Dora: My real name is…
Dora: Dora The Explorer
All the excitement that Holo conjured disappeared in an instant. In response, Holo sent an astonished emoji.
Luffy: Totally unexpected
Aria, knowing that he responded sarcastically, sent a few laughing emojis and then texted.
Dora: What's your real name?
Luffy: My real name is…
Luffy: Monkey D Luffy
Aria, in response, sent an astonished emoji.
Dora: I don't know who that is, but that seems like a real name
After a brief moment, Holo texted.
Luffy: Why didn't you tell me your real name?
Dora: I will tell you when I feel like the time is right.
Dora: There's a wise saying.
Dora: Names are very sacred. It's the first possession that's gifted to us when we are born. That's why we shouldn't take it lightly.
Luffy: That's deep.
Dora: It is. That's why it's a wise saying.
Luffy: Well, in that case, I have one more proposal.
Luffy: Will you go on a date with me?
Dora: But what if I turn out to be an older person or a guy or someone to whom you won't be physically attracted to?
Luffy: It doesn't matter.
Luffy: I just want to meet you in person.
Dora: So, if I agree, where are you going to take me?
Luffy: How about Papoli City? It's the closest to Nebula waterfall.
Luffy: Maybe we can trek to the Wishing Well after our date.
Dora: Sounds…romantic
Luffy: That was the intent all along.
He ended it with a wink emoji.
Luffy: So, will you go on a date with me?
Dora: I will think about it.
Luffy: No problem.
Luffy: Take your time.
They didn't chat much after that. Aria logged off, leaving Holo in suspense.
Holo also logged off, placing his phone on the bed and took a deep breath as he lay there, staring at the rotating ceiling fan. Gradually, Holo fell asleep, pondering what Dora's reply would be. Would she agree to the date, or would she decline?
The next day at 6 AM, Holo was deeply asleep, knowing it was the 27th of August, a Saturday, with no classes to attend. Suddenly, his phone rang, and in his half-asleep state, he answered with a drowsy voice, "Hello."
"Holo, it's Aria," came the voice from the other end.
"Hey Aria," Holo mumbled, still groggy.
"You know we are leaving for the trek at 8 AM, right?" asked Aria to reconfirm.
Since Holo had nothing better to do, he replied, "Yes."
"Then please reach the bus station before 8 AM," informed Aria.
"Sure," Holo mumbled as he hung up and checked the time on his phone. Realizing he had two more hours, he set an alarm for 6:30 AM and attempted to go back to sleep. However, when the alarm rang after five minutes, he snoozed it, caught in the comforting embrace of his bed. This pattern continued, with each subsequent alarm being snoozed.
After a while, someone barged into his room before the alarm could ring again and shouted, "WAKE UP, LAZY ASS."
Holo partially opened his eyes from his bed and saw DJ and Joe standing in front of him. He initially dismissed them, thinking he was still dreaming, and closed his eyes again. Within moments, he felt a kick on his backside, jolting him awake. He sat up, yawning and stretching. "Get ready in 30 minutes," growled DJ.
Upon hearing this, Holo's curiosity overcame his lingering drowsiness. "Are you both heading to the Nebula Fall too?" he asked.
"Yes," DJ and Joe replied in unison.
"Cherry requested me, and I couldn't refuse," informed DJ with a subtle smirk.
Holo then turned to Joe. "And what about you? Why are you going?"
"I need more information about the temple for my whitepaper. Visiting the place seemed the best way to gather what I need," Joe explained.
"NOW GET READY," DJ exclaimed. "We're already behind schedule."
"Alright. Just give me a couple of minutes," Holo replied as he got to his feet and headed to the bathroom.
As Holo got ready, DJ and Joe waited in his room. In a short while, Holo emerged, dressed in a t-shirt, trek pants, and a backpack, mirroring DJ and Joe's attire. "Have you packed your raincoat?" Joe asked.
"No," replied Holo. "Why?"
"Aria recommended we bring raincoats. Rain can come unexpectedly in the mountains," Joe advised.
Holo sighed and packed the raincoat into his backpack. The trio then proceeded downstairs, where Holo's uncle was having breakfast while reading the newspaper.
There were pancakes on a plate and tea in the kettle on the dining table. Holo took a pancake and rolled it up. DJ chimed in, "One for me, please."
Holo picked another pancake from the plate. Just then, Joe said, "One for me as well, please."
Sighing, Holo took one more pancake from the plate, distributing one to DJ and another to Joe. Holo's uncle, engrossed in his newspaper, asked, "Do you boys have plans for the day?"
"Apparently yes," Holo replied, his expression disinterested. "We're heading to the Nebula Waterfall," DJ added.
Holo's uncle casually flipped the page of the newspaper, commenting, "Amazing. It's always good to connect with nature once in a while."
With that brief exchange, the trio made their way towards the door. Holo said, "Okay, we're leaving," and promptly opened the door, stepping outside. Holo's uncle chimed in, "Enjoy... and take care," but by then, the door had shut, and his words were lost in the closing.
The watch showed 7:55 AM, and the trio were on their bikes. Holo was on his own bike, with Joe riding pillion on DJ's. "We're late because of you," DJ stated with a hint of frustration.
"Don't worry, we'll get there in time," Holo replied in a carefree tone.
Within a few minutes, they reached the bus station, but they were already five minutes late, and the bus was nowhere in sight. DJ, frustrated, started scolding Holo, and a quarrel ensued. DJ blamed Holo for their tardiness, while Holo defended himself, suggesting that Aria or Cherry might have held the bus. Both had valid points.
In the midst of their argument, a bus pulled up beside them and honked loudly, interrupting their dispute. They turned to see Aria at the bus door, dressed in trek gear with a fanny pack around her waist. "Aren't you coming in?" she asked.
"Yeah," replied DJ and Holo with a smile, boarding the bus.