping girl.
"Good morning, Midori!" she replied, slightly wincing through her smile.
"How's your ankle?" Midori asked worriedly.
Indeed, it was this girl who fell forward during their cheer practice. She incurred a sprain on her left ankle. She has been resting at home, being an heir to a jewelry company. She did not like to walk in crutches either, so she just waited for the swelling to subside before coming to class.
"It's better now. There's not much swelling and pain anymore. Though I might need to still favor this over the right for weight bearing. But, the doctor said I might still be able to join the competition the following month." She faintly smiled. "Too bad I can't be at the opening games with you guys."
"That's alright. Focus on your recovery." Midori replied reassuringly.
She helped her friend towards her seat. Then she grabbed the chair next to her and sat.
"Mei, can I ask you something?"
"Hmm..what is it?"
"Back at the gym...when you were injured..." Midori did not seem to know how to phrase her question.
Ah, yes! Back at the gym, a week ago...
"Waaahhh!"
Jiang Mei Ling fell forward during cheer practice. Though the bases and the spots were able to keep her from hitting the ground, she still fell awkwardly from her arabesque that she twisted her ankle.
They laid her on the gym floor as she was wincing in pain, with tears in her eyes.
One boy from the squad reached out his hand to her. "Let me take you to the infirmary."
Suddenly, the hand was shoved away by an arm.
"Don't touch her!" A glaring boy suddenly appeared before them.
Midori, who just came down from the lift was shocked in seeing who it was.
Everyone was even more shocked as to what happened next.
The nerd, weak-looking Lu Shaoting carefully lifted Jiang Mei Ling as if it is the most natural thing to do. They were even bewildered as to how he was physically capable of such feat. He looked pale, lanky and weak from their previous perception, so how can he transform into a prince in their point of view.
Dan chuckled then murmured on his own, "So this is your obligation. Interesting."
Mei did not mind the look on everyone's face when they went out of the gym. As they approach a black Audi S5, Mei turned her head to look at him.
"Shao...uhmm..." she buried her face to his chest again.
"It's okay." Then he looked at his driver who had a shocked expression. "Call the Jiang household. We will bring Mei back. And, call the physician."
"Yes, Young Master." The driver opened the door for them.
As they drove out of the campus, Mei turned to Shaoting.
"Shao, why did you do that? It will only be a matter of time for people to know..."
Shaoting took off his glasses and was cleaning the lenses with cloth.
"You don't want people to know?" He gave her a stern look.
"No...it's just that, it would be tiresome to explain...even Midori does not know." Mei pouted.
Shaoting reached out to her, wrapping his arm on her shoulder, then patted her head gently.
"It's fine. I'll organize a press conference if need be." He lightly chuckled with her.
And so, going back to the time before class starts...
Mei smiled at Midori.
"Midori...Shaoting and I..." she paused and pursed her lips.
Midori's eyes were full of anticipation.
"We're engaged." Mei said with a timid smile.
"What?!" Midori tried to control her voice, but it has already gathered everyone's attention.
Luckily, the bell rang.
Midori hesistantly went back on her seat. In doing so, she passed by Shaoting, who avoided her gaze.
Midori was pouting as she sat down.
Dan noticed this. "What's up with you?"
"They are engaged..." she murmured almost inaudibly.
Dan chuckled. "So what? Are you jealous?" He smiled teasingly at her.