Chapter 32: Babe, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this experience? ꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡
The driver, a quiet middle-aged man who hadn’t uttered a word all trip, got out and opened the trunk. Rika jumped down from the car’s front seat, practically vibrating with energy... She peered into the trunk with a look of pure excitement, like a child who was waiting for her Christmas present...
"Told you," she exclaimed, pulling out two sleek black cases. Fishing rods. Check. Bait bucket. Check. The cooler with the snacks and drinks," she explained, glancing in Yuto’s direction with a challenging look...
Yuto’s eyes popped open. "Cooler?" he murmured, his voice suddenly wide awake. He was out of the car in an instant, running past Rika to peer over her shoulder. "Wait, where’s the food? The promise of breakfast? I’m really hungry."
"Patience, panda," Rika exclaimed, lightly pushing him back. "First, we fish. Then, we eat. The promise was that there would be food involved, not that you could eat it immediately."
Himari stepped out, stretching her arms widely above her head with a long, satisfying sigh... She looked around at the towering trees and the water reflecting the afternoon sunlight. "It’s actually nice out here," she admitted, a small smile on her face...
Leo and Sarah got out last, taking a moment to breathe in the fresh air... The path ended at a small, rocky clearing that opened up to the lake’s edge. The water was so clear that you could see the rocks on the bottom. It wasn’t a huge lake, but it was big enough to feel like a real escape...
"Babe, look, it’s so beautiful," Sarah said, wrapping her arm around Leo’s waist and leaning her head on his shoulder.
"You guys are lame, what’s there to love about nature?" Yuto grumbled, his eyes still fixed on the cooler...
Rika then began to hand out the fishing gear. The rods were lightweight and looked expensive. She gave one to Himari, who took it and held it with a sense of familiarity that surprised Leo...
She then tossed one to Yuto, who fumbled but managed to catch it. He held it like a contagious weapon, though his eyes were still glued to the cooler...
"Wait, do you guys even know how to do this?" Rika asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Because I’m a pro, obviously. I’ll give you some pointers if you need them. Sarah? Leo? You two are dating, so you’re on the same team."
It was their plan from the start. "Alright," Leo responded, nodding as he took his rod and examined it. He hadn’t held one since he was a kid, fishing with his dad on the local pond. The memories were distant but at the same time pleasant...