Rafta scoped it out, nodding slow. "Wow, this place is legit nice. Solid pick—I knew trusting you wouldn't screw me over."
Oki's face darkened, a storm flashing in her eyes. She smacked his arm—whap—sharp and swift. "Say that again if you wanna die," she warned, voice low, lethal.
Haari and Ashi slipped in behind, menus up like shields, feigning interest as they snagged a table nearby—close enough to eavesdrop, far enough to blend. Haari's jaw tightened; Ashi's lips twitched, amused.
At Oki and Rafta's table, a waiter glided up, smile polite. "Welcome! Would you like to place your order sir?"
Waiter took their order—ramen for Rafta, something new for Oki—the waiter vanished, and Oki leaned back, arms crossed tight. "You could mix it up for once, y'know."
Rafta arched a brow, unfazed. "What's wrong with ramen?"
"Nothing," Oki said, eyes rolling, "but you order it every time. Don't you ever crave something different?"
He chewed on that, slurping an imaginary noodle in thought "I guess… but why take a risk when I already know what I like?"
Oki sighed, head shaking. "Hopeless. Utterly hopeless."
Ashi, ear tuned from their perch, smirked behind her menu. "They're like an old married couple, huh? Bicker and all."
Haari nodded, eyes locked on them, voice low. "Mm." He didn't elaborate—didn't need to. The restroom hug, the "I'll think about it," now this—it was locked in his head: they were in relationship, but hiding it for some reason.
Food hit the table fast. Rafta's beef ramen steamed, broth swirling rich and dark, while Oki's plate—something fragrant, new—teased the air. Ashi's stomach growled soft; she coughed to mask it, cheeks pink.
Oki took a bite, humming low. "Mmm, this is actually good."
Rafta slurped his noodles, lazy and loud, then grinned. "Not bad. Could use more spice, though."
"You say that about everything," Oki jabbed, fork pausing.
"'Cause it's true, more spicy the food the more it say on the toung for long" he fired back, smirk wide, chopsticks twirling.
Ashi stifled a laugh, whispering, "Same old Rafta—spice or bust."
Haari's lips twitched, but his gaze stayed sharp, piecing it all together.
Oki and Rafta wandered off from the restaurant, the Sector 7 buzz humming around them—stalls, chatter, the clink of coins. Oki slowed, fanning herself. "I want something cold—really cold."
Rafta's eyes sparked, a rare flash of initiative. "Oh! In that case I know just the spot."
Oki's brows lifted, curious. "Really?"
"Yep," he nodded, confidence blooming, chest puffing a bit.
She crossed her arms, skeptical but intrigued. "I can't believe it. This is the first time you've actually taken the lead."
"Shall we?" Rafta grinned, already stepping ahead.
"Fine," Oki said, a flicker of hope in her tone. "Let's see where this goes." I can't believe it. Am I dreaming right now? I wonder what kind of place Rafta chose for us.
A few steps later, Rafta stopped, triumphant. "We're here."
Oki blinked, scanning—cafes, stalls, nothing icy"Already? But I don't see any shops that serve something cold."
Rafta pointed behind her, beaming. "Right there."
She spun—and froze. A lone water cooler stood, squat and unassuming, humming faintly. Her face drained, pale as the pavement. "What? A water cooler?"
Rafta, unfazed, launched in. "This is the only water cooler in the area that provides fresh, chilled water for free. After drinking it, you'll feel refreshed. I discovered it a few days ago."
Oki's stare hardened, unreadable, then her fists balled tight. "Are you kidding me? When I said something cold, I meant ice cream, not just ice water! You're hopeless!"She landed a light punch on his shoulder—thwack—frustration cracking her cool.
Her thoughts churned. Boyfriends are supposed to take the lead on dates… How did I end up with someone like him? When he first confessed, I waited six months for him to ask me out. In the end, I had to ask him myself… and he__rejected me.Rafta sighed, rubbing his arm. "If it's not your thing, let's roll."
Oki sucked in a deep breath, steadying herself. "Fine. I've got more spots. Follow me." Her tone was clipped, but she turned, resolute.
Haari and Ashi shadowed them, weaving through the crowd, silent as ghosts. The water cooler flop painted it clearer—Oki and Rafta were a tangle of misfires and stubborn ties, a relationship defying logic.
Haari frowned, muttering, "What's their deal, anyway?"
Rafta checked his watch, exhaling as he glanced at Oki. "Alright, where to next?"
"Just follow me," Oki said, face blank but a smirk tugging her lips.
He squinted, wary. "Why do I feel I don't have a choice?"
" Because you don't," she shot back, snagging his wrist and tugging him along, her grip firm, his steps reluctant.
Ashi stifled a laugh behind a stall. "She's got him on a leash now."
Haari nodded, eyes tracking them. "Complicated doesn't even cover it."
Oki skimmed the menu, decisive. "Two chocolate ice creams, with extra cherries."
"Thank you, for the order " the waiter said, retreating with a nod.
Another waiter swung by Haari and Ashi. "What would you like, sir?"
Haari glanced at the options. "One Shalimar ice cream, please." He turned to Ashi, her gaze locked on their targets, unblinking. "Nicawa-san, what about you?"
No response—her eyes were lasers on Oki.
"Two Shalimars, then," Haari amended, shrugging, and the waiter vanished.
Their ice creams arrived fast—creamy swirls in tall glasses, cherries glinting red. Haari dug in, spoon clinking, his interest in Rafta and Oki fading. Crystal clear now—they're a mess of a couple, hiding it for who knows why. But Ashi? Still glued, barely breathing, tracking every move.
"Nicawa-san," Haari tried, soft. "Nicawa-san. Nicawa-san." Nothing—she was a statue.
He hesitated, hand hovering over hers—too weird?—then took a deep breath, folding her hand in his, giving a gentle shake. "Nicawa-san."
"Huh? Wha—?" Ashi jolted, blinking fast, yanked back to reality.
"Your ice cream," Haari said, nodding at her untouched glass. "Eat it."
She stared at it, baffled. "Huh? When did I order this?"
"I did," Haari said, spoon pausing. " I asked you, but you were too busy eyeballing your suspects."
"Suspects?" Ashi echoed, then smirked, rallying. "Oh, you mean our lovebird mystery duo? Hardly suspects—just a puzzle begging to be solved. I mean, look at them—arguing over water coolers, now sharing ice cream? What's their deal, Kichiro-san? Secret romance or total trainwreck?"
"Eat it before it melts," Haari cut in, dodging her spiral.
Ashi's cheeks flushed pink; Haari caught it. "What's wrong?"
She slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes darting away. "How am I supposed to eat when you're gripping my hand like that?" Her voice muffled, teasing but shaky.
Haari's eyes dropped—his hand still clasped hers, tight. He yanked it back like it burned, face flaming. "Oh—sorry, I didn't mean—"
Ashi lunged, pressing a hand to his mouth. "Shh! Easy—they'll hear us at this rate!" Her fingers lingered, warm; their eyes met, then flicked away, both red as cherries. Haari rubbed his neck, muttering, "Sorry."
"Yeah, me too," Ashi mumbled, sinking into her seat.
They scooped their ice cream in silence, gazes locked on their glasses—awkward as hell. Gotta break this, Haari thought, as he about to say anything—
Ashi shot up, snagging his wrist, dragging him toward the door. "Nicawa-san, what the—?" he sputtered, stumbling.
"They leave just now, we need to follow them or we loss them!"Ashi said, grip shifting to his hand, firm and urgent, pulling him into the crowd.
As they walked, the busy streets gradually gave way to the towering structure of the mall. The glass doors slid open with a soft whoosh, welcoming them inside. The moment they entered, the artificial cool air provided a sharp contrast to the warmth outside. The place was bustling—couples, groups of friends, and families wandered about, each engaged in their own little world of shopping and entertainment.
Not far behind, Haari and Ashi trailed them, watching curiously from a distance.
Ashi tilted her head, confused. "A mall? What kind of couple goes to the mall on a date? Did Habi-san bring Densi-san here just to carry her shopping bags?"
Haari chuckled. "That actually sounds like something she'd do."
"…Wait a minute." Rafta turned to Oki. "Why did we come to the mall?"
Oki glanced at him, acting as if the answer was obvious. "To have fun."
Oki had played it smart. As they'd entered the mall, she'd feigned interest in a flashy boutique, luring Haari and Ashi off course. By the time Ashi's jaw dropped at the mall's sprawl—towering ceilings, dazzling digital billboards, floors stacking into the sky—Oki had whisked Rafta away, vanishing into the crowd.
Inside, Ashi spun, eyes wide as saucers, drinking it all in. "Wow! Look at this place! they have many things here It's—huge! I can't even see the top!" she gasped, nearly twirling in place, scarf fluttering.
Haari's brow arched, watching her like she'd grown wings. Has she never been in a mall before? "Nicawa-san," he said, tone curious, "how many times have you been to one of these?"
Ashi froze mid-spin, excitement dimming a shade. "…Uh, well, actually… I never been in mall before."
Haari stumbled, catching himself on a railing. "Wait—what? You've lived here for years and never hit a mall?"
She shrugged, cheeks pink, sheepish. "I never needed to. The things here are so expensive. You can buy the same stuff for way cheaper at local markets."
Haari stared at her in disbelief. How did she spend this many years in this city without setting foot in a mall? When I first arrived here, the first thing I did was explore all the malls out of sheer curiosity."So… this is your first?"
"Yeah," she nodded, eyes flicking up again, wonder creeping back.
A smirk tugged his lips. "Great. Then let's explore it then."
"Really?!" Ashi lit up, practically bouncing.
"Sure," Haari said, shrugging, her glee softening his edge.
Just then, a few feet away, Rafta sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Looks like we lost them."
Oki pouted, pulling a mock crybaby face, voice whining. "Ashi's first mall trip, and I'm not there to see it! I wanna go back!"
Rafta stepped in front, arms out, blocking her. "Nope—can't. We just shook 'em off."
"But—" Oki started, pout deepening.
"You'll ruin their mood if you go there," Rafta said firmly. "And have you forgotten why we're here?"
Oki's pout faded, face hardening to steel. "Fine. You're right—let's go."
Rafta groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Don't flip moods that fast—it's freaky."
She smirked, already striding ahead. "Deal with it."
Ashi buzzed like a kid on sugar, dragging Haari to a massive mall map, its lights blinking over a sprawl of options. Her eyes danced as she scanned it. "Look! Bar, mobile shop, arcade, clothing stores, a picture wall, food court, ice cream stand—everything is in one building! Kichiro-san, let's check out everything!"
"Uh," Haari chuckled, soft and low. "Yeah, sure."
She's really enjoying herself, he thought, watching her childlike enthusiasm. Well, we've lost track of Rafta and Oki, but it doesn't really matter. Giving them space might be better anyway.The spy gig faded; Ashi's glee took over.
She jabbed a finger at a clothing store, practically glowing. "Kichiro-san, that one—I wanna try it!"
He smiled, easy. "Go for it. Don't mind me—just do whatever you want."
Inside, Haari stepped into chaos—racks of clothes in perfect rows, colors clashing, hangers glinting like armor. He stood, hands in pockets, a fish out of water.
Ashi snatched a dress—soft blue, flowy—and held it up, head tilting. "Kichiro-san, what about this?"
"Looks great on you," he said, nodding, default mode on.
She squinted, suspicious. "You keep saying the same thing for every dress I try on."
He blinked, caught. "I don't know what else to say."
Ashi groaned, exasperated. "You just have to tell me which one actually looks good on me!"
"They all do," he deadpanned, face straight, no clue how to pivot.
Her pout deepened, arms crossing. "That's a lie and you know it."
Haari sighed inside—This is a minefield. Tougher than tailing Rafta. He rubbed his neck, outmatched.
Across the mall, Oki lingered near a pillar, peering at them through the crowd. Her sigh was soft, wistful. "I guess they're having fun. We should go then too."
When the store clerk chirped that Ashi could try on anything she like—with no charges and no limit—she unleashed chaos. Her eyes gleamed like she'd won a jackpot, and she dove into the racks, snatching dresses left and right—floral, sleek, frilly, bold. She darted to the fitting room, a whirlwind of fabric and grins, popping out every few minutes to twirl for Haari.