"As in Aunt Megan has a boyfriend?—"
"Yes, she started getting clean because of him. He's super rich and he's getting to know her better and also helping her heal, so he brought us on a trip to Japan." She concluded with a triumphant smile.
"Wow!" Betty exclaimed, "That's like an early Christmas miracle—"
Mia chuckled nervously,
"I suppose so."
Just then, Betty caught sight of Noel running past in the background,
"Is that a kid?—"
"What kid?—"
"Behind you!"
"Oh! That's my aunt's boyfriend's son. Sometimes I totally forget he exists." She chuckled,
"Is Aunt Meg there, let me say hi to her then?—"
"She's not here, they went out and I'm babysitting the boy—"
"Whoa, I guess spending the entire week with your aunt was such a bad idea after all." Betty told her.
"Yeah you guys where totally right. Hey, have you heard from Trace yet?"
"Yeah, she's still at her boyfriend's place in London…Screwing 247—"
"Ugh!—"
"Her words, not mine." Betty laughed,
"So did you find out why Mr. Fisher sent all three of us home?"
"Oh yes, he said the CEO asked him to—"
"Trace was right, I knew it the whole time!—"
"I guess we just have to keep our fingers crossed and see what happens after the week runs out."
"Yeah, till then…See you when I see you, bye."
"Bye." Betty replied then ended the call.
"…So I guess I'm Aunt Megan's boyfriend now." Ethan smirked as he handed her a cup of tea.
"Thanks…That was the only lie I could think off at the moment." Mia chuckled,
"So what did you find out about Mr. CEO?"
"I was right the entire time, he was the one behind the week off thing, he, she, they or whoever they are found out about what I did and dragged my friends into it. How was I supposed to know I'd be in the same cab with the hotel critic?—"
"You were the insider from Nowel Hotels and Suites?" He asked as he took a sip of his tea,
"…Yes, it was dumb I know, but I feel really guilty for dragging my friends into this."
"You're not that dumb afterall." He scoffed " let's just say a sane CEO would do whatever it takes to protect his business—"
"Sane my foot! I'd punched him right in the face if I saw him right now." She said fiercely,
Ethan laughed,
"Oh, trust me Mia, you wouldn't dare." He said coldly.
"…Okay? Geez, that was scary. Do you like know him or something?" Mia asked,
"Would you like to go for a walk in the snow?" He replied instead.
---
".... Honestly, I didn't think you'd actually agree to wear the kimono and sandals." Mia laughed,
"Well, I'm glad I did okay? And besides it's really comfortable, and most people are also wearing it, so don't taunt me." Ethan replied,
"Oh I'm not taunting you Sir, I must admit you look quite handsome in it." Mia smiled, "walking through these traditional structures in kimonos makes me feel like I went back in time."
"Yeah, and the snow too.... it's like magic."
As they walked on, they greeted the others that passed by. Mia led them to a bridge and decided to stop for a photo. She asked a passerby to help them take a family photo.
"Smile!"
After the lady finished, she returned the camera to Mia who thanked her in return.
"....Now this is a beautiful family photograph." Mia smiled, "Here, Noel." She said as she stretched it to him, " You can have it—"
"Really?"
"Mh-Mm." She nodded,
"Thank you so much." He hugged her legs. Mia crotched down to his level and ruffled his hair,
"....I've never had a family photo like this one." He croaked, "I'm going to keep this one forever." He told her. Mia was short of words so she simply hugged him tight.
Their cute moment was ruined by a giant snowball that landed on both of them. They turned and found Ethan molding and picking up more snowballs,
"Seriously Ethan!" Mia laughed, " You look ridiculous!"
"Oh c'mon!" He chuckled as he threw another one at her, "Grown men aren't allowed to participate in snowball fights?" He questioned then threw another,
"A snowball fight?" Mia chuckled,
"C'mon, don't be a wuss!" He challenged,
"Okay that's it! You asked for it, it's two against one!" Mia yelled,
"Bring it on!" Ethan yelled back and just like that, the snowball fight began. They laughed and ran as they threw snowballs at each other till everyone got exhausted and fell on the snow.
"That was fun." Ethan said in between heavy breaths,
"I can't believe you initiated that." Mia replied,
"Let's make snow angels!" Noel chimed in,
"Oh yeah? Let's see who makes the best snow angel!"
"....Bring it on Panda!"
----
"....I still think my snow angel was better. You both suck at making snow angels." Mia told them as they all held hands and strolled back.
It was the first time Ethan actually held her hand naturally, and she was secretly enjoying it, she wanted to point it out, but decided there was no use making things awkward.
When Noel let go and walked faster than them, he still kept holding her hands.
".... He's never been like this around me or anybody, so happy and so free.... He must like you a lot, how did you do it?" Ethan asked,
"I didn't do anything, I guess all he needed was more attention, you know someone to talk about school stuff, you know....his crush, things he's too scared to talk about and stuff—"
"A crush? Did he tell you that?" Ethan laughed,
" No, but everyone has a crush every now and then.... Maybe if you'd open up a bit, he'll tell you....Who knows, it might be Chloe." She whispered the last part.
Ethan laughed loudly,
"C'mon, you can't be serious, Chloe's way older than he is—"
"Ah! Don't be so old-fashioned, in love....Age is just a number."
Ethan had to stop in his tracks and laughed,
"Now she's talking about love."
"Well I'm serious, you never can tell." She laughed back as her cheeks flushed,
"....Oh Panda, you have a great sense of humor." He smiled then continued the stroll.
They walked in a peaceful silence till Ethan broke it first,
".... You know, I'm starting to get a hang of things."
"What things?"
"The reason Mr. Kenato brought us here in the first place.... The entire resort and the ryokan are just like his kids, so precious, he said all that before, but I wasn't paying attention.... He didn't want to make a wrong decision....He didn't want to put the resort in the wrong hands, so he brought us down here to see how important this place is to him, but most of us are so blinded by some vague competition that we've failed to see it." He concluded.
Mia stopped and stared at him as a small smile spread across her lips,
".... I'm proud of you."
".... It's all thanks to you." He smiled back,
"You know what, let's all go out tonight Panda."