The weekend had arrived, and Mizuhara International Academy was unusually quiet. Without the usual bustle of classes and activities, the campus felt serene. For Htet, though, the day was anything but peaceful, his friends had planned a full day of fun and exploration.
It started with a flurry of messages in their group chat.
Liam:
Oi, everyone! It’s our day off, so no excuses! Meet me at the dorm common area by 10 a.m. We’ve got plans!
Leila:
What plans? Is this going to involve something chaotic like your usual ingrained antics?
Liam:
Shame on you, Chaos is my middle name, Leila.
Hana:
Umm..Should we be worried??
Elena:
Probably. But let’s just go with it.
Nimal:
Let’s not die today, please.
By 10 a.m., they had all gathered at the common area. Liam was already waiting, holding a map like a self-appointed tour guide.
Liam (grinning):
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Liam Experience™. Prepare yourselves for a day of unforgettable memories.”
Htet (groaning):
“Urgh..Why do I feel like this is going to be exhausting?”
Liam:
“Because it will be! Let’s go!”
First stop location: ALocal Park
Their first stop was a large park not too near, not too far from the school, known for its beautiful walking trails, serene koi pond, and open grassy areas perfect for lounging. As they strolled through the shaded paths, the group quickly fell into their usual rhythm.
Hana (pointing to the pond):
“Wow!!Look at those koi fish! Aren’t they beautiful?”
The pond was teeming with vibrant koi in shades of gold, white, and orange. A small wooden bridge arched gracefully over the water, completing the picturesque scene.
Liam:
“Sheesh, They’re just fancy fish, Hana. You’re acting like they’re celebrities.”
Leila (teasing):
“And you’re acting like you know anything about art or nature.”
Liam (dramatically):
“Excuse me, I am a cultured man! I’ve seen Finding Nemo at least three times.”
Hana knelt by the edge of the pond and held out her hand as if to greet the fish. To everyone’s surprise, a koi swam right up to her and nibbled at the water’s surface.
Elena (amused and taking a pic):
“Of course Hana would befriend a fish..and this pic goes to the group chat."
Nimal:
“Next thing we know, she’ll start naming them.”
The group spent nearly an hour wandering the park. Liam tried to climb a tree and promptly got stuck halfway up, requiring Htet and Nimal to help him down. Meanwhile, Leila took candid photos of everyone, capturing their laughter and the peaceful surroundings.
Second Stop Location: A Street Food Market
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Their next destination was a bustling street food market, alive with the sizzle of hot grills, the chatter of vendors, and the mouthwatering aroma of spices.
Hana (excitedly):
“Ooh, takoyaki! We have to get some!”
The group gathered around a small stall where an elderly man expertly flipped the octopus-filled dough balls. They watched as he worked with precision, his movements swift and practiced.
Htet (watching in awe):
“How do they make them so perfectly round?”
Leila:
“It’s all in the wrist. Watch his technique.”
They each received a steaming plate of takoyaki drizzled with savory sauce and topped with bonito flakes. The first bite was a burst of flavor crispy on the outside, soft and creamy inside.
Liam (mumbling through a mouthful):
“This… is… amazing...I'm..in...heaven~~"
They wandered through the market, sampling everything from yakitori to freshly made taiyaki stuffed with red bean paste. At one stall, they encountered candied crickets.
Nimal (holding a cricket skewer):
“Um...Are we seriously eating this?”
Liam (chewing enthusiastically):
“Don’t knock it till you try it, mate. A man should never back off from challenges like these.”
Leila (popping one into her mouth):
“It’s actually… not bad. Crunchy, but not bad.”
Htet finally gave in and tried one, his face twisting in shock as the flavor hit him.
Htet:
“Okay, that’s… an experience I don’t need to repeat.”
Their exploration continued, punctuated by Liam’s attempts to haggle with vendors and Hana’s insistence on trying every dessert they passed.
Third stop location: An Arcade
The group’s energy kicked into high gear when they entered a neon-lit arcade. The air buzzed with excitement as they darted from one game to another.
Liam (pointing to a claw machine):
“Hana, I bet you can’t win that stuffed cat.”
Hana (smirking):
“Ha, Watch how the pros do it”
The room filled with tension as Hana focused intensely on the claw machine, maneuvering the claw with precision. Her tongue poked out slightly as she concentrated. After three attempts, she finally snagged the stuffed animal.
Hana (holding it up triumphantly):
“Ha! Told ya. Praise for your one and only Invincible Master.”
Liam:
“Alright, alright, you’re the master.”
Meanwhile, Nimal and Htet were engrossed in a racing game.
Nimal:
“Ha!You’re going down, Htet!”
Htet (grinning):
“Nope not a chance!”
The race was neck and neck until Htet’s car spun out on the final turn, giving Nimal the win.
Nimal (cheering):
“Woahhhh Yeah! Victory is mine!”
Htet (laughing):
“Alright, rematch later.”
Leila and Elena took turns playing a rhythm game, their hands moving in perfect sync with the pulsing beats. By the time they left the arcade, everyone was energized and grinning from ear to ear.
Fourth stop location: Karaoke
As evening approached, Liam insisted on one final activity: karaoke.
Liam (grinning):
“Come on, it’s a classic. You can’t say no to karaoke!”
They rented a private room, and the chaos began. Liam kicked things off with an over-the-top performance of Bohemian Rhapsody, complete with dramatic gestures and fake tears.
Elena (clapping):
“Wow, that was… something.”
Hana (teasing):
“More like everything.”
Leila followed with a heartfelt rendition of Let It Go, her voice surprisingly strong and clear.
Nimal (joking):
“Yep..Disney would be proud.”
The highlight of the night was when Htet reluctantly took the mic to sing a classic ballad. Though he started nervously, his voice grew stronger as his friends cheered him on.
Liam (grinning):
“See? You’ve got the pipes, Htet!”
---
After the whirlwind day, the group found a quiet spot in the park to sit and reflect. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun set.
Hana (smiling):
“Today was amazing. We should do this more often.”
Elena:
“Agreed. It’s nice to take a break from school and just… enjoy life.”
Liam:
“And let’s not forget, you all got to experience the genius of my planning.”
Leila:
“Genius is a strong word, Liam.”
Nimal (laughing):
“More like controlled chaos.”
They all laughed, the camaraderie between them stronger than ever.
Htet (smiling):
“I’m glad we did this. Days like today remind me why I came here..to make memories with amazing people.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group sat in comfortable silence, soaking in the peaceful end to an unforgettable day. It was a moment of friendship and gratitude, a reminder of the simple joys that made life special.