*Purpura*
Sou grinned as we boarded a giant swan boat. Rena had humorously confused it for a romantic boat, but those were meant for two people and were moved by pedaling, which might've been part of the reason she got nervous.
Sayuri sat on the seat behind me and grinned. "I haven't been on a boat like this since I was a kid."
"This is my first time," Rena said as her boyfriend positioned her chair on the back of the boat. There was barely any space for it.
"I've been on them before, but I'm excited to see how it goes this time around with me as the driver" Souta said, grinning.
I smiled slightly. Everyone looked forward to it from the looks on their face, despite some of them being reluctant at first.
Sekin put a hand on the back of his girlfriend's seat. "I'll be right behind you, Sou. Let me know if you need anything."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Rena gulped. "I'm the one who isn't."
Sekin snickered. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall."
She glanced at him and blushed.
"You okay there, Rena?" Kai asked, looking over his shoulder.
She looked down. "Yeah, it's just a bit scary, sitting on the edge of the boat like this." Her dark green eyes shifted back to her boyfriend. "Shouldn't you be sitting down too? What if the boat rocks too much and you end up falling?"
He smiled. "Don't worry. I have good balance."
Rena looked away and sighed. "I-if you say so."
Sehun, Ava, and I sat at the front, just behind 'Captain' Souta.
"Everyone ready?" Sou asked, grinning.
"Yup!" Sayuri said, pumping her fists.
"Go ahead, Captain," Sehun said, giving his boyfriend a thumbs up.
Ava sighed and glanced around uneasily.
Sou took a deep breath and turned the ignition. The engine roared and the boat started moving as he shifted it into high gear.
The boat jerked forward, causing Ava to squeal.
Sehun held her hands. "Calm down, we're safe."
She nodded. "Right. Right."
I smirked. So, even the tough Ava had a weak spot for boats.
The boat began to go faster as we reached the middle of the artificial lake.
"See? Not too bad, eh?" Sou asked, glancing back at us.
"Eyes on the road! I mean, the water!" Ava snapped.
Sou chuckled. "Okay, okay. Just wanted to check on everyone."
"Do that later, after we've returned to shore, preferably," Sehun said.
"Fine."
I gazed at the dome of the water park. It was still as blue as day. Was it really daytime or was the lighting here just that good?
"Oh, there's the fishies!" Sou said, pointing at the water.
Kai and Sayuri both leaned over to see.
"Woah! You're right! I didn't think there would be fishes at a water park. Well, intentionally anyway," Kai said.
"It's part of this attraction's charm," Sehun said, grinning. "It's also why it's so far flung from the rest of the rides."
"Careful, Kai. You're not exactly wearing a life jacket," Rena said.
"I'm fine, Rena. Don't worry," he said, smiling at her.
I glanced back at her. She wasn't exactly wearing one either. Then again, he had no plans to go into the water.
"Look, the koi are following us," Sou said, chuckling.
"Pay attention!" Ava snapped.
Sou snickered. "I know, I know."
She leered at him. "You're having fun, though, aren't you?"
"Well, yeah. That's the point."
"But, you're not doing this just for yourself, remember? Some of us are having more fun than others."
He frowned. "Sorry."
"Just make sure not to get too caught up in your own little world, okay? If you're the captain, we're your passengers. You need to pay attention to what we want and need. It's the least you can do."
Sou pouted. "I already know that. You think I'm an idiot or something?"
She smirked. "Sometimes, yes."
He grumbled. "Then you be the captain. I'll sit next to Sehun."
"Fine with me. Just stop this boat first."
"Aye aye, captain." Sou slowed the boat. It gradually came to a stop.
Sekin glanced over. He and Rena had started watching the fishes. "What's wrong, Ava?"
"I'm switching spots with Souta," she said, standing up.
Rena's eyes widened. "Wait, is it safe to move around so much? Can't the boat turn over?"
"Relax, Rena," Sekin said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Boats aren't that delicate. Plus, the boat's not moving, so we're fine."
"O-okay," she mumbled, looking down.
She probably knew about boats as much as I did.
Sou stepped out and hopped into the boat with us. He plopped down next to his boyfriend and me.
Sehun stared at him and patted his head. "Aren't you mad at Ava?"
He shrugged. "Nah. I'm more mad at myself, honestly. She's not wrong, and she's right to scold me. I got a little carried away."
Sehun smiled as Sou leaned his head on his shoulder.
I looked down.
"Alright, hold on," Ava said, starting the boat. She yelped as the boat moved super fast, throwing her back.
"Hey!" Souta yelled, catching her. Sehun ran over and took control of the boat to prevent us from crashing into another.
"Thanks," she said, blushing.
He set her down. "No problem. Now, watch it, I'm a fragile guy, after all."
She smirked. "You're anything but, Souta."
He chuckled.
I sighed. At least Sou and Ava seemed to have made up. Although, that blush from Ava was suspicious...
The rest of the boat ride went by peacefully, with Sou taking over again. He was a far better 'captain' than Ava.
We eventually returned to the dock.
"So, what should we do next?" Sehun asked, leaning back on the wall.
"Let's see, we practiced swimming, went on slides, and now we road boats. Oh, how about we wrap up with a splash pad? Or a water balloon fight?" Souta suggested, grinning.
Sayuri grinned. "That sounds like a lot of fun! What do you say, Kai?"
He smiled. "Sure."
"Uh, so which one?" Ava and I asked in unison.
Sehun chuckled. "Well, why not both?"
Souta snickered. "Good idea, Sehun. You're a real genius!"
I rolled my eyes.
"Come on, let's go check them out," Sayuri said, grinning as she dragged her girlfriend away.
Kai frowned. He was on the same boat as me, wasn't he?
Sou held his hand out. "Coming, Purpura?"
I looked down.
"What's wrong, Purpura?" Sou asked, frowning.
I glanced at Sehun. "Why me? You got him."
Sehun looked away and blushed.
Sou grabbed my hand. "Because, you're my friend. I don't wanna leave you out."
I stared at him. "B-but-"
"No buts, let's go." He tugged me forward, causing me to almost trip and fall. I would've, if not for my powers.
"Watch it!"
He grinned. "Sorry, but don't worry, I won't let you fall, okay?"
"I-I know."
He blushed and grinned.
"You're quite the charmer, aren't you?" I asked.
"I'm just being nice, that's all."
"If you say so."
We made our way through the crowd to the splash pad. It was a small area with many fountains shooting water. Kids giggled as they chased each other around.
"Will you be fine, Rena?" Sekin asked, looking down at his girlfriend.
She looked down. She probably didn't want to get her chair wet.
He grinned and picked her up. "Don't worry, I'll carry you."
Her cheeks flushed. "S-Sek!"
He snickered. "Is something wrong?"
"I-it's embarrassing, that's what!"
"What is?"
"Me being carried like this!"
He smirked. "I thought you liked it when I picked you up, and that it was kinda sexy."
She glared. "I do, but we're in public!"
He chuckled and ran into the water with her.
Rena screamed and clung onto him.
Kai laughed. "They sure are a cute couple, aren't they?"
I sighed. "Too bad it won't last."
"Huh? What do you mean, Purpura?" Sou asked, raising a brow.
I looked down. "Nothing, forget it."
"Don't say such stuff," Kai said, frowning. "Rena and Sekin's love is true."
"For now, maybe. But, you can't say that for the future. Relationships don't always work out. People break up all the time."
His shoulders slumped.
"Don't listen to him," Sou said, patting the boy's back.
"I know," Kai mumbled, looking down.
I shrugged. "Hey, I'm just being honest. You should learn to be more realistic. Love is great and all, but sometimes, it's not meant to be."
"I can't accept that," Sou said, shaking his head.
I sighed. Both of them were too idealistic.
Kai sighed. "B-but there is some truth to what he says. Love isn't all rainbows and sunshine. It's painful. My parents are a perfect example. They divorced when I was six."
Sou frowned. "Yeah, I heard of that."
"They later remarried, but that didn't last long, either. Mom moved away with Rena here, to her home country. I rarely saw her and some of my other siblings until we all moved here. The real messy part is that my parents sometimes get together and do adult stuff. We hoped they'd eventually find their way back to each other and make things work, but it hasn't worked out yet. And I have a feeling it won't ever."
Sou frowned. "You never know. Your mom might finally have her happy ending with the right guy."
Kai shook his head. "What makes them really messy is that they can't move on. They are too attached to one another, and yet, they still can't commit."
"Maybe they're afraid of commitment," Sou suggested.
Kai nodded. "I know, but they made me and my siblings develop trust issues. If they can't stay committed, then why should they keep doing adult stuff and risk making more kids?"
"I dunno, maybe because they miss each other, or they're lonely. Adults have needs too, after all."
Kai sighed. "Dad said the same thing before. But, he also said it was wrong of him to keep seeing Mom. So, which one is it?"
"I wouldn't know, sorry."
"I just don't understand adults sometimes," Kai mumbled.
I patted him on the back and glanced at Rena. Now it made sense why Rena was so clingy and insecure about Sekin. She didn't want him to leave her.
"It's fine, you're not alone," I said, looking back at him.
Kai glanced at me and smiled a little. "Thanks, Purpura."
"You're welcome."
Sou grinned. "Let's have fun, okay? We're here to forget our troubles, even if only for a little while."
Kai nodded.
I smirked. "Last one in's a rotten egg!" I ran off.
Kai chuckled and chased after me.
"Hey, no fair! I was the one who said we should have fun!" Sou yelled as he chased us.
Ava giggled as she and Sayuri glanced at us. "He really is like a dog."
Sayuri smiled. "That's not a bad thing, though."
Kai turned to the side while running from Sou and bumped into someone.
"I-I'm sorry," I said, backing away.
"Kai, are you okay?" Rena asked, glancing at her brother.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine."
"It's a bit crowded in here, huh?" Sekin said, looking around.
"Yeah," Ava agreed.
"Maybe we should go do the balloon fight," Sehun suggested.
"Good idea," Sayuri said, grabbing her girlfriend's hand.
Sou chuckled and grabbed Sehun's hand as well, running off with him.
I frowned. Well, on the bright side, at least I wasn't the one almost getting tripped over this time.