"Are you sure this will work?" Sofia asked her with a worried face.
For the hundredth time, she nodded and chuckled.
"What's with the face huh?"
"Pan, it's hot out there! You might get a heat stroke!" Sofia tried to convince her.
"I have to. We have to. Or else, we never get any sales for today," Pan replied. She checked the costume one more time, making sure that everything was intact well.
"I can help you..."
"Fia, your tummy is almost as big as this mascot's head. Think about yourself before helping me," Pan giggled.
Sofia started to get teary. Pan was willing to be a mascot for a day so they could sell some food boxes. Those foods were supposed to be delivered to a certain company, but the company canceled the order at the last minute. Now, their shop was surrounded by boxes of unsold food.
"I'm sorry, Pan..."
"Keep those aside. We have work to do. Keep an eye on Shu, just in case she wakes up," Pan donned the huge cat's head and headed outside. Mei was ready with the songs.
So, on that day, in the hotness of the evening, in front of a main street, Pan drilled her waist, her legs, and her energy to promote the shop and the food boxes. In the scorching hot air, she danced from one song to another song, until she couldn't feel her legs anymore.
That cat costume was not a cold room with an air conditioner, even more hot than her diner's kitchen. With her body just recovered from giving birth to Shu two years ago, she mustered her remaining youth, all for sales of that day. If they failed to sell that food, they might get the biggest loss in the entire record of that diner.
So, she's willing to do everything. Since Mei has anxiety about facing a large crowd, plus she's not a good dancer, and Sofia, is in a full-term pregnancy, Pan has no choice but to face this alone. All for them, especially for her daughter.
"Ten more boxes, Pan!!" Sofia yelled from afar. The last run for Pan. She nodded in tiny.
"Mama!!! Su su na!!!"
From afar, she could hear her two-year-old daughter cheering for her. In that huge cat head, with the tiredness and the lonely road of life, she gathered all her might and put the best in her final show.
Until it was over.
Pan took off the head and held a huge sigh of relief after everything sold out. Shu ran towards her mom, hugging her in that huge mascot costume, and kissed her on the cheek.
"Shu's Mama is the best!!" she grinned, flashing her small little teeth.
Tears rolled from her eyes as she hugged the little one in her embrace. It's not easy to make ends and to have some people who count on her, she could feel the pressure. But, she's willing to sacrifice.
All because of the responsibility that she holds.
***
Pan stares at the huge pink shoes that she wears. The bunny's head is resting next to her. They allow her to take some breaks in between. So, she has time to catch some breath before continuing.
Today is nothing compared to the last time she donned a mascot costume. That day, two years ago, was even worse than this. She can't even take a break, no toilet time, no food. Nothing.
At least, right now she can catch some breath and enjoy her drinks while resting.
Pan makes a light stretch. This costume is heavy, but at least it's a high-quality costume. It's a bit airy so she doesn't feel suffocated at all. Lucky for her, the weather is now a bit windy and calm.
She enjoys her break when someone approaches her, with a drink.
A cup of pink milk.
She looks up and sees a man. He probably dyes his hair blonde because she can see the black root, which indicates that his original hair is black.
That's the first thing that she notices about him. Then, comes the rest. His face resembles a cat, his slender frame, and his cute smile.
"Hi!" he greets her politely. Pan stares at him with a lot of questions in her head.
"This is for you..." he hands her the milk.
"Do I need to pay for this?" she asks first.
"It's free. I saw you working so hard. I think you'll need some sugar," the man replies.
Pan slowly grabs the pink milk and takes a sip.
"Thanks..."
"I'm Cray. From the opposite booth. Econ. What's your name?" asks Cray.
"It's Pan. Thanks for the milk," she smiles at him.
"No prob. We got tonnes of it. Handing you one doesn't affect the sales at all!" he replies.
"I can see that. You guys make money like breathing. Your marketing strategy is not a joke either!" says Pan. She chuckles a bit.
"Oh?" Cray asks.
"Yeah. I mean, placing some hot guys with full packs of muscles and good looks to serve at the booth. That's truly a show stopper,"
Cray's cheek blushes a bit.
"That's... That was my idea. As you can see, we have a lot of fine-figure freshmen this year. So, why don't we utilize the resources?" Pan almost rolls her eyes up. She later laughs in tiny.
"You're lucky that your faculty has a lot of hunky freshmen!" she replies to Cray.
"I heard BBA also got a lot of beautiful freshies this year," Cray glances at Pan.
"Unlike Econ fresh boys, those BBA fresh girls are not into this kind of thing..."
"But here you are with this bunny suit!"
They laugh together.
"I'm here for a punishment. I rather go home than torture myself in this!" Pan pats the bunny's head.
"Punishment?" Cray frowns.
"Yeah. Got caught talking while the senior was making a briefing," Pan says.
"So, you're one of those rebellious, huh?" Cray playfully asks her.
"Yeah. It's me!" Pan replies to him, along with a naughty gaze and playful laughs.
"What a shame that you have to wear this costume..." Cray smiles at Pan. She stares at him with innocent eyes.
"Why though?" she asks.
Cray keeps staring at her. His lips draw a smile, a sweet smile that melts all the ice in this world. He is indeed a good-looking boy, with a hype boy vibe that can sweep any girl down to the floor.
At least, that's only a general view from Pan. She agrees that Cray is a good-looking. But, she's too tired to fall in love.
Been there, done that. Thanks but no thanks.
"Seeing you today, I guess I might agree with my friends' claim. BBA is indeed having a lot of beautiful freshies this year," says Cray.
Pan chuckles as she sips the pink milk until the last drop.
"Let me take the cup..."
"No, it's fine. I can manage my rubbish..."
"No. We need to collect these cups and send them to the recycling center. It's our policy. As you can see, there are purple bins around the campus. If you buy any drinks from our booth, you have to throw the cup into the purple bin," Pan nods in tiny.
These people take things quite seriously!
"That's a good policy. Love The Earth. Another good marketing strategy. Is that your idea as well?" asks Pan. Cray nods in tiny.
Pan looks at him, full of admiration. He must be younger than her, but he has this wonderful mindset that might surpass hers.
"Must be hard for you..." she says. Cray smiles and sighs in the middle.
"It is. But, at the end of the day, I feel satisfied. Believe me, you might feel the same, too!" he gives her a hand so she can help her stand up.
Pan grabs his hand carefully and stands up while stabilizing her body in that huge suit.
"I know..." Pan smiles, full of meaning.
***
Zee's feet drag him towards the booth. His head is down almost all the time.
"Zee, where have you been?" asks Ta.
"Looking around..." he replies in tiny. "Here..." he gives a cup of pink milk to Ta.
"You bought it for me?"
"No. I stopped by at the Econ. Buy one, get a free one," Zee replies. Ta nods and takes his first sip.
"Taste okay. You should taste the one that The Home Econ sells," says Ta.
"Too far. I'm too tired to walk," Zee replies while grabbing his bag.
"Where are you going?" asks Ta.
"Class," without any more words, Zee leaves the booth towards the parking lot. From afar, he glances at Pan one more time. The girl is still in that bunny costume. But, instead of dancing alone, she is now joined by a man dancing happily next to her.
His heart feels pudgy.