-Levi POV-
"You two really are an interesting pair. Makes me wonder what else you're keeping from us." Christine suddenly spoke, which made Haruka taken aback a bit.
"What are you trying to say, onee-san? Clearly, we're not hiding anything." Haruka replied with a glare.
"Well, you know, I've been wondering, you two seem to get along better than I thought. Working in pairs, I mean." Christine said that while smirking.
"We've paired up because we work well together. That's all." Haruka replied quickly, not even looking at Christine.
"Hmm, if you say so. But don't you think it's a little... cozy? Almost like you two have a secret." Christine said that while chuckling, but her tone sounds sharper.
"Christine, if you have something you want to say, just say it." I tried to reply casually.
Christine tilts her head, clearly enjoying the shift in atmosphere. The others exchange glances, sensing the tension but saying nothing. Harry, who had been reaching for a pitcher of water, fumbles and spills some on the counter. He quickly apologises, breaking the momentary silence.
"Ah, I'm sorry." Harry apologised nervously.
"Seriously, onee-san, even Harry's gotten nervous with your small interrogation." Hanabi said that while chuckling.
"Haha. Harry, I'm asking Haruka. Why are you the one who's getting nervous?" Christine chuckled, and Harry just went back to his place with a red face.
"Christine, maybe focus on the salad before you cut your fingers instead of cutting into people's business?" Chris speaks up, his tone attempting to diffuse the growing unease.
"Alright, alright. Just making conversation. No need to get so defensive." Christine smirks, raising her hands in mock surrender. She went back to focus on her task. Seriously, she really likes teasing us.
"Haru-chan, are you alright? You seem... off." I asked in worry as I looked at his uncomfortable face.
"I'm fine, don't worry. Let's just focus on our task, shall we?" He said that with a smile, and I just nodded.
"So, is everyone finished preparing the dishes?" Aiden suddenly appears.
"Almost done!" Hanabi replied.
"Alright. We'll be leaving in 15 minutes, so please pack everything in the meantime." Aiden said that before leaving the kitchen again. I guess he's been working on lunch.
//SKIP//
The morning sun casts a soft glow over the picturesque setting by Lake Annecy. The water glimmers under the sunlight, and the gentle rustling of leaves adds to the serene atmosphere. We are now gathering on a spacious blanket spread out over lush grass.
"This place is absolutely perfect. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to have a picnic here." Lauren stood up, stretching her arms while inhaling the fresh air deeply.
"Honestly, it's like something out of a painting. I'm glad I chose this place." Hanabi joined Lauren by the side.
"You're welcome. If it wasn't for me suggesting Hana-chan this place, you guys wouldn't be here right now." Christine said that while shoving the sandwich into her mouth.
"Sure, Christine. You're the heroine of the day. Let's engrave it on a plaque." Chris said that while rolling his eyes.
"Let's just focus on enjoying the food before sis Christine tries to take credit for the weather too." Aiden said while chuckling, which made everyone chuckle.
And here I am, sitting at the edge of the blanket, sipping black tea and observing the lake. Haruka is sitting beside me, and I could feel he's stealing glances at me a few times. I look at him, and he smiles at me faintly before speaking.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Haruka said that softly, eyes looking at the lake.
"Yeah. It's peaceful." I nodded, joining him in admiring the view.
"Hey, Haruka. Levi. Don't sit so far off like a pair of introverts. Join the rest of us!" Christine suddenly broke our peaceful moment with her mischievous smile. Seriously.
"Christine onee-san, let them have their moment. They're clearly communing with nature." Hanabi said that playfully.
Haruka clears his throat, his face turning red, trying to speak, but then Ethan's words cut him off first before he could speak.
"So, who's up for a little game? How about a scavenger hunt around the area? Charlotte told me she had someone set up the area for the game." Ethan spoke while glancing at Hanabi.
"Oh, you're right. I almost forgot. It's going to be fun. So let's split into teams!" Hanabi said that excitedly.
"Alright, but no cheating, sis Christine." Aiden said that with a smirk.
"Me? Cheating? Never! But since I'm the best, I'll let Haruka and Levi be on my team." Christine said that confidently. To be honest, I wouldn't want to team up with her.
"Uh, I think I'll pass. Someone has to stay here and keep an eye on the food." Haruka said that, making an excuse.
"Oh, no, you don't. Everyone's joining. The food will be fine." Aiden suddenly spoke, which made me a bit surprised.
"Absolutely, Haruka. Don't try to avoid this. Also, it seems like Levi could really use a bit of adventure!" Aiden added.
I raised my eyebrows but didn't argue. Haruka sighs, resigning himself to the inevitable.
"Alright, so here are the teams. Haruka and Levi, Hanabi, Ethan and Aiden, Harry and Lauren. Cristine, you're with me." Chris said that, pulling Christine away from us. I'm really grateful for that.
"Alright. So, let's go see who's got what it takes!" Hanabi said that excitedly and then began running, starting the game.
//SKIP//
It's been 40 minutes since the game started, and we're still looking for the last two items. The pinecones and feathers. Haruka is looking at the map while I'm looking around the area.
"Oh, it's the feathers." Haruka said, looking at the feathers hanging on the branches.
"Let me get that." I said that, trying to grab the feathers. Luckily, I'm tall enough.
"So, Haruka, Levi, how's teamwork going? Getting along okay?" A voice spoke not far away from us, revealing themselves. Of course, it's Christine and Chris.
"Uh, yeah. We're fine. Why wouldn't we be? And why are you two here?" Haruka asked, glaring at Christine.
"Oh, no reason. We just followed the map, you see. Seriously, you two do make an interesting pair, though." Again, with her teasing mode.
"Christine, are we here to play the game, or are you just here to stir the pot?" I cut her off before she could say anything else.
"Haha. Fine, fine. I'm just kidding. You got the feathers first, huh? I think we should search around a bit more then, Chris." Christine said that, glancing at Chris. Chris just nodded with an uninterested face.
That being said, here we are working together, the four of us. I thought they would leave us alone, but then Christine suggested all of us walk together since we're using the same path. Haruka doesn't say anything along the way and just keeps walking at a rapid pace. Suddenly, his foot slips and he nearly falls. I grabbed his arm gently.
"Careful." I said that softly.
"Uh, thanks. That was close." He flustered.
"See? You two really are a team. Maybe I should just sit back and let the magic happen." Christine said that while chuckling as she's trying to get the feathers for her team.
"Seriously, onee-san, just leave us alone." Haruka said that with a glare, but his red face betrays his embarrassment.
"Haha. Okay, let's meet back at the picnic ground. See you, lovebirds!" Christine said that and then left us alone together. Haruka's face is still red.
//SKIP//
The teams gradually make their way back to the picnic area, each group clutching their collected items. Christine is the first to arrive, holding up a full bag triumphantly.
"Team Christine wins! Bow before my scavenging skills!" Christine's bragging while showing off everything she had collected in the bag.
"Let's see if you actually got everything before you start bragging." Hanabi said, putting her team's bag on the grass.
The group compares their findings, laughing and joking about the hunt. And I could see Christine nudge Haruka with her elbow.
"Admit it. You had fun." I could hear Christine whispering in Haruka's ear.
"Maybe a little." Haruka replied, not wanting to fully admit it.
"Well, I guess maybe it's because you're alone with Levi." Christine said that with a smirk.
"Christine, you sure talk about us a lot today." I said that dryly, trying to look serious.
"Of course. I love to tease you two, especially Haru-chan." Christine giggled, and at the same time, Haruka's face turned red. He's embarrassed for sure.
"Seriously, it's really Christine onee-san's group win." Hanabi spoke after looking at all the items collected.
"Told you! My win is inevitable. Chris, time for a victory nap." Christine said that like a kid. Seriously, people wouldn't believe it if you said she's the eldest.
"Sure, onee-san. You can nap while the rest of us clean up." Hanabi said that while rolling her eyes.
"Actually, before you nap, don't we say the losing team has to do the penalty before we go back." Christine said with a mischievous smile while looking at me and Haruka. What now?
"Why are you looking at us like that?" Haruka asked with an annoyed face.
"The thing is, the losing team is your team, onii-chan." Hanabi said, which made Haruka surprised.
"What? How come? I'm pretty sure we did grab all the items." Haruka protested.
"Well, you guys didn't collect the most important thing. The checkpoint stamp." Lauren suddenly spoke.
"Alright, losers. Time to pay up." Christine smirks as she points at us.
"Pay up how exactly?" Haruka said, frowning.
"Oh, didn't we mention? The losing team has to perform a duet. Right here, ri,,,"
"No." Haruka cut her off.
"Aw, come on, onii-chan! It's all in good fun. Don't tell me you're scared to sing in front of us." Hanabi said that, pretending to look disappointed.
""Yeah, you wouldn't want to ruin Levi's chance to shine, would you?" Lauren joined in. Seriously, this kid.
"I'm not good at singing, so I'll ha…"
"Excuses, excuses! Rules are rules. Besides, it's not about being good—it's about entertaining us." This time, Christine cut Haruka off while smirking.
"I'll even play some background music for you. What's your song of choice?" Ethan spoke, taking out his phone.
"They don't get to choose. We already picked the perfect song for you two." Christine said with that mischievous smile of hers. I hope it's nothing embarrassing.
"So, what song did you pick?" I asked in an uninterested tone.
"Oh, come on, Levi. You'll love it. Here's the song." Christine said, playing the first verse of the song.
Seriously, she wanted us to sing this song in duet?
TO BE CONTINUED!!!