"So there's this sushi place on the second floor that I think you guys could check out since it's at least better than the stuff you can get at the gas station that makes you wonder if the Japanese really aren't mad at the world anymore," I joked to ease any tension that the introvert behind me could still be feeling as we made our way through the massive building.

Seriously, though, the gasoline they sell outside is probably more appetizing and smells nice too - Mmm, chemicals.

I and Keith, made our way through the large mall as night came to pass. We were currently on the first floor searching for possible locations to hold the date. We walked at a leisurely pace as dozens, if not hundreds of faces passed by us, many also looking to relax within the walls of the air-conditioned stronghold. I did my best to start conversations with Keith, but it seemed I was also the one ending them. I turned around to face him, his subdued expression currently gazing elsewhere as he steadily followed behind me. He wore a light-brown waistcoat with a white long-sleeve polo shirt underneath, the light hues contrasting with his dark hair and deep brown trousers and shoes. His figure nearly melted in the crowd behind him. Only his entranced look allowed me to single him out, as we walked farther away from the glassy entrance of the building, the nighttime sky slowly beginning to reveal itself outside.

Well, now he looks like a waiter. At least the suit from last time landed him the job.

I thought as I breathed out a sigh before looking ahead once more.

"Aside from that, there's also an outdoor market nearby with a bunch of organic produce and street foods. It also sells stuff on sale at night, so you guys can visit after leaving the mall." I continued as I placed both of my hands into the pockets of my black Chaleco Vest and heard Keith reply with a quiet Mhm, which was blurred among the murmurs of the crowd around us.

Strangely enough, this type of communication feels normal. I think this is getting unhealthy.

"Also, there's a pet shop nearby. A good trick is to associate yourself with something cute to take its life force to make yourself more appealing. I think." I said as questions about my own deteriorating logic began entering my mind.

"Keith, you're listening, right? You were so eager yesterday. What's up?" I asked as my pace slowed down, and I faced him with a curious look. His eyes lit up as he looked at me with an intrigued expression, his timid voice replying after hesitating.

"Mister Blaithe, did you know you have a mole behind your left ear?" He said as he tilted his head and put a hand to his chin.

First off, no, I didn't. Second, don't look so intrigued over it. Now I'm becoming self-conscious about the things my own body hides from me. Like where the voices came from,

I joked to myself, perhaps as a coping mechanism, as I wondered what the man in front of me was doing.

"You can call me Bridger, don't worry about the formalities." He gave me a nod as our pace slowed down more to hold a proper conversation.

Sorry about this, everyone else who's trying to walk around the mall.

"You're paying attention, right. I'm trying to help you here."

"Ah, yes. I just couldn't find the right time to tell you my thoughts since you seemed keen on walking around." He replied with a hint of anxiousness in his voice. I didn't exactly mind it since I chose to make sure he could be successful in his endeavor, but we wouldn't get anywhere if he didn't provide his own input.

"Alright, pop quiz time. What were the places I just mentioned, and how do you think it would go if you went on a date there?" I asked with a friendly smile, so as to not make him any more nervous than he already was,

With this, you shall prove yourself if you are fit to court my daughter.

I briefly shook my head to return to reality as Keith put his hand to his chin.

"Well, first off, the sushi restaurant we passed by had very few dining in it. With a mall as crowded as this and a Friday night, it might be a sign that the quality isn't very good. Not only that, when we passed by, I noticed a distinct lack of employees and very stylized advertisements outside. From my experience, that usually means the place is struggling," He said in one go, making me wonder where all of this energy was earlier.

Ok, 1 out of 3 isn't bad.

I thought as I nodded, signaling him to continue.

"As for the outdoor market, if we hold the date at night or in the afternoon, the best products will already be sold by the vendors; the nighttime sale is a great way to sell the remaining items before they spoil, also I checked the forecast, and there's a high chance of rain in the next few days, so I doubt that the market will be open." Once more, not hesitating to shoot another one of my ideas down, Keith communicated in a crisp manner befitting of his outward appearance.

Irk, 2 out of 3 now.

I gave him an impressed expression as I awaited his final answer. His observation skills were innately sharp, and I was reminded that his formal and mature vibe wasn't just for show. The man may have been awkward, but he had keen eyes that could deduce things efficiently.

I know someone like that. If only their senses weren't as sharp as their tongue.

"Ah, also...I'm allergic to fur." He replied, his more familiar tone returning.

"Oh. Sorry."

Well, that was anticlimactic, but a win is a win. You may have my daughter's hand in marriage.

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I thought as our pace hastened and we navigated the mall. Our next target was the arcade, an establishment found on the second floor. We rode the escalator up as I turned to Keith and informed him of my reasoning.

"Amanda always liked competing with me on games, so this is a perfect place for you two to bond," I said as I grasped the smooth rubber railing of the escalator.

"I see. I'm not one for arcades, but if she'll enjoy it," Keith said timidly, as he pulled out the small notebook to write in once more. We stepped off to the second floor as the hustle and bustle of the arcade greeted us. Bright and imposing neon signs adorned the entrance of the area as the loud voices of the patrons and flickering lights of the machines revealed themselves to us. I turned to Keith with an amiable smile, to which he replied with a tense expression as we entered the arcade.

"There's a lot of games here, but for the most part, you have two choices. Games where you can impress her, and games where you fight each other." I said, gesturing to the many choices we had.

"I understand the basics of these games, but I'm not too certain of my ability."

"Ah, don't worry. You don't have to be good. You just have to have fun." I replied to his worry, purchasing a handful of tokens from a machine as I did.

"I'll see what I can do," He replied to me, somewhat unsure but still with a kind tone. We didn't have a lot of time, but the best I could do was at least show him around. The many games in the arcade were all enticing, but I had to choose wisely, to not overwhelm Keith. I showed him first the classic claw machine and doggedly pursued a plush of a pink-bear-hippo thing.

I don't know what that thing is. I don't know how much money I've spent. All I know is I must have it.

I eventually threw in the towel after I felt the weight of the tokens I had halved. Keith gave me a consolidating pat on the back and a considerate smile to comfort my defeat. I breathed a sigh as we continued marching around the establishment. We played games where two players could either work together or compete. Racing games, shooting games, platformers, and even a few fighting games, I made sure to allow him to experience as many things as quickly as possible.

This is my first outing to a mall in months, and it's with someone I barely know. Go figure.

I thought as the tokens I carried were reduced to nothing once we reached the other end of the arcade.

"So, how was it?" I asked the introvert as we made our way back to the entrance.

"It was enjoyable, although I'm still not much for it." He replied, a bit exasperated but still bearing a smile. I couldn't tell if his words were out of consideration or genuine enjoyment, but once he wrote it down in his notebook, I knew that he'd at least keep it in mind.

I think this is the right way to do it, hopefully.

I swallowed those lingering thoughts as we made our way through the building once more; the crowds were still massive, but they began to thin as only a few hours were left until the mall would close. The next destination was a sit-down restaurant popular with couples. I had heard about it from Myla as it was common for our clients to go there, the food was decent, but many came for the experience.

"So, how is it?" I said as I threw three small slices of beef onto the sizzling hot grill.

"It's unique, but perhaps there was a more relaxing restaurant we could have chosen?" Keith replied as he created more distance between the roaring heat of the flame and himself; the location on the outside bore no windows and only a kind of fence to ventilate the dining area. As you may have guessed, the shop mainly sold cuts of meat in different marinades and types, which you and your group would then proceed to season, cook and enjoy. It was lively, and the meat tasted great too, but I wondered if Keith approved of the choice. He was apprehensive at first, seemingly nervous around open fires.

"It's alright, man. We can always turn it off," I reassured him as I removed the cuts of meat from the small, circular grill in the middle of our table.

"Thank you. The meat does indeed taste good, though I'm worried I might freeze up around the fire." He let out an anxious laugh at the irony of his statement. I put a piece of meat into my mouth and quietly expressed a Hmm, wondering if this date would be as successful as I planned it to be.

"By the way, Amanda likes cooking too, so she can help you out here. She might even get you into cooking yourself," I stated as I swallowed my doubts once again.

"That's good to know." He replied, pulling out the small notebook after taking another bite out of his meal. We were nearing the end of our excursion with one final destination, the top floor. It was a popular venue for many as it held a small indoor park and floor fountains that had multicolored lights. They were to activate one last time before the mall closed, and I wanted to show it to Keith as a final spot for the date. We left the escalator onto the third floor as we made our way into a lobby-like area, benches adorned the space, and we made our way to one of them as the fountain show would begin in an hour or so on the fourth floor. The place had fluorescent lights illuminating the area, with large windows revealing the nighttime scenery outside. Stars dotted the horizon as the moon glowed beautifully in the near-black canvas of the sky. In the middle of the lobby was a small limestone pond, housing within it fish that mall-goers could look at but not touch nor feed. We found an empty bench and sat down on it. Silence washed over us as I faced a tired-looking Keith.

"So, do you think you can do it?" I asked the introvert with a warm smile, making him jerk to life as he was currently writing.

"Y-yes, you've been a great help. I appreciate you aiding me with my request, as selfish as it was." He replied with an anxious but grateful tone.

"Don't mention it. I just want to help you and Amanda, after all."

"Yes, I'm sure she'll love it." He replied with a slightly downcast expression. His face was still friendly, but I could sense an uneasiness in his voice that was becoming more and more apparent as the night had passed. I had buried most of those lingering thoughts to make things go smoothly, but now they had caught up with me, and I had no choice but to inquire about those emotions.

"Um, Keith, are y-" I was cut off by him, as he quickly stood up.

"I want to go check out the pond. I'll be back in a second." He began walking to the middle of the lobby and looked down upon the fish. I couldn't make out his expression as he faced away from me, but even I could tell he wanted some time to think. From my point of view, he looked exhausted, the absence of the once large crowds now allowing me to see him more clearly. I thought upon his words and realized he said Amanda would love it, not that he'd feel the same way. I realized far too late that I wasn't trying to help Keith ask Amanda out on a date, but instead trying to tell him what Amanda would like to hear and see. That wasn't what we agreed on, and wasn't what I should've shown him. I didn't know if it was out of my own selfish desires to make Amanda happy, or just my general ignorance, but I at least knew I messed up bad. I quietly composed myself through a shake of the head and a few blinks as I pulled my phone out to dial a number. I didn't have high hopes for this, but I was willing to take a chance to make sure I could salvage this request. The phone buzzed to life, telling me that my call was answered.

"Hello?" I asked the other end of the line.

"What is it? I would've appreciated you sending a text before calling me." A cold voice replied, irritated already.

"Well, at least you're energetic enough to complain. I, well, need some help." I asked in a more modest tone, ready to face her annoyance with at least some kindness. I heard a familiar sigh come out from my phone, and a reply reached my ears.

"And you call me the useless one, send me your location, and I'll be right there," My dear partner said as she hung up without a farewell.

I take most of those back, not all but most. Also, I could've just told you over the call.