"There goes that fleeting moment of positivity," I said as we walked down the moving steps of the escalator.

"To think you read the schedule wrong, what a lousy way to end the night," My dear partner said from behind me as her light footsteps continued to track me.

"I'm sorry, I should've double-checked it, seeing as Bridger already went through the trouble of deciding," The introvert defended my position, even though even I knew I was squarely in the wrong.

Finally, an ally to aid me in the battle against the master of fiery wrath and cold indifference,

"Spare him your concern. He's already made enough mistakes as of tonight." Myla said, her voice telling me she verbally crossed her arms.

"That might be the case, but don't you think he made up for them, Miss Marika?" The line at the end surprised me. I had completely forgotten that this was their first real casual interaction together and that they were still on a last-name basis.

It's like watching a documentary on the reuniting of an endangered species.

I thought to myself before slowing my pace to walk beside my partner.

"You could try being a little friendlier. I hear it helps with your complexion."

"If I wanted to do that, I could simply stop working with you."

"Aww, so you being my partner is an active choice. You're too kind." We bantered as always, though we tried to keep our words hidden from Keith. Myla seemed to be in thought, pondering the words I'd given her before I took the lead once more so she and Keith could talk.

Back to documentary-cameraman-mode, I guess.

"Seeing as you already call each other by first names, perhaps I could do the sam-"

"Ah, sorry, but I'm not quite sure about that yet." The introvert cut her off immediately and went back to cheerfully observing the dimly illuminated mall like a student at school after hours. I let out a quiet snort, attempting to hold back my laughter when my pace halted as I felt a tug on my jacket and an unpleasant aura behind me.

Death, is that you?

The atmosphere remained this way for quite some time. We continued our trek through the mall, now desolate without a single large crowd in sight. A few groups did remain, but most walked in the opposite direction of our destination, toward the exit. The reason for our travels was simple and, in a way, pretty stupid.

"The place is about to close soon. Do we really have to go right now?" I asked my partner, who had now taken the lead.

"I'm already here, so there's no reason not to check."

"There's plenty of reasons not to check."

"Such as?"

"I don't like you."

"Point taken, now let's keep moving before it closes."

So I just don't get to speak, cool.

"I actually still don't know where we're heading, too," Keith interjected as he walked beside me.

"Myla wants to get the second volume of a book here, and as of right now, we're along for the ride," I said as I stretched my arms out, already exhausted from the day's work. Keith let out an Ahh as his eyes then wandered off elsewhere, a sign he was in thought.

"Wouldn't this be deserved then?" The introvert said, driving mine and Myla's paces to slow down. We both faced him with a curious look, wondering what he had conjured in his mind.

"From what I was able to gather from your earlier conversations, Miss Marika came here out of her consideration because of your mistakes, right, Bridger? So in a way, it's the same as you listening to me and offering your help."

No, those two are completely different. Not one bit are they similar.

I kept telling myself, but it seemed both of my companions had already accepted it.

"Your observant and logical nature shows true, Mister Kirby." My dear partner said with a smug expression on her dimly lit face.

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Marika, or perhaps I should say Myl-"

"Ah, sorry, but I'm not quite sure about that yet." My dear partner replied, her voice cold as ice as she faced away from us and continued her walk. Keith stood beside me, a beet-red expression on his face. His mouth hung wide open, stunned by the use of his own words as an unanticipated counterattack. I left the young man to process his defeat in solitariness as I briskly made my way beside Myla.

"Now you're just being petty," I said, placing my hands into the pockets of my vest and giving her an accusing stare. All she gave me was a short Hmph, not even giving me a passing glance as we headed farther into the commercialized citadel. We roamed for about ten more minutes, with the silence blanketing our group before I decided to break it with a query.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"How do you even know if the bookstore here has the second volume? For all we know, they might not sell mangas or just straight up be closed for the day."

"There's not much else to do - it's at least worth trying, or perhaps that mindset of yours still as doubting as when you began working with relationships?" My dear partner asked in an intelligent and slightly irritated tone, attempting to find fault in my perfectly reasonable inquiry. While it sounded like our everyday banter, I had sensed a hint of dishonesty uncommon to her cold and matter-of-fact way of speaking.

"You just really want to read the next volume, don't you?" I quipped, which drew a slight flinch from Myla. I began walking past her with a satisfied grin. I was happy for figuring out her true intentions and discovering a new reason to tease her about,

"It's fine, though, isn't it?" I heard a timid voice express from behind me.

"I can't exactly attest to it myself, but I've heard many people describe the feeling of reading a new story. The feeling of wanting to get to the next part as fast as possible, even if it seems unreasonable. It's a common and relatable desire, probably." Keith continued as his tone and expression became more and more reserved - with both my and Myla's gazes intently focused on him, listening to his observations.

"I guess you're not wro-"

"It is indeed an interesting story that keeps its readers hooked, after all,"

My dear partner interjected before I could respond, placing a hand under her chin and nodding with her eyes closed.

Hey, you were just being mean to him earlier, don't shift gears so quickly.

"Ah, that's good to hear you agree. I wasn't quite sure if my companions' experiences would line up with yours." Keith replied with an anxious but cheerful laugh, his hand scratching the back of his head.

And as for you, don't recover so readily after getting shut down so hard.

"Perhaps I could even recommend you a few stories that are interesting enough."

"I'd love to list them down." The two began walking beside each other as Myla shared her personal list. Keith happily noted these down as he listened to the summarized plots and settings of the many pieces of literature Myla had on her mind. Seeing them, I felt a mixed bag of emotions, ranging from relief at witnessing the two introverts socialize - as well as a strange sense of defeat.

It's like seeing a cat you took care of for years never once showing you any affection merrily come run up to your friend they just met and immediately start letting them pet it. The problem is I don't know who's the cat and who's the friend in this situation.

"Eh? Bridger, is that you?" My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar feminine voice. I turned to face the source in front of me. Meeting my gaze was a lively young woman. Her orange hair was glowing even in the darkness, and the vibrant smile she was wearing hit me with a refreshing air, almost as if it had been blown in by a spring breeze. The jean jacket she wore nearly melted into the surrounding dark blue hues - but her white tee accentuated her glowing silhouette in the scenery.

"Ilya? What are you doing here so late?" I asked as the two behind me halted their walking as well.

"I should be asking you that, but since Myla's here too, I guess this is convenient," The outgoing woman replied as she took in a breath.

"To the both of you, thank you so much." Both my and my partner's eyes widened as we watched her continue.

"I heard Hunter already sent you a text to say it, but I wanted to find the time to tell you both personally. The trip was a 101 percent success, and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome," Ilya said with a genuine and spirited expression of joy and gratitude. I was taken aback, and Myla remained silent as Ilya broke the stillness with a short cough to clear her throat.

"And with that out of the way, why did neither of you give me a heads-up, huh?" She asked that with a slight smugness and a hint of accusation.

"It was Hunter's fault, I swear."

"Way to stand up for him. As for me, I was similarly in the dark about the ordeal." My dear partner replied, freeing herself from suspicion and leaving Ilya's gaze squarely on me.

Indeed, way to stand up to your partner.

"Well, we can talk about that when the time comes, I guess. For now, though," Ilya said as her eyes veered behind us, focusing on our third member.

"Who's the new guy? I thought you guys only worked in pairs,"

"Ah, forgive me for not introducing myself. I'm Keith Kirby. I'm their friend - no acquaintance - no client?" The introvert kept second-guessing himself as he faced Myla and me for assistance. It seems his anxious personality had returned in the presence of a new face, but now an endearing charm undercut it.

"He's a lot of things, but for now, he's a matchmaking client. Think of this as a work trip of sorts for us." I told Ilya, who let out an Ahh as she began observing our outfits.

"Are you sure you guys didn't just want an excuse to go out?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Myla let out a sigh as she watched the exchange, prompting Ilya to let out a short giggle before continuing.

"Well, if that's the case, you shouldn't worry too much." The young woman said as her expression took a warmer and sentimental vibe.

"Keith, was it? When it comes to these two, they'll make things ten times harder for themselves just to make sure we have a good time," She stated towards Keith, whose startled look transitioned to a more relieved one.

"Is that so? That's good to hear." He replied as the both of them shared a brief laugh.

Hey, show a little concern for us.

"I appreciate the sale's pitch, but what are you doing here anyway?" I asked, drawing Ilya's attention.

"Hunter, the goof, was so busy planning out the proposal he forgot to get the weekly magazine he reads his manga from. It's out of character for him, but I guess in a way is kind of sweet too. So I had to go out and decided to get it for him on the way back as a gift."

"Well then, I guess this is double convenient,"

I said, facing both Ilya and my companions, whose pleasantly surprised faces gleamed in the dimming light.

"You see, Myla's looking for the second volume of a book Hunter showed her when we went out to the con. We were thinking of going to the bookstore, but it seems you were our ticket to the actual spot in the end." I answered the curious expression she had conjured, now turning to one of shock.

"Hunter got her into reading a manga?! I'm so sorry. I'll make sure to have a stern and proper talk with him when I get back." Ilya replied as a worried look covered her face.

"I'm counting on you. I'll try my best to take care of her from now on." I replied as the same worry washed over me.

"And what could the both of you possibly mean by that?" A cold voice interjected our impromptu comedy act as my partner placed herself between Ilya and me.

Ah, she might kill the both of us.

Yep.

Ilya? Get out of my inner monologue.

Oops, sorry. Carry on then.