Chapter 14: A Day of Firsts and Discoveries.

Oki looked exasperated. *In the last two years, we’ve only been on a date three times, and each time I was the one who asked you out.* Her frustration was palpable.

Rafta noticed her mood. “What’s the matter? You look sad. Are you feeling okay? Did you need to use the restroom?”

Oki, irritated, punched Rafta lightly. “Hoo, looks like we arrived.”

“Hey, what was that for?” Rafta said, rubbing his arm in mock pain.

**At the Ice Cream Shop**

The couple entered the ice cream shop, followed closely by Ashi and Haari. The shop was bustling with people enjoying their treats, the air filled with the sweet aroma of waffle cones and freshly churned ice cream.

Waiter 1 approached them. “What would you like to order, sir?”

Rafta hesitated, glancing at the colorful menu. “Umm?”

Oki quickly interjected, “Two amul ice creams in chocolate flavor, please.”

Waiter 1 nodded, a smile spreading across his face. “Okay, ma’am. Thanks for the order.”

Waiter 2 then turned to Ashi and Haari. “Can I take your order, sir?”

Ashi looked puzzled, her gaze shifting between the flavors on display. “Ahhh?”

Haari chimed in, sensing her confusion. “Two Shalimar ice creams, please.”

Waiter 2 nodded. “Okay, sir. Thanks for the order.”

A few minutes later, the group sat at a nearby table. Ashi savored her ice cream with delight. “It’s delicious! It’s so good!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Haari leaned closer, whispering, “Nicawa-san, don’t be so loud. They might notice us.”

Ashi quickly apologized, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Oh! Sorry.”

**After Finishing**

Rafta, looking at his watch, asked, “Now, where are we going next?”

Oki, determined to keep the day interesting, replied, “Just follow me.”

As they walked into the mall, Ashi remarked, “A mall? What kind of couple goes to the mall on their date? Did Habi-san bring Densi-san here just to carry her shopping stuff?”

Haari and Ashi entered the mall, Ashi’s eyes wide with wonder. “Wow, there are so many things here, and this building is so tall! I can’t see the roof.”

Haari thought to himself, *Has she never been to a mall before?* His curiosity grew as he watched Ashi’s astonished reaction.

“Nicawa-san, how many times have you visited a mall before?” Haari asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

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Ashi looked around, a bit embarrassed. “Well, I’ve never been to a mall before.”

Haari’s jaw dropped in surprise. “What? You’ve lived in such a big city and never visited a mall?”

“Yeah,” Ashi replied with a shrug. “I never needed to. The things here are so expensive; you can buy the same stuff for cheaper from the local market shops.”

Haari thought, *How did she spend 20 years of her life without visiting a mall? When I came to this city, the first thing I did was explore all the malls.*

“So, this is your first time here, huh?” Haari pressed on.

“Yeah, it is,” Ashi confirmed, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness.

“Great! Let’s go and see more inside,” Haari said, his enthusiasm clear.

“Really?” Ashi asked, her face lighting up with excitement.

“Yeah, sure!” Haari replied eagerly.

Rafta: “Looks like we lost them.”

Oki, making a crybaby face: “Nicawa-san, I can’t believe it’s her first time visiting the mall and I’m not with her. I want to go there.”

Rafta, trying to hide Oki from Haari and Ashi: “No, we can’t. We barely distracted them.”

“But—” Oki started to protest.

“You’ll ruin their mood if you go there, and have you forgotten why we’re here?” Rafta said firmly.

Oki, now serious: “You’re right. Let’s go.”

Rafta, annoyed: “Don’t change your mood like that.”

**At the Mall**

“Wow, there are so many people here,” Ashi said, her eyes wide with amazement. She looked at the mall directory and exclaimed, “Bar, mobile shop, games, clothing store, picture wall, food shop, ice-cream stand—everything in one building. Kichiro-san, let’s check out all the shops!”

“Yeah, sure,” Haari said, smiling at her enthusiasm.

Haari thought, *Seems like she’s really enjoying it. Although we lost track of Rafta and Oki, it doesn’t matter. Following them won’t give us anything. Let’s give them some space and enjoy ourselves.*

Ashi eagerly pointed to a shop. “Kichiro-san, I want to try that one!”

Haari agreed, “Yeah, sure. Don’t mind me; do whatever you want.”

Haari found himself overwhelmed by the sheer number of shops and activities. *What, how did I end up in this situation?* He wondered, trying to keep up with Ashi’s boundless energy.

Ashi held up a dress and asked, “Kichiro-san, how about this?”

Haari, feeling a bit out of his depth, replied, “It looks great on you.”

Ashi frowned. “What’s wrong with you, Kichiro-san? You keep saying the same thing for every dress I try on.”

Haari, feeling awkward, responded, “I don’t know what else to say right now.”

Ashi sighed, exasperated. “You just have to tell me which ones look good on me.”

Haari replied, “They all look great on you.”

“That’s not true,” Ashi said, clearly frustrated.

**Two Hours Later**

Haari thought, *We’ve visited all kinds of stores in the mall and played lots of games.* He glanced at the time and realized they had been out for quite a while.

Ashi spotted something and exclaimed, “What’s that? Wait, it’s my favorite movie, and they’re running an offer! Kichiro-san, I want to watch that movie.”

Haari hesitated, glancing at the movie poster. “But that offer is for couples.”

Ashi insisted, “So what? We can say we’re a couple. It’s not like they’ll know us.”

“But—” Haari started to protest.

“Kichiro-san, I really want to see that movie,” Ashi said earnestly, her eyes pleading.

“But we—” Haari began.

Ashi cut in, “Please, Kichiro-san, just this once.”

Haari sighed, reluctantly agreeing. “Okay, fine.”

**After the Movie**

Ashi was thrilled as they exited the theater. “That was amazing! Watching a movie in a theater really is something else.”

Haari, feeling a bit awkward, noted, “Ah, Nicawa-san?”

Ashi turned to him, a bit confused. “Em?”

Haari hesitated, looking at their entwined hands. “My hand.”

Ashi blushed, realizing she was holding his hand. “Oh, I’m sorry. I was so excited about the movie that I forgot I was holding your hand.”

“It’s okay,” Haari said, trying to act casual, though his face was slightly flushed.

“So, how was the movie? Did you like it?” Ashi asked, looking up at him with genuine curiosity.

Haari thought, *I didn’t even know what the movie was about because you were holding my hand so tightly I couldn’t focus on it.*

Ashi, sensing his distraction, said, “I think it’s time to go home.”

“Wait, we still have some time left, and I think you rarely go outside, right?” Haari said, glancing at Ashi with a thoughtful expression.

“Yeah, all my days are so busy, even on a day off,” Ashi replied, looking a bit wistful as she thought about her hectic schedule.

“So, there’s one more place I want to show you before we go home,” Haari said, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

“Hmm, okay. We still have a little time left, so let’s go,” Ashi said, her face brightening with renewed enthusiasm.

To be continue..........