ERIKA
"Woah!" A scratchy voice resounded back in slight shock, the figure managed to block an impending move from me. "That was close."
"I'm sorry-" I turned around, looking at the person I almost knocked into with an apologetic gesture. I'm surprised he actually managed to catch that kick so swiftly, but what I'm more surprised was that...it's Ryou. The senior that I always had a huge crush on when I was attending Taekwondo class outside of school.
"You look a little familiar...Have I seen you before?" He looked at me curiously.
"N-No! Never seen you ever in my life!" I could feel my face turning beet red, unable to meet his eyes. I never thought that I would see him here...it's been a few years.
Ryou gazed at me intently, trying to recall his memories. A sudden remembrance flashed across his eyes as it started brightening a little. "Aren't you Erika? We were in the same Taekwondo school!"
"Yeah...Well, you caught me!" I laughed nervously, turning around to Miki for help. However, her smirk tells me that she's not interested to help me get out of this situation.
"Wow, you look even prettier now!" He complimented me with a smile on his face.
I blushed in response.
I cleared my throat, trying to change the subject on hand and introducing them to one another. "A-Anyways, this is my best friend Miki, we were from the same girls school. Miki, this is Ryou, my senior from Taekwondo."
"Hi...Ryou!" Miki waved her hands nervously.
"Don't worry I don't bite!" Ryou laughed gently.
"She's a little shy with guys, but I'm sure she'll be alright after knowing how nice you are."
"Thank you...I remember Erika talking a lot about y-" Before Miki could finish her sentence, I stopped her short by clasping my palm on her lips and laughed awkwardly.
"Both of you get along really well, huh!" Ryou laughed again.
Thankfully, our conversation got cut off by the announcement from Atiqah. "All of you should be with your student ambassadors now, please follow them and they will bring you along!"
-
Who would have guessed? Our student ambassador is Ryou!
But thinking of it, he still looks the same as before. That tanned skin and bright smile, just like how I remember - trying to take a peek of his figure from behind the group of students while shaking my thoughts away about my past love.
It started to vanish once his voice rang into my ears again.
"Alright guys! Here we have laptops and gadgets ready for you during lessons, activities rooms to distress yourselves with various board games, massage chairs and even a mini golf course for you to enjoy." He introduced the facilities in the school and we were welcomed with the advanced technologies and entertainment catered to the students.
We were then brought to the canteens for refreshments during our short break and realized that the system goes through ordering and payment with their smart watches that's being developed by the institution. There was even a robot that was made by one of the students in computer & technology club which helps in collecting trays and utensils - which makes a lot of things here really high-tech functioning!
Making the last route to the highest floor of the building, there was a swimming pool encompassing grasslands that makes the view absolutely gorgeous...it's such a perfect place for rewinding and having a small get-together during lunch or after school!
Miki and I were given some souvenirs to bring back after the session. By the time everything was completed for the day, we were already feeling famished from all the walking.
Noticing Ryou was sweating from all the exhaustion, I walked over to give him my handkerchief. "You can take this, thank you for the tour! It was really fun."
He took the handkerchief from my hand, wiping the perspiration off his face. "Thanks, Erika! I really hope both of you can get in together. Best of luck! I'll get going first, I have some plans."
"See you!"
"Yeah, see you both around!" Ryou winked and went off to the opposite direction, joining his friends that were waiting for him.
"Hey, want to go grab some delicious ramen? I know of a store nearby that's really good. They just opened recently." I diverted my attention back to Miki.
"Never saying no to ramen!" Miki exclaimed.
Entering the ramen shop named 'Genki Ramen', we were invited into a bustling atmosphere and bright lights accompanied with music in the background. Cushions were used as seating and the theme was matched with the wooden walls and simplicity of the ramen store.
Both of us managed to find a seat after a couple left the store and ordered two of their specialty ramen, anticipation rising as our stomach grumbled even louder. Their specialty is their Happy Ramen - a classic pork broth soup with thin-sliced char siew topped with a soft boiled egg and seaweed. It was recommend to add sweet potato fishcakes as a side dish for the set meal with beverages.
We slurped on the noodles hungrily without waiting for a minute when our dishes are served to our table, our eyes sparkled with delight when our tastebuds were invited with the amazing pairing between ramen and the sweet potato fishcakes dipped with thai chili sauce.
"I could eat this any other day!" Miki finished the last bit of broth before placing the bowl back down on the table, a satisfied look on her face.
"Oh my god...this is so good. I've got to bring Nathan here, he'll love it so much!"
After finishing a scrumptious meal, my thoughts linger as Miki went to foot the bill.
I'm glad Miki and I both had such a good time today, maybe it's a sign that things will work out in our favor for our applications.
Though, I hope my wounds don't reopen itself again.