"Hey!" Kaitou's screamed while barging into my room and woke me up. "Don't you have a group project today?" He asked.
"Well yeah," I replied under the sheets. "Guess what time is it?" He asked. I took a peek at my phone and read the time. "Oh, it's 9 A.M." I whispered groggily.
"Subaru is already outside, you know?"
Finally realising what's currently happening, I hurriedly ran to the bathroom and took a quick shower, and changed into casual clothes.
I went to the gate where Subaru was waiting for me. "Sorry, I took so long. "
"It's alright," He reassured. "Is Nica not coming?" I asked.
"Nope, she's just late."
"We haven't talked about anything though," I admitted. Subaru somewhat had a look of disappointment in his face and commented. "Honestly, I'm not surprised. "
"Let's go inside," I said and open the door. He silently followed me and sat on the couch. He took out a notepad and pencil getting ready to take notes.
I sat directly across him and brought my science notebook. "Can I connect to the internet?" He asked. I took his phone and connected it to the internet. "Thanks, " He then start to browse inspiration for research proposals.
"Aren't performance tasks like this has at least six members?" I asked. "She just has high standards on students like us." He answered.
I sighed and started to look up for some ideas. As I scrolled and scrolled down a lot of times. I still can't find something that gets my attention.
"What's a topic your interested about? It can help you look for one you know." He said.
"Robotics."
"There's probably a lot of things not yet made, go and search for more."
I and Subaru continued on searching until I found something that peeked my interest. "How about using acetic acid to lessen the mortality rate of toxic algae?" I asked.
"Is that dangerous? Cause I was told that research proposals we're going to do are supposed to be below toxic level 1 or something."
"I don't know. I'm just desperate to make one already, I can't help it."
"That's for the bacteria you're going to use. Any bacteria above level 1 can't be used for the
experiment." Kaitou butt in the middle of our conversation.
"Is that so..." Subaru took note and continue to search.
"You know what a good idea is? How about both of you go to the city square and explore some
things. Maybe you guys can make a community based research. I'm pretty sure Ms. Mics like
community based research best."
Taking my brother's advice Subaru stood up and started taking his stuff. Following him I took my string bag and my wallet to head out.
"Wait, contact Nica first tell her we're going to the city square." I told Subaru as he messaged Nica.
"Hey, Kaitou we'll go now!" I shouted and went outside.
"Yeah, sure!" He shouted while we were outside.
We silently walk side by side each other, heading to the city proper. "Hmmm, want to ride a taxi?" He suggested.
I nodded back, since I was too lazy to walk in the first place. He called for the nearest taxi and sat inside.
"Where are you guys heading?" He asked.
"The Donut Country Mall please," Subaru replied.
The driver started driving while Subaru and I kept silent leaving us in an awkward situation. I silently watched the scenery through the window. I started to relax bit by bit on the seat and started to become dazed.
Bzzzt.
Bzzzt.
The ring from Subaru's phone returned me from reality. "Nica messaged me, she can't come anymore something happened."
"I see..." I replied, this just makes things more awkward for us. I kept on silently staring at the window to avoid any awkward conversation.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Finally arriving at the mall, Subaru and I entered quietly side by side. The mall was really crowded. It was one of the most known mall in the city.
"So where do you want to go?" He asked.
Scanning the place, I found one shop that I would love to go to. It was the manga shop, "Hey let's go there." I pointed the shop.
"Okay then." Subaru held my wrist and started walking to the shop.
Entering the shop, there was almost no one there. "Good Morning!" The cashier greeted. "Welcome to Harpwet's manga store. My name is Hailie."
"Good morning." We greeted back and started to check out some new manga releases.
We probably spent a good few hours in there, but I just bought the new releases of Breathe. Hailie, the cashier, was pretty kind. She gave me a lot of tips and told me a lot of facts I didn't know about.
"So where do you want to go next?" Subaru asked. I'm pretty amazed on how a gentleman he can be at times.
"How about the plant laboratory, I think this place can help us find a research proposal." I suggested.
"You're right. Maybe it can. The sign says it's in third floor right? Let's go." He grabbed my wrist again as we fast walk to the elevator.
"Don't you think it's unusual though for a mall to literally have a plant laboratory where people can see it anytime?" I asked out of curiosity.
He chuckled, "Well from what I heard Donut Country is a mall made by a group of friends. One of her closest friend wanted to have a plant laboratory and they built it here. They mixed their dreams into one that's why this mall is pretty unique and has a lot of costumer."
"You know a lot, huh."
"Just heard it from my dad, he's friends with the owner."
Ting.
The elevator signalled that we were on our floor. Our conversation ended quickly while we head to the plant laboratory to find a plant that we might be able to use for our research topic.
We spent about 2 hours there of taking notes, pictures and data about the plants. It was already pass lunch and I was feeling pretty hungry.
"Want to eat at Justino's?" Subaru asked.
"Sure, let's go to one nearby." Since I was feeling exhausted from all the wandering we did, I could eat anything. In the middle of walking Kaitou was calling me.
"Are you eating outside or in the house?" He asked.
"Probably outside, I'm craving for some food here at Justino's."
"Justino's? What's that?" He asked.
"Some kind of restaurant here at the Donut Country Mall, might have some great food so why not?"
"Alright, Just make sure you return before it gets dark."
"Okay." I replied and continued walking beside Subaru.
After a few more solid minutes, we finally arrived at Justinp's and took a sit. "I'll just eat 2-piece chicken with and rice and carbonara with large coke." I said.
"Okay~" He went to the cashier to order mine and his food.
******
Finishing our lunch, the loud noise and the fun pop background music was the only thing you can hear by now. After he found out that I have never experienced going to the arcade, he dragged me here.
"Hey, Irene! Come on let's go." The look of excitement was all over his face. He paid for the tokens and gave 10 to me. After giving the tokens he run straight towards the shooting game and started to play.
I silently roamed around the arcade looking for something that could take my interests. Feeling a bit burdened since I didn't like a single one. I went beside Subaru and pointed at the Dance Dance Revolution. "You want to try?" He asked.
I nodded back and started to play. We first started at easy mode until extreme mode.
"That...was...exhausting..." I panted.
"You're...pretty...quick, do you...dance...?" Subaru asked also tired.
"From time to time I do. Let's play something else!"
He chuckled, "Sure!"
Having fun more fun I and Subaru continued to play on the others games making sure that we win. While walking around with Subaru in the arcade, something immediately caught my attention while walking. It was a cute designed ribbon inside a claw machine.
I started to stare at the machine, while Subaru spotted me and took my tokens. "I'll play it for you."
I stepped back and started to watch Subaru. He looked focused and relaxed. Within one try, he got the ribbon. With a smile on his face, he handed me the ribbon and patted my head. "It's getting quite late let's go home now, Irene."
I felt a bit of disappointment, but I simply nodded back. I and Subaru stopped at the sidewalk to call a taxi to head home.
"Hey, I had a lot fun today because of you. Thanks!" A genuine smile came out of my lips; I wonder when will be the next time that I shall do it.
He smiled back and whispered. "Me too, I had a lot of fun."
"It's already quite late, huh." I commented.
"It is, let's create a group chat for our research proposal later."
"Sure..." The taxi now arrived in front of us. Subaru waved goodbye and walked away, while I entered
the taxi and went home.
"Wasn't that technically a date?" I asked myself.